Do the explosions ignore shields?
Yes they do. However I think I saw Lancake say things in chat suggesting they weren't supposed to so it might change in the future.
Aaaaaaahhhhh checkerboards again!
At least you do not have to link any shit to different computers!
But you haven't shown what happens if the bottom side gets hit.
The first explosion location doesn't seem to be directly related to the destroyed block, but you're right, it'll do more damage if a bottom block explodes. Anyway, I don't think that pattern is perfect since even if it prevents too many auxiliary blocks from being destroyed, it's very likely to separate split the group when the explosions happen (i.e. less energy).
I tried to read the code to understand where the explosion locations were chosen, I'm not completely sure yet, but it indeed appears to be deterministic at first glance.
Also, a few interesting materials to make your auxiliary banks safer (from weakest to toughest):
- girders (2 alloyed metal mesh, 0.01 mass, 75HP, 10SHP)
- basic hull (1 alloyed metal mesh 1 crystal composite, 0.05 mass, 75HP, 50AHP, 5SHP)
- glass doors (5 crystal composite, 0.05 mass, 75HP, 50AHP, 0SHP)
- plex doors (15 alloyed metal mesh, 0.15 mass, 100HP, 60% armor, 75AHP, 0SHP)
- blast doors (38 varat capsules, 0.25 mass, 250HP, 75% armor, 100AHP, 0SHP)
Shield capacitors might also be an interesting choice