What kind of new cloaking device would you like to see?

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:43 pm

Another thought is that for the cloaking device to be turned on you must have Full Shields for it to be used....if your shield energy is down in combat you can't cloak until they are fully restored....makes sense to me. As far as the shield recharge rate, keep it as it is....the only way to increase shields any faster is to transfer energy to the shields, thus reducing your Primary Weapon fire. I wish the shields regenerated faster...hehe, Especially when Vice or Eclipse is on your tail

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:46 pm

Wow, Brave, that's what I just said.

d_k_k_y · Post by **d_k_k_y** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:11 pm

Originally posted by Jeremy
I think your worries about all the players in MP flying around stealthed to avoid getting attacked are a bit far-fetched, Dan.

Really? Let me quote Brave:

Originally posted by BraveHart
The New Cloaking device has a lot of good potential out side of combat: As a New Pilot you could explore with out the fear of being blown away by a Hostile

I guess many would fly stealthed if they can, anyway for which reason. And I would understand it. Flying stealthed has just "benefits". Why should I fly unstealthed? Why should I risk something while exploring or in danger situations if I don't need to?

Originally posted by BraveHart
Another thought is that for the cloaking device to be turned on you must have Full Shields for it to be used....

Nice suggestion. But I fear it will work out that way: Pilot runs, waits for shields have full power, then cloak, then wait for the perfect situation - (why should I risk something if I can wait for the perfect situation) - then uncloak, fire two exodus missiles and quickly cloak again....and wait for the next "perfect moment".

This way you can easily beat very skilled pilots while be just a semi skilled pilot yourself. IÂ´m sure we will "see" less ships in MP in the future then.

NO RISK = NO FUN (imho)

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:18 pm

But Dan! ...

The way it had been proposed, you could NOT quickly cloak again because your energy *and* shields would both have to recharge.

Also, having stealth equipment uses up a slot which could be taken up by something much more useful - it's quite a tradeoff just to be able to avoid the reds a little easier.

It'd be a pretty expensive piece of equipment too, so not likely that a lot of beginning players could even afford it...

d_k_k_y · Post by **d_k_k_y** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:36 pm

Originally posted by Jeremy
The way it had been proposed, you could NOT quickly cloak again because your energy *and* shields would both have to recharge.

After two exodus, the other player is gone, now just power your thrusters until your power remains and cloak again, the risk is at a minimum.

Originally posted by Jeremy
Also, having stealth equipment uses up a slot which could be taken up by something much more useful - it's quite a tradeoff just to be able to avoid the reds a little easier.

Yea, and you see less ships flying in MP because - understandably - they choose the most save way to travel...

Originally posted by Jeremy
It'd be a pretty expensive piece of equipment too, so not likely that a lot of beginning players could even afford it...

That was never a barrier regarding other devices as well, and won't prevent those - who have - to minimize their risks.

Just my thoughts of course...

[Edited on 8-9-2008 by d_k_k_y]

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:45 pm

Originally posted by Jeremy

It would be rather impossible to stealth if you're about to die due to the rather high possiblity that your energy levels will be low and your shield levels will be low(as with my suggestion you'd need arrays and energy at full levels to cloak)...

"A Yoda Moment" gotta love 'em...he he

. Memory lapse's do occur quite frequently with Old age...Ha Ha. 900 years old you be and see how your memory works...lol. But hey, at least your thought was floating somewhere around Yoda's mind

....just phrased it a little different and on another page....LoL.

Post by **Vice** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:53 pm

Dan's point is a powerful argument against a cloaking device with unlimited time and number of uses. It is why such a device has never been added before and why hardpoint devices were used instead. If a player can fly around without risk indefinitely, there's little reason to actually play many elements in the game, because it then becomes a travel-sim where the only risk you have is not paying attention and running into something. Without the element of risk, there is no challenge and the game itself is reduced. The same consideration applies in multiplayer, you'd likely wind up with a lot of players flying around cloaked most of the time and you can imagine what gameplay becomes then.

