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Customizable Ships Stats: Sort of...
crabbycabby
Member Posts: 127 Arc User
This appears to be a big category for threads, and my reading has led me to confusion.
So today I put some time and thought into this idea.
Some basics about a ship should be "set in stone".
Some basics about a ship should be more "flexible".
"Set in Stone": Weapons, Maneuvering, and Special Abilities. (to an extent...still unsure about this)
The weapons load is the biggest thing most players seem to want to change. But I don't think that it should be something that is changed. [Or if it is able to be changed, make it cost not only in currency but in some other lost function(s).]
Maneuvering includes the basic speed and turn rate. There are already lots of ways to increase these abilities, and they are one of the biggest traits of a star ship.
The Special Abilities of certain ships are inherent in the design (Science class targeting and sensors, for example) and should not be something that can modified.
Note that other abilities are Console based, and can be moved to another ship (sometimes).
"Flexible": BOFF Station Slots, Device Slots, Console Slots.
How about a Point based system to rate each of these slots? :eek:
The three areas (BOFF Stations, Devices, Consoles) would each draw on a separate "pool" of Points.
Points are used to add Slots.
Points = Double the Ship Tier for each of the three 'pools'.
Example; Cruiser (Tier 2) would have 4 points for BOFF Station Slots, 4 points for Device Slots, and 4 points for Console Slots.
The possibility to "Specialize" exists, however for every 1 point added to a "pool" 1 point is subtracted from BOTH of the other two "pools".
Example; Cruiser (Tier 2) could have 5 points for BOFF Station Slots, 3 points for Device Slots, and 3 points for Console Slots.
Specializing is limited to Ship Tier # (1 thru 5). Thus the Cruiser in the example could have a total of 2 points added to one area (at the cost of 2 points from BOTH of the other areas).
List of possible "pools":
Tier 1:
2,2,2
3,1,1
Tier 2:
4,4,4
5,3,3
6,2,2
Tier 3:
6,6,6
7,5,5
8,4,4
9,3,3
Tier 4:
8,8,8
9,7,7
10,6,6
11,5,5
12,4,4
Tier 5:
10,10,10
11,9,9
12,8,8
13,7,7
14,6,6
15,5,5
A note on Classes: Ships, BOFFs, Devices, and Consoles all have "Class".
Ship Classes are: Engineering, Tactical, and Science.
BOFF Stations, Devices and Consoles Classes are: Engineering, Tactical, Science, Universal, and Unique.
If a Ship Class is the same as a BOFF Station, Device, or Console Class then the item is "In Class".
In Class items cost less than normal (-1 point).
A few words regarding "Universal/Unique". This word is used to describe a BOFF Station, some Devices, and some Consoles.
Universal BOFF Slots (can be used by any class officer) cost +1 point (2 thru 5 points).
Unique Devices have a higher cost (and are rare...) costing +1 point (2 thru 5 points).
Universal Consoles (can be placed in any class Slot) cost -1 point (0 thru 5 points).
COSTS:
Cost for each BOFF Station Slot, Device Slot, or Console Slot would vary from 0 points up to 6 points.
BOFF Stations:
Level 1 = Ensign
Level 2 = Lieutenant
Level 3 = Lieutenant Commander
Level 4 = Commander
Level 5 = Captain(?) (Or a bonus to the Commanders abilities?)
The cost for each Slot would be equal to Level of the Slot (-1 for each Slot that in the ships Class).
Example; Lieutenant Engineer BOFF Slot would cost 1 point on a Cruiser Class Ship (in Class), but would cost 2 points on other ships. (And an Ensign Engineer BOFF would be FREE!)
The maximum number of BOFF Stations that can be used is equal to ship Tier (1 thru 5), with a minimum of 1 per Class.
Example; A Tier 1 ship could have 3 BOFF Stations (1 Engineering, 1 Tactical, and 1 Science.
The Maximum Level of each Slot would be equal to Ship Tier minus 1 point (+1 for Slots in the ships Class).
Example; An Engineer BOFF Slot on a Light Cruiser (Tier 1) would be limited to Lieutenant (in Class), but would be limited to Ensign on other ships.
(I know that this would seem to violate the ranking rules regarding only having BOFFs of a lower rank. It would also allow high ranking officers [Captain], but you have no way to hire one so... It is included here to allow a higher Ranked officer to use a lower Tier ship to the best of their abilities.)
Consoles:
Level 1 = Mark I & II
Level 2 = Mark III & IV
Level 3 = Mark V & VI
Level 4 = Mark VII & VIII
Level 5 = Mark IX & X
Level 6 = Mark XI & XII Note: Cannot be mounted except in Class (or Universal)
The same system as above applies to Consoles, just using [Mark (divided by 2) minus 1 point for Consoles in Class] instead of Rank.
Maximum Level would be equal to Ship Tier (1 thru 5).
Maximum number of consoles is equal to ship Tier doubled (2 thru 10)
Thus a Mark XII Console would cost 6 points (and would not be mountable) or 5 points in Class.
