I have been pondering about the very neat feature with item, which would be very similiar to the Cloaks, but... it wouldn't make you invisible.
Why not to implent the item, which would make you like... invisible for the radar? How would that work though? Well, like this:
You activate item, but do not require any fuel for that, because from the roleplay point of view you will be like... turning off all the electronics and turning on ECM the ship, rendering you still visible for players, but unvisible for radars. Sounds easy?
Pros --
- You cannot be targeted.
- You do not appear on the radar.
- You do not appear as a selectable target.
- You can still cruise (this however additionally gives your positon).
- You are "invisible" to the NPC vessels.
Cons --
- Your vessel is still visible.
- You cannot shoot.
- You don't have shield*.
- Both energy and shield will have to regenerate after "turning up" everything.
The thing is the item would be only useable for small vessels (like fighters, freighters), yet shield and energy will have to regen for a while (up to 1 minute), so cloaks would be still superior. Keep in mind you will be STILL visible as a vessel.
[[We could also balance that it would be only available for up to 1-2 minutes and recharge would be 5, but keep in mind this is still way inferior to the cloak, because you are still visible, especially using the cruise engines.]]
Why would we want to implent it? From the roleplay point of view, smuggler would just enter nebula, turn off all the electronics, sit in place and wait until the law enfoncers will drop the chase.