[DavidG]

Originally posted by TNZ:
I don’t see any reason why fighters and shuttles cannot be changed to be more useful. Some ideas on how to do this.

1. New vehicle size for fighters and shuttles.
2. New AI design creation for fighters and shuttles.
3. New propulsion scheme for fighters and shuttles and new propulsion components for fighters and shuttles.
4. At the moment, fighters and shuttles technology is divided into :shuttles, fighters, adv ship construction and propulsion. Why not just make it one field ? Say Shuttle/Fighters Technology?

Examples of 1-3 in working form. Also 4 images of Federation shuttles.

1065504136.zip

I think the key to making usefull fighters is to make them survive the point defense attacks long enough to attack. This would presumably be done by boosting their hitpoints or making them harder to hit. ie give fighter armour or shields more strength. (with a matching increase in cost so they are not uber powerfull)
I'm not really sure how shuttles are dealt with in TNG and latter but I like them as they are in TOS or Star Fleet Battles. Slow moving transport vehicles.
Hmm that reminds me I wonder if it would be possible to make a 'Wild weasle' shuttle like they have in SFB. This thing would be packed with electronics and when launced would provide defesive bonus to all ships. Is there an ability in SE4 that you could do this with?