Iconian Base Thoughts

posted on January 26th, 2010, 12:50 am

From what we know of the Iconians that will end up in Fleet Operations, they will have one main "starbase" upon which everything builds. I also am aware that the Iconian plans are not set, and much is liable to change. However, I think this feature would be quite unique and not as difficult to balance as has been suggested.

Using the old A2 vanilla "research pod" feature, I don't see why it isn't possible (or indeed desirable) to have the main starbase essentially be a large and very powerful defensive structure. Other than the ability to absorb huge amounts of damage however, it would have no weapons at all. Accordingly, perhaps in accordance to "defensive value" , it would have a statistic approaching 500 or more, and thus be exceedingly hard to destroy.

Instead of dealing damage directly, weapons pods could be purchased, and those pods would have significantly weaker hulls/shields. Likewise with the Iconian research facilities (if there are to be any). Consequently, these individual "structural addons" could be easily targetted and destroyed, while only a fool would try to attack the main base and destroy all structures at once, due to how darn powerful the starbase would be.

However, once the pods are destroyed, the opposing player could of course destroy the starbase at his or her own leisure.

A simple idea that I'm sure has been thought of before, but just one I felt should be stated so that we don't lose hope of having a "1 base structure" unique Iconian build when the time (no irony intended  ) comes .

posted on January 26th, 2010, 1:01 am

It is all good in theory, but there are problems.

first, you have the docking problems.  because there is an invisible barrier around stations,  it makes it exceedingly difficult to repair, or use as a mining station.  second is the pre loading ship feature.  doesn't work with a research station because it seems to be hard coded that research stations cannot build ships...under any circumstances.

other than modular issues, i love the idea of a completely modular race. (this is how I think that the borg should be too)

I like the idea of metallic shells instead of shields, that ablatively break off. that could work in excess to the pods.  once the pods have been blown off, the shell could be "deployed" while more pods were being built, or harvested, or what have you.

posted on January 26th, 2010, 1:09 am

Well, if the devs do hold to the original outline from years back, the Iconians will not need to mine at all. I'm not sure at all about how their ships will work (other than being "teleported in").

Now that I think about it... maybe this topic would best belong in the feature request... since it hasn't been implemented  . Damn stupid brain today 

I like the idea of metallic shells instead of shields, that ablatively break off. that could work in excess to the pods.  once the pods have been blown off, the shell could be "deployed" while more pods were being built, or harvested, or what have you.

That sounds really cool 

posted on January 26th, 2010, 1:21 am

I love the idea of a centralized base that can be expanded upon. I proposed the idea for the Noxter to have this about a year ago, and ended up just implementing it with a race in my mod instead when the devs said the Noxter would not play that way. I was happy to find out the Iconians seem to follow that gameplay structure though. The only problem right now that prevents the idea from working is the AI, since the AI currently will not build any add-ons without the 'pod' classlabel. As always I have confidence the devs will find a way around that in the future though.

posted on January 30th, 2010, 11:08 am

yea, the 'shield' idea is quite good i like that
that makes this thread also perfect for the ideas and feature request section of the board...  moved

posted on January 30th, 2010, 12:00 pm

I love the modular base idea, what if the base in the centre though wasn't all that powerful but all the pods built increased it's health. perhaps though some sort of death chant weapon or similar.

I thought that in FO pods could now build ships? I thought that was fixed a while ago.

posted on January 30th, 2010, 12:34 pm

Nice idea, I support it 
I suggested something like this for the Borg some time ago, though their base would probably become too big if they would play like that

posted on January 30th, 2010, 5:33 pm

yea, the 'shield' idea is quite good i like that
that makes this thread also perfect for the ideas and feature request section of the board...  moved

woo hoo! thats atleast one good idea of mine

I love the modular base idea, what if the base in the centre though wasn't all that powerful but all the pods built increased it's health. perhaps though some sort of death chant weapon or similar.

I thought that in FO pods could now build ships? I thought that was fixed a while ago.

pods can build ships, but the main base structure can not, thus disabling the pre-load units feature.