[Idea] Remove Picks, upgrade The Matter Manipulator

I like playing Starbound to, not what I mean, I was pointing out that the actual use of a tool isn't usually fun.

No. However, unless the laws of physics as we know them are different in other galaxies, and from our observations, they are not, the elements found there would be the same as the elements found on earth. Not even to mention that if they weren't, our current models of physics and chemistry would be shattered.

Unless given indication otherwise, I tend to assume that the universes pictured in games are somewhat similar to our own, despite concessions to game design. Considering that gravity works like in our universe, I see no reason not to assume that the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces would too. If they do work as in our universe, see above. I'm simply pointing out the holes in your straw man argument. Which is in fact a logical fallacy.

See above.

However in Starbound, the diamond pickaxe carries nowhere near the same level of achievement that it does in Minecraft, where it's the pinnacle of tools.

 

Yes, I definitely agree! We are in Sci-Fi game and even though we have an awesome futuristic tool (the matter manipulator) we are reduced to use stones picks and other outdated tools. Upgrading the MM seem more appropriate for the game setting.

 

Maybe have a system that combines a pickaxe with the matter manipulator so it gets that strength, e.g. combine a diamond upgrade and get a diamond powered manipulator, this will be efficient, the it has greater mining range. also i like the idea of drills after pics, or self mining systems like quarries

 

Yeah, hitting stuff with pickaxes gets boring fast and seems so archaic in this supposedly sci-fi game. Upgrades to the matter manipulator would be the best way. They could also implement "sidegrades" where you could customize your matter manipulator to be different from others. Like maybe it chews through one type of rock faster or it can destroy more blocks at a time, or can change blocks into another type etc.

 

Hmm. Rather than having it wear out, maybe it could have a simple fuel/energy UI like the ship. You need to recharge it at some kind of station, possibly the tech/3d printing station of the ship. It would take some fuel out, but recharge the manipulator.

 

the above is actually a good addition to the original suggestion in this thread.

 

what i want to see is remove the 3 default tool and let MM have all the their function (w/ or w/o the flashlight)
make use of how to craft all the 3 tools as of now but instead of making the item you make a chip or flashcard for the MM to improve it self. like how you can find a book and you read it now its in your book forever.
that will yes like how one of the other guys say remove the 3 tools and make MM more valid with the idea of how it fix if self more ideal (like how ship use coal for fuel, MM use raw ore for fuel)
and if you need to remove some space in my inventory for that ill take it!.

 

no joke i would like a drill w/ flashlight attach to it too but, getting more use out of the MM would be best. what would be cool is that they have a blueprint that let us make stuff like that

 

I personally would like to see you starting the game with the MM broken and for it to be an arching goal to get it fixed by around mid to late-early game. this means you start with a stone pickaxe and work your way up until you've gathered the necessary resources to fix it. Would love to see other tools like drills, hammer drills and such that can pound large 4x8 blocks out at the cost of energy maybe.. Lots of cool ideas here, so much potential.

 

That would give some more incentive to actually make the pickaxes in the first place, but yeah hopefully we can get some support for some of these ideas.

 

I believe that there should be a duality, make matter manipulators both equal and different at the same time. matter manipulators could have a larger overall radius, but be slower, or some variation of an asymmetric balance. While I LOVE the idea of an upgrade-able matter manipulator, some people actually like the pickaxes due to the space western feel it can have, and the appearances it can make while mining. Therefore completely removing it could alienate some fans.

 

as of right now MM and pickaxe if different mainly because pickaxe mining box is 3 x 3 with a range of 3~4? spacing from you to the center of the box with a faster pace. compared to MM that is mining at 2 x 2 with a range over 4 spacing from you to one of the corner and mine very slowly.

 

You could have to recharge the MM with ores, like you do when repairing pickaxes. It makes a lot more sense than using copper ore to repair a golden pickaxe, at least.

And if your MM runs out of charge, it does things more slowly - basically like broken pickaxes do right now.

Fundamentally though, the MM should be the user's tool for manipulating the environment, and as such ought to have its own equip slot in the inventory like clothing does, and its own hotkey - like F or something - instead of taking up a quick item slot.

 

yup exactly what i was thinking

 

I gotta say, I was feeling a bit out of the element after beaming down from my ship, using the MM for a few minutes and upgrade it into an axe made out of a stone on a stick.

 

I like the idea of the matter manipulator getting upgrades, but I think it's best thematically if you still start with the simple tools. Have the upgrades for the MM show up in the mid tiers when your other equipment is starting to catch up tech-wise.

 

mmmm i enjoy that idea very much as well just like what how Jemco was talking about. if we get eather one of them i don't mind at all.

 

It's needs some love!

 

Great idea, +1.

 

Imagine the MM gets upgraded to a certain tier (diamond,) and then we can start looking at other tech. An example would be a auto-quarry, modded minecraft style, or a tunnel bore robot!