Oolite Bulletins

Could I ask,

Is there an oxp out there where I can buy Plasma Cannons that automatically fire on a hostiles (if they are in range. much like the ones on the caddies and wonderworm) to buy and install as my and starboard and stern weapons.



Thanks in advance

Not really, I'm afraid. Plasma turrets are sub-entities and have to be added to the ship in its shipdata.plist. So while in theory this could be done via OXP, each ship would have to be done individually, and they cannot just replace the 'standard' weapons.
Also, TBH they are a bit of a cheat

Thank you Smivs,

I only ask because in my game the starboard and stern weapons are ostensibly redundant as the port and aft cannons seem all that is really needed, Though I accept that this might not be the case for all pilots.

Buy a ship that has plasma turrets, if you want them as a weapon. There is a choice of ships which have them installed.

Duggan wrote:

Thank you Smivs

You're welcome

Duggan wrote:

...the starboard and stern weapons are ostensibly redundant...

I actually have a mil laser as the aft weapon on both my Commanders' ships - it is ideal for those gangs of miscreants who insist on following you, because you can just pick them off as you cruise away from them. I probably use the rear gun as much as the forward gun in fact. I don't use side weapons at all (never got the hang of aiming them )

Commander McLane wrote:

Buy a ship that has plasma turrets, if you want them as a weapon. There is a choice of ships which have them installed.

Alas this would mean having to part with my beloved Boa Class Cruiser and Griffs excellent detailing, Not to worry though..I am quiet happy with exclusively fore and aft cannons, It just occurs to me that through sheer redundancy in my starboard and stern weapons, (complete lack of use) there might be a way to put them to some use in a combat setting, and the best idea I could come up with (because holding a target with these seems impossible to me in a combat setting) was an automatic plasma cannon..

Thank you for your replies, the Game is still the best Space Trading Sim I have ever played regardless .

I don't have side lasers either, front and back are enough to kill them pirates!

onno256 wrote:

I don't have side lasers either, front and back are enough to kill them pirates!

I know at least one oxp were the target has deliberate such a high energy recharge that you never can kill it with just 2 lasers. You need 3 so the other 2 have time to cool further down.

Therefor things like laser boosters kill all the fun of deliberate set environments for designed missions.

Duggan wrote:

Commander McLane wrote:

Buy a ship that has plasma turrets, if you want them as a weapon. There is a choice of ships which have them installed.

Alas this would mean having to part with my beloved Boa Class Cruiser and Griffs excellent detailing, Not to worry though..I am quiet happy with exclusively fore and aft cannons, It just occurs to me that through sheer redundancy in my starboard and stern weapons, (complete lack of use) there might be a way to put them to some use in a combat setting, and the best idea I could come up with (because holding a target with these seems impossible to me in a combat setting) was an automatic plasma cannon..

Thank you for your replies, the Game is still the best Space Trading Sim I have ever played regardless .

Why not fit Mining lasers to those port and/or starboard hardpoints for a bit of asteroid clearing, in the cruiser you've plenty of hold space for the minerals and it offers something else to do once in a while, also asteroids don't shoot back and aren't very evasive so you can take your time lining up the shot

Is there an oxp out there where I can buy Plasma Cannons that automatically fire on a hostiles (if they are in range. much like the ones on the caddies and wonderworm) to buy and install as my and starboard and stern weapons.

Well actually you can, but not buy them. You can copy the code for a caddy that deals with the port and starboard turrets,
paste it into your ships plist, then adjust the dimensions for placement to your ship. It's not as easy as it sounds.
I'm utterly hopeless with the aft laser on my caddy so I added 3 turrets there. Took quite a bit of messing about to get it right.
If your going to try it, work on a copy of the code AND back up the original.
Use something like Notepad++, The windows notpad stuffs up the code.

And as already said, it is kinda cheating.
But messing about with the a copy of the code is a good way to learn about it.
Gave a greater appreciation for all the guys that create the code for the game.

Good replies . thank you, I note an Apache in development somewhere that may well address my question. I maintain that , up to press at least, my flanking cannons have remained as ever they were , redundant,

As far as I am concerned, the availability , of even a weak plasma cannon would make them more useful than their current usefulness (thinking chocolate tea pot or ashtray on a motorcycle).

Clearly a poor plasma cannon would be more use.. but then the can of worms ensues.. poor plasma cannon to purchaseable stronger plasma cannons must surely have a market for some of those OXP er's out there.

I thoroughly accept that folks out there might be worried about unbalancing the game , but might I humbly suggest that that particular boat has long since left the space dock.

Duggan - The Apache Class Heavy Cruiser OXP, as far as I recall, is essentially finished.

I have been intending to re-texture it as it was one of my earlier OXPs I developed. I was also going to slightly reduce the size as it is not spawned as a ship launched from a standard station in Oolite due to its size. It is however able to launch from some of the larger OXP stations.

I would be happy to let you have a copy of the OXP as it stands if you like.

Hello Shipbuilder,

Duggan - The Apache Class Heavy Cruiser OXP, as far as I recall, is essentially finished.

I have been intending to re-texture it as it was one of my earlier OXPs I developed. I was also going to slightly reduce the size as it is not spawned as a ship launched from a standard station in Oolite due to its size. It is however able to launch from some of the larger OXP stations.

I don't know

The Anaconda at 750 TC can manage the regular stations. If I read correctly the Apache is 200 TC and could the conceivably manage a regular Coriolis. I would love to trial the Apache if at all possible but worry that I might not be able to dock anywhere

Duggan I have tested the Apache this morning and have been able to manually land it on a regular station quite easily.

The texturing is not quite 100% complete but you could tidy this up in something like Gimp or even paint quite quickly.

PM me if you want a copy