I have an idea for a buff. Now, keep in mind I have zero idea how hard it would be to make this happen, and I don't know what the further effects would be.
One specialist that has a very specific and minimal use is the intelligence officer. The IO increases the radius of all outpost's reach, in order to gain surveillance ability. But that's it. His main uses are for two things: sentries (which princesses do a better job with) and when you are worried about neighbours that nay be building forces just beyond your sight. That's all. Think to yourself: how often do you actually hire IOs? It has to be one of - if not the - least hired specs in the game. There are very specific situations one has to be in in order to choose it over another specialist.
A way to change the use of the IO is to give it an alternate use. My idea is that if a sub is holding an IO, the sub has a sight range of x% of an outpost's range when travelling through the fog of war. I think at most 25%, probably less. Think about it, the intelligence officer's title is someone who gains intelligence, recon. So, his submarine should be able to report information back to the queen. Imagine a whole new stacking of specs: the IO could be sent alone through an unknown area, to possibly scout the location of an enemy's queen, or big forces. Combine it with a nav and it now becomes a search light (add enough drillers to this and it becomes a huge threat). Or send it alone, and behind it send a queen killer (pirate/nav/assassin or martyr).
Of course, there is an easy way to counter this: the pirate. Another way to counter would be to move anything away from the radius of the sub (if possible). And if we had new specs coming in (like that jammer thing), it could have interesting interactions with those (the jammer, for example, could counter the intelligence radius of the sub totally if within range of the jammer's outpost).
Tell me what you guys think about this addition to the IO's ability. I just think that while War Hero, Infiltrator, and others may need a buff, we can't forget about the least popular spec in the game just because its not popular. It'll create a whole new wave of game strategy, with a player that values the information that could change the flow of a game.
TL;DR: sub with IO has a sight range a fraction of an outpost's range; buff the IO to make it actually a reasonable hire
And another thing, please be respectful when critiquing my idea. A lot of you guys are totally cool, but some others can get rude and stuff, I would much prefer to keep everything clean and easy
Thanks
A wise guy's always right; even when he's wrong he's right
-Lefty, Donnie Brasco
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