Energy Containment Unit OXP

[mils32k]

For Your Consideration: Energy Containment Unit OXP

Wiki: https://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Energ ... t_Unit_OXP

This OXP provides equipment

• Shield Boosters ECU
• Shield Boosters ECU Licence
• Forward Weapon ECU
• Forward Weapon ECU Licence

The shield booster ECU was inspired by invulnerabilty to lasers thread but seemed to me to be too much of a cheat, in that it was always on. So an experienced pilot with a clean licence, who has earned enough money to buy standard Shield Boosters, may also purchase an Energy Containment Unit addon. The ECU absorbs the energy of incoming laser fire and redistributes it to power the shields. Or something. However, use of such equipment requires a licence and is a one-time-only event, valid for one "flight" ie until next hyperspace jump or next dock, after which the licence expires and must be re-purchased.

Shield Boosters ECU may be purchased from systems with tech level 12+ (one higher than Shield Boosters) for a cost of 4,900 Cr (approx 1/3 cost of Shield Boosters).
Shield Boosters ECU Licence may be purchased from systems with tech level 4+ for a cost of 150 Cr

The forward weapon ECU exists because it can. It might be too much of a cheat -- I don't use it myself but it was an exercise in figuring out how to code it. It absorbs the heat energy of laser fire and prevents the weapon from overheating. It applies only to the forward weapon, and only to Pulse/Beam/Mining/Military lasers. Again, in order to purchase the ECU or license, the pilot must have a clean record, and the activation is only valid until the next dock or jump.

Forward Weapon ECU may be purchased from systems with tech level 12+ (one higher than Military Laser) for a cost of 2,000 Cr (1/3 cost of Military Laser).
Forward Weapon ECU Licence may be purchased from systems with tech level 4+ for a cost of 250 Cr

Feedback gratefully received. How is the gameplay balance? Should the weapon ECU even exist? Should any of it? Is it worth adding to the expansion manager?

[Redspear]

It absorbs the heat energy of laser fire and prevents the weapon from overheating

Incoming laser fire?

Wouldn't it make more sense if it absorbed the heat from outgoing fire?
(Maybe it does: this is me asking )

If it's the former then absorbing external heat to create internal cooling is at least counterintuitive.
Still, physics does some funny stuff in oolite so I wouldn't worry about it too much

A 'balancing' factor that you might like to consider here is that it might have reduced effect for the more powerful lasers.

• e.g. with the relevant equipment installed:
  • a pulse laser that doesn't overheat
  • a beam laser that takes an age to overheat (and so almost never will)
  • a military laser that is slow to overheat (pehaps takes twice as long as normal)

Is it worth adding to the expansion manager?

Maybe a wiki page too once you're happy with it

[mils32k]

It absorbs the heat energy of laser fire and prevents the weapon from overheating

Incoming laser fire?

Wouldn't it make more sense if it absorbed the heat from outgoing fire?
(Maybe it does: this is me asking )

yeah, that's what I meant. Basically, a wordy (and not tremendously clear) way of saying "a cheat that makes your shields never go down and your laser never heat up"

Is it worth adding to the expansion manager?

Maybe a wiki page too once you're happy with it

Naturally... Still figuring out who to poke get necessary accounts to edit wiki and expansion manager

[Cholmondely]

It absorbs the heat energy of laser fire and prevents the weapon from overheating

Incoming laser fire?

Wouldn't it make more sense if it absorbed the heat from outgoing fire?
(Maybe it does: this is me asking )

yeah, that's what I meant. Basically, a wordy (and not tremendously clear) way of saying "a cheat that makes your shields never go down and your laser never heat up"

Is it worth adding to the expansion manager?

Maybe a wiki page too once you're happy with it

Naturally... Still figuring out who to poke get necessary accounts to edit wiki and expansion manager

I'm your chap for the wiki. I think that the expansions manager is either Phkb, Hiran and possibly Timer. Others may also be able to help.

I'll need to know what you want as your "name" for our wiki!

[mils32k]

I'll need to know what you want as your "name" for our wiki!

'mils32k' as here, let's keep it simple. Thanks