First, some background.
For a long time now, new players have been at an utter disadvantage in every way against players who have been in the game for a while. This makes sense given the increase in materials and skills, but doesn’t make for very interesting PvP, and certainly isn’t great for new player retention when they all die instantly. I propose that new players start with a special ship, instead of a starter fleet from Empire. This ship should have enough special abilities and uses to make it worth-while in early game modes, and strong enough to make it a formidable opponent in general PvP. It should also be a unique class ship that can be ranked up as the player grows, to allow it to be used further on in the future. All new players should start out with the ship, and maybe those players who have joined up to 4 months before its release. Vets and old players should not get the ship without some ultra tedious task such as recruiting 20 players or completing all the ships in the game or something. It should start out looking ragged and old, but be able to unlock new “skins” like the Thar’Ga one that changes its appearance to a newer, more modern look. The increased ranks for the ship should be tied to the level of the player, and get to 17 at rank 20 or something like that. It should also be the ship used in the tutorial mission to make it seem like the player “discovered” the game world via some crazy time warp or something in that ship. Shouldn’t have special abilities in the tutorial mission. Should maybe look like a futuristic Alcubierre drive ship that has been severely damaged.
Tl;dr: starter ship good for balance and good for player retention.
Name: Photon
Type: Unique Fighter
Ranks: 1-17 (through upgrade system like NY18)
Shield: medium-high
Hull: medium
Speed: medium
Maneuverability: medium-high
Passive bonuses:
-150pts/s natural hull regen
-10% increased beacon capture speed
-15% increased weapon damage
-15% increased module power
Special module: A-Type Force Generator
Function: Upon activation, ceases energy regeneration and makes the ship invulnerable for 2 seconds. After this time, the ship instantly travels 6,000m towards the crosshairs and gains 20% extra damage for 5 seconds. If the destination is occupied by a ship, both ships take instant 50% hull damage on arrival.
Special weapon: The weapon seen in the tutorial mission. (except maybe less damage)
Special Active Module: Exostatic Field
Function: Preps the crew for long distance travel by emitting a pulse that puts everything within 450m in to stasis. The A-Type Field Generator still works in stasis. All ships caught in the stasis (self or enemies) cannot move or use weapons, but are shielded for the duration.