Chiralos
Merchant Princes
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Posted - 2011.08.26 11:35:00 -
[1]
I think there are 3 different concepts in the smallholding idea that are worth considering separately. They might all go together, but maybe not - maybe they could be used in other contexts.
1) Hidden base (think Hoth/Yavin). I like the idea of a bases that become more findable the bigger they are and the more they are used. Down sides are spammage of lots of them as part of an invasion, as one poster pointed out and greyscale acknowledged. Also, being scanned down is a binary proposition, very all-or-nothing. Perhaps access could work via an acceleration gate, the time it took to activate depending on how "hot" it is (how much it has been used, and possibly hacked by searchers), and by the size of the ship using it. That way you could balance waiting for the gate to cool vs evading/tanking campers. Consistent hacking attacks over several days could eventually crack the gate (see below).
2) Bases with conquest time inversely proportional to size - giving smallholders opportunity to get their stuff out. (Note this doesn't _have_ to be done by making the base hidden. EG Evictors could scan it down, defeat the sentry guns etc, park next to it for a while to offload troops to start a capture timer, with stored stuff being available once the timer goes off. Owners could recapture in order to get access to their stuff again.)
3) Low barrier of entry (corp, sub-corp, or personal) customisable bases. I like the idea of a base with eg just one or two refinery, research or manufacturing slots (and/or a small sov contribution structure). Could install specialised slots, e.g. veldspar refinery, heavy missile factory, Apocalypse factory (sort of permanently bind in a BPO for increased efficiency at the cost of flexibility).
Bases with 2) and 3) are worth pursuing with or without the hidden aspect. I endorse the post by Holy One on page 2 - I think there should be different possible relationships between smallholders and dominant powers (which may or may not have sov)...
You might be using it as an intel base.
You might be just wanting to be left alone.
You might be a parasite, using the protection or upgrades of the dominant power but give nothing back.
You might be a client corp, buying security or ISK or a production cut.
You might be a feudal underling, paying taxes and being expected to contribute to defence.
You might be a fully-fledged alliance member with specialised industrial capacity.
You might be a fully-integrated production arm of an alliance.
And, EVE being what it is, these relationships will be constantly being reconsidered by both parties. Think Lando and Cloud City (... gee the Empire Strikes Back keeps on inspiring, doesn't it ?) Amarr Victor. |