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- Oct 18, 2015
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My idea for a jump catapult would be similar to Eve acceleration gates, in function and physical design.
The Catapult would consist of a Catapult Latch, Rails, a Catapult Computer, a Catapult Sling, and a Mass Accelerator.
The design: A Latch is placed first. Rails are placed down in the direction of the Latch, with a Mass Accelerator placed underneath each rail. At the end of the rails is the Catapult Sling. For each Mass Accelerator, the maximum range of the catapult increases by 1 sector, however every accelerator also has a negative impact on the mass of the attached ship. The more accelerators, the more the mass of a ship counts and more enhancers are needed.
The idea: The player docks his ship onto the Latch, anchoring it in place. Once docked, the player opens his navigation menu and selects a new menu option - Catapult Destination. Once selected, either manually via coordinates or through the 3D galaxy map, the player exits the menu and begins moving his ship down the rails. Once the ship reaches the Sling, the jump is initiated and the destination is reached.
Limitations: Being as the catapult functions off Mass, the path to a destination cannot directly intersect a planet or a star (stations are fine). The reason being that the gravity would (theoretically) alter the course of the ship
On left, represented by a Shield Generator, is the Sling. The grey blocks are rails, whilst the red lights are Accelerators. The Latch and Computer are located far right.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Easily programmable destinations, doesn't require the use of an other-end connection. Maximum range can be determined by how big of a catapult is constructed. Larger ships will also be unable to use catapults meant for smaller craft (i.e. a fighter / small ship-only catapult, rather than a catapult built specifically for a capital or titan ship. The range can exceed that of Warp Gates, if built large enough.
Cons: Larger ships will require that the catapult have more Mass Enhancers to move. If the wrong location is accidently designated the player may find themselves incredibly far away from their territory. Only one ship can be catapulted at once. Planets and Stars cannot be plotted through (or, if they are, the ship may be pulled out of the catapult in the close proximity of a star or planet (leaving them stranded).
Lemme know what y'all think!
The Catapult would consist of a Catapult Latch, Rails, a Catapult Computer, a Catapult Sling, and a Mass Accelerator.
The design: A Latch is placed first. Rails are placed down in the direction of the Latch, with a Mass Accelerator placed underneath each rail. At the end of the rails is the Catapult Sling. For each Mass Accelerator, the maximum range of the catapult increases by 1 sector, however every accelerator also has a negative impact on the mass of the attached ship. The more accelerators, the more the mass of a ship counts and more enhancers are needed.
The idea: The player docks his ship onto the Latch, anchoring it in place. Once docked, the player opens his navigation menu and selects a new menu option - Catapult Destination. Once selected, either manually via coordinates or through the 3D galaxy map, the player exits the menu and begins moving his ship down the rails. Once the ship reaches the Sling, the jump is initiated and the destination is reached.
Limitations: Being as the catapult functions off Mass, the path to a destination cannot directly intersect a planet or a star (stations are fine). The reason being that the gravity would (theoretically) alter the course of the ship
On left, represented by a Shield Generator, is the Sling. The grey blocks are rails, whilst the red lights are Accelerators. The Latch and Computer are located far right.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Easily programmable destinations, doesn't require the use of an other-end connection. Maximum range can be determined by how big of a catapult is constructed. Larger ships will also be unable to use catapults meant for smaller craft (i.e. a fighter / small ship-only catapult, rather than a catapult built specifically for a capital or titan ship. The range can exceed that of Warp Gates, if built large enough.
Cons: Larger ships will require that the catapult have more Mass Enhancers to move. If the wrong location is accidently designated the player may find themselves incredibly far away from their territory. Only one ship can be catapulted at once. Planets and Stars cannot be plotted through (or, if they are, the ship may be pulled out of the catapult in the close proximity of a star or planet (leaving them stranded).
Lemme know what y'all think!
. Personally, I'd rather have the launch rail so my fighters can deploy further and faster (push beams are problematic at best) from the hangar bays on my carrier.
