[Jetmech Jr.]

So about how fast can this thing actually go?

[Arculis]

90/210 currently. Considering the whole point of the ship is to be fast, and it isn't good for much else, I think that's a fair speed. (Not to mention it wouldn't last long if other fighters could catch up, since it isn't especially menueverable.)

[kasperl]

whoa.

how does the AI handle that speed?

how big is her burner reserve?

[Arculis]

Okay, this is the new upgrade of the Epimetheus A, the Epimetheus B!

GTF Epimetheus B

Click the link for screenshots.

The Epimetheus B improves on the A series by adding two (small) missile banks and modifying the gun mounts to support heavier cannons, namely the Prometheus. Because the missile banks are so small however, the type of missiles it can carry is restricted to missiles smaller than 2.5 units of cargo space. That basically means only Tempest, Harpoon, and TAG-A/B missiles are supported. Also, the missile banks make the ship slightly harder to menuever and slightly hampers its acceleration. But considering that one of these equipped with 6 harpoons can usually take down 6 Epimetheus A interceptors, I think the improvements outweight the disadvantages.

Oh, and if someone actually wanted to use these (Epi A and B), I suggest creating a new AI entry for them. Giving them high evasion rates lets the AI take advantage of the ships speed to avoid missiles.

(By the way, I fixed the tbl file for Epimetheus A, since it was goofed before.)

--

Epimetheus interceptors have small afterburner and energy reserves. They empty quickly, and recharge quickly. Its hard to keep up a constant speed of 210, since the afterburners don't last very long and they've usually run out before you realize you're at top speed.

And as far as I can tell from Epimetheus VS Epimetheus dogfights, the AI likes going fast. If you're trying to tail one and shoot it down, they'll usually speed ahead, and they can get out of range before you know it. These ships have trouble in closeup situations, especially against something like an Erinyes with Kaysers. Epimetheus' turn slowly, so other fighters can usually out-turn them and blow them away (2 shots from an Erinyes). If you're piloting one of these, its best to just stay out of range as often as possible.

[karajorma]

Originally posted by Arculis
The Epimetheus B improves on the A series by adding two (small) missile banks and modifying the gun mounts to support heavier cannons, namely the Prometheus. Because the missile banks are so small however, the type of missiles it can carry is restricted to missiles smaller than 2.5 units of cargo space. That basically means only Tempest, Harpoon, and TAG-A/B missiles are supported.

Finally the Tag A/B have a use

[Stealth[cro]]

Very nice creation, Arculis... IIRC that's the first ship created to be a small, light zipper.

The only slight problem I see with it would be its inability to mount Stiletto-mkIIs - that would make it an even better bomb-hound, not to mention that it'd make it a very fun thing to take out subsystems with (a fighter that could actually make it through the beam cannons because of the speed).

Though, TAG missiles are a good idea, now all we need is a mission with enough beam cannons to smoke a Ravana

[Arculis]

Stiletto II missiles are just a bit too large for this ship.

Someone suggested an Epimetheus C that was designed to support larger warheads. I've been fiddling with the idea in my head ever since, but have yet to come up with any nice designs as a result.

[Woolie Wool]

Originally posted by kasperl
whoa.

how does the AI handle that speed?

They're good at it. The AI performs flawlessly in Starforce's Talon fighters, which are capable of 120/200 and Khepri interceptors, which do 140/220. Even my test Zica fighter (using the Serapis model as a placeholder), handles superbly despite its blazing speed of 160/310.

As far as the ship itself, um, it looks a bit too much like a Star Trek shuttle.

[Arculis]

Originally posted by Woolie Wool
As far as the ship itself, um, it looks a bit too much like a Star Trek shuttle.

Fact is everything "looks like" something. Missiles look like trees. A lot of ships resemble fighter jets. And I really don't care if my ship kinda looks like something else.

[kasperl]

agreed, things do look like eachother, but otherwise we'd all be fighting in the most odd shaped things ever.


now, do you have any updates?

[Woolie Wool]

Originally posted by Arculis

Fact is everything "looks like" something. Missiles look like trees. A lot of ships resemble fighter jets. And I really don't care if my ship kinda looks like something else.

The problem is, that "something else" is a rather unattractive and dumpy little vessel. The Epimetheus uses a much better interpretation of that basic look, but still. You should make it a wedge shape like the Dragon.

[StratComm]

Originally posted by Arculis
According to all the sources/measurements I can find, the Herc is between 20 and 21.5 meters. But I'd rather see some numbers on the little man, since the size of the herc is not whats up for debate.

(As a side note, the pilot of the Epimetheus is expected to actually sit down.)

I know this is old, but I'm going to comment on the obviousness of the way that shot was taken.  The dimensions of the "little man" (I'm going to diverge from the norm here and call him Bob) are listed in the parameters box in the bottom left of the screen.  Bob is actually a bit too tall, not too short, as he is sort of crouched and yet still is 1.931 meters in height.  Sit him in a seat and he'd fit perfectly, if not be a little too small.  Bob's a bit over average height for today, though I'd imagine a space-faring race would tend to get taller and taller over time to a point.  As for the size of the Herc, if its sizes match up to those in Modview then they match the actual ones in game.  The "official" sources are not accurate, the best way to check is to actually look at the model.

What's missing from this model is the space for the reactor that powers the ship and weapons, the life support systems that the pilot is expected to live off of, and the equipment that every strike craft really should be equipped with (radar, comms, navigation, and other sensors, not to mention the SS drive).  It looks more like an ejection seat than a whole fighter.

EDIT: and as to the sitting thing, what exactly is he expected to be sitting on?  There should be a little space between the floor of the cockpit and the external hull, as there is on any modern fighter.

[JarC]

Originally posted by Arculis
Stiletto II missiles are just a bit too large for this ship.

Someone suggested an Epimetheus C that was designed to support larger warheads. I've been fiddling with the idea in my head ever since, but have yet to come up with any nice designs as a result.

perhaps with the top a bit raised (like them volkswagen campers  rooftop launchers, scoobeedoobeedooooo!

[kasperl]

Idea: always break the Subspace drive on this thing, and only allow it to enter/exit fighterbays or specially designed "interceptor collars" existing of nothing but a big ring of dockpoints and a Subspace drive.

[Arculis]

See updated size comparisons pic.

Pilot fits comfortably into a 4.7 meter Subaru Outback, along with 3 other passangers, plenty of cargo space, engine, CD-player, etc... I see no reason why a pilot who can fit comfortably into a Subaru Outback shouldn't be able to fit into a much larger Epimetheus.

And unless you can get me some figures on the size requirements for reactors, life suport systems, radar, comms, navigation and sensors, we'll just assume that it fits in there somewhere.

As for subspace drives, I'm fine with the ship not having any. Its designed for capital ship defense rolls, so it would be perfectly reasonable for them to be reliant on the capital ships they're defending.

[LtNarol]

meh, I still like mine better; call me biased

[Setekh]

Originally posted by LtNarol
meh, I still like mine better; call me biased

Be careful what you ask for.

[Nico]