I'm already on record as saying I think a mini-campaign/test bed for X-ships is advisable and something I'd like to see.
My thoughts on the subject are pretty much in line with Tracey's on this subject. I'd like to see a little pre-advanced era time to play some of the late era ships before we start getting to the first generation X-boats.
Sicne we will be looking to test some new designs, I think some the following should be instituted:
1. 100% trade-in value, 0% shiploss (read: you die, you lose nothing, or at least, very little). In my humble opinion, this promotes a more "balls out" style of PvP and I think this enhances the ability to judge the merits of a given ship.
2. Mercilessly "R"estrict the largely useless ships in the OP+ (or whichever) list to promote increased availability of the better and/or targeted test ships. The larger the shiplist, the more often the shipyard is loaded with stuff no one wants to fly. If we start in 2283, make sure all Early Era Ships are restricted or removed. Maybe dump everything not created after somewhere in the neighborhood of 2273 or '74. I know that as a Klingon, I don't want to see ANY of the smaller K-refit hulls in late era. We should only be seeing W and L refits. The dread and battleship K-refits won't be lost because they came later.
3. Since the campaign term is meant to be short, I suggest ship prices be very reasonable...probably "too low" by long campaign standards. CAs and X-frigates in the 7-10K range. BCHs and x-destroyers in the 15K range. Dreads and X-cruisers in the 25K range. Remember, we're trying to playtest these ships, not fight a "real" campaign.
I see no problem with including any and all of Taldren's X-tech. The Hydrans have the PhG2 and that's a nice weapon. The ability to jam all over the place at high speeds holding overloaded hellbores and/or fusions is nothing to sneeze at, either. My time in Hydran x-ships was never anything less than a blast. I'd rather have everything available. We can judge the merits of the weapons as we go.
I have said this before and I'll say this again...yes, flying X-ships vs. non-x-tech ships is easy and promotes lazy flying. X-tech on X-tech is anything but boring and lazy, IMHO. It's just different. There is power management. Mybe it's a little different or even a little easier, but it's there. It's faster, and perhaps more brutal. One mistake and you could be finished. Remember, we're not trying to supplant non-x-tech in the DV2 campaign setting. That's always goign to be there. We're trying to explore a workable/reasonable version of advanced era technology within the confines of the D2 environment (to the extent that thsi does not already exist).
Topic: Next "Light" SFCX OP Server? Poll and an "X"cellent idea? (Read 5122 times)