Blockade Runner ship class
 

I'm thinking of making a "Blockade Runner" ship hull available at the same tech level as LC. It would be something around 200 KT and could have 10 or 12 engines instead of 6. It shouldn't be able to have much in the way of armaments but would make a great explorer-type, and should be able to cross a single sector in one turn.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this.

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

I use modified class like that also, well not as many engines, but similar idea.

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

Big problem with using it as an explorer.

Having more engines makes you go faster, but you still go the same distance before running outta fuel!

Every engine burns 10 fuel when you move 1 square. Each engine stores 500 fuel.

That means you can go 50 squares before you die.

With 1 engine, you go 50 squares in 5 years.
With 2 engines, you go 50 squares in 2.5 years.
with 50 engines, you go 50 squares in 1 turn, then you're outta fuel.

All you need to do is create a really expensive engine that dosen't guzzle fuel. Make it use up only 2 fuel, and give a hefty movement bonus, then your ship get 5x the range and be faster.

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

You could assign the extra movement ability to the hull class, I did that to the escort to create a scout type ship. You can give it any amout of movement you want this way and not have it abused to much cause the hull is small.

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

Marty,

Could you also assign extra supply capacity to a hull type. This would make an awesome explorer type ship if you could. I have not fooled around too much with components.

Geo

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

I gave my little hulls, escorts, frigates and destroyers, a lot of extras in hope that they would stay useful throughout the game.
I gave them supply, like you suggested, extra movement, extra combat movement and additional reduction to hit. They actually made it into the later stages as fast raiders, spies, PD ships etc.
I don't know if it still works in 1.35, I changed mine back in 1.19. Hope it still works!

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

Hmmm....Escort Class 6-QIII engines, SolarSail-3, Q-reactor and you good to go NOTHING can catch it without mods

------------------
mottlee@gte.net
"Kill em all let God sort em out"

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

Not to mention if your propulsion experts http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif, it'll get you a combat speed of 7... who needs a retreat option?

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Hmmm....Escort Class 6-QIII engines, SolarSail-3, Q-reactor and you good to go NOTHING can catch it without mods<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, but I'm talking about an affordable solution early in the game that won't be useful as a major "attack fleet" type ship... and one that doesn't take 50 years of research to build. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

It seems like it's at about the time I get LCs that I've met a few races and have explored out about as far as my escorts will go in any reasonable amount of time. The idea is that they'd be much faster than a regular ship, and would be handy for running through enemy turf in a hurry without either getting caught, or having to bring an entire fleet through. I like the comments on the supplies, I hadn't considered that. Thanks. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Also, I don't get how an escort with the mentioned components would be any faster than a cruiser with those same components. At that point in the game, why build the escort?

Re: Blockade Runner ship class
 

It does seem weird that all ships have about the same speed. Thats why I added speed to my smaller ships, along with the other stuff, it makes them different.
A few people have been working on something with "engines per move" but it sounds to complicated for me to do and I think there are some small problems with it.
If you want to quickly mod a fast ship I would suggest adding speed to a hull by giving it the "Standard Ship Movement" ability. That way you can oick the hull type(s) you want to speed up.