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General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: CommanderDJ on September 22, 2010, 06:24:12 am

Title: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: CommanderDJ on September 22, 2010, 06:24:12 am
Hello HLP,
Just a question about the validity/believablility (that's not a word) of a fighter being able to dock with, say, a Fenris and being able to rearm/repair that way. Would that be pushing the bounds a bit? I don't see why, seeing as they can transfer people and stuff via an Elysium or Argo transport, surely they'd be able to transfer missiles from a Fenris to a fighter, but I'm double checking to see what the general consensus is before using it.

CommanderDJ
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: headdie on September 22, 2010, 06:29:49 am
It's a whatever works for your story type thing, personally I don't see an issue with it story wise
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Rodo on September 22, 2010, 07:45:32 am
It's just as plausible as any other thing in fs, you make the rules pal.

As for the engine being able to do that, I can say it's possible indeed, might need a little tweaking, but it can be done.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Thaeris on September 22, 2010, 09:32:20 am
Keep in mind that fighters don't have docking rings. The pilot would need to make an EVA to access the cruiser...
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: General Battuta on September 22, 2010, 09:43:53 am
Keep in mind that fighters don't have docking rings. The pilot would need to make an EVA to access the cruiser...

Most fighters actually do have a rearming dock that - if you can pull it off without ugly model clipping - could be used as an improvised dockpoint.

The EVA approach has been used (like boarding the Duke in AoA), but the common spacesuit model is way too big.  :nervous:
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: -Norbert- on September 22, 2010, 09:54:04 am
Couldn't you just implement an autopilot that manouvers the fighter very, very close to the cruisers docking port without actually docking?
That should give the illusion of a docking manouver, without requiring anything other than carefull SEXP usage.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 22, 2010, 10:29:42 am
I have to assume it's possible, since I don't think back during the T-V War they were trying to breach nodes with an Orion up front every time.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Thaeris on September 22, 2010, 10:39:29 am
Keep in mind that fighters don't have docking rings. The pilot would need to make an EVA to access the cruiser...

Most fighters actually do have a rearming dock that - if you can pull it off without ugly model clipping - could be used as an improvised dockpoint.

The EVA approach has been used (like boarding the Duke in AoA), but the common spacesuit model is way too big.  :nervous:

This is true. Isn't there a GTVA pilot model somewhere that someone might convert into a .pof for such purposes?
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Galemp on September 22, 2010, 03:55:44 pm
Docking with support ships works because the support ship does all the work, and you just have to sit still. If the fighter needed to dock with a larger ship, you could use SEXPs that put the fighter under AI control then give it orders to dock, reload weapons, undock and surrender control back to the player.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Woolie Wool on September 22, 2010, 04:01:13 pm
It would be nice to have an option for support ships to refuel you while you're moving by matching speeds (perhaps set in ai_profiles.tbl), but probably a code nightmare.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Rodo on September 22, 2010, 04:01:15 pm
You could AI the fighter and make it dock, or you could use something like in WoD Campaign where you just needed to be x meters away from some subsystem and then the process of rearming/repairing began.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Scourge of Ages on September 22, 2010, 05:30:37 pm
It would be nice to have an option for support ships to refuel you while you're moving by matching speeds (perhaps set in ai_profiles.tbl), but probably a code nightmare.
They already can, sort of. You just need to be moving, like, 10-15 mps and they can catch up to you and dock.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 23, 2010, 04:30:27 pm
Yeah, a support ship can actually catch you in motion, just not much motion.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Dragon on September 23, 2010, 04:32:38 pm
It'd be nice to be able to adjust this speed though.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 23, 2010, 04:42:25 pm
The AI code is utterly verboten last I checked...
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: General Battuta on September 23, 2010, 04:44:07 pm
The AI code is utterly verboten last I checked...

erwhat? Sushi's been making changes to it left and right. Fury got a number of changes implemented during BP2 development and Sushi's work for Diaspora is doubtless even more extensive.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 23, 2010, 04:44:54 pm
erwhat? Sushi's been making changes to it left and right. Fury got a number of changes implemented during BP2 development and Sushi's work for Diaspora is doubtless even more extensive.

Last time I suggested it be messed with Taylor ate my face. :P
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Sushi on September 23, 2010, 04:50:53 pm
erwhat? Sushi's been making changes to it left and right. Fury got a number of changes implemented during BP2 development and Sushi's work for Diaspora is doubtless even more extensive.

Last time I suggested it be messed with Taylor ate my face. :P

Losing my face was a small price to pay. It just gives me another excuse to dress like a ninja.
Title: Re: Fighter docking with a cruiser
Post by: Mongoose on September 23, 2010, 07:34:13 pm
Holy crap, it's Sushi (http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/_img/voice_this/15.jpg)!