I have considered a submarine equivalent in the game. In the background technobabble, the TN ships are partially in our dimension and partially in the fluid dimension, which is what makes them hard to detect and gives them naval-like movement. When destroyed, they fully emerge into our dimension, which is why wrecks are visible (just like every tiny rock in the system).
However, I have considered a ship modification that would allow ships to fully enter the fluid dimension. They would be much slower (about 25% speed - modified by tech), require special engines and special hull modification. Detection would only be possible using sensors designed for the fluid dimension (sonar) and the sub would also use sonar to detect normal TN ships. The sub could move back into our dimension to use radar or launch missiles but would then be detectable. Special fluid dimension missiles (torpedoes) would be possible, although much shorter-ranged and slower than normal missiles. However, due to the compression from detonation within the fluid dimension, torpedo warhead strengths would be much more powerful (perhaps 4x).
This is an idea I have been kicking around in my head for a while. I want to get C# Aurora up and running properly though before I do anything about it.
I'd love to see a submarine equivalent in the game.
I see a few issues that need to be tackled however for them to be an enjoyable experience:
- With the current map layout chokepoints at Jump Gates would make it way too easy to secure your trade and rear lines from raiders. They would need some way to circumvent chokepoints which can't be exploited by the main strike fleet.
- There is no good way automate convoy sailing by commercial shipping and escort, which would make it very tedious to defend against.
- There is no good way to automate raiding ( patrolling known lanes and attack stray lone targets of opportunities ), which would make it very tedious to use alot of small raiders.
- There are currently no "small traffic" such as bus/supply traffic to and from mining colonies, star bases or outposts, and it's not possible to raid minerals delivered via mass drivers either.
- Colonies would need some fairly easy way to detect such raiders at close range as well so they can't close undetected to <5 second missile/torpedo range and blast stuff away bypassing PD and AMM.
- Stealth mechanics for "submarines"/raiders should probably synergize with current stealth mechanics in some way to not add too much complexity.