Post "Elite" progression - Martial arts "dan" ranking

[zarrazee]

A lot of CMDRs like a sense of progression. Once you are "Elite" in combat or trading, you've already progressed as far as you can with factions, major powers, powerplay etc. An Elite pilot cannot become Elite+.

Assuming there is no level cap on knowledge, skill & experience and that even Elite pilots can improve, I suggest a dan ranking system like you get in martial arts, once you hit Elite.

How could it work?

• Hitting triple Elite unlocks the ability to progress to "1st dan" in Combat, Exploration and/or Trading (CQC?)
• The amount needed to increase one dan could be the same as going from Harmless to (combat) Elite, Aimless to (exploration) Elite or Penniless to (trading( Elite)
• The individual dans could be independent of each other E.g. You could be "Elite 2nd dan" in combat, but "Elite" in trading
• To maintain game balance for those who don't play 10 hours a day, there doesn't have to be 10 dans, maybe just 2

Benefits

• Extends play time of CMDRs
• Gives Elite CMDRs other set goals
• Merchandise opportunities for FD - Triple Triple Elite decals / Ship kits etc
• Marketing opportunity for FD - similar to when first launch "First to Triple Elite" competition, but a triple, triple Elite competition

In-game rewards. For each dan...

• in Combat - Additional 5% per DPS, speed, shields, hull etc
• in Exploration - Additional 5LY range / Less fuel used per jump / Faster fuel scooping etc
• in Trading - Additional cargo capacity of xTonnes per dan / / Store more modules / Being able to buy engineered data/material etc
• in CQC - ?

Risks

• Some CMDRs will say that Elite is already too grindy. However, like everything in the game, it's up to each CMDR what they do. Grind is a state of mind
• Some may complain "Where's the additional gameplay? You expect me to do it all over again for some lousy reward? I cba". Like everything in Elite, "dan" progression is optional

Elite is often criticised for lack of "end game". This "dan" proposal would extend the "end-game" and give Elite CMDRs more reasons for playing Elite.

o7 CMDRs

 

[Teh Smoo]

No. Also, no, no, no, and a thousand times NO.

Why:
This is nothing less than gameplay benefits for leveling up. To compete, people are then required to get elite, and then grind yet more, or other people will have a clear advantage over them.


Now, if there was PURELY COSMETIC rewards for this, that would be a different story. A large, or somehow open-ended amount of decals, elite+, elite++ skins, for pure bragging rights? Don't see why not.

 

[Siobhan]

Elite is supposed to be the best of the best, not the beginning
The problem is that Elite (in any sphere) is way way too easy. Triple Elite should take years of play, not days.

 

[zarrazee]

then grind yet more,

Grind is all in the mind. I never grind in games, I just play them. If I get bored, I take a break and do something else. I've still not completed Skyrim or Witcher 3, but I will one day.

To compete, people are then required to get elite,

Only if the CMDR is interested in PVP, I have no interest in PVP unless there are PVP rewards (like in Wow)

Now, if there was PURELY COSMETIC rewards for this

No thanks. I've no interest in virtual skins.

 

[zarrazee]

Elite is supposed to be the best of the best, not the beginning

There is always room for improvement in any sphere. Even within a group of Elite CMDRs, some will be better than others.

Triple Elite should take years of play, not days.

That's the whole point of this suggestion. I want to carry on playing Elite, but currently have nothing to aim for. I have done all my self imposed goals and am now looking at other games to play. This system would extend playtime for hardcore Elite CMDRs.

 

[goemon]

i would like to have a reset with triple elite (like cqc/arena) with some cosmetical rewards, or simply getting an extra save

 

[varonica]

This appears to be nothing more than another attempt to force everyone to PvP/combat. You want give extra benefits to exploration but only if the "explorers" are top gun combat masters? My ships don't even have weapons, I do exploring only, I run from everything that tries to hurt me, I am in that group that would benefit most from these explorer buffs but you want me to do combat to get them?

I don't even have anything above first grade engineer modules because of the combat gating of higher level stuff, why in the universe would I spend endless time away from exploring to gain elite combat and elite trading ranks? Not very well thought out was it now!

 

[concentric]

No objections against progression beyond elite, if someone needs that, but a definite no to the suggested in-game rewards. Making the most skilled players even more powerful is as necessary as the rich getting even richer on good old earth and griefers would become even more annoying to non-combat oriented or less experienced players who want to stay in open.

 

[duckofdeath]

Considering how pointless the trade and exploration Elite ranks are these days, reached with a few hours exploit-free gameplay this wouldn't work, I think.
Giving experienced players unbeatable ships is also the wrong direction, I think.

 

[Gully Foyle]

No arcade like features please.

And those are all grind goals no matter how you paint it.