well, id say 'the way fleets move and the way portals work (theyre obviously related)' but then i can just a well say 'make it IC4' (or are we at version 5 allready? )

anyways, the basic ideas :

- fleets are where they are (system-bound, not planet-bound, so they are either in a system or in transit). there is no 'reserve' (what is that, a reserve?). Fleets always get built at the imperial fleet center (home planet). where they go after that is the players' problem.

- portals allow for the instantaneous travel of fleets between 2 portals. homeplanet starts with a portal.

- fleets will defend any and all allied planets in a system. yes, the attacker's fleet will defend the banker's planets. huzzah. also : since travel between portals is instantaneous, a fleet stationed at a system with a portal will defend ALL other systems with a portal. (on a sidenote : fleet defense value becomes a racial pick)

- portal cost goes up tremendously, as you technically only need one per system.

This will shake up the old, stale strategies and tactics used today. Make the old codgers learn the game anew, giving new players as much of a chance to become great at the game as the vets have. Makes the game more dynamic and intuitive. gives me more tagpoints *giggle*.