Don't add EMPs, nothing but griefing tool

As the title suggests, EMPs are a terrible thing to add to this game. While I like to think Keen are well intentioned and don't mean any harm, what Keen intends and what people do aren't always the same thing. I'm granting that right now as I type this on the Sept 11th we have limited info on their implementation, however based on available info I stand by the statement they will be nothing but a griefing tool, especially if they can bypass safe zones. Because at that point safe zones may as well not even exist.

EMPs will not be used the way Keen thinks they will and will just be another tool for griefers to harass people. By nature of what they are, it becomes an instant "I win" button that harms another person's grid with little to no counter. First to get an EMP off gets an automatic win. There is no counter, there is no fighting back. It's just poof your grid is offline. Missiles at least can be dodged, fooled, or shot down. Armor and energy shields can be overwhelmed by constantly peppering them, and warheads have to be carried by something else or built on site. There are tangible ways to get around things like this. An EMP is just show up, push a button and poof.

EMPs fall into the same category as Jump Inhibitors that allow an instant "I win" purely by their nature and their existence. It's just instant uncounterable win-con. Press a button, you get your "I win" effect and will be used to troll people just like Jump Inhibitors would be. No person should have that kind of power in a game like this and it just encourages toxic behavior among the playerbase.

"But it's a Factorum weapon meaning it will be rare.": So what, it's still an instant "I win" and a grifer's wet dream tool. I don't trust anyone with that kind of power.

"But EMPs are a real weapon.": Simply because it's a real world thing doesn't automatically mean it needs to be added to the game. There's plenty of real world forces and things that could be added to game, but they don't make for fun or engaging game mechanics. Ammo racking can happen in reality, but it's a crap mechanic in a video game. G-lock is a real world thing that can cause a pilot to pass out and crash, but it's a crap mechanic to have in a video game. Games should be fun first, realism second. If folks want a hyper-realistic game, SE has never been the game for that.

"real warfare isn't supposed to be fair.": Except this isn't a real life war we're talking about, but a video game combat system. If I wanted an unbalanced nightmare I would go play CoD or some similar game. IRL yes, you don't want it to be fair and you want it to be as unbalanced in possible in favor of your team because people can actually get killed. Except again, we're not dealing with that here. This is fictional combat in a fictional game meant to be fun. If folks want hyper-realistic stuff there are better games than SE for that.

If they are hell-bent on adding EMPs, they need to be off by default though it would be better if they just didn't add them at all. Again an energy shield can be overwhelmed just like stronger armor, missiles can be dodged or shot down or confused, and similar. Even Jump Detection doesn't give you an automatic "I win" on its own. You still need to plan your next moves and how to best use that info. EMPs require no planning, you just press a button and poof.

The only possible saving grace is if they were like Ion Turrets from Star Wars where you could see them coming, dodge the bolts, and similar. Even then for a game like SE I still maintain they would be OP but at least in that form there's SOME measure of counterplay there.

I'm willing to hear Keen out on their implementation ONLY because it's Keen. However based off what we have now at the time of drafting this, It's a big fat nope from me and something I will find a way to nullify on day one just like with ammo racking.