Implement role bonuses for command ships that increase some stat of the subordinates by a % based on the commander's skill. The role would be determined at the time of construction.
Detail:
Not sure how difficult this would be to implement but the idea would be that a ship has a basic role that is chosen at construction and then that is passed down to the subordinates in a small % based on the commander's full star rank (no half percentages, increases only come at full stars). For example:
- Player builds a ship
- On the "software" tab (where trade computer, etc. are added) there's an option "Stat Projector" and in the dropdown players can select ONE of
- none
- engines (speed)
- engines (travel)
- hull
- main weapon RoF
- main weapon range
- shields (capacity)
- shields (recharge time)
- turret RoF
- turret range
After the ship is built and added to a fleet as a commander, the "stat projector" will increase the chosen stat for all subordinates by x% per full star the commander has. So if a player builds a ship and chooses "shield (capacity)" for the stat projector, when used as fleet commander, the subordinate's total shield will be increased by x% per full star of the commander.
Additional notes:
* I use "x%" in my detail because I don't know what a good number would be for balance. I was thinking something like 1% or 2% but that might not be enough to make it worth it
* The "none" option is because this module should be relatively expensive so players think about which ships it goes on. Maybe even make the price dependent on type (eg: shield is cheaper than RoF)
* This module cannot be removed by redesigning the ship, a new build order will be required where you can select a different option. It can however be added in the redesign screen
* A stat modified by this software option should display in a different color than standard
* The tooltip of a modified stat should reflect the % increased by the fleet commander
* The stat projector only enhances direct subordinates. You cannot have nested commanders passing multiple stat enhancements down the ranks
* I know there is already a ship modification system so perhaps for balance, this commander bonus would not stack with installed ship modifications