Recently, there has been a plethora of threads regarding the recently announced expansion. Since I am willing to pay good money for it, I hope that the game designers at least look at some of the posts regarding what the community wants. Here is my worthless suggestion that has probably already been posted, but whatever.
What I would like to see in SoaSE is a mobile shipyard. This would in essence be a frigate factory, but capable of moving and jumping to other systems. A structure-ship like this would be built in orbit by construction frigates, rather than in a factory. Since such a vessel is very large and capable of causing much trouble for an opponent, I should have several weaknesses:
1. The supply cost would be large, like 2 capital ship slots and 200 supply.
2. The ship would be well armored, but slow and weakly armed. Some point defense guns would be needed, but not many. A fighter bay would be a welcome addition.
3. The vessel can only produce frigates, not cruisers (oh hell with it, why not both?)
4. The build times for the frigates that it produces is longer than that for a regular shipyard, and the cost is slightly higher.
5. The mobile factory would have to be stationary while building frigates, but its shields would be buffed.
A mobile factory would add a strategic element to the game, as an invading force would have a ready source of reinforcements.
Please consider this suggestion.