One Question: Debris Fields Addressed?

[LeonTheNeon]

I haven't played Distant Worlds in some time. The issue of debris fields, I'm sorry to say, really ruined the game for me as I found that early control of the debris fields dominated the strategic/operational layer of the game. That's just my opinion, ymmv.

I'm interested in returning to Distant Worlds and picking up expansion 1 and 2 (when it comes out) because other than that I thought it was a really great game but I can't bring myself to do it if the debris field issue remains.

With Sword of the Stars II coming out soon, I need to decide which 4X space game I'll be going with.

So, my question is: Has the debris field issue been dealt with (I didn't see it in any patch notes) and if not is there any plan to deal with it?

What is the "debris field" issue? It is that when a ship in a debris field is repaired the ownership goes to the closest warship instead of the race that fixed it. This means that it is trivial to steal debris ships from the AI by just parking a ship there. Also, even if you escort your constructor ships you have to babysit them to ensure that your warship is actually closest.

Solutions:

1 - The ship should be owned by the race that fixed it. (Ideal)

2 - A toggle to turn off debris fields entirely. (100% acceptable in my book)

Thanks very much!

[tjhkkr]

Yes, it does dominate the playing field...
No doubt about that, and if you do not care for it, it is an issue.
I personally like them... but I do see your point... sort of like monsters for me...! [;)]

[WoodMan]

You can turn them off by deselecting the original DW storyline, which I think is only possible if you have the RotS expansion.  Unfortunately this will take away a big part of the game though.

[dazoline II]

In ROTS there is the ability to turn the storyline off which removes most repairable ships from a game.

[Bingeling]

Also, debris fields is excellent practice targets for the gunnery training of new ship crews.

It is a pain though, you need to target every single one of them manually... It should be possible to flag the lot as enemy targets...

[MartialDoctor]

I had put a suggestion already that debris fields should be toned down.  I like the addition of them but they are far overpowered as is.

However, I've had other warships in the vicinity, with none of my own, and I still get ownership of the repaired ship if I'm the one who repaired it.  So, I'm not sure about this warship issue you stated.  Maybe it's been fixed already?

[LeonTheNeon]

Thanks for the replies. I was concerned posting this that I would get non-civil reponses.

I guess I'll fire the game up and see if it is fixed first of all.

If it isn't I'll need to decide if I want to buy an expansion pack so that I can then turn it off. [:D]

[Bingeling]

What I hinted at was that I hate the debris fields. So much they are a prime reason why I turn stories off.

So whenever I actually got stories on (It would be fun to med the shaks one day in a proper game), I usually set a fleet on killing duty once I find a debris field. But it is so much hassle queuing single ships to make sure they kill them all...

If I find a world destroyer, I always make sure to go destroy it under the nose of whoever is repairing it.

I guess a reason why were not flamed into cinders is that most people may agree with you Also this is quite often a pretty civil forum.

[Fideach]

I don't like the debris fields myself.. I'd be happier with them if they were smaller at least, or we had the options to adjust them or just turn them off.
One or two ships for the tech advance in reverse engineering, or using in the fleets is one thing.. but I've had games where the AI's Empires fleet be almost entirely made of up salvaged ships from debris fields.

I always send spies in to sabotage any repairs on world destroyers.

[Kayoz]

ORIGINAL: LeonTheNeon

I'm interested in returning to Distant Worlds and picking up expansion 1 and 2 (when it comes out) because other than that I thought it was a really great game but I can't bring myself to do it if the debris field issue remains.

No. It has not been fixed or altered in any way.

[Shark7]

Let the AI empires get the debris field ships and see how much more challenging the game becomes. You don't have to take the ships yourself, and the AI could certainly benefit from the increased firepower. [;)]

[tjhkkr]

ORIGINAL: Shark7
Let the AI empires get the debris field ships and see how much more challenging the game becomes. You don't have to take the ships yourself, and the AI could certainly benefit from the increased firepower. [;)]

And DO BENEFIT from the increased firepower!