The Crystal Mutagen was discovered after an Ellydium convoy was attacked and a prototype regenerator crystal was nearly destroyed. Upon near completion of self-regeneration, a strange polyp developed near an engine core. This polyp grew in to a previously unintended extra propulsion crystal which proved exceptionally useful, yet in the same matter detrimental, to the craft. While manoevering capabilities and speed were greatlyh increased, the extra energy drain was simply too much for the capacitor to sustain, leading to many other issues. Further testing of this now mass produced feature gave way to similar growths and changes in crystal structures as they regrew. Now all Ellydium ships have been infected with this strange “disease” and can spontaneously grow unintentional features. These features also seem to be much weaker than standard ones, so they tend to break off in combat easier. Easy come easy go I guess.
Here is my proposal for a new feature for every Ellydium ship that exists and will exist. I suggest that they all be able to spontaneously grow extra booster crystals and laser crystals and missile crystals etc when their hull is naturally regenerating. (By naturally I mean the 25pts/s regent after 5 seconds of doing nothing.)
I noticed that the floating features on some ships aren’t really directly attached and thought this would be suuuuuuuper cool and easy to implement.
All crystal growths would simply float outside the hull of the ship in a random location. Looks like these thingies engine crystal thingies on the Tai’Kin. (See image of underside of tai with jumo crystals showing floaty booster crystals)
Here are some suggestions for the ability to get you started:
Crystal booster: grows a standalone booster that hovers just outside the ship and increases speed and manoeuvring with boosters by 12%. Increases booster energy draw by 10%. Engine can be shot and has 1000pts of durability.
Crystal Laser: grows a standalone weapons crystal that automatically fires a single laser at your crosshairs when you fire. If the weapons overheat past 75%, the crystal will explode. Crystal can be shot and has 800pts of durability.
Shield crystal: grows a floating shielding crystal that helps defend the ship. It generates a secondary shield that is projected in one direction and has 2350pts of durability and no resistance. Regenerates slowly over time and slows ship down by 9%. Crystal can be shot and has 570pts of durability.
Hunter crystal: grows a floating crystal that will launch itself at the locked target if the ship is hit. The crystal will guide itself around obstacles with great agility to seek out the target. On impact, explodes and creates a massive cloud of damaging crystal particles.
Radar crystal: grows a floating crystal that acts as a secondary radar beacon. Increased sensor range by 300% but also makes the user visible to enemies on the hud from any range. Locking range stays the same for you and enemies. Can be destroyed and has 900pts of durability.
Guard crystal: grows a floating crystal that will autonomously fire on the closest enemy in 1000m. Can be destroyed and has 450pts of durability.
Unstable crystal: grows a crystal that leaks quantum radiation and will teleport you 1000m in a random direction if you are hit.
Minor crystal (pet crystal): grows a crystal that itself mutates in to an almost completely functional autonomous ship. Has one laser and engine and a small shield generator. Will detach from the ship and search for enemies, attacking them without command. Has 2,450pts of shield and 1,225pts of hull.
Concentrated crystal: grows a very valuable crystal that floats gently off of your hull. If you can get it back to your station, you can take it off for a great reward! Can not be destroyed, but can be dropped and picked up like the bomb in detonation. Drops from the ship if it takes 4,000 damage or cloaks. Considered “the pearl of crystal ships’ oysters”. Glints brightly in space.
Contaminated crystal: invalid material is rejected and balled up in this hideous mass of radioactive crystal junk. Diffuses the ship’s shields for 3 seconds before dropping off and detonating.
Rage crystal: grows a dense crystal with ingrained natural Crystallid behaviour. It will lash out at any target with a strange glowing sphere that lazily homes in on them. Can be destroyed and has 6,000pts of durability.
Pointy crystal: grows a completely normal crystal that is very sharp. It would make a great ram if it happens to grow on the front of your ship!
Vulpanium crystal: generates a Vulpanium crystal that will detonate killing you instantly if you don’t get rid of it quickly. Scrape it off and hope it finds its way to someone else’s hull!
And so many more!
