Idea: More Electrified Nebulae with full Sensor/Shield malfunctions and more...

[Mr_Blastman]

One of the finest cinematic space combat masterpieces in history, "Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan" gave us a brilliant scene late in the film where two starships fought inside a highly charged nebula which wrecked their sensors and shields. In X4, we get a very mild representation of this in Tharka's Cascade regions. Very mild. Nothing that affects ships larger than medium.

What we don't get is "ghost zones" where ships can literally vanish from radar or full map view.

I think it would be pretty cool if entire areas in sectors could be defined as permanent fog of war, where, outside of very close sensor range, nothing can be kept in view. This means satellites and even advanced satellites will completely malfunction in these areas--creating no information, or even patently false information. Ship weapons can fire, but there is a possibility systems could short out, and their targeting ranges would be significantly reduced. Visibly, the fog would be quite dense--denser than anything in the game, presently, filled with crackling electricity(which if strikes a ship, causes malfunctions to systems or weapons).

These zones could affect all factions, Xenon included, and could lead to surprise encounters, making capture or conquest of these systems difficult affairs.

A station could be built in them, in theory, and perhaps Xenon stations exist. There are the Boron zones, which kill ships--I'd like to see these taken further, and expand upon this.

I realize, from a realism standpoint, a lot of this is likely not that realistic--but we're looking for deepening gameplay here, adding some spice and variety. Who knows, maybe with end game planetary research, factions could create devices that "nuke" entire sectors into these wretched nebulae...

[aerojet029]

I've hated these systems even in the limited states. nothing personal with your idea, just not my cup of tea.

[TheDeliveryMan]

I'm pretty sure we have sensor reducing regions in the game, BUC likes to hide there.

[BitByte]

I'm pretty sure we have sensor reducing regions in the game, BUC likes to hide there.

BUC uses ship mod which reduces radar detection range.
It's not region feature of X4.

[GCU Grey Area]

Do rather like the idea of one or more exceptionally foggy sectors with sensor inhibiting properties. Perhaps home to a hostile faction which has developed specialised ships with enhanced sensor capabilities to mitigate the effects - i.e. fly into the fog & they can see you but you have no idea they're there until the shooting starts. That might be fun & stealing some of those ships might be beneficial elsewhere...

[Mr_Blastman]

Do rather like the idea of one or more exceptionally foggy sectors with sensor inhibiting properties. Perhaps home to a hostile faction which has developed specialised ships with enhanced sensor capabilities to mitigate the effects - i.e. fly into the fog & they can see you but you have no idea they're there until the shooting starts. That might be fun & stealing some of those ships might be beneficial elsewhere...

_that_ would be pretty cool!