Djinn & Teleportation

While I like the idea of having expensive long-range transport options like the Djinn, I think the existing scheme is a bit strange. While it makes sense that the Djinn needs to be amphibious, it seems unusual that teleportation as a function is limited to the amhbibious factory- the rest of the units in this factory will also be amphibious. Most likely this means they will not actually need the teleporter the way landlocked units will. I also don't really like the way the Djinn creates a 'beacon' that is not actually a unit. I think the player should be required to construct something to act as the beacon, even if the sum of the cost of the beacon and Djinn matches the price of the present Djinn-only self sufficient teleporter.

I propose a new teleporter structure, which can be morphed into a mobile version (the Djinn) and back again, and reworking the Djinn's teleport system. The structures can be used to teleport units between themselves freely, with infinite range. This is essentially the Djinn's ability now, except you use one of them as the beacon, and a second one as the end point. You can build this structure directly without having an amphibious factory. Also, you can use a Djinn to walk to wherever you wish to teleport, and morph into the stationary structure.

All your teleporters would potentially be able to teleport to any other allied teleporter, creating a robust gate network. A little bit of UI sauce could be created which points one of the teleporters at another teleporter, meaning all you have to do is move units within range of the start point to send them to the end point.

The mobile Djinn could be reworked to have a limited-range "send" or "recall" teleporter, or perhaps even both. This would be useful with a single Djinn, although would have limited range compared to your teleporter network. This also works to increase the dubious mobility of the amphibious factory. Simultaneously, landlocked units still have access the expensive long-range teleportation of the kind they will find more useful.

Because a single Djinn or teleport structure would not be as useful as it is currently, it would need a price drop. You would need two gates to get the same utility as one Djinn presently, so by approximately half, to 800 for either one, seems justified.

It is fine that you are encouraged to go amph if you want this functionality, and that a player who has gone amph is encouraged to use this functionality to support his team. We want amph to be a factory you are tempted to go on land sometimes too.

Sadly, the functionality ATM is way too expensive and really lackluster- the Djinn is slow, often gets caught before arriving, and basically can only set the starting waypoint once.

Transporting in all ways is a massively under-used mechanic in Zero-K. I proposed the teleporter because it would be mechanically easier and less risky for the player to use. The problem with having to use a gui to select your destination is that it just adds an extra layer of complexity. Personally, I'd lower the cost of the Djinn to 300 or so and let it place its beacon -anywhere- on the map (That's only the 'reciever' beacon, ofc).

let the djinn rapid teleport rather then the current waiting times on it.

make it move faster

What about allowing the lighthouse to walk around?

Thanks for that idea Google

Almost like having some kind of gravity gun that could push a 1800 assaultriot unit across the map, then use its jumpjets to cut its velocity and sail harmlessly to the ground. Outrageous!

I dont think this feature is too weak. Only problem i have is queing the route setup. I have to catch newly produced djinn before it starts walking to destination to make it drop beacon.

+1 jsea - make the factory be the default bacon!

The factory could guard the bacon, then guard the Djin and queue the move order to the destination after this two guard orders.

If the bacon dies (get placed otherwere), Units try to reach the Djin, if the Djin dies, units try to reach the destination.

But teleported units try to guard the Djin this way - it would be even less annoying for you to replace the destination even for units on the way.