Proportions Mod Versions 2.5.2 and 2.5.3 available

[PvK]

Yep. I think there are several valid types of armor design, depending on what you want, who you're fighting, how large your ship is, how much design space you're willing to devote, and how much you're willing to pay.

Structure types are mainly good for giving a design a lot of ability to absorb damage, and can be very cost-effective and/or very space-effective, but doesn't guarantee protection (e.g. the bridge could still get hit on the first shot). Adding several low-tech armored structure components to a design is a cheap and effective way to give it a good level of protection.

Standard Plating is scale mounted and not hit first - its main purpose is to give a high emissive effect, deflecting a certain amount per hit. Only the highest emissive effect on an undestroyed component is used - they never add. Standard plating's potential damage deflection is effectively multiplied by the total amount of (not "hit first") structure the ship has, so it is more effective when combined with armored structure.

Special plating is scale mounted but unlike standard plating it is hit first. It offers the highest levels of emissive effect, and the highest defense bonuses, but when hit with most weapons it will get destroyed before structure, functional components, and standard plating. However, you can combine it with other hit-first armor types to prolong its life and thus multiply its effects. E.g., one or more scale-mounted emissive armor components combined with several ablative armor components.

PvK

[ February 28, 2003, 19:32: Message edited by: PvK ]