[Idea] - Diversify Stations/Upgrades

posted on July 25th, 2011, 11:08 pm

I know that the starbases already have somewhat of the same stats, but having the build/upgrade costs/times all exactly the same doesn't seem very diverse.  Any player that fully upgrades his/her starbase will spend 1300 Dilithium and Tritanium reguardless of faction, and the reconstruction of a base will always cost them 2000/1000.

On another note it seems that most of the shipyards and research facilities have the same Dilithium/Tritanium cost ratios with the exception of the Borg and maybe the Klingon Field Yard.  This also doesn't seem very diverse.  And with the exception of the Borg getting free technology, technology upgrades like weapons, sensors, and shields also seem to be exactly the same.  Just about the only thing different is the turret and sensor costs and ship build costs.

If we diversify the stuff that is common to all factions, like weapon, shield, and sensor upgrades; and shipyard, starbase, and research facilities build/upgrade cost ratios, we could implement a number of new strategies for each faction and give the game a bigger sense of diversity for all of the factions and avatars available.  And, the upgrade rewards for starbases could be different for each faction/avatar as well to further diversify the game, while at the same time, keeping it balanced.

Example:  1 starbase upgrade may lack a few offensive points but increase system points, while another upgrade may lack a few defensive points.  Yet another upgrade would have extra defensive or offensive points.

Right now, the only things that seem to be different are (1) the way the Borg research technologies and build "shipyards" and (2) the way the Klingons build ships from the Field Yard.  These modifications can be done without disrupting game balance.  Just an idea I had but would be nice to see in Fleet Ops.

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 8:04 am

i could see station upgrades being something like a designation marker
each marker would maintain its basic functions of building and defense
designation 1 option:  strategic outpost - increases offensive weapons
designation 2 option:  defense outpost - strengthens shields of vessels and stations within a certain range
designation 3 option:  resupply and repair base - workbee repair drones launch to provide automated repairs of any damaged ship in range.  supply increase without a price increase (perhaps only if placed near planets)

posted on August 3rd, 2011, 8:12 am

is there something wrong with the current ratio and strategies for playing the game? What you are proposing would require a total rebalance to keep it balanced.

The devs are already in the process of a race by race redo that will diversify stuff more and make more factions individual.

Technology needs to be around the same so one race doesn't have a ridiculous advantage over another and starbases are all made practically the same so they aren't attractive to build to prevent camping... Imagine one race having cheap starbases compared to another, even if weaker would be like a giant turret promoting turtling. FO actively tries to deter any form of turtling and focus on fleets.

The only time i'd want to see a diverse starbase as an option was if you had huge maps requiring sector control as a key importance rather than just looking after mining but again i'd want this to be a small outpost you upgrade over time.