Missiles as units (a.k.a microdrones)

[Batman]

Has anyone ever thought of modding a missile class of units? Basically it would involve making a, say 5kT, mini drone, calling it a missile, and making a component that can launch 0 missiles per game turn and 1 missile per combat turn and calling it a missile tube. The missiles could be stored in an armoured cargo bay (i.e. magazine). The missile tubes should be really small, 1-5kT maybe, 10 at the max. There would be missile components, different warheads, ECM etc.

This would necessitate the construction of ammunition back at a spaceyard, and transporting it up to the front.

Also, missile ships could be varied: they could shoot a couple of missiles a round for a longer time, or throw really heavy broadsides for a short time. This might make missile ships more able to penetrate tight PDC.

This might be a useful idea for anyone making an Honor Harrington mod, or a Starfire mod.

[Phoenix-D]

Yup. It's also the only way to make "laser head" missiles ala HH.

Only bad part is you can't change the ROF below 1 missile per tube per turn.

Phoenix-D

[Batman]

You mean you can't make components that can only launch during combat, and not launch from the map?

[Phoenix-D]

Oh, you can do that. Talking about in comat.. you can't get one missile fired every three turns for example.

[Baron Munchausen]

With a limited supply of missiles this is less unbalancing than you might think. You have to explicitly build the missiles, load them on a warship or a transport that will get them to a warship, then reach your enemy to launch them. Once you have launched however many you had, your missile space is useless cargo for the remainder of combat.

I think the ability to launch them on the strategic map should be preserved, btw.

[ June 12, 2002, 21:07: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

[Batman]

Ok, that might be a minor thing. Could lower the damage by a factor of 3 to compensate I suppose.

Another problem would be the inability to 'choose' the type of warhead fired in a given volley of missiles.

It would, however, give missiles enough range to cover the entire tactical combat area, which makes for nice 'David-Weber' style long distance missile duels.