One big issue in PP and possibly V2 is that 'risk' is a bit of a nebulous concept. While I love the idea of open, it introduces inconsistencies- but at the same time Powerplay NPCs which should be providing challenge in Solo or PG are absent. A lot of what was described on the Unlocked #4 relies on some other force pushing back against you- and if there is nothing (or that its predictable) its going to be a bit dull.
Now, could NPCs provide that in a quantifiable targeted way? Unlocked #4 had a 'Top 10' list based on cycle effort- could this be expanded and used as a basis for a PP NPC attack level?
In short, the higher your rank, more difficult NPCs / wings are sent by rival powers to kill you- so new players are at the bottom and face low level NPCs, while top 10 aces see spec ops level ships that will hassle them. This would even out modes, since a lone commander who is putting in the work will see significant pushback instead of the same low level NPCs. The chances of these super NPCs appearing might also be tied to the value of the system you are in, simulating players cogregating in vital areas (and not backwaters- high population being high chance, etc).
This could be done in a few ways:
General rival PP NPCs become increasingly better engineered
At the start of the new cycle your power warns a hit squad wing are after you- and that at random times (like a pursuing BH) will drop in when you least expect it (singularly or all together). You could mix in this (but with non ATR ships) https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...-npc-player-scan-spawns-an-atr-vessel.533172/ so that your infamy forces you to be careful where you are seen.
These NPCs could offer lots of materials / cash if killed and boost your ranking further.
Now, could NPCs provide that in a quantifiable targeted way? Unlocked #4 had a 'Top 10' list based on cycle effort- could this be expanded and used as a basis for a PP NPC attack level?
In short, the higher your rank, more difficult NPCs / wings are sent by rival powers to kill you- so new players are at the bottom and face low level NPCs, while top 10 aces see spec ops level ships that will hassle them. This would even out modes, since a lone commander who is putting in the work will see significant pushback instead of the same low level NPCs. The chances of these super NPCs appearing might also be tied to the value of the system you are in, simulating players cogregating in vital areas (and not backwaters- high population being high chance, etc).
This could be done in a few ways:
General rival PP NPCs become increasingly better engineered
At the start of the new cycle your power warns a hit squad wing are after you- and that at random times (like a pursuing BH) will drop in when you least expect it (singularly or all together). You could mix in this (but with non ATR ships) https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...-npc-player-scan-spawns-an-atr-vessel.533172/ so that your infamy forces you to be careful where you are seen.
These NPCs could offer lots of materials / cash if killed and boost your ranking further.
