So, I was lamenting that EL has no official "team" system in it for a little while. Then I started thinking about how it's more realistic for the possibility of betrayal to always be there in an actual alliance.... and then an idea popped into my head.

An idea that, by the way, I am fairly certain has yet to appear within these forums



Suggestion: Add, not one, but TWO new factions to the game. For discussion purposes devoid of lore, these two factions shall be referred to as the Alphas and the Betas



Main Idea:

1. When starting a new game, simply add a rule that says that, if there are any Alphas OR Betas selected to be in the game, there MUST be an equal number of Alpha and Beta Factions. If there are two Alphas, there must be two Betas, etc.

2. Alphas have an ability that shows them the starting positions of and puts them in contact with all Betas, Betas have the same ability, but with Alphas. (Just like Drakken, but exclusive to Alpha and Beta sight)

3. Both Alphas and Betas start the game with a unique form of Diplomats Manse, which, in addition to allowing them to make peace treaties, Allows Alphas to make Alliances with Betas and Betas with Alphas at 0 influence cost.

4 Alphas may have no more than 1 Beta alliance, Betas may have no more than 1 Alpha alliance

5 Once an alliance has been made, Alphas cannot break alliance with Betas and Betas can't break alliance with Alphas.

6. Without getting too heavily into how, SOMEHOW, these two factions are deeply dependent upon their alliance. If an Alpha's Beta is destroyed, the Alpha has little to no chance of winning the game and vice versa.

7 And most importantly, just as always, there can still only be one winner to the game



Rules 6 and 7 add in the interesting dynamic of the two factions needing eachother, but also needing to somehow gain the advantage over the other without doing anything that would result in their own demise



Now, I'm fully aware that this basic concept would be very, very hard to develop fully.... BUT, does anyone else feel the potential of this idea?

Is something like this conceivable? Does anyone have any ideas as to how these two factions could be fleshed out mechanically?

I was thinking that virtually every aspect of their design should boil down to their alliances with eachother. Like, nearly every part of their questline, etc. Maybe they both produce science at 50% but they share technologies? Their armies are half the normal size, but they can support each other in battle? Stuff like that. I dunno, what do you guys think?

The Allayi have something comparable in that cooperating with them will yield significant bonuses, yet... they're not your friends.

Seriously? Well, shoot. I'm looking forward to the dlc then

Frogsquadron wrote:
The Allayi have something comparable in that cooperating with them will yield significant bonuses, yet... they're not your friends.

Interesting mechanic !! Can.t wait to see how it turns out once everything is ready to go ^^