New Mission type, and 2 new associated Ship types

[nathangsm]

This is a concept idea for a new mechanic in both attacking and defense, with multiple levels of possible development.

Basic concept for "Intercept": When you launch a fleet to attack, depending on the comparative levels of espionage, the defender may receive immediate notification. With the new mechanic that I am proposing, this approaching fleet would now show up on the Galaxy view, the same way that asteroids currently do. The defender would then have the option of launching a counterattack, using the "Intercept" mission type. This benefit to using this counterattack would be caused by the Motivation attack/defense modifiers, where a weaker fleet intercepting a stronger attacking force could increase their likelihood of success.

Requirements for using "Intercept": To successfully intercept an attacking fleet, the intercepting force would have to be traveling at a faster speed then the attacking fleet (with the exception that Scout ships would be exempt from this rule). Also, the player would have to correctly calculate the correct location at which the interception would take place, the same as is required for Astroploration. Note: Field Fighters on Pirate missions would immune from interception.

New ship type "Interceptor": And advanced, specialized ship, this would be a mid-sized ship that trades capacity (being only 1) for speed (at 13750), with the additional bonus/disadvantage that, if used in an "Intercept" mission that succeeded in intercepting an attacking fleet at coordinates without a planet, all attacks against them would be reduced in power by 50%, but if used to attack another planet (or were stationed at a planet when an attacking fleet arrived), all attacks against them would be increased in power by 100% (essentially, Interceptor ships are more maneuverable in "open space" and can therefore "evade" some damage). Note: Use of the "Intercept" mission type would not be restricted to the "Interceptor" ship, but it would be an advanced design using higher levels of research that would be more effective in those missions.

New ship type "Cloaking Device": This ship design's sole purpose would be to function as a countermeasure against the "Intercept" mission. A highly specialized ship with no cargo capacity and no weapons, when part of an attacking fleet, the presence of one or more of these ships would add the possibility to inhibit the tracking (and interception) of that fleet by the defender. At the time of launching an attack, the normal comparison of espionage between attacker and defender would take place as usual, determining if the defender would be alerted. If the defender WOULD be informed, and would typically now be able to track and intercept the attacking fleet, the presence of a "Cloaking Device" ship would introduce the possibility that the defender would NOT be informed of the attacking fleet's launch, in an inverse relationship to the speed of the fleet (Example: If the fleet's speed was 100%, the "Cloaking Device" ship would not impact the effect of Espionage; if the fleet's speed was 90%, there would be a 10% chance that the defender would not be alerted; if the fleet's speed was 50%, there would be a 50% chance; if the speed was 10%, there would be a 90% chance that the defender wouldn't be alerted). Upon a successfully "cloaked" fleet's arrival, for every "Cloaking Device" ship present in the fleet (up to 5 ships), the attacking fleet would receive a 10% bonus to attack power and a 10% "immunity" from the defender's attack power (the defender's Shield and Megashield defenses would be immune to this attack bonus, and the attacker's "immunity" bonus would not apply to attacks from the defender's Scout ships; the attackers Deathstars would receive neither the attack power bonus, nor the "immunity" bonus). This full bonus would ONLY apply to the first round, but a progressively diminishing bonus would be granted in subsequent rounds if the attacking fleet had launched at a reduced speed. For each 10% reduction in fleet speed by the attacker, and additional round of battle would have the bonuses applied, but reduced by 10% for each progressive round. Example (of the most extreme application of these bonuses): An attack fleet including 10 "Cloaking Device" ships successfully launches without detection at 10% of top speed (1 in 10 chance of detection). In the first round, the attacking fleet's attack power is 150%, and they receive 50% of damage. In the second round, attack power is 140%, and they receive 60% of damage. Third round, attack power is 130%, damage is 70%. 4th round, attack power 120%, damage 80%. 5th round, 110%, 90%. By the sixth round, no bonuses are in effect. The analysis is that, as a maximum benefit, the attacker did approximately 6.5 rounds worth of damage while receiving only 3.5 rounds worth of damage over the first five rounds of battle, at the cost of spending 10 times as long in transit. But, for the patient and prepared, this would add a new advanced tactic, as well as being a countermeasure to the "Intercept" mission.

-nathangsm

[BulSoldier]

Well this is very good idea but the problem with it is that noone would probably try to put it into the game.Yes it will make the game more complex but i believe this really gives more opportunities for attacks than the two existing now.Well i think this idea may be used but in another time and another game.

[Donnyfreak]

It sounds like a wicked idea and i thought of something similar when i first joined (Due to the fact that i play games like Homeworld [PC] which allows you to do such things).

But like bulsoldier said, i don't think many people would use this tactic due to the fact that calculations have to be done left right and center!

However, the interceptor ship could be used in a similar way. For example, if you have interceptor ships, they could attack the incoming enemy fleet 10 minutes before they reach your home planet, a bit like a forward defence system!