Hey, I mentioned scale-mounted engines as an option.
SJ, I don't quite follow all of the details you mention. Seems to me though that one basic way to do it would simply be a scale mount (like Proportions uses for several types of components) which have size/cost/structure proportional to ship mass, and the unmounted Version is so large that it either can't be used, or is really impractical except for large ships.
That's an elegant idea that has several benefits, but it seems like there are a few issues to get around, too.
* One is the size range that can be supported using scale mounts - it's pretty big, but might keep a mod from having really distant extremes.
* Another is that IIRC, mounts can't change supply storage, so if your engines carry supplies, the smallest one will carry the same amount as the largest one using scale mounts.
* Another is the hard-coded repair system, based on number of components repaired per turn. If an escort and a battleship have the same number of engines, then they'll take the same time to repair or retrofit.
PvK
[ June 17, 2003, 16:41: Message edited by: PvK ]