Wasting a perfect opportunity for directional shielding?

[Alexander the Grape]

I always assumed that Multicrew would allow for something that has been in the design pipeline since forever; directional shielding. Instead of one homogeneous mass, a crew member could manage relative shield intensity to counter incoming damage.

However, instead the options we're getting are pretty lacklustre. Not only is the crew count capped at 3 (Helm, Gunner, Fighter Com) the only interactive options are with offensive combat gameplay, with no consideration for defence. Instead, we're given lore-unfriendly nonsensical free PD pips.

Instead of magic energy points from the power of friendship, why not allow a fourth crewmember that can use a similar interface to the Gunner to create a zone of increased shield resistance? It would make more sense to have a third role, and more useful on obviously multicrew ships (Cobra, Vulture, FDL) that don't utilise turrets or fighters.

Hell, you don't even need to alter the base shield stats; just create an an entity that sticks to the contours of the shield that blocks a proportion of incoming damage. Or even just give the same functionality to the gunner, so they're useful even on ships without turrets.

 

[TERMINATRIXXX]

I always assumed that Multicrew would allow for something that has been in the design pipeline since forever; directional shielding. Instead of one homogeneous mass, a crew member could manage relative shield intensity to counter incoming damage.

However, instead the options we're getting are pretty lacklustre. Not only is the crew count capped at 3 (Helm, Gunner, Fighter Com) the only interactive options are with offensive combat gameplay, with no consideration for defence. Instead, we're given lore-unfriendly nonsensical free PD pips.

Instead of magic energy points from the power of friendship, why not allow a fourth crewmember that can use a similar interface to the Gunner to create a zone of increased shield resistance? It would make more sense to have a third role, and more useful on obviously multicrew ships (Cobra, Vulture, FDL) that don't utilise turrets or fighters.

Hell, you don't even need to alter the base shield stats; just create an an entity that sticks to the contours of the shield that blocks a proportion of incoming damage. Or even just give the same functionality to the gunner, so they're useful even on ships without turrets.

This is just the start of multicrew.......*facepalm* things can be changed, improved and adapted.
Who know they might consider some feedback for further updates.

 

[soma]

Well said. I made a similar suggestion yesterday in another thread: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...plicitly-P2W?p=5097139&viewfull=1#post5097139

Its a missed opportunity. Instead of gameplay we get some nonsensical PD buff just because another player joins the crew. :/

 

[Morbad]

I agree that mechanisms like this would be far more appealing than just passive pip increases for a body (or hologram) being in a chair.

Probably also takes too much work for them to implement it within some deadline...

 

[jgm]

I was thinking this. It wouldn't be hard to have dynamic resistance whee you took whatever additional resistance you obtain from the SYS pips and distribute it around 6 areas. If it was, for example, 40% when evenly distributed you could put it up to 80% on a given area but the others would be suitably reduced. Interesting, useful, challenging.

 

[Snarfbuckle]

I agree that mechanisms like this would be far more appealing than just passive pip increases for a body (or hologram) being in a chair.

Probably also takes too much work for them to implement it within some deadline...

Shield pips for directional management could be interesting.

4 pips to shields means you can stack 4 shield facings
2 pips to shield limit you to 2 pips

 

[soma]

This is just the start of multicrew.......*facepalm* things can be changed, improved and adapted.

This would be a much better argument if FD didnt have a track record of releasing half-baked features and then forgetting about them. I was in camp "relax, its just a placeholder and will be replaced by a more in-depth mechanic later" for a long time. But its just not happening. (USS, Exploration, Powerplay, CQC, ...)

 

[goemon]

please use this thread to discuss the 2.3. dev update and further suggestions: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/326569-2-3-dev-update-feedback-mega-thread