Does the beam laser heat up/cool down quicker than military?

[drew]

I've heard that it does, but play testing seems to indicate that they're almost exactly the same.

I'd rather like a less powerful laser that doesn't heat up so quickly, and the beam laser would seem to fit the bill - but based on in-game experience the heatup/cool down cycle seems to be the same - you've just got a less powerful laser with less range.

Can anyone confirm/deny?

Cheers,

Drew.

[Commander McLane]

I'd rather like a less powerful laser that doesn't heat up so quickly, and the beam laser would seem to fit the bill - but based on in-game experience the heatup/cool down cycle seems to be the same - you've just got a less powerful laser with less range.

Can anyone confirm/deny?

I have only ever used a beam laser during the small window before a can afford a military laser, so my memories may be blurred, but I'd say its heat-up and cool-down are identical to the military laser. The difference is only in fire power and range (and therefore, price).

[SandJ]

I've heard that it does, but play testing seems to indicate that they're almost exactly the same.

I'd rather like a less powerful laser that doesn't heat up so quickly, and the beam laser would seem to fit the bill - but based on in-game experience the heatup/cool down cycle seems to be the same - you've just got a less powerful laser with less range.

I was also under the (received wisdom) belief that the beam laser would heat up more slowly, but it does not.

On my rig, I agree, they are the same. The beam laser and military laser both cut out from overheat in just under 3 seconds, and cool down at the same (painfully slow) rate too.

As for cooling down, it could be argued it is right they should cool down at the same rate. Getting rid of excess heat is a big issue for space ships since conduction is not an option; excess heat must be radiated away. This normally means big cooling fins (unless you go for exotic solutions available only to huge space battleships such as using mass drivers to eject super-heated matter). The cooling rate of the lasers should be related to the surface area of the ship dedicated to coolant circulation. Since having laser coolant passing under a thin skin is impractical since micrometeorites would puncture such a skin, it is not an option. Hence, the only cooling available is the heatsink fins attached to the laser fitting itself. And since the space on a ship for the laser mounting is the same regardless of the weapon type, the cooling capacity is a constant, regardless of whether a beam, mining or military laser.


Commander SandJ, MSc Hons (Energistic Space Ordnance)

[Cdr. Jettison]

Well, looking into the source I see this

Code: Select all

switch (currentWeapon)
{
	case WEAPON_PLASMA_CANNON :
		weapon_energy_use = 6.0f;
		weapon_shot_temperature = 8.0f;
		weapon_reload_time = 0.25f;
		break;
	case WEAPON_PULSE_LASER :
		weapon_energy_use = 0.8f;
		weapon_shot_temperature = 7.0f;
		weapon_reload_time = 0.5f;
		break;
	case WEAPON_BEAM_LASER :
		weapon_energy_use = 1.0f;
		weapon_shot_temperature = 8.0f;
		weapon_reload_time = 0.1f;
		break;
	case WEAPON_MINING_LASER :
		weapon_energy_use = 1.4f;
		weapon_shot_temperature = 10.0f;
		weapon_reload_time = 2.5f;
		break;
	case WEAPON_THARGOID_LASER :
	case WEAPON_MILITARY_LASER :
		weapon_energy_use = 1.2f;
		weapon_shot_temperature = 8.0f;
		weapon_reload_time = 0.1f;
		break;
	case WEAPON_NONE:
	case WEAPON_UNDEFINED:
		weapon_energy_use = 0.0f;
		weapon_shot_temperature = 0.0f;
		weapon_reload_time = 0.1f;
		break;
}

So yes, beam and military lasers have identical reload times and shot temperatures and, conseqently, heat up at the same rate.

[drew]

Interesting thanks.

A little bit of a shame there m'thinks. I'd be quite keen on having a lower powered version of the military laser that did less damage, but allowed you to be more trigger happy.

Otherwise the beam laser is a bit of a white elephant, as it doesn't take very long to earn enough cash to get the military version.

Perhaps I'll look at having a tweak and compiling the code.

Cheers,

Drew.

[Killer Wolf]

people go on about laser coolers but maybe an alternative would be a "CIWS" type thing, a laser w/ hitting power between the Beam and Military but which heats up far slower. the catch being it's only good for a range of say 6km. great for those dogfighting hardcases who like to see the rivets before they open fire, but risky as you're right in the middle of the pack when you're fighting.

[drew]

Seconded.

I don't like sniping, mostly because I like to see the ships I'm fighting.

Cheers,

Drew.