Example; Engineer Console Mark XII would cost 5 points on a Cruiser Class Ship, but would cost 6 points on other class ships (to expensive), thus making it usable only by Cruisers.
Devices
Level 1 = Consumables (Batteries)
Level 2 = Deployable
Level 3 = Reusable/Permanent
Level 4 = Special Abilities
Device Slots are not currently ranked by any standard system. Thus this is going to be the hardest part. Basic idea: Consumables (batteries mostly) cost 1 point each (but stack up to 20). Deployable Devices cost 2 points each. Reusable/Permanent Devices cost 3 points. Devices with Special Abilities cost 4 points each.
As with other areas the ships Tier (1 thru 5) acts as a limit on the number Device Slots.
Devices and Class:
[Auxiliary Battery] = Science
[Engine Battery] = Universal (no cost changes)
[Shields Battery] = Engineering
[Weapons Battery] = Tactical
[Fighters] = Universal
[Turrets] = Unique (+1 point for all ships)
[Special] = ???
[Crew] = Universal (+25% per point up to 4 points, counts as one Slot)
Closing Notes:
I think such a Point based system could be made to work inside of the frame work of the already existing Ship Class system. It allows for Flexible design, but keeps the Class balance (I hope).
Note: This system adds a restriction on devices (currently all Devices cost the same in terms of Slots), but that makes things more interesting, doesn't it?
After Closing Remarks:
I just re-read the system outlined above. And man I must be sleep depraved. The consoles get massively hosed. I mean you would only have the points to mount one or two top end consoles per ship (max points available with specialization would be 15; that's 3 top end consoles period). Compared with current designs mounting as many as 10 top end consoles... Back to the scratch pad...
(Posting for advice/just because. I invested a couple hours of thought in this after all).
Maybe just double the points assigned to consoles?
So today I put some time and thought into this idea.
Some basics about a ship should be "set in stone".
Some basics about a ship should be more "flexible".
"Set in Stone": Weapons, Maneuvering, and Special Abilities. (to an extent...still unsure about this)
The weapons load is the biggest thing most players seem to want to change. But I don't think that it should be something that is changed. [Or if it is able to be changed, make it cost not only in currency but in some other lost function(s).]
Maneuvering includes the basic speed and turn rate. There are already lots of ways to increase these abilities, and they are one of the biggest traits of a star ship.
The Special Abilities of certain ships are inherent in the design (Science class targeting and sensors, for example) and should not be something that can modified.
Note that other abilities are Console based, and can be moved to another ship (sometimes).
"Flexible": BOFF Station Slots, Device Slots, Console Slots.
How about a Point based system to rate each of these slots? :eek:
The three areas (BOFF Stations, Devices, Consoles) would each draw on a separate "pool" of Points.
Points are used to add Slots.
Points = Double the Ship Tier for each of the three 'pools'.
Example; Cruiser (Tier 2) would have 4 points for BOFF Station Slots, 4 points for Device Slots, and 4 points for Console Slots.
The possibility to "Specialize" exists, however for every 1 point added to a "pool" 1 point is subtracted from BOTH of the other two "pools".
Example; Cruiser (Tier 2) could have 5 points for BOFF Station Slots, 3 points for Device Slots, and 3 points for Console Slots.
Specializing is limited to Ship Tier # (1 thru 5). Thus the Cruiser in the example could have a total of 2 points added to one area (at the cost of 2 points from BOTH of the other areas).
List of possible "pools":
Tier 1:
2,2,2
3,1,1
Tier 2:
4,4,4
5,3,3
6,2,2
Tier 3:
6,6,6
7,5,5
8,4,4
9,3,3
Tier 4:
8,8,8
9,7,7
10,6,6
11,5,5
12,4,4
Tier 5:
10,10,10
11,9,9
12,8,8
13,7,7
14,6,6
15,5,5
A note on Classes: Ships, BOFFs, Devices, and Consoles all have "Class".
Ship Classes are: Engineering, Tactical, and Science.
BOFF Stations, Devices and Consoles Classes are: Engineering, Tactical, Science, Universal, and Unique.
If a Ship Class is the same as a BOFF Station, Device, or Console Class then the item is "In Class".
In Class items cost less than normal (-1 point).
A few words regarding "Universal/Unique". This word is used to describe a BOFF Station, some Devices, and some Consoles.
Universal BOFF Slots (can be used by any class officer) cost +1 point (2 thru 5 points).
Unique Devices have a higher cost (and are rare...) costing +1 point (2 thru 5 points).
Universal Consoles (can be placed in any class Slot) cost -1 point (0 thru 5 points).
COSTS:
Cost for each BOFF Station Slot, Device Slot, or Console Slot would vary from 0 points up to 6 points.
BOFF Stations:
Level 1 = Ensign
Level 2 = Lieutenant
Level 3 = Lieutenant Commander
Level 4 = Commander
Level 5 = Captain(?) (Or a bonus to the Commanders abilities?)
