Raigonne wrote:
I presume you are referring to the Ability Points and not a base's Artifact Production (since a base can also produce research and minerals). I can think of some valid reasons why someone would want to change both. And using GP to change it is a good way. Make it a high enough cost and people won't want to do it too often. However, I think that the AP increase should correspond to the production output just as it does now. This keeps it simple with one timer for both instead of each one needing their own timer. So let's have a way to change the base's output time for both the production and AP. Here's some restrictions I would have for it:
1) The base cannot be locked when you change it. It can get locked after the change is requested, but it should not be locked when you initiate the time change.
2) There should be at least a 24 hour production shutdown period where you can't get any production/AP. Think of it like a factory shutting down to re-tool for a different purpose. It shuts down for 24 hours and then the new output time goes into effect. This eliminates any chance of getting more than one drop a day and allows you to change the time to be earlier or later.
3) When the production/AP starts up again, the legion bonus should be reset to 0%, so it will take 10 days to max out again. I know this will not be popular with many, but remember you just changed the base's schedule and it has to get acclimated to the new time.
4) There should be a minimum time change required, so you can't just change it by say 5 minutes.
This could be done through a strict GP item (base artifact), or there could be a special base module to allow it (buy in GP market or through base like any other module which allows multiple currencies to be used, including GP). A base module could use GP to activate it, and be put on a timer to control how often you can change the time (14 days, 30 days, etc).
I think a base module would be the better way to do it, otherwise anyone who can use abilities (for base defense etc) can do worse than disable the base. If a legion leaves base abilities open so anyone can buff if it gets locked, and has open recruitment, it's very open to trolls. That being said, if it has no other use people would probably scrap it right afterwards, as base space is pretty limited as I've seen. So the cost of the module has to be factored into the cost of using the ability (GP or otherwise).
I don't think a minimum time change is necessary though, if you really want it 5 minutes earlier you should be able to do that rather than have to change it twice (once by an hour 5 minutes, and once an hour in the opposite direction).
Disabling it during locks seems somewhat superfluous if you also have a 24 hour timer before it takes effect; especially if, as was suggested in the first post, it resets it to the time the ability/thing was used.
Nice idea, +1. Needs fleshing out though
Also, first post whoo!