I'd like to suggest an Electronic Attack Pod:
- Requires two energy cells (low power use, maybe similar to an ammo factory)
- Operated by two crew members
- 2x2 in size but with a 2x1 no build area in front (or 2x3 total; similar to the existing shields)
- Cost: 4-5k credits
EA Pod would serve two functions:
Attack:
- Line of sight requirement (but a long range)
- No physical damage (think point defense but with a radio wave graphic)
- Percent chance (40-80%) to disable systems in a targeted radius (e.g. a ammo factory, point defense system, and thruster are temporarily shut down (15-20 seconds?) and then need be restarted with new power cells)
Defence:
- EA Pod provides a radius of protection for your ship (one would be sufficient to cover most of a ship of about 250-300k credits in size)
- Reduces the chance your systems are shut down by EA attack by half (20-40%)
I think this would add another dimension to ship design and combat without the challenges of adding z-levels to the game. (I'm not voicing an opposition to z-levels in theory.)
