Patterns

Balanced Draft Patterns

Helper Node Pattern

Add a support node that improves a core node while paying cost in skill, materials, or maintenance capacity.

Stress Trigger Pattern

Add a conditional edge that only applies under high pressure. This creates believable failure modes and prevents flat, always-safe systems.

Recovery Loop Pattern

Add one path that causes degradation and another that restores over time. Net behavior should depend on player governance and crew choices.

Scoped Buff Pattern

Prefer smaller targeted gains over global boosts. Scoped buffs are easier to reason about, test, and balance under load.