Destructible subs? Airship (steampunk) maps?

I'm working on an arc sort of organically and so my ideas are going in several directions at once. I wanted to have a base for an invading army and I was kind of working on an idea of airships and a Steampunk feel, although I'll probably need to go in a different direction. Anyway, several questions have come up:

1. I can use the Arachnos Sub Base map, but I can't put in destructible subs, I guess.

2. Despite the existence of the Skyraiders and the Nemesis, there don't seem to be many (or any) maps with any kind of airship / Steampunk feel, or even a base with airships. There's the Arachnos snake map with the lander (a couple with a high tech Arachnos lander actually). I can add destructible one-person Longbow airships and pretend they're something else.

3. I was looking for that Longbow map that is a ship at sea, and then you can enter it. It doesn't appear to be available?

4. More generally, how difficult would it be to construct a Steampunk-feel mission? What maps would work? Could you avoid making it a Nemesis mission? I sort of want to do something that involves Steampunk Sky Pirates, you know.

1. Not that I've seen. I think that would require the ability to place objects in specific places - after all, wouldn't want a sub spawning in a hallway - but if the only destructible object spawn points were in the water... Nah. Don't think it's doable with the current setup.

2. Some of the 5th Column/Council bases have a real steampunk - if militaristic - feel to them. Problem is that they're underground. There is no map that I can think of that would give you an airship feel, though. On the other hand, a couple of the Nerva Archipelago maps make for wonderful organic outdoor missions, although the Thorn Tree Isle is somewhat magical in nature.

If you're not opposed to a little magic in your visuals, though, you might also consider some Oranbega maps. Yes, I said it. Oranbega. It's not a swear word unless it's a kill-all.

The ultimate steampunk map, however, would have to be the Clockwork King's Lair! In fact, I'm kind of startled you didn't mention the Clockwork with the Nemesis. To me, the Sky Raiders are more Dieselpunk than anything. The Goldbrickers, on the other hand, are a different story!

3. Haven't seen that one, either.

4. Not too difficult at all, given the steampunk group customization options. The only problem is the level ranges of the existing mobs. The Nemesis are about 20 levels higher than the Clockwork, with the Goldbrickers and Sky Raiders somewhere in the middle, but closer to the clockwork end of the spectrum. Being able to unlock Nemesis rifles as weapon options really helps, though.

Personally, I think the best way to do a steampunk arc would be to let the enemies be the steamy part and choose maps that don't break the immersion. CoV office maps are very retro, and sewers haven't changed in ages, for the most part. Organic outdoor maps like the Nerva Maps are good, and I'd even be open to the "Wash" map in the Sharkhead Isle set (provided you can ignore the giant pyramid casino). For caves you might go Cimeroran, given the propensity for ruins in those maps, or small Oranbega Maps.

I wouldn't create more than one custom group, however, because you don't want to limit the amount of missions you can use.

Oh, and I have a couple of steampunk scrappers who would LOVE to run a steampunk MArc or two, so when you get it done pm it to me here!

steampunk maps should be easy for hardcore - there are many factory maps that can be steampunk

the redside office type maps have an interior that looks old fashioned and would work for that era I think (there would still be computers around occassionally)

very small map but the boat dock and bit of mercy island has an old fashioned look to it