The cost for each Slot would be equal to Level of the Slot (-1 for each Slot that in the ships Class).
Example; Lieutenant Engineer BOFF Slot would cost 1 point on a Cruiser Class Ship (in Class), but would cost 2 points on other ships. (And an Ensign Engineer BOFF would be FREE!)
The maximum number of BOFF Stations that can be used is equal to ship Tier (1 thru 5), with a minimum of 1 per Class.
Example; A Tier 1 ship could have 3 BOFF Stations (1 Engineering, 1 Tactical, and 1 Science.
The Maximum Level of each Slot would be equal to Ship Tier minus 1 point (+1 for Slots in the ships Class).
Example; An Engineer BOFF Slot on a Light Cruiser (Tier 1) would be limited to Lieutenant (in Class), but would be limited to Ensign on other ships.
(I know that this would seem to violate the ranking rules regarding only having BOFFs of a lower rank. It would also allow high ranking officers [Captain], but you have no way to hire one so... It is included here to allow a higher Ranked officer to use a lower Tier ship to the best of their abilities.)
Consoles:
Level 1 = Mark I & II
Level 2 = Mark III & IV
Level 3 = Mark V & VI
Level 4 = Mark VII & VIII
Level 5 = Mark IX & X
Level 6 = Mark XI & XII Note: Cannot be mounted except in Class (or Universal)
The same system as above applies to Consoles, just using [Mark (divided by 2) minus 1 point for Consoles in Class] instead of Rank.
Maximum Level would be equal to Ship Tier (1 thru 5).
Maximum number of consoles is equal to ship Tier doubled (2 thru 10)
Thus a Mark XII Console would cost 6 points (and would not be mountable) or 5 points in Class.
Example; Engineer Console Mark XII would cost 5 points on a Cruiser Class Ship, but would cost 6 points on other class ships (to expensive), thus making it usable only by Cruisers.
Devices
Level 1 = Consumables (Batteries)
Level 2 = Deployable
Level 3 = Reusable/Permanent
Level 4 = Special Abilities
Device Slots are not currently ranked by any standard system. Thus this is going to be the hardest part. Basic idea: Consumables (batteries mostly) cost 1 point each (but stack up to 20). Deployable Devices cost 2 points each. Reusable/Permanent Devices cost 3 points. Devices with Special Abilities cost 4 points each.
As with other areas the ships Tier (1 thru 5) acts as a limit on the number Device Slots.
Devices and Class:
[Auxiliary Battery] = Science
[Engine Battery] = Universal (no cost changes)
[Shields Battery] = Engineering
[Weapons Battery] = Tactical
[Fighters] = Universal
[Turrets] = Unique (+1 point for all ships)
[Special] = ???
[Crew] = Universal (+25% per point up to 4 points, counts as one Slot)
Closing Notes:
I think such a Point based system could be made to work inside of the frame work of the already existing Ship Class system. It allows for Flexible design, but keeps the Class balance (I hope).
Note: This system adds a restriction on devices (currently all Devices cost the same in terms of Slots), but that makes things more interesting, doesn't it?
After Closing Remarks:
I just re-read the system outlined above. And man I must be sleep depraved. The consoles get massively hosed. I mean you would only have the points to mount one or two top end consoles per ship (max points available with specialization would be 15; that's 3 top end consoles period). Compared with current designs mounting as many as 10 top end consoles... Back to the scratch pad...
(Posting for advice/just because. I invested a couple hours of thought in this after all).
Maybe just double the points assigned to consoles?
Proudly F2P
Post edited by crabbycabby on
0
Comments
1) No, Class balance isn't maintained.
A big factor in balance is that Ship type determines the Commander BOFF; so you can't have a Tac Commander on a Ship with a massive Hull or an Eng Commander on a Ship that turns on a dime (BoPs excluded, but they pay handsomely for it) and so on.
Still, one such point systems could be devised that keeps that particular point of balance so this is a solvable issue.
2) A much more pernicious issue is this one: non-cosmetic customisation doesn't work.
You (and I... and pretty much everyone) might daydream "yay, I can make my Ship just how I want it! Great variety, everyone with their different Ship! That'd be great!"
But once you think past the daydreaming (most don't), you realise it doesn't work: in a week (or less) the most efficient setup will be found and everyone will fly identical Ships, performance-wise (aesthetics can vary a lot); what was intended to increase variety actually killed variety outright.
It's as I said in another thread: variety in RPGs arises only from what a Class/Ship/whatever can not do, not what it can do and if you can tailor your Ship to your exact needs, so can everyone else and their needs are not so different.
Still, "daydream me" has such a point system in mind, might post it later.
Also regarding Class Balance; At the start of the "wall of text" you notice that I was worried about changing things to much. That's why I didn't change hull, turn rate, or Special Abilities. Or Weapons.
I was just thinking that being able to mix up the BOFFs would be handy. Especially for such things as a Tactical Captain using a Cruiser Class ship. And that led me to start the mess I posted here.
Going to search for "daydream me"s ideas. Will post back later.