[delta_7890]

I was thinking about a topic discussing the ability of a booster unit.  one that could dock with a fighter (or any other ship) and increase its speed and such.  well, I thought of some other "add-ons" to ships.  such as weapon packs, which would be a container type thing with laser and mssle hardpoints that could dock with a ship and then be fired maunually with sexps.  or, if hardpoints wouldn't work, turrets could be implanted into the "pack" and then activated once it's docked with a ship.  another idea was a "shield generator" similar to the weapon pack in that it only activates when docked wth another object.  there could be mulitiple types for different ship classes (as the shield mesh would have to be a different size for each one).  another idea was a "bit launcher".  this unit would act as a fighterbay for bits.  bits would be small, self-propelled laser turrets that would attack targets on their own.  I believe this could be accomplished with a number of sexps.  I just want to know if this idea of mine is original, liked, and possible in FS2.  I think with this type of technology, it could add a lot of fun to the game.

[LAW ENFORCER]

Dont knnow about all of that but I had the idea of putting turrets on cargo containers then docking them with cargo ships to renforce them (ambushes etc). Don't know if its possible but UI like it

[Sandwich]

Hmmm... I like the general ideas, dude... but the problem is that when I, the player, am docked with the support ship, I have a very limited maneuvering ability, or the dock will be broken up. So I'd say that rules out weaponry add-ons for fighters.

For freighters, however (as well as for those poor defenseless cargo depots) armed cargo pods could be interesting.

Bits could be very annoying. I can see how they'd be like: about one quarter the size of an escape pod, with a rapid-fire turret or two, and a speed of around 60 or so. Launch a swarm of them at a shivan capship, and watch the fireworks begin!  

Last thing: that shield generator is an awesome idea! It wouldn't even have to be activated/deactivated by SEXP's as sheilds don't have any collision-checking status. It could basically be a safe haven for fighters or bombers in a battle. They wouldn't even have to dock, as you could make it a fairly large shield mesh, which would block all incoming fire. It would be especially handy to have for those missions where you have to rearm, but if you stop flying evasive, you're dead. Stop inside the shield radius and call in support. I like it !

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"He who laughs last thinks slowest."
"Just becase you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."
"To err is human; to really screw up you need a computer."
Creator of the Sandvich Bar, the CapShip Turret Upgrade, the Complete FS2 Ship List and the System Backgrounds List (all available from the site)

[delta_7890]

yay!  my ideas are liked!  I realize that a fighter craft would have difficulty with these modifications.  here's what I was thinking: your craft would have a freighter flag instead of fighter/bomber whatnot, which would, in theory, give it the ability to stabley move with a container in tow.  however, there is no command for docking with containers, so a sexp would have to be made to allow this.  I doubt a sexp would be able to override a player's movement though.  there would definately have to be some experimentation in this regard.

[WraithHost]

The BITs idea has been done, in a way.
Look back for the topics containing the Scarab. This is a vasudan combat drone I made. It's about 3.5 m log and carries 1 cannon. Sandwich is right though they are hard to hit and can be really annoying. Missiles seal with them pretty well but that could be a waste of valuable ammo.
Have you been reading my mind? I was also working on 'battle boxes' Converted cargo for defence of unescorted freighter convoys.
I'd thought of 4 types,
1) Turreted defence type
2) Light Beam turret offensive type
3) Shield generator type
4) Mini hanger type


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Phil.
  Trust In Me &
  Fall As-well