Tales of Known Space

[Arkcon]

I wish I knew how much damage the ringworld laser did. We could have a special weapon (and the mount and the platform as well) that would only fit on the ringworld. 'Course it would only be funny if you didn't know it was there.

[Puke]

it could be done, but it could not be used to take out ships/planets/fleets anywhere in the system. it could only be used against targets that attack the ringworld.

all you would have to do is to make a weapon platform so large that it will only fit in the cargo space available on a ringworld or sphereworld, and make a mount sized for it.

of course, a planet with 25 facility slots devoted to cargo containers could probably hold one too, but it stands to reason that a planet devoted solely to this purpose would be just as effective as a ring world that supports one in its spare time. heck, with the appropriate cargo facilities, a ringworld might have several of them.

think of it, a 5GT weapon platform with a mount that does size*100 damage*500 range+20. or whatever.

[geoschmo]

I experimented with weapon platforms mounts that were exteremly long range once and it seems that I found there was an absolute limit to the range. I want to say they couldn't hit targets beyond 20 even though they should have been able to by definition, but I can't recall right now. I'll have to test it again.

Geo

[capnq]

Kzinti? Funny, I thought they were a little-known cat race from Star Trek

That's like thinking _Lord of the Rings_ is a D&D ripoff.

[Grandpa Kim]

The killer would be modding the Puppeteers.

Total cowards but incredibly advanced. You would have to give them a high tech start and frankly that would not be enough to equal their real power. Make them a neutral and put them in an unconnected system. If you have the bad luck to enter their system, well... just stick your head between your legs and kiss your a** goodbye! They want no-one to know where they live and will destroy you "down to the Last kitten" to hide their secret.

It would never occur to them to capture and use your people-- much too dangerous to allow near the peaceful Puppeteers!

So, if you know they are around, best you NOT look for them. In fact, encourage your enemies to look for them! This might be a major strategy when the Puppeteers are involved. I'd much rather fight the Kzinti!

Kim

[DavidG]

And don't forget to make those fusion drives a weapon too. Very usefull for frying overconfident Kzinti with psychics aboard.

[JonSh]

Hmm...ok, so let's see where we are....

Outsiders and Starseeds: not a clue....

Propulsion: various fusion drives, and some gravity polarizing drives (Kzin get them early). Kzin and maybe others get multiple propulsion types per hull. Unlucky in wars but incredible warriors.

Hulls(Ships): 4 GP hull standards, some experimental hulls and some unique hulls per species....And I guess you could have some interesting hull mods, ie opacity to certain frequency lasers or something

Weapons: Com Lasers, fusion cannon based on drives. since com lasers also represent strategic advantages, maybe an attack bonus based on comlasers?

Fighters and drones: I don't think there is a carrier in this universe, but I can easily see them as planetary defense...well, maybe....

Interesting structures: A ringworld could be very difficult to make...but I'm willing to bet that the Massive Space Dock in the Ultimate Mod is a Builder/Pak artifact.

Puppeteers: we assume the puppeteers have left on the great migration away from the core explosion. The Puppeteers become an incredibly advanced, defensive neutral. Attack them and die by the numbers:

Humans: lucky (ala teela brown and the pop lottery), diplomatic (ala louis wu), cunning (ala beowulf shaeffer and gil the arm), any other thoughts?

Thrintun: very weak and technologically poor, but incredibly powerful intel attacks for tech theft and unit insurrection (might need a planet insurrection). Is it possible to have unit insurrections during combat? Non GP hulls.

Tnuctipun: very weak but technologically very advanced, only species that can develop helmet technology that creates humongous intel defense against Thrint. Non GP hulls.

Kdatlyno: neutral warrior empire, with special sonic capabilities technology tree. maybe they start off subjugated to the Kzin?

Pak: (heh) Incredible troops and combat advantages, high tech ability, no diplomacy at all, only expands after meeting another empire, very slow expansion. Does not use GP hulls, starts off with weaker fusion drives. prolly a unique technology tree with lots of gravity weapons. strong tendency to large fleets of smaller ships.

Bandersnatch: might be difficult.

Trinocs: All I remember is that they are incredibly xenophobic and racist.

anyway, these are just some thoughs (Laffing, I expect I have a lot of gray matter out there right now thinking about this one )

:Jon