Topic: Getting the most out of OP+

[Lepton]

This recent OP+ debacle has made think about just how much is in OP+ that is not being utilized in a substantial way.  Now, as Firesoul is working to add ships from the R8 module, I think,  I have to ask myself if there is something we can do to integrate the diversity of OP+ ships into the D2 or into regular use in SFC in general.  I remember when OP+ was first used on a D2 server alot more interesting ships were popping up.  Now, I think alot of those ships have been restricted or specialed out.  Perhaps we could at least open up some of the list for AI draws.  Beyond that, I'd like to see a role created for some of the other ships:  auxiliary carriers, battle tugs, civil defense ships, whatever is there to be used.  Other than people somehow volunteering to fly certain types of ships within some sort of RPG-type element, the only other way I can think to integrate the more unusual ships is for  scripts to be built around them or for them to appear in scripts that we currently have where they would seem most appropriate.

Basically, I'd like to see people put out some ideas and see if any of them are doable.  These ships' use in SFB could be a good starting point.

[Strafer]

Thought have been brewed regarding what OP+ introduces and what could be scripted to go in tandem.

One of which would work with the Base Construction: If you want to deploy, it's base contruction.
BUT
If you want to keep moving along to the next hex, you do a special convoy escort which is ferrying all the base modules with tugs.

Stuff like that would be in league with DIP as there are scripters and shiplist workers that can bounce stuff off each other. Scripter may require that a tug have a certain value somewhere to make the script work, and the shiplist team offers suggestions if that is impossible. Etc etc etc.

[Cleaven]

Special missions are a great way to use the tugs and so forth because these ships are generally used for non routine missions, but unfortunately those non-routine missions often end up being every tenth mission you draw. If the missions could be reliably limited then it would be great.

[FPF-DieHard]

We had Tugs on SG3, it was "amusing" for a bit but it was a little silly.

[FireSoul]

OP+ has some civilian units added which may be handy for scenarios.. some enhanced FRDs for later years when they are equipped with fighters and PFs...

The Monitors in various forms for policing duties at remote locations.

The Tugs equipped with cargopods if convoyraid/escort missions would allow freighters with BPV this high.

.. there are some decent local police and national guard ships in module R8 which are Y1 era ships refitted to GeneralWar tech that can be used for homeworld defense scenarios..

.. We could obviously use some Fast Cruiser or Light Dreadnought  deep strike stories, but those are date-dependant.

etc..

[2step]

i Like this Idea Lepton, and if it is plausible scripts and list wise , and becomes implementable, I would at least have to try out whatever beta test server that came up.

very constructive and admireable idea!

[FireSoul]

I would like to bump this off to the top of the forums. I was actually thinking about this on the bus on the wya over to work, and I know there's a LOT that could be done.


Heck, .. I'd be tempted to say that I could even probably do it, except I do have my hands full doing all sorts of things ..

The idea I was toying with in the bus would be a specialized-D2 sidestory.. .. aiming at the single-player D2 campaigns. A side-quest storyline that would use the ressources and ships found in OP+.

1- Military Convoy Escort/Raid ---  this could act like a standalone mission for the D2, or part of this story thing I had in mind.
  -- standard D2: use Tugs, load 'em up with pods, and do a convoy-raid mission. Have MORE enemies attack than usual, and let the tugs defend themselves instead of moving blindly towards the border.
  -- storyline idea: a variant of the above, have the mission storyline depict a push to establish a new base. Have 3 tugs, the main component being carried  (1 Tug) must survive to move on to the next mission, otherwise a failure would mean an end of the campaign. The other 2 tugs are optional but "important". The idea is that the tugs are carrying the components to build and establish a mobile base.
  At victory, the next mission would be slated.

2- Mobile Base construction.
Just like a base construction, but with a MB. 1 of the tugs should be present to help. 1 or 2 freighters too. The MB goes online as the enemy attack, similar to the Base Construction scenario.
  At victory, the next mission is scheduled.

