virus question
 

What is the best defense against a computer virus (in SE IV http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )?

Will a self-destruct mechanism protect me? What if I put an auxiliary bridge on my ship? Will the enemy then have to overcome my computer AND use marines to take over the ship?

I read somewhere that a computer virus does not take over a ship -- it just reduces it's movement t 1. Is that correct?? If so, then are viruses useless against starbases?

Thanks!
Merry

Re: virus question
 

"Will a self-destruct mechanism protect me? "

No.

"What if I put an auxiliary bridge on my ship? Will the enemy then have to overcome my computer AND use marines to take over the ship?"

Yes. The virus doesn't take over at all. Adding control componets will let you keep movement. (for full speed you need a bridge, life support and crew quarters)

"I read somewhere that a computer virus does not take over a ship -- it just reduces it's movement t 1. Is that correct?? If so, then are viruses useless against starbases?"

Yes, and yes.

Re: virus question
 

practically, virus simply destroys the computer component - if there is no backup (other computer, or the standard br/ls/cw) the ship is down to 1 movement.

[ September 13, 2003, 09:39: Message edited by: Taera ]

Re: virus question
 

Thanks! If a ship has master computer + br/ls/cw, and it is raided by marines, is it taken over, or does the ship computer overide the raiders?

And, what is the advantage of the Master Computer level III? From what I read in the FAQ, it takes less virus damage to destroy it than MC II (and MC is the hardest to kill with a virus).

Finally, just checking: a starbase with a MC (and no crew) can never be taken over, right?

Thanks!
Merry

Re: virus question
 

The advantage of the higher level MC is they take up less space.

Computers do not help against boarding parties.

1) Starbases (and any ship) with a MC can never be taken over by an Allegiance Subverter (Psychic).

2) A self destruct device "protects" against all boarding parties while the SDD is undamaged. (Where 'protects' means both ships blow up)

3) The best defense against boarding parties is probably a shield regenerator. Even a level 1 regenerator will keep the shields at at least 5 points, and the boarding parties will not be able to get in.
You need at least one operational shield generator for that to work of course, so watch out for Shield Disruptor weapons.

Re: virus question
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The MCIII is the smallest, so it gives you more space for other components. The smaller size means it takes less damage to destroy it.

MM could have made the MCIII have the same hitpoints as an MCI, for less space taken up, but didn't. Probably for a subtle, but important reason that I don't understand. Anyone want to fill in.

The CVI inflicts less damage than the MCI has hitpoints. Since special damage doesn't carry over from hit to hit, the MCI is immune to the CVI. But this is typical, you'll notice that a single point defence cannon I won't stop an single incoming Capital Ship Missile I. That's why we research higher weapons.

Oh, by the way, a large mount raises the damage of the CVI enough to damage a MCI.

Merry, have you been here {click} lately. The links will allow you to jump from concept to concept until it all makes sense, or is totally confusing. One or the other.

[ September 13, 2003, 15:16: Message edited by: Arkcon ]