[jr2]

Just had this random idea (that was *not* inspired by Live Free or Die's SAPL, however, it does appear to be similar now that I think about it):

How about a mobile ship whose sole purpose (aside from limited pew-pew AAA defense so it's not a complete sitting duck) is to serve as a collimator for multiple syncronized beams fired from every ship that can get a bead on the Multi-Beam Collimator (MBC) ship?

Basically, with some fancy SEXP work, I think you could pull it off, and manage to have a ship that is capable of taking the firepower of the entire fleet currently with it, and redirecting that to one target for maximum pwnage.

Some things to keep in mind:

1) Somehow make the resulting fire-beam from the MBC equal the output of all the ships currently firing into the collimator, which will be affected by

2) Somehow make the fire-beam able to change in it's intensity, as different ships firing into it have different lengths of time for their respective beam-fire.

3) You could even have staggered firing, for one constange beam (of varying intensity): so group A fires at this time, group B starts firing right before A stops, and on and on...


  Thoughts?  Note that I can't do anything of the sort, but if this inspires someone, well, cool! 


EDIT: Just in case:

Noun:   
A device for producing a parallel beam of rays or radiation.
A small fixed telescope used for adjusting the line of sight of an astronomical telescope.

[The E]

Sounds like scripting time for me.

Actually, come to think of it, you could do it by creating an invisible beam (that is, one with transparent bitmaps), and then set up your collimator event in such a way that it fires one base beam (which is visible), plus a variable number of invisible beams that do the real damage.

[Legate Damar]

I have heard that a race known as Species 8472 makes use of such a technology. When they invade Cardassian space we will be ready.

[The E]

I have heard that a race known as Species 8472 makes use of such a technology. When they invade Cardassian space we will be ready.

Have they done a lot of FreeSpace modding in this, the real world, recently?

(Note, if you want to roleplay all the ****ing time, go ahead. But at least _try_ to stay on topic, okay?)

[jr2]

I have heard that a race known as Species 8472 makes use of such a technology. When they invade Cardassian space we will be ready.

Completely forgot about that.  However,

...at least _try_ to stay on topic, okay?)

This would be good advice.  Unless you're wearing a flame-resistant suit with asbestos underwear.  I find it amusing, however, I can see how others would find it nigh-infuriating.  Just a little heads-up.  See, even aliens have to stay on topic here.  We don't discriminate!

[X3N0-Life-Form]

I remember toying with a similar ideas a few years back. It didn't go very far though, I'd be curious to see what kind script-fu could be used to implement this kind of thing.

[jg18]

I have heard that a race known as Species 8472 makes use of such a technology. When they invade Cardassian space we will be ready.

OK, seriously, Damar, the more you post these roleplaying posts, the harder it is for everyone else to take you seriously when you actually have something on topic to say or when you need help with something.

You might be able to get away with posting one every once in a great while for humorous effect (especially in Gen Disc), as long as it doesn't interfere with serious discussions (meaning not like this). But other than that, the less you do it, the better. This isn't a Trekkie community, after all, even if it has some Star Trek fans (including yours truly) and the occasional attempt at a Star Trek mod.

[/offtopic]

[The E]

Please refrain from backseat moderating, or piling on Damar.

[Dragon]

That aside, he's got a point. The roleplay was good on the start, but got annoying after a while.
However Damar's also got a point. I agree Species 8472 weapon is a good analogy of jr2's idea (not the best one though, as IIRC, they don't use a collimator ship, just the "satellites") and should be doable in FS. Just have "satellites" fire non-damaging beams at the collimator, then have the collimator fire an actual, damaging beam. Easily FREDable. Even if you don't have a collimator ship, you could just use an invisible object with a turret. Also not a difficult thing to make. Of course, it'd have to be scripted in FRED (this being a capship weapon, it shouldn't be a problem though, since complex capship battles simply have to be scripted).

[The E]

Please refrain from backseat moderating, or piling on Damar.

That means you too, Dragon.

[General Battuta]

Yeah, this is really easy to do in FRED, though it could require some annoying brainless table work.

[jr2]

Ehh... The_E, I think that everyone thought you were just posting your personal frustration, not as a moderator (perhaps because there was no official "warning" or anything).  I know I did.  So when you were posting about 'back-seat moderating', I was thinking... "wtf, dude, no one's doing that" until I went back and read the thread again and this time read your post as coming from a moderator.

[The E]

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

* The E puts on Moderator hat

better now?

One thing to consider is that there has been quite a bit of discussion behind the scenes about tightening up moderating standards. As part of that, we (as moderators) are encouraged to be a bit stricter in the application of the rules.

[General Battuta]

Idea: Post About Posting

[Damage]

I think the idea as stated would certainly look really awesome.  But as far as concentrating firepower onto a single target, isn't that what the TAG missiles are for?

[MatthTheGeek]

TAG missiles broadcast a signal. What you do with that signal is entirely up to you.

That lens idea would most likely have a longer range than each individual beam, or have a better penetration power than the sum of each beam. You can technobabble the reason you want to justify it. Doesn't have to be set in the FS universe, either.

[jr2]

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

* The E puts on Moderator hat

better now?

-snip-

Much. 

Sometimes it's hard to tell, because, you know, mods/admins are people too. -GASP!! No!  Really?? 

Idea: Post About Posting

   

I think the idea as stated would certainly look really awesome.  But as far as concentrating firepower onto a single target, isn't that what the TAG missiles are for?

TAG missiles are simply to increase the range and decrease the lock time for beams to target an enemy.  My idea was basically to get one super-beam onto a target (imagine what a regular fleet could do if the power of every beam was hosing down a Sath).

But TAG missiles could be implemented to help the MBC target the enemy ship, or perhaps a modified TAG missile could be used when you want the MBC targeted and fired upon by all available beam-freed ships in the area.  IDK, thoughts?

[General Battuta]

jr2 did you play Vassago's Dirge

[jr2]

Not yet.  I have a bad habit of picking up a new FS mod, starting it, running into problems, tinkering with it, running into more problems, and giving up.  (Or, playing it until I reach a mission that is rather hard, playing it through 4-5 times, and giving up.)

I'll get around to it, I have a regular collection of FS mods on my hard disks.

Why?  I don't mind spoilers.

[General Battuta]

It has an excellent mission based on using TAG missiles to coordinate long range beam fire from a big array of Mjolnirs. I'm sure Axem would appreciate knowing that his creativity is getting appreciation.

Also, if you keep running into problems, you must not be playing very good mods