• Registered: 2012-04-21
  • Posts: 99

Topic: Weapon Trait examples

So, I've been introducing a few friends to the AE version of Starmada, and they started asking for examples of what the different weapon traits were. Some were easy to explain, but some when I started to think about them weren't as clear to me as I hoped. Maybe I could get some help from the community on this one?

IMP vs DMG: I equated this to a beam vs shot weapon. Higher IMP was more of a beam striking the hull multiple times, as opposed to a Higher DMG which was a one big impact weapon.

Continuing Damage: I didn't quite know about this one. Acid came to mind, but would there be a better space-borne example of a weapon?

Increased Hits/Impacts: I was thinking a B5 "Pulse" weapon, but can that hold true for both traits at the same time?

(Inverted) Range-Based traits: Damage was a pretty easy explanation, and Impact sort of followed suit (ie Laser beam that loses energy as range increases). What about examples for the others though? Especially the inverted ones; what gains power as range increases?

I managed to find examples of everything else.

Mahalo.

  • Registered: 2005-06-08
  • Posts: 760

Re: Weapon Trait examples

MRCAcct wrote:

IMP vs DMG: I equated this to a beam vs shot weapon. Higher IMP was more of a beam striking the hull multiple times, as opposed to a Higher DMG which was a one big impact weapon.

Beam or solid shot vs Big Badda Boom on impact.

MRCAcct wrote:

Continuing Damage: I didn't quite know about this one. Acid came to mind, but would there be a better space-borne example of a weapon?

Slow burn explosive which increases in heat over time or projectile designed to weaken internal structures to the point where they start to give way.

MRCAcct wrote:

Increased Hits/Impacts: I was thinking a B5 "Pulse" weapon, but can that hold true for both traits at the same time?

Multiple warhead which splits just before impact.

MRCAcct wrote:

(Inverted) Range-Based traits: Damage was a pretty easy explanation, and Impact sort of followed suit (ie Laser beam that loses energy as range increases). What about examples for the others though? Especially the inverted ones; what gains power as range increases?.

Projectiles which have a fuel source adding to the kinetic force over distance.

I dare say there are better examples.
Paul

  • Registered: 2011-09-26
  • Posts: 21

Re: Weapon Trait examples

IMP vs DMG: I equated this to a beam vs shot weapon. Higher IMP was more of a beam striking the hull multiple times, as opposed to a Higher DMG which was a one big impact weapon.

I'd look at this like using a shield vs a shotgun.  If the guy firing is using birdshot you might block some of the pellets but some will probably get through.  If he's firing a solid slug, you either block it (and take no damage assuming a perfect shield) or don't block it.

(Inverted) Range-Based traits: Damage was a pretty easy explanation, and Impact sort of followed suit (ie Laser beam that loses energy as range increases). What about examples for the others though? Especially the inverted ones; what gains power as range increases?

A great example of this one would be the Hauptman effect missiles from "Path of the Fury" by David Weber.  These missiles use a special drive that causes extreme acceleration (and massive amounts of G force and radiation).  So at 'close' range they can maneuver and evade fire, but don't do as much damage.  At long range they cause far more damage (due to kinetic effect) since they are traveling a good fraction of light speed by the time they hit.