The Imperial Navy
02-11-2004, 16:47
For a long time, I have seen some terrible attempts to role play in space. Being a Veteran of NS, I felt it nessesary to lay down some good advice on how to do good role play.
FAQ:
I've just joined Nationstates. Can I have a space fleet?
Yes. It all depends on when you are roleplaying and where. For example, a popular form of arrival to Nationstates these days is to arrive with the last of you race on colony ships, perhaps with a few escorts. Despite that fact you can have ships, Keep it small. Young nations should wait a little while and let their economy get higher before they try to build more ships.
I'm a modern tech nation. Can I have space battleships?
Of course, but remember to spend ages researching and testing. you can't go straight from modern tech to all-powerful space empire in a few days. Over time, gradually improve your technology, and before you know it, you'll be exploring new star systems.
I'm Future tech! That means I can build Battlecruisers right away!
Not exactly. When you start to "Rebuild" or "Enlarge" your fleet, start small... perhaps a light frigate or new fighter. Then work your way up to Battlecruisers and destroyers. If you think too big, too fast, your economy will be the one that suffers.
How do I research?
Start by creating a new thread, explaining the name of your technology, display some pictures if possible, and explain in detail what the technology you are researching will do for you. If done well, you will recieve praise. If there are problems or somone needs to know more, Try and work through them, deciding what needs to be altered or added. A little detail can go a long way...
My ships have Uber shields and planet killer missiles and are invincible!
No, they're cardboard cutouts. Shields are perfectly acceptable, and so are WMD's on ships. But Shields CAN be penetrated, and Missiles CAN Be intercepted. Make your tech realistic (Well, not that realistic), at least enough so that the fight will be even-then it will be tactics and good role play that win the day.
I'm ready to role play! lets declare war on someone!
Ooh, thats a big no no. Sometimes, working with other nations in space is a better bet, perhaps against rebels or pirates. But before you start to roleplay, go down to your local library and borrow some science-fiction novels and technical manuals. Do some research. Spend a few days curled up in these books, studying how the author has made this sci-fi such a good read. Study the technical manual to learn realistic ship sizes(Well, Star destroyers are a bit extreme in my opinion.). If you don't want to go o the libarary, look for sci-fi fan fiction on the web. Not only can they give you tips of their own, you'll see how the modern man Role plays sci-fi. With this done, you should be armed with information suitible to Role play well.
My fleet of Borg cubes adapted to your shields!
No they didn't. Borg technology is frowned on in nationstates, and using it can get you ignored. Avoid Borg technology at all costs. If you need inspiration, look to Star Trek and Star Wars, these are two popular choices in nationstates. Using them can get you respect, but creating realistic, respectale ships of your own can earn you more respect.
How do I role Play a space battle?
This is very similar to ground war roleplay. Post and say if you are making evasive manuvers, if you are firing, and what and how much you are firing. when you are attacked (By someone with at least some RP skill), post reasonable damage, and your ships weapon fire may have intercepted a few missiles comming in, but not all of them.
Good example: "The Drednaught fired burst after burst at the incomming missiles, intercepting a few. But it was no good. The remaining missiles slammed into the Light figate next to it, ripping it apart in a bright shower of destruction."
Bad Example: "The dreadnaught intercepted all the missiles, then fired back 90090809809 non-interceptable super killa torpedoes."
If the enemy replies with somthing similar to the second example, either stress their mistake to them or withdraw from the RP.
Can I use orbital bombardment on my enemy?
Yes, but only if both of you have agreed, and s/he is happy to role play this scenario. It must be role played well on both sides, as It is most likely the land target will be fighting back. Remember to take reasonable losses, and ensure that you don't go over the top. don't fire too many warheads, you may turn the planet into a toxic dump!
i've passed down a pretty good pile of wisdom here, if anyone feels they should add somthing, go right ahead!
-From the man who bought you "The TIN Mans guide to flaming", this is the TIN man, signing off.
FAQ:
I've just joined Nationstates. Can I have a space fleet?
Yes. It all depends on when you are roleplaying and where. For example, a popular form of arrival to Nationstates these days is to arrive with the last of you race on colony ships, perhaps with a few escorts. Despite that fact you can have ships, Keep it small. Young nations should wait a little while and let their economy get higher before they try to build more ships.
I'm a modern tech nation. Can I have space battleships?
Of course, but remember to spend ages researching and testing. you can't go straight from modern tech to all-powerful space empire in a few days. Over time, gradually improve your technology, and before you know it, you'll be exploring new star systems.
I'm Future tech! That means I can build Battlecruisers right away!
Not exactly. When you start to "Rebuild" or "Enlarge" your fleet, start small... perhaps a light frigate or new fighter. Then work your way up to Battlecruisers and destroyers. If you think too big, too fast, your economy will be the one that suffers.
How do I research?
Start by creating a new thread, explaining the name of your technology, display some pictures if possible, and explain in detail what the technology you are researching will do for you. If done well, you will recieve praise. If there are problems or somone needs to know more, Try and work through them, deciding what needs to be altered or added. A little detail can go a long way...
My ships have Uber shields and planet killer missiles and are invincible!
No, they're cardboard cutouts. Shields are perfectly acceptable, and so are WMD's on ships. But Shields CAN be penetrated, and Missiles CAN Be intercepted. Make your tech realistic (Well, not that realistic), at least enough so that the fight will be even-then it will be tactics and good role play that win the day.
I'm ready to role play! lets declare war on someone!
Ooh, thats a big no no. Sometimes, working with other nations in space is a better bet, perhaps against rebels or pirates. But before you start to roleplay, go down to your local library and borrow some science-fiction novels and technical manuals. Do some research. Spend a few days curled up in these books, studying how the author has made this sci-fi such a good read. Study the technical manual to learn realistic ship sizes(Well, Star destroyers are a bit extreme in my opinion.). If you don't want to go o the libarary, look for sci-fi fan fiction on the web. Not only can they give you tips of their own, you'll see how the modern man Role plays sci-fi. With this done, you should be armed with information suitible to Role play well.
My fleet of Borg cubes adapted to your shields!
No they didn't. Borg technology is frowned on in nationstates, and using it can get you ignored. Avoid Borg technology at all costs. If you need inspiration, look to Star Trek and Star Wars, these are two popular choices in nationstates. Using them can get you respect, but creating realistic, respectale ships of your own can earn you more respect.
How do I role Play a space battle?
This is very similar to ground war roleplay. Post and say if you are making evasive manuvers, if you are firing, and what and how much you are firing. when you are attacked (By someone with at least some RP skill), post reasonable damage, and your ships weapon fire may have intercepted a few missiles comming in, but not all of them.
Good example: "The Drednaught fired burst after burst at the incomming missiles, intercepting a few. But it was no good. The remaining missiles slammed into the Light figate next to it, ripping it apart in a bright shower of destruction."
Bad Example: "The dreadnaught intercepted all the missiles, then fired back 90090809809 non-interceptable super killa torpedoes."
If the enemy replies with somthing similar to the second example, either stress their mistake to them or withdraw from the RP.
Can I use orbital bombardment on my enemy?
Yes, but only if both of you have agreed, and s/he is happy to role play this scenario. It must be role played well on both sides, as It is most likely the land target will be fighting back. Remember to take reasonable losses, and ensure that you don't go over the top. don't fire too many warheads, you may turn the planet into a toxic dump!
i've passed down a pretty good pile of wisdom here, if anyone feels they should add somthing, go right ahead!
-From the man who bought you "The TIN Mans guide to flaming", this is the TIN man, signing off.