Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Background: One use of the Covert Jump Portal Generator module is helping newer players - in less skill intensive Stealth Bombers or Recon ships - participate in Black Ops content being undertaken by more experienced players with full jump drive and Black Ops skills. This module requires Astrometrics V to use.

Astrometrics V is a scanning skill and not necessarily useful for a combat-focused BLOPs pilot barring some unrelated reason for having it. Level 5 is an ~12 day train. There are an enormous array of combat skills that BLOPs pilots I know would rather spend 12 days training. (FWIW: my corp currently tops zkill for most BLOPs kills this week, so I know a few.)

This means fewer jump portal generator modules -> less [new player]+[experienced player] engagement -> net negative for new player retention.

Primary Proposal: Remove Astrometrics V requirement from Covert Jump Portal Generation - OR - lower it to Astrometrics IV, which is a much quicker train.

Secondary proposal:

A second mechanic that disincentives more experienced players from jump portal generating is that it often causes them to miss the same content they bridge others to. Yes, some charitable people already have alts for this. Training an alt to handle this duty should be quicker/easier in order to promote new player retention through participation.

Possible solutions:
- Allow Blockade Runners to use the module (use jump fuel from the main cargo bay). The BR functions in a purely support role (fuel truck + bridger) so that a combat trained pilot doesn't miss any combat opportunities, and a non-combat focused alt can handle this duty.
- Detach the portal from the BLOPs, allowing the BLOPs to jump?
Problems: 1. The BLOPs is no longer held committed while the portal is up. 2. How would this work with fuel?

Correct.