Proportions mod Version 2.5 available

PvK · #1 October 4th, 2002, 05:57 AM

Oleg, I agree about the AI ship size choices, and adjusted them all a couple of days ago. I'll release them in 2.5.1 very shortly - I'm just waiting to see if there's anything else I should sneak in before I package it up and release it.

The Nostropholo (and by inheritance, the Chryslonite) ship designs up to LC look good. The weapon mix is effective against either shields or armor, and is very good against ships with most types of armor. One possible counter-design would be a lot of plain armored structure and low/no shields, or shields and strong shield regeneration. They were making good use of mines, too.

They might benefit from an occasional PD ship, too.

Imp. Fryon, yes I'm afraid your assessment of Solar Sails is more or less right, at least for large combat ships. The Contra-Terrene/Panel design uses the same mass, gives one greater speed, gives a +11% defense bonus, has a larger supply storage capacity, with the disadvantages being cost (about 1800 vs. 3000) and supply income (the sail design generates 120/star/turn, but big deal).

The Proportions solar sails aren't intended to be superior warship drives, but I think they're probably a bit undesirable, given the output of solar collectors (which are I think probably more powerful than they ought to be, since they can make infinite-range ships fairly easy to develop).

So, I'm thinking of cutting the size of solar sails in half (to 10 kT, like engines), and also perhaps halving the supply generation of solar collectors.

Would anyone be heart-broken by this, or have any preferred suggestions?

PvK

Fyron · #2 October 4th, 2002, 06:08 AM

That sounds like a decent plan for the sails.

However... I am not really liking the move of Stealth Armor to a new tech area. I don't mind Stealth Armor being moved to its own tech tree for new games, but PBW games in progress get messed up. It really screws up star ship designs.

PvK · #3 October 4th, 2002, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
That sounds like a decent plan for the sails.

However... I am not really liking the move of Stealth Armor to a new tech area. I don't mind Stealth Armor being moved to its own tech tree for new games, but PBW games in progress get messed up. It really screws up star ship designs.

I can see where it's a bit unfair that those who have already deployed stealth armor could deconstruct and analyze their own ships to gain a research advantage. Are there other reasons I'm missing?

PvK

Fyron · #4 October 4th, 2002, 07:22 AM

Umm... that's not my point at all. I can no longer build my warships, which is a big problem. I can not afford to scrap any to get the Stealth Armor tech.

Fyron · #5 October 4th, 2002, 07:31 AM

Oh yeah... this problem applies to Carriers being in their own tech tree as well.

PvK · #6 October 4th, 2002, 08:30 AM

Hmm, but doesn't it let you complete any ships in progress? At Armor TL 4+, you could surely come up with an interim design that doesn't involve stealth armor, if you need to start new warships while you research Stealth Armor or Fighter Carriers. Since you will have the other prerequisites already, it won't take all that long to get the new tech area.

But ya, it's imperfect for old games upgrading. If people are unconvinced by my above suggestion and interested in a variant patch, I could make a 2.4.3 that has the other changes but not the new tech areas.

PvK

Fyron · #7 October 4th, 2002, 08:36 AM

I am against having my empires artificially damaged as a result of upgrades. Any lost RP is bad.

I would be in favor of the variant mod idea.