With the idea of rare AI planet compositions on the horizon...

[WeaponMaster]

What are some ideas for slightly more rare encounters in the future?

I remember from the first game when fighting against a Turtle AI there was a very rare chance for a "structure ball" formation of the AI that was very formidable. It took all 5-9 guard posts and grouped them up right next to the AI command station, and then plopped down 3 or 4 shield generators on top of the ball.

I'm hoping for something like that to end up as a possibility later on down the line, as a rare chance to see the AI actually use shield generators instead of them being defunct for the AI side.

I also remember there being rare AI command station variants, but I didn't really like those. If there was something deadly like a AI Missile Command Station on a world that you really didn't want to take (but it was in the way), you'd have to sit there and suffer the attrition every time you went through.

[x4000]

Please do post ideas to mantis for these sorts of things, because I definitely would love to see them!

And a lot of this stuff is very much possible for implementation as a modder, even casually, starting in 0.850.  If people make interesting things, I'm happy to integrate them (or Badger or Puffin often do that integration).

[RocketAssistedPuffin]

Those were both Sub Commanders I think. They always had a unique Station + whatever strange behaviour they had with the Guard Posts.

That one is apparently the "Bunkerer".

There is potential I suppose. I would like to get Forcefields back again...somehow.

[x4000]

The ability to put in rare things either at wormholes or at the command station is something that I'd like to have, too.  And forcefields could be among those rare things.  It wouldn't be too hard for me to put together.  Worth throwing in mantis.