[jimbob]

For new weapons,

Is it possible to make a weapon that specifically targets the self-destruct component? Put it in the computer warfare Category I guess... a group of elite hackers remotely messing with the control features of the other ship. Heck, you could have one component that shuts down (read destroy) the self-destruct, and another that sets off the self-destruct! This would definitely decrease the number of people using the self-destruct component as defence from pirates in the mid to late game. Suddenly everyone will need to build the defence marine guys (defence parties?) to protect their ships. I think this would cause players to deeply consider their options when designing their ships... the mind games could be very fun.

And how about beaming marines across (capture from a distance weaponry). A short range direct fire weapon with the 'boarding party' effect would do (hopefully it's possible). This would differ from the psychic line of attacks in that defence marines would counter the attack. Any self-destruct mechanisms would still go off, but probably shouldn't destroy the attacking ship because the ships were never docked. The supply use would be astronomical, and the component very expensive in Radioactives. I don't know if the component would be destroyed after use (it's the marines that die after all) or should just have a firing rate of 15+ (gotta make some new red shirts for the next group of 'volunteer' marines).

Lastly, each of these weapons could be small, super high speed attack pods with small Groups of stormhackers/stormtroopers in them. To do this I propose a missle that has good to excellent damage resistance but moves slightly slower than most missles. Change the damage type to either destroy the self-destruct component(when shields are down) or attempt ship capture (when shields are down).

Just some new weapon ideas. I hope some are feasable.

-Jimbob



[This message has been edited by jimbob (edited 11 October 2001).]