New Profession idea

[aielman]

How about Eccentric Millionaire for a new profession?

You get a load of bonus cash to start the game, but you have no discernible skills to speak of. (Just like in real life!)

It would make the start a bit easier, but be harder in the long run (no skills would mean your lvl 15 guy would be much weaker then other lvl 15 captains)

Thoughts?

[taatuu25]

Would be fun!
But sounds almost impossible to code...

[absimiliard]

I have to admit that my first reaction was, "But wait, you're telling me that Bruce Wayne, THE iconic 'eccentric millionaire' has no skills? Really? 'Cause Batman kinda kicks ass, and is totally a skill-monkey."

*grin*

My second reaction was to think that this sounds a lot like the "Captain" class, except with lots of money. "Captain"'s also start with minimal skills, I think the only ones they have at all are the ones where having no ranks in them could cause game-engine issues, like Pilot. They do get good stats though, and some nice "pardon's are cheaper" and morale loss protection benefits as well.

So I think the "Eccentric Millionaire" would be do-able, it would be a lot like a powerless "Captain". (with worse stats)

I don't think I'd like to play one though. Cash is so bloody transient, even gobs of it can vanish in one hot exchange of missile fire. You'd have to give the character truly vast amounts to have it be any different from just getting lucky with a good shortage rumor early in any captain's career. (and that level of money might be "too much")

Just my $.02 though.

-abs

[aielman]

one of the main things it gives you is the ability to get a new ship fast. I think that the ability to get good ship upgrades in a hurry is undervalued. This game is all about speed of acquisition.

[moody]

I did consider a while ago a profession of being a Salvager. Just someone who heads off into space and recovers wrecks / hulks of ships that float derelict. But wasn't too sure how it would be received. It's almost close to being a Pirate except you prey more on the ships devoid of living crew.

[Cory Trese]

I think this is "explorer"

He has a ship, a wander lust and often says "hey, lets go check out this crashed alien ship, it probably has some artifacts that would be SWEET on my bridge."

[sgtcookie]

I think he means ships that the player can use.

If you were to add a Salvager class I would think a couple of changes would need to be made. In random encounters you can sometimes find ships devoid of life, since you were not the one to attack it you can salvage it without a rep hit and it takes you directly to the "Victory" screen. It would be different to a normal ship as there would be no crew to enslave (obviously), no torps to take (all used up or dead) and little cargo to loot (Anything valuable would have been taken).

If it is easy to do, I would like to see "salvage" as a new cargo type. Seriously, you are in the middle of nowhere no planets for 20 AU in any direction and you are able to "sell the remains to a local salvage company"? I would suggest, if that is implemented, that a new button is placed the star dock section titled "Sell salvage" and then salvage can be sold via the normal means.

I would think that the Salvager's abilities would be: Better prices on salvage (about 15% better) and more salvage obtained.

For alien/narvidian ships, as far as I am aware they are configured differently and thus the normal way of making money of those would not need to be changed.

[Cory Trese]

It is an interesting idea that a salvaged ship could break down into crystals, metals and other components.