Vyzion Eyri
The Southern Legion
The Umbra Combine
1400
   |
Posted - 2013.10.08 10:54:00 -
[1] - Quote
Agree with Garth on Specialisation AFTER Race. I don't really mind whether frame or race precedes the other.
Why? Because there are only 4 races. Most likely there will only be 3 frame sizes. But specialisations can and should be constantly revised, reiterated, and new specialisations should be easily added. Put them at the end of the tree and hence when new specialisations are added, it's a simple matter of grabbing the specialisation skill because the base racial/frame skills are the foundation.
I don't really like the dropsuit command passive bonus because all suits get it, meaning flexibility across basic suits that widens the gap between new and older players. Instead, simply increase the base CPU/PG of all suits by the amount they would've increased with the passive bonus. Then, have the skill give something more interesting, maybe in future it will unlock customisable dropsuit paint schemes, etc. Passive bonuses shouldn't start there, imho.
Same with frame sizes. Simply skilling into them is a passive bonus in itself; giving them another bonus simply rounds off the specialisation of frames, reducing the weaknesses by amplifying their strengths. Without passive bonuses, those suits will be strong in their roles but much weaker in roles that another frame would specialise in.
Racial passive bonuses (assuming the progression of frame -> race -> specialisation), though, should be where the bonuses start rolling in. This will be based on the preferred weaponry of each race and their inherent defensive preferences.
Then specialisations should be where it starts getting interesting. Suits at this point should be no more powerful than racial or even basic frame suits OVERALL, but in specific points of combat. ie. a Minmatar Logistics suit with 10% hacking bonus per skill level, a passive hacking bonus on the suit, plus a passive reduction to fitting costs of hacking modules, at the expense of a reduced max CPU/PG and the removal of, say, the grenade and an equipment slot.
Specialisations give insane strengths are the cost of crippling weaknesses. Played right, they can be devastating, but the investment should be a risk and practise must be necessary to master the suit. Unlike current prototype suits, which are buy-and-win. |