An idea for a new station type to bring some variety to Elite, The Sprawls.
These are unofficial stations that don't show up on the system map using normal system scanning means such as scanning the Nav Beacon. To find one you or someone in your wing has to have a discovery scanner equipped. Because they're not readily broadcasting a location signal they're free from cops and a favorite for pirates, smugglers, and black markets (though if you do business at one they're likely to skim a little off the top).
Another major difference between these and sanctioned stations is you're free to open fire on unfriendly vessels. But unless you're allied with the local controlling/rival faction don't expect anyone to come and help you. This also means they're excellent places for people wanting to test they're PvP skills without fear of repercussions from the law. Friendly (and of course unfriendly) Sprawl Battles often occur and some locations may even choose to host Battle Royal events.
(For those wondering, yes this is at least a partial replacement for CQC in order to make it a more organic part of the overall game)
Lore-wise the reason why the Superpowers allow the Sprawls to exist, despite the fact they could easily located them and wipe them out, is because they're tolerated. It's easier to deal with the criminal underworld if they're located at a centralized site. If faction operating out of a Sprawl gets too out of line it may trigger an attack on the Sprawl by the nearest Superpower. Depending on where your loyalties are players can join in on the attack or defend the Sprawl for another day. If a Sprawl is destroyed a new one will form in a different location in the system in a few days time.
Sprawls come in 2 basic flavors:
1.) Derelicts: These are older stations that have fallen into disuse and wandered from their original orbit. It's not uncommon for these to be wiped out because they collided with a planet or other large body.
2.) Hives: These form when a large number of ships gather together and interlock with each other. Docking at a hive may require the player to do so via a Cargo Hatch Umbilical (more on that below). During an attack a hive may disperse and flee.
Cargo Hatch Umbilical:
This is a new way (at least new to Elite) of docking ships together to transfer goods and personnel by connecting them via their cargo hatches. To do so players have to take following steps:
In case of attack the docking can be abandoned at anytime by either party. But still, be wary of those you trust.
This kind of docking opens up new ways of locating and accepting missions such as trade or smuggling or both. It also opens up new ways for players to interact with each other. I know there's fear that such additions could lead to real world transactions for in game stuff. But I think that the concept overall is something the social side of the game could really use.
These are unofficial stations that don't show up on the system map using normal system scanning means such as scanning the Nav Beacon. To find one you or someone in your wing has to have a discovery scanner equipped. Because they're not readily broadcasting a location signal they're free from cops and a favorite for pirates, smugglers, and black markets (though if you do business at one they're likely to skim a little off the top).
Another major difference between these and sanctioned stations is you're free to open fire on unfriendly vessels. But unless you're allied with the local controlling/rival faction don't expect anyone to come and help you. This also means they're excellent places for people wanting to test they're PvP skills without fear of repercussions from the law. Friendly (and of course unfriendly) Sprawl Battles often occur and some locations may even choose to host Battle Royal events.
(For those wondering, yes this is at least a partial replacement for CQC in order to make it a more organic part of the overall game)
Lore-wise the reason why the Superpowers allow the Sprawls to exist, despite the fact they could easily located them and wipe them out, is because they're tolerated. It's easier to deal with the criminal underworld if they're located at a centralized site. If faction operating out of a Sprawl gets too out of line it may trigger an attack on the Sprawl by the nearest Superpower. Depending on where your loyalties are players can join in on the attack or defend the Sprawl for another day. If a Sprawl is destroyed a new one will form in a different location in the system in a few days time.
Sprawls come in 2 basic flavors:
1.) Derelicts: These are older stations that have fallen into disuse and wandered from their original orbit. It's not uncommon for these to be wiped out because they collided with a planet or other large body.
2.) Hives: These form when a large number of ships gather together and interlock with each other. Docking at a hive may require the player to do so via a Cargo Hatch Umbilical (more on that below). During an attack a hive may disperse and flee.
Cargo Hatch Umbilical:
This is a new way (at least new to Elite) of docking ships together to transfer goods and personnel by connecting them via their cargo hatches. To do so players have to take following steps:
- Ship #1 requests a "Transfer of Goods" from nearby Ship #2.
- Ship #2 agrees.
- Ship #1's weapons are disabled by the computer.
- Ships #2 is now slaved to Ship #1 and Ship #2's computer takes over making sure Ship #2 remains stationary while docking.
- Ship #1 swings around so the two cargo hatches are facing each other.
- Ship #1 backs slowly into Ship #2 until a docking mini-game appears on the HUD.
- When successful the COVAS will announce "Docking Successful."
In case of attack the docking can be abandoned at anytime by either party. But still, be wary of those you trust.
This kind of docking opens up new ways of locating and accepting missions such as trade or smuggling or both. It also opens up new ways for players to interact with each other. I know there's fear that such additions could lead to real world transactions for in game stuff. But I think that the concept overall is something the social side of the game could really use.
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