So I was thinking about creating some new combat missions (they would be short chains) that will reward the player with unique ships that aren't normally available in the game. This way players can actually have something to look forward to even after they have a giant empire set up and all that.
But I could use some community feedback, so... here's an outline of my idea, please chip in your opinions or add your own suggestions:
- Stage 1 - So... would you prefer the mission to be offered as a type of generic mission at stations? Or as a random event you can encounter?
- For generic mission, I was thinking they would be offered in zones near Xenon territory, and upon acceptance you would be told that some scouts spotted a Xenon fleet and you have to go help scout it out. After patrolling a few zones, you come across a battle between a lone NPC patrol and a large Xenon fleet (this is meant to be harder than the Toride Xenon Incursion mission, so... probably at least 3-5 I's with 2 escort K's each). The NPC patrol blows up and you are prompted to flee the zone and assemble a fleet.
- The other idea is you have a chance to get a random distress call (similar to the "Ship in Distress" missions). If you accept the mission, you are given a waypoint to investigate the origin of the distress call, and that's how you come upon the battle between the NPC patrol and the Xenon fleet (same as above). You are then prompted to flee the zone and assemble a fleet.
- Stage 2 - While you are away, the Xenon fleet would be programmed to push into a populated sector (so depending on where you accepted/encountered the mission, the Xenon would push into either Albion, OL, HOL, or FO). I am thinking set them to be invulnerable while the player is OOZ, that way we don't have to deal with the possibility of them being destroyed before the player is ready. Also gives a sense of urgency since the NPC zones will really be trashed). Could may be also program them to jump to a different zone after a set amount of time, to make it appear that they are making progress in their "invasion".
- Stage 3 - Once the player arrives with a fleet and manages to destroy all the Xenons, you are sent to the relevant faction's headquarters (so either HOA/PMC, AG, or TER) to receive your reward. I was thinking the rewards would be faction-based (again, based on where you accepted/encountered the mission):
- Albion: 3-6 Golem/Moebius, depending on enemy strength.
- OL: 3-6 Xenon P/S, depending on enemy strength
- HOL: 3-6 Kha'ak fighters, depending on enemy strength
- FO: Marauder Phoenix + squadron of Harrier/Falcon (exclusive pirate model not sold by TU Overwatch)
