Forums » Suggestions

Border Patrol Mission Improvement Ideas

Mar 16, 2005 MechaDragonX link
I did this mission tonight (Itani) and was rather dissapointed with the rewards. I got +300/+300/+300/0/0 and 3000c. Even though I was blasting Serco, it had no impact on my standing towards them, and no improvement to my standing with Itani.

First, I feel that standing should be impacted for both sides. This was my motivation for attempting this mission to begin with. For those wishing to maintain a positive standing with every nation, this should be a mission to avoid.

Second, let the mission roll over. Much like the the Advanced Combat mission, after so many kills, give the reward and start the kill counter again automatically. Some of us have the staying power to keep the fight up for a while.

Third, ditch the bots. This is an immersion breaker for me in general to see bots attacking players, but leaving NPC traders alone. Here, we have bots fighting along beside NPCs. Instead, pull the bots out and allow us to face waves of the enemy instead.

Fourth, a bit of nation flavored variety. For Itani, flank a Prometheus with two Centurions. For Serco, flank a Valkyrie with 2 Centurions. Each group of 2+1 making a 3 ship wave. This would bring more flavor to the differences bewteen the two nations, and more meaning to the fact that they favor differnt methods and technologies.

Fifth, place a non-dockable station framework in the area. This could provide background to the mission, and a reason to have some many enemy forces in one area, and more jumping in around you. Because this is supposed to be a "border patrol", your reason for going could be a belief that the enemy is setting up a forward staging area to establish a foothold in your faction's space. Once discovered in the area (i.e. jumping in), your orders become engage and disrupt operations as long as possible.

Sixth, randomize the location. Instance the location instead of always being in the same spot. Use the empty un-monitored sectors around the systemv instead of the asteroid fields. This is mainly a way to keep from seeing everyone in the same sector who may be doing this mission, and other immersion breakers like having it in monitored space and everyone knowing where it is.

Once the player jumps out or is killed, the mission ends and the player is thanked, told how many total kills he made, and informed that his nation is mounting an offensive as they speak. By the time he could get repaired/refitted, the area would be cleared.

There is also room here for medals based on degrees of success, bonus objectives, or number of successful patrols made. Perhaps random bonus objectives such as striking a part of the station (docking bay, antenna/dish, solar panels, surrounding objects such as storage containers with "vital construction materials") or special ships ship in the area.

There's my 2c. Would really love to see this mission fleshed out, even more missions like it.
Mar 21, 2005 roguelazer link
*bump*
Mar 21, 2005 epadafunk link
i want combat exp!!!

COMBAT EXP!!!!