I play the game on Linux with patch 0.27.1, playing it on and off for years now and still love it so far.
But the auto generated weapon combinations seem not to be that constistent or need a bit of a rework. Examples:
1st weapon: titanium, exceptional, double, tech 16, dps 45,1
2nd weapon: naonite, rare, tripple, tech 23, dps 34,8
3rd weapon: naonite, exceptional, single, tech 22, dps 99,1
4th weapon: naonite, common, single, tech 23, dps 38,1
I hope at least somebody is reading that, I really put some effort into it ;)
detailed ideas about a rework/overhaul: 1. weapon material is in reality uninteresting.
Yes you can place a Naonite weapon only on Naonite blocks or better.
This makes kind of sense but in reality it uninteresting. Example:
In rare cases you get weapons without the access to the new ore.
But within a normal progression you should always be able to afford at least a small block to mount the new weapon on
In case just get your lazy ass closer to the core for the new ore
Argument: Since it is so easy to circumvent it means there is no real argument for it.
It is not a big deal but it simply doesn't make sense.
Suggestion:
Ditch weapon materials
Consistently link weapon stats to a tech level
Link the tech level to the distance to the core
If you want to keep weapon materials at least keep them at a certain range to the core; additionally the previous material should only be in exotic or exceptional cases better than the next uncommon (something like that)
Or bind the tech level to the ship material (iron tech 1-10, titanium 11-20, ...)
Pro: This would prevent cluttering of weapons
Pro: Iron weapons can be better than Naonite weapons becasuse the wide spreading of weapon stats
This would prevent that
Pro: The progression is more constistent with the travel to the core.
2. Too many versions (Single/Double/Triple/Quad weapons)
I suppose a tripple should do 50% more dps compare to a double ??
Example:
In almost every case I use the weapon with the most dps anyway
Since a "double" can easily be better than a "Triple" (of the same tech level) thus I simply don't care about these versions
Argument: The spread of weapon stats is too big for it to really mather
Suggestion:
Like above, limit the spread of weapon stats so you really can double/triple/quadruple the dps like the name implies
It would feel more rewarding to get such a weapon
Maybe you want to link the Single/Double/Triple/Quad and the rarity together (normal = bolter turret; uncommon = double bolter turret; rare = triple bolter turret; exceptionell = quad bolter turret; exotic = quad bolter turret + every other stat * 1,25)
3. Weapon Rarity
Yes, every game with auto generated weapons need such an element, but in Avorion it is kind of useless because of the wide stats spread
The spread of weapon stats is too big (an uncommon iron weapon can be better than an exotic trinium one). You made rarity absolete or weapon materials strange
Suggestion (better rarity should have more impact):
Have destinct stat multiplier for each rarity so that the result has more punch than the previous rarity
Or link "Single/Double/Triple/Quad" to the rarity
4. Tech level
I think the tech level is the most usefull way to base the stats on
At the moment it is not really an indicator or let's say everything is kind of strange.
Argument:
You see that the combination of rarity, tech level and the spread of stats is at the moment not really helpfull.
Thats why I only judge by dps and nothing more making everything else uninteresting
But, my inventory is colorfull, I'll give you that :)
Suggestion:
Bind dps to tech level
make the stats spread smaller
modify traits with rarity or multiply stats with it
ditch materials for weapons pls
5. Sorting of items and comparison
a) weapons marked with the star are in front of every sorting no matter what
Example: I sort dps, my star marked weapon has the worst dps but is in front -> makes comparing items harder
Suggestion: implement a check box "sort star items" to give people the possibility to really sort star items or not
note: the more star items you have the less you are able to compare anything
b) unarmed turrets are listed within weapons (repair turret,..)
Example: Since they have kind of dps/dmg they are sorted as well. Kind of annoying if you mistake them for weapons and sell them but want to keep them if needed
Suggestion: Why not seperate them from weapons like the modules are ?
c) The weapon which are actually mounted don't show up in the inventory
Argument: hard to find out if new looted weapons are better than mounted ones -> need to be easier
Suggestion: display mounted weapons inside the inventory with a pale icon or something like that
d) I would seperate anti-fighter and point-defence turrets as well
e) If you seperate unarmed and defence turrets from the weapons it makes sense to increase the spaces between them (and of course also the modules)
Or introduce a tab like system the players have controll over by adding tabs and selecting the content with a list box or drop-down box -> that would be awesome
f) Inside the inventory you have 2 drop down boxes for sorting
The 2nd one only has "No borders", "rarity" and "material" -> Include "type" please !!!!!!!!
Argument: Everything is around dps and type and there is no combination of these 2 yet
alternatively: add "dps" to the 2nd drop down box
6. Features
a) Loot filter (values saved in a config file pls) -> if you implement my tech level ideas then tech level, otherwise dps
With consistent weapons and a configurable filter you would never loot crap (let's face it you rarely make your money by selling weapons)
b) filter for selling items (values saved in a config file pls)
again dps or tech level
Note: No, I don't want to mark 30 weapons as trash after the fight against the AI
5. Thoughts about Research
Not perticullarly usefull because:
Too much luck based
If you want to min/max or controll the result you hord weapons like crazy
I think 5 needed items are too many -> 3 would be ok
Suggestion 1 (lower the efficiency of the result):
If 1 of 5 items is not like the others reduce the dps by some degree (maybe 15-20% per different item) and thus the efficiency of the next higher rarity
Like you have 2 different cookies + 1 vegetable, the cookie anticipation is there but lower because of the vegetable :)
-> lower amounnt of needed items with less punishment for a complete different item
Suggestion 2 (Special trait upgrade):
Introduce an upgrade next to the research
Sacrifice 1 item to copy the trait ("+X% Firing until overheated") to the other one
The result wouldn't be overpowered (you can limit the amounts of traits)
The player have more controll and you can limit everything
-> new feature of copying traits to another item
Conclusion:
devs can controll the generated weapon better
devs have an easier balancing the game
players have smoother progression
players havefaster comparison and easier selling