I have ANOTHER idea!! :)

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 7:26 pm

I was just thinking (uh oh),  what if we made it possible to restrict technologies.  Ok, that doesn't sound very intriguing on first glance, but just let me explain.  If we made it so that you could choose from the instant action menu what point of technological advancement would be your "cut off" point, we might make the game more interesting. 

So that I don't completely confuse everyone, I'll give an example.  Let's just say that you decided to disable your ability to build an advanced ship yard, all battles would be composed of smaller ships like the intrepid class, akira class, nova class, etc.  Instead of ramming a huge fleet of enormous sovereigns down an enemy's throat and calling it a day, you could slowly degrade their defenses with smaller, faster vessels.  Now I don't know if I have actually thought this entire idea through (knowing myself, probably not  ), so any criticism (once again, as long as it is constructive, in other words, no "you suck go jump off a cliff" comments  ) would be welcomed.

Thanks again!

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 7:42 pm

While I like this idea I feel like certain races will benefit way more then others, like the feds or Romulans but also it will make turtling a much more reliable strat

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 7:48 pm

Ooooh yeah, that is true.  I did not think of that.  I guess for these technological restrictions to work, turrets and other defense structures would need to be proportionally downgraded somehow, in order to match the current level of technological advancement.  Would that actually solve the problem or is their something else which would need to altered for this to actually work?

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 7:48 pm

Welcome to the forums!

In many ways, this is how Fleet Operations works in online multiplayer.  Higher tier ships are no longer the end all, be all.  In fact, most of the raiding in games happens via small, fast ships that can hit miners and get out before taking losses, while building up a powerful fleet.

Depending on the game type, most races tend to not tech up to their top tier units, as you have to make the choice between more ships and more tech.  So your idea of relying more on the base units already works out naturally.

You're talking about instant action, and that is a little different, as the AI just can't mimic what we humans do.  They have a build list that they spam, and it makes more sense for you to tech up all the way.  I guess my recommendation would be for you to try just using lots and lots of those smaller units, microing them out of battle before they blow up, and so forth.  They've got plans to redo the AI so that it's not so bland, but that may be a while.

Ideas are always welcome, though.

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 7:51 pm

While I like this idea I feel like certain races will benefit way more then others, like the feds or Romulans but also it will make turtling a much more reliable strat

The turtling strategy isn't so hard to deal with if you restrict the large yard. As the torpedo turret needs a large yard. So that leaves the pulse, laser and sensor platform

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 8:00 pm

Yeah, I guess my ideas actually come from playing instant action.  I am too scared to try multiplayer since all the players out there are really good and I can't even beat an AI nomal  , which is very frustrating by the way lol!  Thank you for your recommendations, they will really help me transition from the "build lots of big ships and blow the enemy to bits" strategy which I have adopted. 
Thanks so much!

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 8:26 pm

its possible and intresting

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 8:33 pm

Yeah, I guess my ideas actually come from playing instant action.  I am too scared to try multiplayer since all the players out there are really good and I can't even beat an AI nomal  , which is very frustrating by the way lol!  Thank you for your recommendations, they will really help me transition from the "build lots of big ships and blow the enemy to bits" strategy which I have adopted.  
Thanks so much!

not being able to beat the ai doesnt mean you cant beat humans, its a totally different game online. the online wildlife wont shuffle single file into your wall of turrets. nor will they waste combat tractor beam on a station etc. but also, they will have less ships than the ai.

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 10:18 pm

You can also build (eventually) a whole bunch of small yards instead of teching up as well.  That can even work better sometimes, if you keep them moving.

[davidusk2]

posted on June 22nd, 2011, 11:51 pm

Last edited by davidusk2 on June 22nd, 2011, 11:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ohhh, ok.  Maybe I will give multiplayer a try sometime soon.        jkjkjk 

hehehe

No really, I will try it.

posted on June 23rd, 2011, 12:03 am

Welcome! you should come play online for sure. Most of the regulars here are really nice and can teach you much on how to play. Besides its not about winning or losing its how you play the game that matters.

posted on June 23rd, 2011, 12:13 am

Ahh!    Now I have to play just to meet you people.  Thanks Njm1983!  I will try it as soon as I can. 

[Tryptic]

posted on June 23rd, 2011, 2:48 am

Last edited by Tryptic on June 23rd, 2011, 2:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

Actually the way it's shaping up, when it's all said and done this balance will be decided by the map you play on.  A bigger map with easier defense favors bigger ships, because rush strategies can defend themselves while raiding is hard.  Smaller maps with more exposed resources make smaller ships more appealing.

The thing is, the devs are reacting to a lot of large maps in Fleet Ops' past.  Lots of intricate passageways that were easy to turtle up behind.  As a result, they've nerfed large ships to the point that many of them aren't worth getting at all.  However, a few mapmakers have stepped up (me!) to make smaller, more open maps (like Boggz' Star Traffic) and I hope that by doing this we will allow the devs to make those large ships good again without hurting game balance.

So really instead of a slider, you'll just have different maps for small ship battles and big ship battles.  This is my dream...

As for playing online, don't worry about it!  This week something like 5 new people started playing.  If you come online you will find lots of pros who are willing to teach you how to play, but you'll also find people who played their first game yesterday and are as green as you are.  So get online!!!

posted on June 23rd, 2011, 7:20 am

Hmm, there are many RTS games wehre I'd like a feature like that, but I think in Fleet Ops it's not that important, since the lower tech ships often don't become irrelevant once you teched up. Probes for example are in fact one of the best torp tanks the Borg have, so it's useful to build them even in late game in order to keep some heavy firepower from your large ships. Same goes for monsoons/sabres or KBQ.
Restricting the tech would hurt Dominion badly, as all of their early ships are easily countered by the early game ships of other races(especially Klingons). They often need large ships to compete(my opinion).