3- Listening post deployment.
As part of the expansion, a listening post is set to be deployed, but you've got to clear out a few snoops first.. (pirates.. .. hail normal freighters to leave the area..  Make it a bit different for the different races: bribes for some of the ships, etc..)
- A freighter is sent with you. When the freighter is in place, you just click on the comm button to deploy the base, and the base will be placed at the wanted location.
- when the post goes online, (do it in stages... "post deployed.. " "Eng Crew transfered". "powering up..") .. detect an incoming enemy at long range.. Fight it and defend the post.
  Victory or loss, no matter, the next scenario is scheduled.

4- Base upgrade convoy escort: materials sent to update the MB to a BaseStation. (optional?)

5- Standard "Base Construction" mission, where a BS is placed on the map.


The effect for the single-player campaign is the feeling that you just indeed construct a base without having to pay for it. I know that's not wanted for the multiplayer form of D2, but it's still ideas I have been toying with.


-- Luc

[FireSoul]

Other idea I've had is a different version of ED's TrainingDay.

".. you're assigned to one of the National Guard cruisers, with the crew within on training."

Oh..   Don't know what I'm talking about? I guess you'll have to wait for the next OP+ or go get module R8 from ADB.. 

[762_XC]

I would like to bump this off to the top of the forums. I was actually thinking about this on the bus on the wya over to work, and I know there's a LOT that could be done.


Heck, .. I'd be tempted to say that I could even probably do it, except I do have my hands full doing all sorts of things ..

The idea I was toying with in the bus would be a specialized-D2 sidestory.. .. aiming at the single-player D2 campaigns. A side-quest storyline that would use the ressources and ships found in OP+.

1- Military Convoy Escort/Raid ---  this could act like a standalone mission for the D2, or part of this story thing I had in mind.
  -- standard D2: use Tugs, load 'em up with pods, and do a convoy-raid mission. Have MORE enemies attack than usual, and let the tugs defend themselves instead of moving blindly towards the border.
  -- storyline idea: a variant of the above, have the mission storyline depict a push to establish a new base. Have 3 tugs, the main component being carried  (1 Tug) must survive to move on to the next mission, otherwise a failure would mean an end of the campaign. The other 2 tugs are optional but "important". The idea is that the tugs are carrying the components to build and establish a mobile base.
  At victory, the next mission would be slated.

2- Mobile Base construction.
Just like a base construction, but with a MB. 1 of the tugs should be present to help. 1 or 2 freighters too. The MB goes online as the enemy attack, similar to the Base Construction scenario.
  At victory, the next mission is scheduled.

3- Listening post deployment.
As part of the expansion, a listening post is set to be deployed, but you've got to clear out a few snoops first.. (pirates.. .. hail normal freighters to leave the area..  Make it a bit different for the different races: bribes for some of the ships, etc..)
- A freighter is sent with you. When the freighter is in place, you just click on the comm button to deploy the base, and the base will be placed at the wanted location.
- when the post goes online, (do it in stages... "post deployed.. " "Eng Crew transfered". "powering up..") .. detect an incoming enemy at long range.. Fight it and defend the post.
  Victory or loss, no matter, the next scenario is scheduled.

4- Base upgrade convoy escort: materials sent to update the MB to a BaseStation. (optional?)

5- Standard "Base Construction" mission, where a BS is placed on the map.


The effect for the single-player campaign is the feeling that you just indeed construct a base without having to pay for it. I know that's not wanted for the multiplayer form of D2, but it's still ideas I have been toying with.


-- Luc

 

[Gook]

This is a case of less definetley being more. It would be great to have "funnies" pop up every now and then which would keep them fresh, and allow the use of more esoterica in AI matchups without it becoming the norm. Trouble isn't there a problem with AI matchups based on BPV or Hull types depending on who scripted them?

[KBF-Frankk]

I would like to bump this off to the top of the forums. I was actually thinking about this on the bus on the wya over to work, and I know there's a LOT that could be done.


