Why not just introduce new, mission-only cap codes? That way, the current Sci-Data cap code holders won't go into a frenzy that their weapons they paid billions for are suddenly worth less due to increased drops. Make mission-only drops slight variations of currently purchasable weaponry so that having a drop rate of 2-3% won't entirely break balance, and that not having them won't be too detrimental to PvP. Examples: A Cruiser Mortar variant that deals 10% more damage for 15% more energy, or a gunboat pulse that has a 1.00 re-fire rate in exchange for 10% less DPS.
Here's a fresh idea for you: Instead of new mission-only codes dropping at a low percentage rate, write some code that generates X amount of a commodity named "Spoils of War" within the player's cargo hold upon completing missions above a certain difficulty level. These Spoils of War, much like Sci-Data, could be used as a currency for these Mission-Only obtainable codes. Even if credits aren't rewarded in their full amount to each group member, if FLHook can be coded to spawn say, 5 Spoils of War in a player's hold per mission (above a certain difficulty), then it would encourage multiple people logging in to farm for Spoils of War, since every group member would receive 5 Spoils of War regardless of group size. And since they would generate consistently from each mission, people would be far less salty over say, an opposing faction swooping in and crashing the farming party.
Taking this a step further: Make Spoils of War an Ammunition type instead of consuming cargo space. This way, they can be brought into Connecticut for easier transfers. Speaking of Conn, it would be neat to see a Neutral Faction, Admin spawned invincible POB in Connecticut which offers all Mission-Only codes for sale, requiring the Spoils of War as a currency rather than credits (Assuming that's even code-able). Barring code issues, I suppose weapon requests would have to be processed much like current Sci-Data weapon requests (I'd be willing to volunteer to assist with processing!).
It would be nice to have missions giving their full credit reward to each group member, though. I feel it would definitely encourage logging in together more often!
Edit: Spoils of War would also allow for new fighter codes and perhaps even non-codes, as well. Example: A Tachyon Flashpoint that consumes more energy for no hull damage increase, or a 700m/s Debilitator, or even a new 6.67 codename of some nature.
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