Phased Polaron too easy to research?

Talenn · #1 January 26th, 2001, 07:13 AM

Yes, weapon balance needs quite a bit of work IMO. Its not a big deal as it can all be modded to taste, though.

It was one of the first things on my 'hit list' after my first few games. My data set has completely rebalanced all of the 'basic' weapons in the game. IMO, they all have their uses now.

If anyone is interesting in seeing the latest and greatest revision, lemme know. I guarantee that at least the weapons will be far better balanced than in the orginal.

Talenn

Tomgs · #2 January 26th, 2001, 08:06 AM

Actually Organic races have better weapons than the PPB. The enveloping Acid weapon is great. I also usually use the PPB if I don't use a racial trait with weapons. At least untill I need a better range then I start researching other weapons. A PPB up against a full tech Organic ship is cannon fodder at least human against human. Even against the AI it can be very tough if they outrange you and do more damage per hit.

Nitram Draw · #3 January 27th, 2001, 02:39 AM

I think each weapon should counter at least one defensive item and each weapon should be able to be countered by one defensive item, sort of like rock, paper, scissors.
This would force you to constantly modify your designs base on your opponents strategy. You don't really have to do this now.
I would guess that everyone's dream ship would contain many similiar components, which is a shame given the vast number of choices available.

rdouglass · #4 January 26th, 2001, 03:22 PM

I agree with Tomgs. Organic tech has awesome weapons. The Enveloping Acid Globule (I think that's what its called) on massive mounts has a damage of 500, a fire rate of 2, and a range of 8 and are actually quite accurate. To me, thats even more powerful than a WMG even if it seems the WMG's never miss. However, the PPB's skip shields and have decent range and fire rates. They also IMO are only good for early game weapons. Once the AI get's Phased Shields, they (PPB's) drop drastically in thier effectiveness.

I do agree that PPB's are very easy to research, but IMO are useless in huge galaxy, low tech games except to rush the first AI you encounter. However, that could definitely put you into position to be MEE in a hurry. Personally, I like to avoid PPB's 'cause they are such an advantage early on (its easy enough to 'rush' an AI as it is).

SunDevil · #5 January 26th, 2001, 05:17 PM

Talenn:

I would like to see your data files. Would have a problem with just posting them in the mod section. I'm sure a lot of people sooner or later will be interested in balancing weapons.

Could you also by chance take a look at my update to the default ai race files, I would really like your opinion on them. Thanks.

raynor · #6 January 26th, 2001, 06:09 PM

Have you noticed how you have to research all the way up to Shield Generator V before the next thing you can research is Phased Shield Generator I?

I'm shocked and dismayed that they didn't do something very similar with the Phased Polaron Beam.

At least the AI *does* at least research and use the PPB...

UmberGryphon · #7 January 26th, 2001, 09:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by rdouglass:
Once the AI gets Phased Shields, they (PPB's) drop drastically in their effectiveness.

Yes and no. Certainly PPBs stop being the best weapon by an order of magnitude, but they're so far in the lead early that they can lose a lot and still be one of the best weapons in the game.

I decide how good a weapon is by damage divided by rate-of-fire divided by size--"Damage per turn per kiloton". Even ignoring its special ability, the score of 1.6 (50/1/30) for a normal-mount PPB 5 is the best score for a non-racial-tech direct-fire weapon, and it even beats most of the racial-tech weapons. (I don't remember the score of a normal-mount enveloping acid globule, and I'm at work--anyone care to tell me?)

[This message has been edited by UmberGryphon (edited 26 January 2001).]