Cloaking question

[dumbluck]

To make combinations of cloaks more likely, I would suggest 2 things: Extend sensor/cloak to level 10 (or even 15!), and make the levels expensive. That way, there is a major difference in research cost between mid-high level cloaks of one type and low level in another.

[Krsqk]

I think we're misunderstanding each other. Level 1 cloaking would be redundant, since it would only beat level 0 scanning--which doesn't scan at all. OTH, level 1 scanning is definitely useful, since it can detect ships with level 1 or no cloaking.

[dumbluck]

Level 0 scanning is present in the game. All ships start out with level 0 scanning in all types except EM-Active. So there are benefits of level 1 scanners (accept in EM-Active, which by default starts at lev 1). Now if you skip from, say, temporal scanning 0 to temporal 2 (as you suggest), what's the point of having temporal level 1 cloaking? You would have to research 2 steps of temporal cloaking (0-1, then 1-2) to beat the one research step of temporal scanning (0-2). THAT doesn't make sense....

Granted, in the early sensor/cloak rush, anything besides EM-Active would be a waste. But once you got up to EM-Active 4 or so, it would be cheaper and quicker to research a different type of cloaking instead of the next step of EM-Active. And unless your opponent can successfully guess which type you switched to, you have a window of opportunity whilst your opponent waits for the research to complete on the next, now rather expensive, level of EM-Active.

[Krsqk]

No no no!!!!!! Level 1 scanners are useful!!!!! Level 0 scanning doesn't detect anything. If it did, then you'd have to research Level 1 cloaking in every area before you could hide your ship from anyone. I'm saying Level 1 cloaks are useless!!!!! Cloaking should start at level 2; scanners should start at level 1.

Start of game--All ships visible (EM Active scanning 1, all other scanning 0).

Research EM Active cloak 2. Ships invisible because cloak beats scanner. Even though there are no other cloaks, scanner lvl 0 does not detect anything. Proof--Stealth Armor only cloaks EM Active and EM Passive--not any of the other cloak types.

Research EM Active scanner level 2--Ships visible because scanner beats cloak.

-OR-

Research any other scanner level 1--Ships visible because scanning level 1 beats cloak level 0.

Am I being unclear? Level 1 scanners=good idea. Level 1 cloaks=bad idea. Cloaks should skip from level 0 to level 2.