Additional Laser Weapon OXP?
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:34 pm
I vaguely recall reading somewhere that the different laser types (Pulse, Beam, Mining & Military) are hard coded into the game and therefore meant that oxp lasers were not possible. If that is the case, feel free to shoot this idea down now. Alternatively, if you're not in a shooting mood, are vaguely interested or just plain bored, read on.
Gatling Pulse Laser (Need better name)
The concept behind this idea stems from the increasing number of altercations I get into (in Oolite, not RL, thats a separate matter) that happen at very close range, mainly due to the frequency with which I encounter ships with fuel injectors.
The laser weapon progression in Oolite follows a fairly linear progression of more power, more range, faster cycle time, faster heat-up. It occurred to me that the extra range wasn't really helpful in a close range battle and if there was scope for a high power, short range weapon. At the same time, this shouldn't occupy the same space as the Mining Laser, which is essentially a high power, low cycle rate, short range weapon.
The Gatling Pulse Laser would be a weapon with a similar range (or less) than that of the Pulse Laser. Perhaps only 5km range, designed for short range skirmishes. Damage and cycle time would be slightly higher than that of the Military laser, but heat would be higher as well. In effect it would put out no more damage per full bar of heat than the Mil Laser, just do it faster. The idea being that it would deliver short, sharp, vicious bursts of damage, that are required of short range dogfights.
The origin of the weapon would be from the Galactic Navy, as a fitting for Behemoth and Leviathan carrier/battleship classes. These large ships are vunlerable to being sniped by small vessels armed with Military lasers as they present such an easy target. Escort vessels using military lasers to return fire over similar ranges produces less than desirable results and inevitable close quarters combat ensues, thus diminshing the value of the Military Laser under these circumstances. As escort vessels have access to a steady source of witchspace fuel from their mothership, use of fuel injectors to rapidly close range and engage is a sensible combat doctrine. In order to then rapidly deal with the threat, and recognising the difficulties in maintaining sustained fire in a close quarters dogfight, the Military developed a new weapon.
Bascially a reconifgured Military Laser, where the power conduits used to focus the laser over increased ranges, have been redeployed/replaced to increased the amplication of the lasers output (more damage) and increase the cycle team (rate of fire) at the expense of range and slightly greater heat output.
Advantages
Increased damage output over short periods
Essentially the same construction as the Military Laser, so no space limitations on vessels.
Disadvantages
Short range removes "sniping" as an option.
Lack of fuel for injectors (or lack of injectors full stop) will make it difficult for pilot to "control" the combat radius.
Dependency on witchdrive fuel for effectiveness means weapon is best suited to carrier support vessels.
More expensive.
Rapid fire and rapid heat build up, means "misses" are more costly than with a Military Laser.
Short range makes usage against vessels with a defensive barrage, such as Behemoths, Frigates, Leviathan Platforms, Kirins etc, dangerous.
Hopefully this isn't a straight "upgrade" over the Military Laser, but fills a niche and has sufficient drawbacks to not be a default choice over the Military Laser.
Gatling Pulse Laser (Need better name)
The concept behind this idea stems from the increasing number of altercations I get into (in Oolite, not RL, thats a separate matter) that happen at very close range, mainly due to the frequency with which I encounter ships with fuel injectors.
The laser weapon progression in Oolite follows a fairly linear progression of more power, more range, faster cycle time, faster heat-up. It occurred to me that the extra range wasn't really helpful in a close range battle and if there was scope for a high power, short range weapon. At the same time, this shouldn't occupy the same space as the Mining Laser, which is essentially a high power, low cycle rate, short range weapon.
The Gatling Pulse Laser would be a weapon with a similar range (or less) than that of the Pulse Laser. Perhaps only 5km range, designed for short range skirmishes. Damage and cycle time would be slightly higher than that of the Military laser, but heat would be higher as well. In effect it would put out no more damage per full bar of heat than the Mil Laser, just do it faster. The idea being that it would deliver short, sharp, vicious bursts of damage, that are required of short range dogfights.
The origin of the weapon would be from the Galactic Navy, as a fitting for Behemoth and Leviathan carrier/battleship classes. These large ships are vunlerable to being sniped by small vessels armed with Military lasers as they present such an easy target. Escort vessels using military lasers to return fire over similar ranges produces less than desirable results and inevitable close quarters combat ensues, thus diminshing the value of the Military Laser under these circumstances. As escort vessels have access to a steady source of witchspace fuel from their mothership, use of fuel injectors to rapidly close range and engage is a sensible combat doctrine. In order to then rapidly deal with the threat, and recognising the difficulties in maintaining sustained fire in a close quarters dogfight, the Military developed a new weapon.
Bascially a reconifgured Military Laser, where the power conduits used to focus the laser over increased ranges, have been redeployed/replaced to increased the amplication of the lasers output (more damage) and increase the cycle team (rate of fire) at the expense of range and slightly greater heat output.
Advantages
Increased damage output over short periods
Essentially the same construction as the Military Laser, so no space limitations on vessels.
Disadvantages
Short range removes "sniping" as an option.
Lack of fuel for injectors (or lack of injectors full stop) will make it difficult for pilot to "control" the combat radius.
Dependency on witchdrive fuel for effectiveness means weapon is best suited to carrier support vessels.
More expensive.
Rapid fire and rapid heat build up, means "misses" are more costly than with a Military Laser.
Short range makes usage against vessels with a defensive barrage, such as Behemoths, Frigates, Leviathan Platforms, Kirins etc, dangerous.
Hopefully this isn't a straight "upgrade" over the Military Laser, but fills a niche and has sufficient drawbacks to not be a default choice over the Military Laser.
