If there is something that I feel that StarMade is really missing is a good variety of weapons. Now don't get me wrong, the AMC's are great, but there are just some itches that they just can't scratch even if you do mess with the settings.. Having a greater number of options when it comes to weapons would make the game much more interesting and would result in a greater number of available playstyles and tactics for the players to employ. So, without further ado, here are some suggestions that I have for additional weapon types. Now, some of these may have been suggested before, but you'll have to forgive me for not wading through the murky bog that is the current state of the forums. (hint: add a search feature) Anyways, here they are:
Repeating Photon Pulse Cannon (RPPC)
Do you want a massive rate of fire, but don't have the space to put a large amount of AMC's? Well, then, this is the weapon for you. While it lacks a lot in Damage per Shot (doing comparable damage to the pistol), it more than makes up for it in rate of fire. Stacking, like with the AMC's, will increase the rate of fire and the damage, but the damage increases at a rate of 1, maybe 2 Damage per every 5 blocks. This weapon would be perfect for fighters and small air defense turrets.
Plasma Flash Cannon (PFC)
When fired, the Plasma Flash Cannon releases a conical jet of plasma that deals damage to whatever it hits. In laymans terms, it's an energy shotgun. While having a lower base rate of fire to the AMC the PFC does do comparable damage to AMC arrays of similar size. However, this damage is distributed over a larger area. Thus, the damage done to an individual block would be much less, the damage done to all the affected blocks would be similar to the damage an AMC would do to a single block. (Given, of course, that the shot is not at point-blank range.) While stacking would increase the spread and damage of the weapon, the rate of fire and range would increase at a much more marginal rate. Good for a run and gun playstyle (or those who suck at aiming)
Variable Effect Mines (VEM)
It's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. They're magnetic, they have variable effects, and they're mines. That's it. Mines will activate when a player comes within a certain proximity to the mine whereupon they will become attracted to the player and will follow them until the player either outruns the mine, or the mine impacts the player. The mines will then deliver one of various effects, depending on what the owner set them to. The variable effect settings are (at the moment) explode, disable, repulse, and blind, which can be set in the weapons menu. Mines CAN be destroyed by weapons fire, but each time a mine is destroyed it alerts the player who owns them. Mines DO distinguish between factions and will not activate when a player of the same or neutral faction approaches them. Stacking improves the effects of the mines, how many mines can be layed at a time, how much damage they will take, activation proximity, and deployment speed.
Tachyon Warp Cannon (TWC)
This is the big one. This is, essentially, a Wave Motion Gun. In order to fire the weapon, the ship must be stationary (meanings the engines cannot be providing thrust). To fire the weapon, press and hold the left mouse button. This will start charging the weapon. Note, that, while charging, your ship is incredibly vulnerable. Once the weapon is fully charged, simply release the left mouse button to fire the weapon. The weapon will then fire a large, noninstantaneous beam of energy that will deal massive amounts of damage to any target it hits. Does this seem overpowered? Don't worry, the base energy requirements for the TWC are likewise humongous, and grow exponentially for each block stacked. Stacking blocks, though, increases damage, range, and beam speed, while decreasing charge time.
That's enough for now. I have more, if you want me to post them, tell me below in the comments.
Repeating Photon Pulse Cannon (RPPC)
Do you want a massive rate of fire, but don't have the space to put a large amount of AMC's? Well, then, this is the weapon for you. While it lacks a lot in Damage per Shot (doing comparable damage to the pistol), it more than makes up for it in rate of fire. Stacking, like with the AMC's, will increase the rate of fire and the damage, but the damage increases at a rate of 1, maybe 2 Damage per every 5 blocks. This weapon would be perfect for fighters and small air defense turrets.
Plasma Flash Cannon (PFC)
When fired, the Plasma Flash Cannon releases a conical jet of plasma that deals damage to whatever it hits. In laymans terms, it's an energy shotgun. While having a lower base rate of fire to the AMC the PFC does do comparable damage to AMC arrays of similar size. However, this damage is distributed over a larger area. Thus, the damage done to an individual block would be much less, the damage done to all the affected blocks would be similar to the damage an AMC would do to a single block. (Given, of course, that the shot is not at point-blank range.) While stacking would increase the spread and damage of the weapon, the rate of fire and range would increase at a much more marginal rate. Good for a run and gun playstyle (or those who suck at aiming)
Variable Effect Mines (VEM)
It's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. They're magnetic, they have variable effects, and they're mines. That's it. Mines will activate when a player comes within a certain proximity to the mine whereupon they will become attracted to the player and will follow them until the player either outruns the mine, or the mine impacts the player. The mines will then deliver one of various effects, depending on what the owner set them to. The variable effect settings are (at the moment) explode, disable, repulse, and blind, which can be set in the weapons menu. Mines CAN be destroyed by weapons fire, but each time a mine is destroyed it alerts the player who owns them. Mines DO distinguish between factions and will not activate when a player of the same or neutral faction approaches them. Stacking improves the effects of the mines, how many mines can be layed at a time, how much damage they will take, activation proximity, and deployment speed.
Tachyon Warp Cannon (TWC)
This is the big one. This is, essentially, a Wave Motion Gun. In order to fire the weapon, the ship must be stationary (meanings the engines cannot be providing thrust). To fire the weapon, press and hold the left mouse button. This will start charging the weapon. Note, that, while charging, your ship is incredibly vulnerable. Once the weapon is fully charged, simply release the left mouse button to fire the weapon. The weapon will then fire a large, noninstantaneous beam of energy that will deal massive amounts of damage to any target it hits. Does this seem overpowered? Don't worry, the base energy requirements for the TWC are likewise humongous, and grow exponentially for each block stacked. Stacking blocks, though, increases damage, range, and beam speed, while decreasing charge time.
That's enough for now. I have more, if you want me to post them, tell me below in the comments.