Very Large Starship question

[n003lb]

Actually, I've got a couple of questions.

First, when you bank 2 or more weapons together and set them to defence, will they target multiple enemies, or will they all shoot at only one target?

Example: A ship has a PDB loacted on each side of the ship. Both are banked into the "Fwd PBD" bank. 2 hostile ships approach the vessel from each side. Will the PDBs fire on both approaching ships, or will only one gun fire until one target is destroyed, then switch to the other target?

I'm asking this because I have an idea for a very large ship design that would have a great many more PDBs than the current designs. The problem is the limitation that all weapons have to be banked into only 4 weapons. What I'm think here would probably have something like 20 - 40 or more PDBs in the forward bank alone. Any target would usually only be in range of a maximum of a dozen or so PDBs at one time, maybe less. If all 40 target the same target, but only 10 can fire, then it's a real waste of effort, and extremely unrealistic.

If all do target the same target, is there any way to get around the 4 bank limitation?

On to my second question. Is there a size limit in the game, or in Magic? I will probably be doing the modeling in either 3DS Max or DeleD. I know I can build the ship as big as I want in Max, but does Magic or SS have a limit. What I'm planning on here is something sized in the range of the Homeworld Mothership, around 10 to 15 miles in length. I like big ships [:D].

[wdboyd]

ORIGINAL: n003lb

First, when you bank 2 or more weapons together and set them to defence, will they target multiple enemies, or will they all shoot at only one target?

Any targets that come into a weapons firing arc(s) will be fired upon if it is in the weaons range also. Of course one can set a weapon to fire upon only certain type of game targets too. Normally, they will fire at the FIRST hostile craft to come into range.

Example: A ship has a PDB loacted on each side of the ship. Both are banked into the "Fwd PBD" bank. 2 hostile ships approach the vessel from each side. Will the PDBs fire on both approaching ships, or will only one gun fire until one target is destroyed, then switch to the other target?

Again... if the hostile ships come into your weaons firing arc(s), which can be limited by you, they will be fired upon. Regardles of which side they approach.

I'm asking this because I have an idea for a very large ship design that would have a great many more PDBs than the current designs. The problem is the limitation that all weapons have to be banked into only 4 weapons. What I'm think here would probably have something like 20 - 40 or more PDBs in the forward bank alone. Any target would usually only be in range of a maximum of a dozen or so PDBs at one time, maybe less. If all 40 target the same target, but only 10 can fire, then it's a real waste of effort, and extremely unrealistic.

A problem you may encounter is game slowdown when many weapons fire. The graphic load would probably be heavy with such firepower being displayed. You will have to playtest your ship in test scenarios to find out.

On to my second question. Is there a size limit in the game, or in Magic? I will probably be doing the modeling in either 3DS Max or DeleD. I know I can build the ship as big as I want in Max, but does Magic or SS have a limit. What I'm planning on here is something sized in the range of the Homeworld Mothership, around 10 to 15 miles in length. I like big ships [:D].

I don't think there is a size limitation.

[2Harry]

In Magic 1.6.1 there is a max poly count of something like 13,384 I know because I've run into it trying to import a 3DS file of the Homeworld2 Mothership that I found on the web.[:(]

[wdboyd]

Hi 2Harry.

While there is a poly limit there isn't apparently a craft size limit.

If one created a simple ship in the shape of a cube or low in poly count, it could be HUGE.

But 2Harry is absolutely correct about the polygon limits.

[n003lb]

Thanks for the info on the poly count. I'll keep that in mind when I design the model.

As for the firing arcs, does that mean the weapons will engage multiple targets simultaniously (sp?)? Even though they are in the same bank, they will fire on two seperate targets at the same time? I'll try testing this out later tonight when I get home. Right now, I don't have time to test it now.

Thanks for the help.

[wdboyd]

ORIGINAL: n003lb

As for the firing arcs, does that mean the weapons will engage multiple targets simultaniously (sp?)? Even though they are in the same bank, they will fire on two seperate targets at the same time? I'll try testing this out later tonight when I get home. Right now, I don't have time to test it now.

Thanks for the help.

OK... normally you can expect ALL weapons to fire on the first enemy craft to come into range within its' or their firing arc(s). That means all weapons that can fire upon the craft will do so. There is no built in AI that will target separate craft within range.

A workaround might be giving a PDB within your bank a greater maximum firing range. Say an Aegis AA turret and then a shorter ranged AegisB Turret. The regualr Aegis AA turret(s) would logically aim in and target a bogie first. Of course, if you are using the stock weapons, such option would be problematic.

If another craft happens to get closer before the initial target does, the shorter ranged weapon, AegisB, would target it. Therefore you would have seperate targets being fired upon from, basically, the same bank of weapons. Not pretty.. but it is a method for getting the approximate result you desire. [:D]

[n003lb]

OK, I think that pretty well answeres my question.

I wasn't wanting weapons in the same arc to fire at different targets. I was trying to detirmine if weapons with different fields of fire, i.e. Port and Starboard guns, that are in the same bank, i.e. Forward PDB, would fire at different targets at the same time.

Your example of the different range guns tells me that guns in the same bank should be able to target independantly.

I have an idea for an Escort Carrier that I want to try first, but I think I'll give my old VBS-01 another try shortly. VBS-01 (Very Big Ship 01) is a ship that I was designing for some short stories I have been writing over the last few years. I never finished the project because of other events. Maybe I'll do it now and put it in SS.

[EDIT] Just reading my last post, I guess I should have explained what I am doing a little better. Looks like I am wanting weapons in the same arc to target multiple, but that is NOT what I am asking. I am wanting weapons with different arcs in the same bank to target multiple. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for your help Boyd.

[wdboyd]

Oh yea, banks of weapons on the starboard side will fire on targets approaching from that side and another bank will fire at different targets on the port side at the same time with no problem.

Sounds like you've been working on a project for some time. Well, have fun with it.

If you need any help, feel free to ask. [:'(]