The tuning shops mentioned in post I should not replace Engineers, but add a bit of light modding to the basic components. Engineers should still be quantum wizards in space.
Keep the tiers of Engineering ‘levels', but set them on sliders instead, showing the range of outcome for each tier. Add a table showing the impact on current ship stats as well. What level of reputation the player has with the engineer will determine how far to the right a slider can be moved.
Keep the variability of the outcomes, but change the animation away from the casino style. And make it faster.
Change the materials requirement, so that at least at lower levels, there are about 3 attempts of improvement possible for each lot of materials. Also, make materials available for purchase at the Engineer base. Although make stocks limited and the rare materials actually rare and costly if present at all.
Make weapon special effects something that can be aimed for, similar to other Engineer modifications. And remove random weapon special effects from other weapon modifications. If any unexpected surprises are wanted, make them cosmetic such as colour changes or sparks or similar.
S
Keep the tiers of Engineering ‘levels', but set them on sliders instead, showing the range of outcome for each tier. Add a table showing the impact on current ship stats as well. What level of reputation the player has with the engineer will determine how far to the right a slider can be moved.
Keep the variability of the outcomes, but change the animation away from the casino style. And make it faster.
Change the materials requirement, so that at least at lower levels, there are about 3 attempts of improvement possible for each lot of materials. Also, make materials available for purchase at the Engineer base. Although make stocks limited and the rare materials actually rare and costly if present at all.
Make weapon special effects something that can be aimed for, similar to other Engineer modifications. And remove random weapon special effects from other weapon modifications. If any unexpected surprises are wanted, make them cosmetic such as colour changes or sparks or similar.
S