Heck, .. I'd be tempted to say that I could even probably do it, except I do have my hands full doing all sorts of things ..

The idea I was toying with in the bus would be a specialized-D2 sidestory.. .. aiming at the single-player D2 campaigns. A side-quest storyline that would use the ressources and ships found in OP+.

1- Military Convoy Escort/Raid ---  this could act like a standalone mission for the D2, or part of this story thing I had in mind.
  -- standard D2: use Tugs, load 'em up with pods, and do a convoy-raid mission. Have MORE enemies attack than usual, and let the tugs defend themselves instead of moving blindly towards the border.
  -- storyline idea: a variant of the above, have the mission storyline depict a push to establish a new base. Have 3 tugs, the main component being carried  (1 Tug) must survive to move on to the next mission, otherwise a failure would mean an end of the campaign. The other 2 tugs are optional but "important". The idea is that the tugs are carrying the components to build and establish a mobile base.
  At victory, the next mission would be slated.

2- Mobile Base construction.
Just like a base construction, but with a MB. 1 of the tugs should be present to help. 1 or 2 freighters too. The MB goes online as the enemy attack, similar to the Base Construction scenario.
  At victory, the next mission is scheduled.

3- Listening post deployment.
As part of the expansion, a listening post is set to be deployed, but you've got to clear out a few snoops first.. (pirates.. .. hail normal freighters to leave the area..  Make it a bit different for the different races: bribes for some of the ships, etc..)
- A freighter is sent with you. When the freighter is in place, you just click on the comm button to deploy the base, and the base will be placed at the wanted location.
- when the post goes online, (do it in stages... "post deployed.. " "Eng Crew transfered". "powering up..") .. detect an incoming enemy at long range.. Fight it and defend the post.
  Victory or loss, no matter, the next scenario is scheduled.

4- Base upgrade convoy escort: materials sent to update the MB to a BaseStation. (optional?)

5- Standard "Base Construction" mission, where a BS is placed on the map.


The effect for the single-player campaign is the feeling that you just indeed construct a base without having to pay for it. I know that's not wanted for the multiplayer form of D2, but it's still ideas I have been toying with.


-- Luc

great idea 

[FPF-DieHard]

That training misison seems like a good idea until you draft a human opponent and then it SUCKS!!!!

Chuut, you remember out Z-POL versus F-DD battle with stock loadouts on AOTK?

[Lepton]

I think I know what you are getting at, FS.  I have thought for some time that there might be a way of reproducing for the D2 the string of missions you typically have to complete in a single player campaign.  This might add some variety and a general push/arc to missions on the D2.  Other than that, I'd love to see some missions where you are actually escorting things to an actual goal within the mission as opposed to merely having them going off the map.  Construction/upgrade missions are a great idea.  Can some of the storyline single player campaigns be imported into the multiplayer D2 with specific triggers for those special missions?  I know some will answer that if I want that I should just play in single player mode, but I think it would be great if we could get some triggerable missions in the D2 that would utilize the diversity of OP+.

[FireSoul]

I think I know what you are getting at, FS.  I have thought for some time that there might be a way of reproducing for the D2 the string of missions you typically have to complete in a single player campaign.  This might add some variety and a general push/arc to missions on the D2.  Other than that, I'd love to see some missions where you are actually escorting things to an actual goal within the mission as opposed to merely having them going off the map.  Construction/upgrade missions are a great idea.  Can some of the storyline single player campaigns be imported into the multiplayer D2 with specific triggers for those special missions?  I know some will answer that if I want that I should just play in single player mode, but I think it would be great if we could get some triggerable missions in the D2 that would utilize the diversity of OP+.

1- It has always been my view that the Admin can decide how to configure his/her server as he/she wishes. If he'she'it prefers non-story-filled scenarios, than so be it..
2- the single-player D2 missions are the same ones as the missions used on Multiplayer D2. The Aim here for storylines would be for single-player campaigns, but would offer compatibility for Multi.