Emissive armor has exhibited a lot of odd behaviors as MM has tried to get it to work as it is supposed to. I think it currently still does
not work as it is supposed to.
But if it worked properly it would reduce the damage by the rated amount even if it exceeded that amount. In the past it has just had no effect when the damage exceeded the rated amount. It sounds like you'd not get the benefits if you destroyed the armor in a single shot in the current arrangement. I haven't tested lately to see exactly what it does.
As for modified armor schemes, I have been using an 'internal armor' idea that appeared here some time ago. Just make 'plates' of armor (components with greater 'damage' points than 'size' points) without the armor ability. Place them in the ship with the functional components and they tend to soak up damage and keep the ship functioning longer. Unfortunately I don't know how to get the AI to use them.
[ 07 May 2002: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]