Multiple "air" levels appropriate for this game's scale?

I would like to see an RTS tackle multiple air planes (not aircraft) and no other game seems more suited in both setting and scale than Planetary Annhilation


so the levels would be:

water
ground
high ground
atmosphere
low orbit
deep orbit

The Essential argument is the replacement of Water Based Navy with Orbit based "spaceship navy"

water would now simply be a pathing blocker and could be interchangeable in the planet generator with any other impassable liquid (lava, mercury, oil oceans ect.)


the atmosphere level would be the gunship T1 air scout, air engineer, transport level

the low orbit level is for satelites and stations (replacement for navy buildings/defenses) and for fighters/bombers. space navy units can descend to this level (required for most surface interaction)

the high orbit level is only accessible by space navy units sort of like how the submarine level works.


to balance being bum rushed by space navy there should be decently early access to anti orbital surface guns that can rip space navy to shreds in orbit but cant target faster smaller air units very well and fires slowly. also space navy will be able to bombard planets but the should have to be almost directly over their target. only the battleship should be able to bombard from deep space (and counterable with missiles)


just my 2 cents on the potential of orbital

Considering they not only already worked on a lot o Naval Aspects but also promised them as part of the Kickstarter, I don't see this happening within the Core Game.

Also I think it is a gross over simplification to say that Water is interchangeable with all other liquids. An Amphibious unit moves long the ocean floor wouldn't be all that effective in the super hot Lava or thicker Oil, Not to mention Mercury can be very reactive and in general not safe.

Mike

If enough people, if enough contributors expressed to want for something like this would they not consider changing it? i am just bring up ideas and seeing if anyone likes it. if not then the people have spoken but there is no harm in expressing ideas

My Main gripe with water navy in this setting is that it limits the "playable world types" to having surface water. something i find to be more of a limitation than adding anything super worthwhile to the core gameplay. with out water navy it frees up the planet generation to be much more creative with the kinds of maps and planet surfaces we are fighting on without leaving out a while portion of the game. space navy just make alot more sense in the context of multiple planetary bodies in my opinion as a liken space to be the sea and the planets and asteroids to be islands.

How does it limit anything? You don't NEED every planet to support Naval Play. Some will some won't and some planets are ONLY Naval, its the variety that's important.

Mike

that is my point exactly. my moving the variety of naval combat to space you will never lose out on that part of the game. you will never lose that VARIETY, that CHOICE.

it allows to full access to the game on any planet type.

No, what you suggest doesn't create a choice, it forces it. You have that choice when you create the system you'll be playing a game in, Want some Naval Play? Make Earth-like or Water planets withing the system. The choice is already there, being limited at times is the real variety, having the same options all the time is more boring than having to adapt to a large number of possible scenarios

So then we need to chuck out Naval/Water planets because you can't do any land warfare on them? All this does is make everything same-y, it won't matter what type of planet or biome you spawn in because you'll always have the same options.

Mike

you can still have water planets and amphibious unit maybe. and just like now it would probably force a more air/navy type battle and limit the ground game

but now you can have a land only plant and still have that air/navy battle


also it solves the problem of lakes and isolated water areas.

i still have yet to see a strong compelling argument for water over space navy
but that just my opinion i've never been a huge fan of water navy in any case i feel like the same core gameplay of water navy can more easily and more deeply be achieved in space. (bombardment from coast vs orbit. subs vs ships is now orbital vs deep orbital) and without any of the drawbacks.

------------------

also in terms of balance simply making the surface to orbital defenses cost effective and you effectively making over water/impassable the safest place for orbital units in any case

------------------

you can even keep all the naval resource buildings just built from air engineers (giving them a clearer role as well)

First, you're being inconsistent, if you say you shouldn't be able to have planets without Naval play how can you turn around and say that Planets without and Land play be okay?

Second, There isn't a problem with lakes/isolated water areas, Water isn't ONLY there to create naval play, it also creates 'soft terrain', which can be overcome with Amphibious units when compared to things like rock pillars or cracked crust that can only be overcome by air units. No one complained in SupCom/FA about not being able to use Naval on Canis River, why should we here?

Third, the Argument is that Uber chose not to do that originally, frankly 'Space Navy' is kidna boring when compared to the Orbital play Uber has envisioned. It's a little late to pull a full 180 like you suggest.

Not really, Being in orbit really messes things up in terms of balance, it requires a totally different set of mechanics/units/structures to balance it out, at least with a 'wet navy' things like air units and long ranged artillery can take part, not so with a 'space navy'.

Air Fabbers don't have a clear role already? Their role is mobility over build power, that's all they need.

Next time just use the Edit Button man.

Mike

OP, if Uber doesn't make PA to your liking, I'm sure someone will eventually create a balance mod that will suit your tastes, more or less.