General FreeSpace > FreeSpace Discussion
How should the GTVA proceed with cruisers post-Capella?
wuu:
--- Quote from: Shivan Hunter on June 19, 2024, 02:14:10 pm ---I see a bit of a different evolution of the Mjolnir idea.
I have a few questions about Mjolnirs: since Mjolnirs can operate independently, shouldn't a ship that's just a cheap spaceframe with Mjolnirs strapped to it be devastating on the battlefield? Why can the Mjolnir, a sub-cruiser-size cannon, outclass destroyers in firepower? Why did the Colossus's heatsinks struggle so much, when Mjolnirs can output similar firepower with seemingly no such issues?
No restrictions you can cramp anything you need into the frame a possible answer
My headcanon/skul-gun: Mjolnirs are disposable, one-time-use beam platforms not meant for extended engagements. This is also why they're so lightly armored. They don't have a power generator that can sustain beam fire indefinitely - they have a battery that can support maybe a couple dozen shots. By the time it's done firing, the battery is empty, the heatsinks are fried, the beam cannon's innards are starting to melt, and the Mjolnir is a useless hunk of metal, but hopefully it's done its job. You wouldn't want this on a warship, but keep several of these in reserve to blockade a node on demand (also works well if your setting includes BP/BtA-style non-Newtonian node drift).
Valid point for it to be disposable or it would need a reload, fuel, or recharge without a reactor!
Better beam tech might mean this idea converges with Lilith/Ravana tactics - no need for disposable beam cannons if you can actually make one that lasts, after all. Also consider asymmetric warfare: These Mjolnir ships, if they existed, would be a prime theft target for pirates, rebels and other malcontents.
Using GTSG Mjolnir and building a cruiser around it.
with its reactor core, you could use it as an auxiliary power when not in use to boost either engine, weapons, sensor, navi, well the sub-systems are built to handle the extra juice.
That would be a lot of fun for mission design!
--- End quote ---
Nohiki:
Cosidering that even at the start of FS2, the entry level weapons were good enough for policing action (E.g against 'pirate' freighters and occasional cruiser), I don't see the appeal of keeping anti-capital weapons on the Cruiser type at all, not when a wing of Tempest/hornet armed myrmidons can take out anything lighter armored than a Levi easily. If the type survives at all and is not just obsoleted immediately in favor of building more corvettes and fighters, I think the next cruisers should be fast anti-fighter platforms, dedicated to quick response.
Colonol Dekker:
The GTSXMC (galactic terran super experimental mega cruiser) Aeolus Mk4 has got everything you need.
#channelling my 1999 inner child.
Shivan Hunter:
--- Quote from: Colonol Dekker on June 22, 2024, 11:05:32 am ---The GTSXMC (galactic terran super experimental mega cruiser) Aeolus Mk4 has got everything you need.
#channelling my 1999 inner child.
--- End quote ---
This. And it has under 50 polygons, has 1000000 HP, and every turret is a BFRed :P
Nightmare:
Re the Mjolnir, I have to admit I never really treated it as a "proper" ship given how much it deviates from the usuall firepower/size ratio. It probably shouldve been upscaled *2 at minimum to be more credible. The explination "it can fire 20 times before getting scrapped" is pretty good though.
For cruisers, I dont really see much potential for them after Capella. The reason is that you have a limited damage absorbtion potential on a small ship. The Aeolus is extremely good at demolishing fighters and bombers, but even then, if there are too many waves (or just other cruisers arrive) it'll perish quickly. A Deimos has (or atleast could have) the same or an even better AAA loadout while not suffering these backdraws. You could also just mount more armor on a cruiser for the same durability, but it'll likely much slower then. So in a way, the Deimos or a similar vehicle is the kind of cruiser you want - the rest is just a matter of size; but building things deliberately smaller makes them more difficult and expansive. Especially if you the other way and try to built a Terran/Vas Lilith with a big main beam and what else is required - there are relatively few Liliths in the Shivan armada either, so it is most likely an issue for them too.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version