To develop a sense of identity, belonging and ownership within the universe
To provide and ISK sink and PLEX opportunity
To support ‘trusted’ non-corp entities to share, isk or items, in particular to support industrialists
Key features:
Deployable for self only (not corp).
One structure per account (not player)
Access control via ACL with a maximum of 25 characters (for example, but low and defined by CCP)
ACL access only allows 1 player to have access to 1 (small) structure ie if you are on a small structure ACL list already you cannot deploy your own structure and if you own a small structure you cannot join another small structure ACL list.
Control on which space they are deployable in, e.g. not deployable in Sov null-sec, or only deployable in hi-sec.(would need to minimise any viable strategic role)
Expensive to buy/build (i.e. significant isk sink). Could have expensive faction variants with different external appearance.
Multiple internal skins/styles..e.g. Amar style, Guristas etc. which could be bought with PLEX from the NES.
Dockable up to cruiser including blockade runner/DST
In-built cloaking device, so only decloaks when there is a ship within 2km, making this very difficult to destroy in PvP. Could use clouds to hide it.
No tether.
Allows dedicated modules to be fitted (also v expensive for isk sink as these are luxuries):
Banking module – allows a common pool of isk accessible by everyone on the ACL list
Container module – allows a shared container in all stations for everyone on ACL list
(Clone bay and reprocessing should be allowed also but without bonuses)
Uses fuel, when there is no fuel goes into a low power state and decloaks. If destroyed anything in above containers/bank reverts to structure owner. Drops a quantum core and if abandoned drops any loot that was in it.
2 reasons - 1. everyone wants a home (which CCP can use to sink ISK and PLEX into) and 2. the modules give tangible utility to individuals outside of corporations.
I’d love to see a small structure, something in beween a mobile depot and an Astrahus.
While I often fly with others, it would be fun to be able to set up my own base of operations with a few ships like how I currently live out of the cargo of my Rorqual that I parked in one of my alliance’s structures.
I still wait for the day CCP finally introduces a small Upwell structure to replace the POS so they can finally detele the POS.
It may be hard to find the right balace between ‘useful’ and ‘obnoxious’ though, we have all seen the depot spam and many of us remember the structure spam that caused CCP to eventually introduce structure cores.
I think a limit of one (1) deployed at any given time would be a good start. I can’t imagine having one of these vs. a horde of containers, mobile depots (etc.) would be a bad thing.
I think this goal could be more easily served not with a new structure but with customization options for the character’s home station (to make it feel more like “home”).
Because otherwise, the problem I see with small, personal structures is basically this:
And I say this as an EVE player who has always wanted a secret personal base hidden in an asteroid belt somewhere.
I would like to see structure than can replace a POS but still have some similar functionality. Mainly, have ships tethered/docked outside, that you can board/unboard without the “docking” timers of current structures. Password protect the ship access etc. The ability to warp to a POS when a neutral enters system, reship and warp back out again saves so much time.
You shouldn’t hope for this, because it would make the game objectively worse.
Upwell Structures are a design desaster for smaller and medium groups, being constant easy loot-targets for any bigger entity while holding no real combat power or force multiplication capabilities. They are forced to become part or vasalls or renters of the big groups, which shifts even more power to those, instead of allowing smaller and medium groups a “grassroot growth” to become competitors first, maybe rivals later. Which would be good for the game.
Thats why all those structures from any smaller / independent groups in HS constantly get wardecced and razed. While those owning POSes are not.
Thats why small/medium independent groups cannot even remotely hope to hold (or in some cases, even anchor…) a structure in LowSec. But they can with a POS.
Thats why smaller/medium independent groups are regualry evicted from WHs. While those having a well-armed POS are usually left alone.
You simply can’t hold them independently and you need their production boni to be able to compete at the economic market with a fair margin. One reason of the political stagnation we can witness in the game during the last years is the incredibly bad design of Upwell Structures. No, you really shouldn’t hope CCP gives us more of that and removes mechanics that were actually well-thought and clearly superior in every way, except convenience (that I don’t disagree with).
What if the ‘small upwell structure’ uses mainly POS balance mechanics to stay alive?
I mean, a POS can go unnoticed and stay alive long enough to function for small groups even against bigger groups due to POS mechanics. Maybe copy some of those for this new small dockable upwell structure??
Rather than multiple timers, one timer and a lot of EHP to chew through?
Hidden from the system-wide overview and only visible on dscan?
I’m sure CCP can come up with a POS-like dockable structure that can replace the POS.
Then CCP would have to acknowledge that they did everything wrong with the current structures. And they won’t ever do that.
Structures would need
semi-effective Auto-Defense, so they can’t be easily reinforced with a small gang of cheap ships when no one is home (to be expected at the owners night-time). At least 1.000 DPS for S, 2.000 DPS for M, 4.000 DPS for L and 8.000 DPS for XL ones, with high-alpha, randomly shooting into all targets in range. Focus Fire if Gunner controlling it.
weaponry needs to be turret-based, not missiles. To have instant-hits so focused fire and target switches can put pressure on logis. Missiles are way too delayed and rep is too easily shifted.
High-Efficiency jammers that randomly cycle through opponents, giving them a very high success probability unless specifically fitted against (dual ECCM-Sebo fits), 10 on S, 20 on M, 30 on L, 40 on XL.
High-Efficiency dampeners that randomly cycle through opponents, preventing sniper attacks and delaying logi locks. 10 for S, 20 for M, 30 for L and 40 for XL structures.
at least 30 Mio eHP on shield for S, 60 Mio eHP on M, 90 Mio eHP on L and 120 Mio eHP on XL
Resist Profile of at least 50-50-50-50, customizable to more if the owner wants it.
Remote-Repairable while under fire.
THEN they would be able to fight like a POS can. Yes, POSes can do exactly that right now and thats the reason anyone thinks twice before attacking one. Is he really ready to lose ships? Is the risk really worth it? Because IF the owner then comes with an own fleet, he can fight 1:3 outnumbered and you still will suffer considerable losses. POSes are truly like a fortress, they enable the smaller group to fight back or at least make the attack costly, in time, effort and risk. And thats why they are only attacked for good reason: To claim the spot, to eliminate a dangerous competitior/rival or if someone stepped seriously on your foot. But not just for the lulz because you can, it’s easy, mostly risk-free and offers guaranteed loot.
The defensive stats of a POS is exactly what I have mentioned: The combination of EWAR, auto-dps, enourmeous Hitpoints and the ability to repair them under fire to prolong an enemy engagement.
I don’t doubt that you think that. It’s nonetheless totally wrong. A 30b Fortizar can be reinforced when the owner is not online by a ridiculously cheap fleet of AFK-Battlecruisers, which means the first timer (and with this like 1/3rd of its HP is a free win all the time. And on the second time it fights worse than a 5B armed-to-the-teeth-Large POS.
M Structures are basically laughable in both defense and offence and L-Structures are a trap for small and medium corps, because they cost waaaay too much and promise a combat power they don’t have, giving only a false estimation of safety.