Lasers cannot be seen. Period. However, they tend to be visible since there are always particulate matter in the atmosphere that scatters a tiny fraction of the beam enabling us to see it. In a pure vacuum it's invisible.
@ryuune
The shivan beam weapons are coherent beams of negatively charged mesons. Hence particle beam.
Moresoever, even a beam of pure light can move objects if it's intense enough. However, multi-million-ton vessels would never move under so light a force.
Unless, the point where the beam strikes instantaneously converts into plasma which quickly expands and forces the vessel to move.
@cronoverse
Where have you seen any evidence that:
- beam weapons are "plasma" weapons? If they were plasma weapons they will have called that way in the game.
- they hit at translight speed (whatever that could mean)?
You can't just make up things to justify a non-realistic aspect of the game, it's that way because it better for gameplay. And on top of that justify with something even more unrealistic (translight speed?)
But again, it isn't this a bit off topic? I already told i don't care about beams pushing you around (as the already do) because i know they are cool that way.
We do know the shivan beams are particulate.
I didn't say they moved at translight speeds. I said that you could easily make up something for your missions to justify why the beam you're using moves a large capital ship.
I'm NOT saying to make the FS2 beams in the main campaign to start moving the capitals. In fact, I don't think anyone in this thread is asking for that.
Furthermore, I CAN just make up stuff to justify a non-realistic aspect of the game. That's the entire point.
As for FTL speeds, that's not necessarily unrealistic even wth current physics. Current physics only prevent normal matter from REACHING c, but there's nothing covering things that start out at greater than c.
