First Person Ship Piloting.

[tough cradle]

Problem:

1. Some ships have huge issues aiming and flying at the same time in 3rd Person.

Example A. The capital ship. If I'm aiming my gun at another ship, it tilts the whole ship which completely blocks the view of my second gunner.
Example B. The interceptor with a missile attachment is way too tall so I literally can't see what I'm aiming at.

2. The game should feel kinda claustrophobic. We're all wearing goggles and in raid, the atmosphere is tense. Space should feel the same. Currently, I'm just spinning my camera around and can see ships from miles away.

I should feel a little more nervous going into space but right now it feels like a chill interlude before the real intensity. (We'll talk about space fighting in a sec to those about to object)

**Solution: 1st person view for space pilots. **

You address the first problem because you don't have dumb ship or ship attachments getting in the way of your vision.

You address the second problem by making space a little more tense and blind. Plus, the periscopers on your team will actually serve a purpose and can spot enemies. It would be harder for scout rocket ships to laser target pods which would be a plus too.

Conclusion

First person ship piloting would balance the combat and remove annoying models from blocking your view while at the same time adding to the atmosphere of the game.

[unborn scaffold]

I agree some changes should be made to space driving/combat

[abstract iron]

What about being able to switch back and forth between first and third? By pressing right mouse button

I really like third person il admit.

Third person ships allows for some fun mechanics like using asteroids to sneak up on and ambush bigger ships. I did that when stealing my first capital ship from a group of 4, sneaking up underneath them

[tough cradle]

I would totally be fine with a toggle, might be the most reasonable solution tbh

[rain galleon]

this would be super cool, would make team work necessary to maneuver large ships, and could be balanced by making the rustbucket relatively fast and easier to handle solo.

Tank crew as a baseline (submarine crew would be more fitting even but ok):
Commander
Driver
Gunner
Loader
Technicians

I think it shouldn't be too complex either, but that overall the game could hugely benefit.

But it would imply a slightly larger "navigation" part, implying, maybe, larger maps.

Down the line, you could imagine poor marauders manning 3 rustbuckets with 2 crew each, versus one large ship, harder to handle, but with better detection capabilities and superior fire power.

[rain galleon]

Imho, this could be even more satisfying if you get to do it using on board tools switching from periscope view to your on board radar to locate the enemy and achieve the same ability to ambush from a hidden spot.

Accessorily, this could be a thing you could have to outfit your ship with, and collect stuff for. Blueprints, materials, and maybe a way to limit access to mechanics (or hire them?) could all be devices to add granularity and progression imo. No "free radar" or "asteroid mining device", you'll have to work for that, but it will be more easy to afford once you get the BP's and mechanics/personnel.

These are all just lose ideas/examples ofc, but I would see it fit right in.

[tough cradle]

I love the submarine comparison! I feel like these ships totally fit a submarine aesthetic, and it fits the timeline too. A radar station would honestly take ship fighting to the next level, I love your ideas man

[rain galleon]

Like, ok, this is beyond what we'd reasonably want for Marauders by miles, but for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPlKXkq76Ds