Random ideas from OOC – Afternoon of 08JUL2009

[b:3i3f4aqj]Ship system:[/b:3i3f4aqj]

Instead of jacking with reducing the physical number of starfighters on ships (and thus breaking canon) or anything else like it, I say we disband real interceptors alltogether; keep actual hangers for the purposes of capturing and landing (so still sizeable hangers), but have the fighters become a third weapon system, to go with the laser systems (autoblasters, lasers, turbolaser, ion) and the projectile weapons (missile, torpedo, rocket).

In essence, there would be three types of the fighters: starfighters, bombers, and interceptors. Each would require a certain number of components (starfighter and interceptor being the same, with bomber slightly higher, I’d say); this would determine the maximum number of each type of fighter that the cappie can hold at once. They would be used like any other weapon, ala "launch starfighter," "launch bomber," and "launch interceptor."

Starfighters and bombers would act offensively; starfighters would be fast, and do minor damage, while bombers would be slower and do far more damage. On the other hand, interceptors would effectively be chaff–when a fighter or bomber attack is detected, interceptors can be launched and will "vape" the incoming fighters. I’m not sure how this work would, either on a simple 1 to 1 basis (that is, if you launch 1 interceptor, it dies and so does 1 fighter or bomber), or some second set of stats the determines the quality of the fighters, bombers, and interceptors (my personal favorite because fighter, bomber, and interceptor attacks weren’t suicide missions).

Now, another question comes when you talk about what happens when an attack succeeds: do the fighters die in the attempt, survive and return to the base, or survive and be forced to refuel? I’d say the last option; each attack with fighters or bombers–or defense via interceptors–would take a certain amount of energy from the capital ship, just like the laser weapons.
Additionally, it would be nice to see autoblasters come into use here; they could be automatic defenses that can hinder fighter attacks (slowing them down, possibly destroying them, etc.). Additionally, if that change were made, I’d say put in the long-suggested change for autoblasters to have a chance to automatically shoot down oncoming missiles/etc.

[b:3i3f4aqj]Leadership:[/b:3i3f4aqj]

This one was inspired by some random comment Avanga made when we were talking about changing the space system.
Leadership subclasses should each get a subclass-specific call mob.

Another suggested leadership change was to have piloting mobs, to complement the combat mobs that already exist. Automated engineer mobs, for example.

I think getting rid of interceptors would be a mistake. Creation of starfighters gives the game a dimension of economy, and minor pirate clans and the like will have the fun of scrounging up makeshift squadrons and stuff.

He means have a separate system for interceptors.

This would most likely be integrated into the current squadron system, where the squadron command made them go ‘poof’ and sent them off to their own specialty hangar. (which doesn’t exist <!– s:P –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt="" title="Razz" /><!– s:P –>)