Power Overhaul Solution [?]

[Arcaner]

I agree the power system right now is....not complete. I would like to suggest a subtle but important change in the heat box concept-

Apart putting down the power reactor blocks [whatever they might be...], players also have to put down what are called as heat(sink) blocks. These can be put in the vicinity of the power generator blocks.
[This exact region in which they can be put...probably a small enough cubical space around the Center Of Mass of the reactor maybe?]

These are blocks that are only visible and intractable in the build mode(like trigger area blocks but cannot be removed/put in astronaut mode). Number of these that need to be put depend upon the reactor size, (1:10 ratio?). If players do not put down sufficient number of these heat sink blocks, its simple- the reactors stops functioning properly.

Essentially, instead of the computer creating (cubical?) heat zones for the reactor as outlined in the dev thread, I think, if players be given a chance to shape (by an equivalent number of heatsink blocks) the heat zone, more variety of reactors, some more, some less effective can be created . No other systems can be placed in that region, though other non-syst. related blocks can be placed, overlapping it. [Like hulls, lights, whatever]

Another aspect was how these blocks will behave in battle. Maybe these should only be a block in the build mode, sort of to show where heat goes. All weapons, ships, docks, should ignore these blocks. Aditionally, mass of these blocks could ideally be 0 [As it should be]

I understand this may lead to another level of exploits, do mention any significant holes.
[doublepost=1493450190,1493446722][/doublepost]Yet another way to change power could include- Make the current power system like the heat sink blocks, walk-throughable and build-throughable. But that might add "some" other complications.

 

[Napther]

I agree the power system right now is....not complete. I would like to suggest a subtle but important change in the heat box concept-

Apart putting down the power reactor blocks [whatever they might be...], players also have to put down what are called as heat(sink) blocks. These can be put in the vicinity of the power generator blocks.
[This exact region in which they can be put...probably a small enough cubical space around the Center Of Mass of the reactor maybe?]

These are blocks that are only visible and intractable in the build mode(like trigger area blocks but cannot be removed/put in astronaut mode). Number of these that need to be put depend upon the reactor size, (1:10 ratio?). If players do not put down sufficient number of these heat sink blocks, its simple- the reactors stops functioning properly.

Essentially, instead of the computer creating (cubical?) heat zones for the reactor as outlined in the dev thread, I think, if players be given a chance to shape (by an equivalent number of heatsink blocks) the heat zone, more variety of reactors, some more, some less effective can be created . No other systems can be placed in that region, though other non-syst. related blocks can be placed, overlapping it. [Like hulls, lights, whatever]

Another aspect was how these blocks will behave in battle. Maybe these should only be a block in the build mode, sort of to show where heat goes. All weapons, ships, docks, should ignore these blocks. Aditionally, mass of these blocks could ideally be 0 [As it should be]

I understand this may lead to another level of exploits, do mention any significant holes.
[doublepost=1493450190,1493446722][/doublepost]Yet another way to change power could include- Make the current power system like the heat sink blocks, walk-throughable and build-throughable. But that might add "some" other complications.

Heat-Sink style system had already been suggested, but, the system implementation you suggested is rather lacking.

With your proposed "Invisible Heatsink" blocks that are completely un-targetable would make it so that people will just place Reactors against the edge of their hulls (IE, At the very back, least likely to be struck by direct fire like cannons and beams) and then line above the Armour with these heatsink blocks that are 0 mass, Invisible, No texture, and cannot be removed from the ship except via build mode interactions.
If one likes Aesthetics, then an extra decorative layer of protection/spaced "armour" can be put over the reactor, and the air gap filled with heat sinks that don't care where they are placed in the slightest so long as they are in proximity to the reactor.

A Simple improvement would be to make these heat sinks an actual block with physical mass, texture, and can be shot at. The texture can be used by builders to pretty up some part of the ship with an interesting texture, and can be a viable target to shoot when they are drawing heat from a reactor that is otherwise very well protected. Destroyed heat sinks = little to no power generated = a won/lost fight, though there is a little luck involved with that for hitting the blocks...

 

[wizardoftrash]

These are blocks that are only visible and intractable in the build mode(like trigger area blocks but cannot be removed/put in astronaut mode). Number of these that need to be put depend upon the reactor size, (1:10 ratio?). If players do not put down sufficient number of these heat sink blocks, its simple- the reactors stops functioning properly.

I have suggested a heatsink block system already where you place visible blocks that "project" an invisible heat dissipation area around them that can be seen when the heatsink group is selected. That way you can still "bury" the heatsinks in such a way that you don't see them while in your ship interior, but they can still be damaged or destroyed to cause a reactor outage.

The current power system allows players to interfere with power regen by damaging the structure of the ship, since the power block groups are so large. If the heatsink group couldn't be damaged, then you could hide your reactor in advanced armor and power generation would be untouchable (not ideal).

I would also imagine that an invisible heatsink block would be difficult to build with and around. Even if they appear solid in the build menu, it would be hard to tell which areas of your ship are actually empty. With a solid heatsink block as I've suggested, the heat area is only visible if the heatsink group is selected, which would make it much easier to "fill" the heat area with other blocks, or to see the actual empty spaces of the ship while building.

 

[Deleted member 678402]

I just want my hecking warp core.