Suggestion: Repair Limpets

[PenguinActual]

So I had the idea today that we don't have any major support type of modules and thus came up with an idea for the Repair Limpet Controller. Visually the idea is simple and well within the technology of Elite.


The damaged ship comes to a full stop as the repairing vessel comes in to range and also stops. The repairing ship locks onto and scans the damaged ship. The diagnostic data from the scan is then programed into the Limpets and are automatically sent to do their job. Once attached, they start printing new armor onto the ship. When finished, they detach becoming useless.


Naturally... the better and bigger the Repair Limpet Controller (RLC) is the longer the scan can take place from and the more Limpets can be deployed at once.


What are your thoughts everyone?

 

[Surly_Badger]

I think it'd be a cool idea, but only if the failure modes ships experience were something other than "works OK" and "dead"

If things broke down a bit more, and left pilots stranded, then it'd make sense.

Or if it could repair hull damage. But realistically it'd only be valuable sitting outside a CZ or orbiting Sag A*

 

[PenguinActual]

Well, we have the AFMU which only fixes the player's modules and not the hull. I think this would cause players that aren't normally in combat transports to purchase and outfit support craft. Asp sales would explode!
I'm also trying to think of other things such as a penalty to special armor repairs but I don't know. Seems a bit mean to tell players with the up-armored Anaconda or the like that just because you have a ship covered in Military armor that you get less repairs. Maybe it makes sense... Don't know.

 

[Ben Ryder]

Could work. Perhaps carrying amounts of special metals would be needed to fuel the drone's repairs of hulls?

 

[DocLooshkin]

+1. I'm very much in favour of player activities that aren't simply yet more variations of shooting and trading. Combat support and search & rescue seem extremely worthwhile alternatives.

 

[PenguinActual]

Could work. Perhaps carrying amounts of special metals would be needed to fuel the drone's repairs of hulls?

Actually... using that perhaps you need to purchase printing material and the drone simply returns back to your bay? It would get rid of any INTIAL penalty for repairing special armor types as long as you have the... I really dislike using this term cause... Minecraft... block type.

 

[Snarfbuckle]

I think it'd be a cool idea, but only if the failure modes ships experience were something other than "works OK" and "dead"

If things broke down a bit more, and left pilots stranded, then it'd make sense.

Or if it could repair hull damage. But realistically it'd only be valuable sitting outside a CZ or orbiting Sag A*

Just add a simple negative effect depending on health.

Frameshift Drive: Insystem Acceleration/Decelleration is reduced by damage percentage.
Frameshift Drive: Jump Range is reduced by damage percentage
Engine: Maximum & Boost speed is reduced by damage percentage
Reactor: Power output is reduced by damage percentage (A3 with 12 power and 80% damage = 2,4 output)
Etc...

 

[Chrystoph]

I think this is an excellent idea, both from the perspective of repairs away from stations/bases and player interaction.

It gives more potential for things like system assaults, etc where a wing is flying. It also has potential for explorers to fly together or at least arrange meetings.

Could work. Perhaps carrying amounts of special metals would be needed to fuel the drone's repairs of hulls?

This is a wonderful idea, but only if the ability to trade crafting supplies is available.

Meatspace has repair ships, so should E.

+1

 

[DHMeyer]

Great idea for adding more depth to the multiplayer side of Elite. I like it very much, because this would add more otpions of interaction between the players. This way you can have a wing of 3 fighter ships and one fighter / support ship, which can carry on some (still limited) repairs whilst away from the station. It would also allow for creating player groups akin to Fuel Rats. Deep space explorer can ask for help in case of their ship being damaged and some other player can jump to help them using a support ship.

Actually, this could be useful in Solo as well. We could have save and rescue missions: "Commander X is missing, last known location is system X, please check what happened to them". You go to the system, find a distress call and stranded (damaged) ship which you can then help to repair.

+Rep