[Sinapus]

In a game, I noticed that the Narn were using Anti-Proton Beam I's while having rather high tech. (Battleships with APB I's?!)

Upon checking the Narn's tech I found they had Phased Polaron Beam tech maxed out. I checked the datafiles and found that APBs are listed as the first pick for their weapons on attack and defense ships. Which reminded me of an annoyance I've found when making some basic mods here and there: switching to a new weapon type can get you a much weaker ship.

So here's my idea for things that probably won't get in in time for SE IV Gold but what the heck:

A 2nd flag for the weapon family pick, indicating the minimum tech level for that pick. E.g., if you pick Weapon Family 1 (Anti-Proton Beam) and have a minimum tech of 5, it should only add that weapon when you have that tech level.

Of course, this would only work so long as weapon families are grouped by the same tech area. I don't know if any have different technologies associated with them. Small weapons maybe. Maybe make the tech limit count the 1st tech requirement.

Any thoughts? ("What do you think, sirs?")

(Aside: I think the Narn got APB I in some ruins. Their research list doesn't start researching that stuff until waaay down the list.)

[ 09 December 2001: Message edited by: Sinapus ]