Klingon Kahless · Post by **Klingon Kahless** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:03 pm

Dan does have a good point. How about a limited time and no shields? and the recharge rate for shields remain the same? a limited time of say 60 sec as it is when you use a stealth missile? that would make it more acceptable and the risks would still be there.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:10 pm

Some good points here and one I made myself a while back about everybody being cloaked all the time. Might I suggest that while cloaked no warp/jump ability either. That would keep people from jumpimg system to system, wormholes, etc while cloaked. You can cloak on arrival, but you would be uncloaked when you arrive. That way, you'll show up on a players radar screen albeit, only breifly. That should be fair warning.
But no mining, weapons, or jumping allowed while cloaked. You may however, scan if you have a scanner.
Not a bad idea?

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:12 pm

I still think most players are sensible enough to avoid just stealthing all the time. They come to MP to fight with other players, after all, not hide from them.

Klingon Kahless · Post by **Klingon Kahless** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:16 pm

Originally posted by MMaggio
Some good points here and one I made myself a while back about everybody being cloaked all the time. Might I suggest that while cloaked no warp/jump ability either. That would keep people from jumpimg system to system, wormholes, etc while cloaked. You can cloak on arrival, but you would be uncloaked when you arrive. That way, you'll show up on a players radar screen albeit, only breifly. That should be fair warning.
But no mining, weapons, or jumping allowed while cloaked. You may however, scan if you have a scanner.
Not a bad idea?

That's a Good Idea MM, I could live with that. Combined with No shields and a time limit would work and still have risks.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:34 pm

Hi MM, sounds good.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:56 pm

Thank you, thank you.

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:09 pm

I think I stand with MM. A quick cooldown would be good too. My vote is with the majority (option 4).

Wolfox · Post by **Wolfox** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:52 am

Ok, one more idea. What if the cloaking device draws energy from the cannons, on a low rate, so it would deplete the energy reserves in, say, 3 minutes? That way, you can't stay cloaked forever, and the more you stay cloaked, the less offensive power you have when you decloak. Maybe that would provide better balance...

MasterMindLess · Post by **MasterMindLess** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:18 am

Interesting debate....

Wolfox: I kinda like that idea, but different ships have different energy reserves. Plus, you can shove power to weapons. With a high level ship, you could still be cloaked indefinitely.

I think I would go with no shields, and energy reduced to half or so. But have it be a secondary weapon (I'm thinking takes up 4 hardpoints) and a recharge time like an excal... 2 minutes or so.

My 2 creds worth!

shewter · Post by **shewter** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:26 am

Originally posted by MMaggio
Some good points here and one I made myself a while back about everybody being cloaked all the time. Might I suggest that while cloaked no warp/jump ability either. That would keep people from jumpimg system to system, wormholes, etc while cloaked. You can cloak on arrival, but you would be uncloaked when you arrive. That way, you'll show up on a players radar screen albeit, only breifly. That should be fair warning.
But no mining, weapons, or jumping allowed while cloaked. You may however, scan if you have a scanner.
Not a bad idea?

Ohh I like this idea

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:36 pm

So many good ideas, Oh my head hurts (lol).

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:38 pm

Glad you guys liked this one.

My average hasn't been too good 'till now.

[Edited on 9-9-2008 by MMaggio]

CS-ACI- · Post by **CS-ACI-** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:41 pm

Hello,

I still think having the cloak use fuel plus other resourses is the best way.

Steve

Post by **Vice** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:56 pm

Excellent ideas guys, thanks! I think we're starting to formulate a good concept for such a new device and it would be a good optional alternative to the current hardpoint devices (each would have distinct advantages and disadvantages). A good division for a choice between the best option for offense and the best one for defense (good point Jeremy). The limitations MMaggio mentioned would probably be important considerations as well to limit/reduce the potential exploit it could introduce.