Now, if you'll indulge me. Even though I was very happy with this upgrade, I'd still like to use this thread to once again expound on how I feel the Engineer Experience can be improved-without throwing out RNG (which I am actually very fond of)-by increasing Player Agency.
Material Substitution: This upgrade required mere Carbon. However, wouldn't it be nice if you click on the material-in that top screen-and be given the option of another, rarer material you could substitute it with, in return for a bonus on the Upgrade Roll? In this example, maybe they'd let me use Germanium instead of Carbon.
Calling in a Favour: Now I'm only at Rank 1 at the moment....so that wouldn't be an option here. However, lets say I was Rank 3, & was unhappy with the mass of the armour upgrade-but didn't want to risk the excellent Resistance results I got. Well maybe I could "Call in a Favour" (like you currently can for weapon special effects) to get an adjustment of the mass result-but in the knowledge that the next roll will only be between 0% & 7% (not 0%-8%). Favours could also be used as a means to remove Secondary Effects if you dislike them.
Calling in a favour could also be used as a means to get back some-or all-of the materials used when you trash an upgrade. It could also be used for gaining info about other Engineers, or getting permits to certain systems.....amongst other things.
Repeat Business: Wouldn't it be great if bringing the same ship back for an upgrade-by the same engineer-provided a cumulative bonus to the final upgrade result, to reflect the Engineer becoming more familiar with the unique quirks of your vessel! You could even have a short line of text-from the engineer-to reflect that, to help create a sense of role-play/immersion.
Specialty Modules in Outfitting: So, Palin has her Corrosion Proof Cargo racks......but what about all the other Engineers? Every engineer should have a single specialty item that you can purchase from their Outfitting Section-something related to the kind of person that engineer is. Todd could have specialty Cannons, Liz might have specialty Missile Racks & The Dweller could have Scanner Resistant Cargo racks.....just to mention a few. These specialty items could be rank locked to make things more interesting.
Multiple routes to rank: I find it odd that some Engineers have multiple ways to rank up with them, whilst others rely solely on upgrades. My feeling is that every engineer should have at least one other means to rank up-outside of the upgrading route (which should be the slowest route to ranking up IMHO). Gaining reputation with a Super Power or Faction, selling specific items on their commodity markets (ore for Selene, Explosives for Liz, Contraband for The Dweller), turning in Exploration Data, Combat Bonds, Bounties or Intel and.....in the fullness of time.....doing missions for them. Given that Rank would have much more uses in my proposed overhaul, then multiple ways to gain-& regain-rank would be quite necessary!
