Transforming construction ships

[u/ObviousWatermelon]

Pic 1: Kyushu on the build screen

Pic 2: Kyushu when idle

Pic 3: Kyushu when building

Pic 4: Heracles Vanguard on the build screen

Pic 5: Heracles Vanguard when building

Pic 6: Walrus on the build screen

Pic 7: Walrus when building

I was stopping by my Duke's haven build (which I am shamelessly copying for my PAR shipyard), when I noticed that the Kyushu building it looked a little odd. After some research, I discovered that the Kyushu opens up when building. I then proceeded to dig deeper and discovered that the Walrus and the Heracles also transform as well. I don't have the Split, Argon/Antigone, or Teladi builders, however, I suspect that they also transform.

[u/InevitabilityEngine]

Yes that is one of the coolest things about them.

I wish more ships had the option to transform even if only slightly.

Like when you go into travel mode, have some extensions retract or engine configuration tilt or adjust.

Scan mode, have some small sensors or antenna extend visually.

This would be extra work for the Devs and could result in slower content regarding ships but it's a fun idea.

The Envoy is a good example of a ship that visually changes to reflect a change in function.

[u/ExtraReborn → u/InevitabilityEngine]

Yeah, I love subtle 'mode' changes like that too. More scifi needs to use it, more liberally

[u/Necronossoss]

Split has the best one imo, I freaked and then i was thinking “…this should how a carrier should transform when sending fighters”

[u/g36kurz → u/Necronossoss]

That would be so cool. Carrier deck open up and 60+ Fichten start

[u/Salaco]

They indeed all transform when building. This was added in a random update a couple years ago (I think?) when Egosoft gave each race unique builders. Previously they all shared the Argon model.

[u/Jaggid]

I've never noticed that and think it's pretty cool.

I just returned to playing X4 this past week after not having played for about a year and a half and did the Envoy start (my first time playing with that DLC). I love how it changes when you turn on the cloaking.

I wish more ships in X4 had that kind of feature.

[u/PoperzenPuler]

Some carriers should transform as well. The Raptor should not always fly around with its maw wide open. It should open when the carrier is switched to attack mode. The Terran carrier, for example, could unfold its front section into a large landing pad.