Disable Self-Destruct

[heroquestelf]

I can't believe I'm still playing this game....

AT ANY RATE:

I have a question. I'm trying to build an army who's specialty is stealing the enemy's ships, but I'm having trouble doing so just based on the efficacy of the "Self-Destruct" component. It seems that the AI ALWAYS builds Self-Destruct components on their ships, regardless of which AI is controlling the army.

Is there a way to build a specialized component, a specialized weapon such that it targets the Self-Destruct component FIRST?

[Skyburn]

Unfortunately, not without modding.

You could assign the boarding defense ability to the Self destruct device and then mod a weapon with the damage type "Only security stations". That would damage only security stations and self destruct devices, allowing you to capture the rest of the ship.

Of course, it would be easier to remove the self-destruct device from the components list.

Remember not to edit the stock data files. Make a copy and edit the copy.

[heroquestelf]

Okay, so let me make sure I understand you. Forgive me for the long post. The original component file is like this:

Name := Self - Destruct Device
...
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Self-Destruct
Ability 1 Descr := Vehicle can self-destruct when needed.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 0
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0

So, Step 1:

What you are telling me to do is change the "Number of Abilities" line to 2 and add something resembling the following lines:

Ability 2 Type := Boarding Defense
Ability 2 Descr := Provides 1 anti-personnel turret to use on attacking space marines (all stations on ship will be used for defense).
Ability 2 Val 1 := 1
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0

Step 2
I need to add something like the following weapon (I'm working on a Borg type empire):

Name := Assimilation Beam
Description := A High energy beam that saps the resistance of enemy ships and allows you to capture them easier.
...
Vehicle Type := Ship
...
General Group := Weapons
...
Number of Tech Req := 2
Tech Area Req 1 := Ship Capture
Tech Level Req 1 := 1
Tech Area Req 2 := Shield Damaging Weapons
Tech Level Req 2 := 1
Number of Abilities := 0
Weapon Type := Direct Fire
Weapon Target := Ships
Weapon Damage At Rng := 40 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weapon Damage Type := Only Security Stations
Weapon Reload Rate := 30
Weapon Display Type := Beam
Weapon Display := 10
Weapon Modifier := 0
Weapon Sound := iondispm.wav

Thus: By adding the "Boarding Defense" description to the Self Destruct component, it makes the computer think that the Self Destruct component is a Security Station... thus when I create a weapon that targets "Only Security Stations", it automatically targets Self Destruct components as well?

[Ed Kolis]

Yes, that should work.