New Subordinate Role suggestions

[Scoob]

Hi,

I've been thinking of potential NEW roles that we can assign subordinates to, and what those roles do. Here are some I'd consider the most useful:

The "Reserve" role:

This allows the player so assign ships to a station - tidying up the property list - that do NOTHING. They're just there to be a pool of ships that can be used to re-assign to other roles at the station. They will be docked, irrespective of their setting, as they have nothing to do but wait. I use something similar for my Carrier Groups currently. I'll assign ships in "Intercept", "Attack", "Defend", "Bombard" duties etc. the the last group will always be "Defend" and "Docked" so they never launch. I use this as a reserve group I can use to reinforce the other groups after they take the inevitable losses. Formalising this role would be nice, and also allow it to be used on Stations.

The "Defend Assets" role:

This allow the player to assign ships to a station that will either stay docked, or patrol around the station (close by) if set to launched. Ships in this role will (try to) respond to any other Station assets that come under attack. If the station is attacked directly, they'll help. If a Trade or Mining subordinate (for example) of the station is attacked, they will respond. They will share the same Pilot / Manager level distance limits as now. Sure, they might not respond in time, but they'll have a darn good go!

Additional: Ships in this role might automatically escort Civilian assets belonging to the station. Allowing the player to automate the guarding of Mining ships for example. Nice.

The "Local Police" role:

This allows the player to assign ships that will scan ANY ship getting close to the player's station that's not the player's own faction. They stay close to the station, and only scan ships that get within 10km or so. Great protection from PIRATES, before the player can assign larger assets to deter them. Note: In my experience (of 7.0 most recently) it takes a Destroyer-level asset, assigned in the "Defend" role to dissuade Pirates from trying to plunder a station. Any amount of smaller ships don't seem to count.

What do people think? Would you welcome such additional subordinate roles and behaviours? Can you think of any you'd like? I think the ones I've suggested are realistic, based on current game mechanics that could be utilised. Doing nothing that the "Reserve" role demands is trivial. The "Defend Assets" role effectively assigns subordinates to civilian subordinates of the station in a "Defend" role. While "Local Police" is the regular Police behaviour, but tethered to stay close to the station.