Delete the "Follower robot count" mechanic

[DanGio]

TL;DR

Delete the Follower robot count mechanic (follower cap & technologies altogether), make it infinite as soon as Combat robotics is researched.

What ?

I propose that
- Follower robot count becomes theorically infinite (in reality, it would be capped by robot lifetime & capsule throwing speed), and
- Following robot count technologies are removed from the game.

Why ?

- Follower robot count technologies were the first infinite technologies ever implemented, and the only science pack sink in 0.13. Now that we've got multiple infinite technologies, they're far less valuable gameplay wise.
- At some point, researching Follower robot count cease to be of any help, unlike Mining productivity, Artillery range or Weapon damage.
- Launching 100 capsules is already more expensive than launching 10, there's no need for an additional wall.
- It would fix the difference between capped followers (tier 1 & 3) and infinite non-followers (tier 2)
- Researching Combat robotics technology would grant a straight, nice reward.

Related topics :
"Please boost and cheapen the low follower count" : 61280
"Defenders obviously need a buff" : 68384

[Mecejide]

Technically, researching weapon damage eventually stops being useful as well.

[foamy]

I'd go the other way: Getting a hundred+ bots on the field at once and keeping them there is an incredibly tedious piece of finangling. Give me the option to death-blossom my entire follower count onto the field in one click, please.

[MEOWMI]

Since the limiting factor (ostensibly both in the short and long run) is deployment speed, it could be an exciting change if it also increased the lifetime of deployed robots. This not only makes use of the existing technology, but also gives the much-needed combat robot buff.

I'm not sure if the math in my suggestion makes complete logical sense as is, since you would have to increase the lifetime equal to the time taken to deploy enough drones to reach the limit, which might be too strong, but the count increase would be easy to adjust.

As it stands though, I never research this technology because combat robots are bad and this technology only improves the least meaningful part about them.

[Hannu]

I agree. In my opinion combat bots should have large overhaul and be made great again instead of "no brainer" personal laser defenses. Spidertron could also utilize them (for example in combat near production plants which take collateral damage from rockets).

But I would like to have some "useless" infinite research which consumes all science packs. I do not like to have too high mining productivity (i.e. practically infinite ores) and it does not consume military science at all.

[netmand]

I would like to have some "useless" infinite research which consumes all science packs.

How about: increased biter damage? increased spitter range?

[DanGio]

Or else, max follower robot count is tied to armor :
- Modular armor allows up to 20,
- Power armor MK1 allows up to 50,
- Power armor MK2 allows up to 200 or infinite

[NotRexButCaesar]

Technically, researching weapon damage eventually stops being useful as well.

yeah but what person has ever reached that limit.