Naval rank is a grind. There's no denying that.
And, for what?
For ships.
You achieve the rank, you buy the ship and your naval rank becomes as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
We all like shiny new toys but, considering the hours players put into achieving the required rank, perhaps it'd be nice if there were other benefits/opportunities as a result of naval rank?
It occurs to me that it'd be fairly simple to brainstorm a bunch of new mission types, specific to different system-states, and then make them available only to players with sufficient naval rank.
For example, in a system which is in a state of war, an imperial faction could offer missions (perhaps only after the player has gained "allied" status?) to players with Imp' rank to fly to Achenar and petition the authorities for more ships.
If you're a Knight, these might be simple missions which don't pay absurdly well and only have a small effect on the war.
Conversely, if you're a King, maybe the mission would be a LOT harder, with powerful Fed' (or Alliance) ships being sent to ruin your day, it'd pay much better and it'd help the war a lot.
Seems like this could also integrate well with the BGS too, whereby a bunch of people who all took these missions might be able to have an effect on the outcome of a war.
You could have a variety of similar missions too, for other circumstances.
System is in Famine? Go petition your superpower for supplies.
System in Outbreak? Go beg for medical aid.
Overall, the point would be to give players some ongoing reward for having made the effort to gain naval rank.
It wouldn't have to be game-changing. Just enough to remind you that you HAD accomplished something that granted you certain privileges and responsibilities.
And, for what?
For ships.
You achieve the rank, you buy the ship and your naval rank becomes as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
We all like shiny new toys but, considering the hours players put into achieving the required rank, perhaps it'd be nice if there were other benefits/opportunities as a result of naval rank?
It occurs to me that it'd be fairly simple to brainstorm a bunch of new mission types, specific to different system-states, and then make them available only to players with sufficient naval rank.
For example, in a system which is in a state of war, an imperial faction could offer missions (perhaps only after the player has gained "allied" status?) to players with Imp' rank to fly to Achenar and petition the authorities for more ships.
If you're a Knight, these might be simple missions which don't pay absurdly well and only have a small effect on the war.
Conversely, if you're a King, maybe the mission would be a LOT harder, with powerful Fed' (or Alliance) ships being sent to ruin your day, it'd pay much better and it'd help the war a lot.
Seems like this could also integrate well with the BGS too, whereby a bunch of people who all took these missions might be able to have an effect on the outcome of a war.
You could have a variety of similar missions too, for other circumstances.
System is in Famine? Go petition your superpower for supplies.
System in Outbreak? Go beg for medical aid.
Overall, the point would be to give players some ongoing reward for having made the effort to gain naval rank.
It wouldn't have to be game-changing. Just enough to remind you that you HAD accomplished something that granted you certain privileges and responsibilities.
Last edited:
