Nominations for big items for 8.0

[keith.lamothe]

Just realized something sad/humorous: the main one I had in mind when I originally thought of posting this list was: a rework of Defender mode because it's never really worked right and no one seems to play it or think about it.

Then I forgot it before actually posting the list.

Poor Defender Mode, can't get no respect.

Anyway, added it to the list.

Increased map variety (new) - see http://www.arcengames.com/mantisbt/view.php?id=11683 and http://www.arcengames.com/mantisbt/view.php?id=11231

Those would be something for a new expansion, and I'm not sure about the custom map thing even there, though I do see where it would be fun.

[TechSY730]

Defender mode could use a balance update (the various wave size tweaks over the years have pretty much destroyed the balance of the defender mode given the multipliers it uses), and some "clarity" tweaks, but I think the concept is sound.

It just needs better "advertising" in my mind.

[Tridus]

Since everyone else is posting lists!

• Number downscaling & superweapon rebalance (9, 10)
• Turrets (17)
• Hacking (1 - mostly because having two resources in m+c that basically do the same thing seems kind of pointless and hacking the AI is pretty awesome)
• Champions (2)
• Defender Mode (18)
• Armor (4 - though I like the mechanic as-is, what has it and armor piercing could use a balance pass)
• Spirecraft (

[Kahuna]

Bonus ship selection seems to bugged in defender mode. I chose Zevastators as my bonus ship but I got Weasels. I chose Acid Sprayers and I got Acid Sprayers AND Anti Armors.

[Coppermantis]

This list has pretty much everything I'd want. Hybrids getting their builder functionality are probably one of the things that I'd most like to see. Let them rebuild guard posts, Command Centers, and place some of the more unique AI Toys, like OMDs, Attritioners, etc.

[Cinth]

Just realized something sad/humorous: the main one I had in mind when I originally thought of posting this list was: a rework of Defender mode because it's never really worked right and no one seems to play it or think about it.

Then I forgot it before actually posting the list.

Poor Defender Mode, can't get no respect.

Anyway, added it to the list.

I occasionally play Defender mode.  There just isn't any conversation about it here on the forums so I don't bring it up.

[DrFranknfurter]

Top 5:

1. Hacking - more choices, more AI responses, more integrated visually
2. Champions - more difficult choices (ship/module unlocks), more integrated mechanically (K unlocks etc.)
3. Armour +stats - more important (when damage isn't high enough to ignore it, lower minimum damage)
4. Hybrids - more types/roles, more surprises
5. FS (Higher if you add fun twists, like FS not being so friendly) - more detail, more choices, more events

That's my wishlist.

[Shrugging Khan]

Oh, one thing that's been bothering me for a while.

The Spire have several factions, a lot of obtainable ships and even their own storyline. The Zenith and Neinzul appear awfully neglected in comparison.

Especially the Zenith with their supposedly rich history and powerful background seem to have been unjustly deprived of the presence they deserve. Eh...differently put: MOAR ZENITH!

[DrPain]

Although my experience is too limited to comment on all items, here some thoughts:

re 1) Replacing metal and crystal by "mineral resources" would be a useful simplification. I don't think having two building commodities adds much to the game.

re 4) As yet I did not notice that the present armor concept complicates things but that's probably just my ignorance.

re 9) If the scaling involves considerable effort why not just leaving this alone. However, although I am used to working with big numbers, I can understand if people prefer easier digestible magnitudes :-)

An additional feature I really would like to see as improvement of the individual units' AI and of their interactions:
Units attacking in formation with shield bearers should keep formation regardless of their individual auto-kiting distance. Staying under field protection should be their priority.

Also the ability to bind FRD behavior to a given large unit would be great; just think of an escort group e.g. to an artillery golem, defending its perimeter.

Finally in my experience the warning that one of my stations is under attack often comes too late. How about implementing a warning  once the number of enemy units in a friendly system exceeds a given threshold?

[Aklyon]

@Khan
Spire: Lots of stuff. Fighting the AI in another galaxy too. Fallen/Dark/Shadow/Grey Spire, pick one (or two or four)
Zenith: Supposedly great and powerful. Seem mostly depressed instead, or crazy in the Citadel Ascendant's case.
Neinzul: They don't seem to like us much, and the AI likes combining them with things.

[DrFranknfurter]

Finally in my experience the warning that one of my stations is under attack often comes too late. How about implementing a warning  once the number of enemy units in a friendly system exceeds a given threshold?

You can set it on a per-planet basis (controls tab, planet-specific, for x hostile units present). But a general all planets one would be nice, or make it less hidden (I only noticed after I saw it mentioned on this forum)

[keith.lamothe]

Oh, one thing that's been bothering me for a while.

The Spire have several factions, a lot of obtainable ships and even their own storyline. The Zenith and Neinzul appear awfully neglected in comparison.

Especially the Zenith with their supposedly rich history and powerful background seem to have been unjustly deprived of the presence they deserve. Eh...differently put: MOAR ZENITH!

The Zenith were huge a long time ago but were totally smashed by something(s).  Being an interstellar empire they didn't get totally killed off but even now the remnants are small and frankly they never really recovered psychologically (as evidenced by both splinter factions encountered in AS, and in a more subtle way by the Trader, Miners, and Dyson Sphere). 

The Spire had a thriving multi-galaxy empire right up until humanity unwittingly unleashed the AI.  Smooth move, guys.

The Neinzul have never been star-nation material in the normal sense.  They're quite impressive when used in the proper way, and in theory they could overrun a galaxy, but they could never rule it, per se.

All that said, we're generally adding new stuff from each race for each expansion.  VotM was a bit light on the Spire stuff, partly because the previous 2 expansions had a lot about them.

[zackk]

In regarding the spirecraft ships, have you thought about the shield bearers at all? I believe a bit of an overhaul would be nice, and I opened up a thread to discuss that topic  which I have my own suggestions (url below)

---> http://www.arcengames.com/forums/index.php/topic,13480.0.html <---

But if you can't rework them, can you make it to where I can assign the shield bearer to another ship to follow? I prefer to build spire siege towers and use them for defense. I can't select them with my normal military so these ships require extra micro just to use, which is annoying because the entire purpose of the shield is to go out into heavy fire and die for the rest of the fleet.

[Shrugging Khan]

Words!

That might all be true, but the Spire are still a bit...meh. Might be a matter of taste, but they're just rocks! Their ships are just different shapes of shiny white! Their beam weapons make annoying sounds!

The Zenith just seem much more interesting and attractive :/

[KDR_11k]

A planetcracker.

That's nuke for ya

No, it's not.

Miner Golem then.