Deeper Metagame, anyone?

[schmegeggi]

I love this game. I got it a couple of days ago as a gift and I have probably played it a couple of dozen times already.
I like how hard it is, brutally hard even on Easy, but I don't like how I don't seem to be getting any better at it.
I think FTL could use a deeper metagame that allows me to start off with more of an advantage. I know I can already unlock ships and weapons, but it seems a bit to grindy and random.
I think it would be cool to have a legacy system, where I as the player get experience points that allows me to unlock new ships, weapon systems and upgrades available for each new game start.
A way to bank scrap, fuel, missiles and drone parts would be cool too. Instead of just buying repairs or upgrades at a store, it would be nice to bank scrap for my next trip out.
I know nothing of modding or programming, otherwise I would get to work on this right away.
Again- I love the game and keep up the good work. I hope the Steam and GOG sales have made the dev's lots of $$

[ExtraCheesyPie]

I love this game. I got it a couple of days ago as a gift and I have probably played it a couple of dozen times already.
I like how hard it is, brutally hard even on Easy, but I don't like how I don't seem to be getting any better at it.
I think FTL could use a deeper metagame that allows me to start off with more of an advantage. I know I can already unlock ships and weapons, but it seems a bit to grindy and random.
I think it would be cool to have a legacy system, where I as the player get experience points that allows me to unlock new ships, weapon systems and upgrades available for each new game start.
A way to bank scrap, fuel, missiles and drone parts would be cool too. Instead of just buying repairs or upgrades at a store, it would be nice to bank scrap for my next trip out.
I know nothing of modding or programming, otherwise I would get to work on this right away.
Again- I love the game and keep up the good work. I hope the Steam and GOG sales have made the dev's lots of $$

You'll get better with time. Both of those suggestions really skew the game's balance.

[Kieve]

ECP's right in that both would affect gameplay balance. Given how arbitrary and brutal the RNG can be at times, I'm not sure if that's necessarily good or bad, but personally I do like the notion of meta-XP giving you limited customization options for your ships (and/or crew).
Banking scrap, fuel, etc would utterly wreck game balance though, since you could have a great run with an energy-weapon ship, accumulate 50+ missiles you'll never use, then turn around and go on a run with the Bulwark and completely eliminate the challenge of careful ammo management. Or banking enough scrap to get the first shield layer on a Zoltan B before ever making your first jump.

Back to the XP system though, I'd suggest it get "used" in a manner similar to Minecraft enchanting. You could "spend" it to customize ships, or unlock new ones, but it wouldn't automatically do so at "X" level. Might be a nice alternative to the people who try run after run to get that Mantis or Crystal ship and just can't get the RNG to cooperate with them.

[equaltocody]

The game allows you to unlock different ships and ship configurations, try getting a new ship. I had a friend who couldn't beat it until he got the zoltan ship. Plus, ship hunting is as much of a game as beating the game.