So I've been thinking, and it seems like there is a way to make Aux reactors more interesting.
Right now, Aux reactors store power like a battery, releasing it quickly once the reactor is turned on. Personally I can't say I've ever been in a situation where a 5-7 second infusion of stored power would help that much.
What if, instead of just releasing that power to the main power grid, that stored power was released as a "buff" to any system in need of charging? Like lets say you are in battle; Your shields are getting low and your jump drive is at 0. You turn your aux reactor on and stored power is dumped directly into those two systems, giving a shield boost, and a jump-start on your jump drive charge.
I'd also say that to keep people from just constantly charging and dumping, there should be a fairly long recovery time (1 minute?) from the time an aux reactor is turned off, until it begins to charge stored energy.
This might make Aux reactors more appealing to smaller ships too. A smaller ship would probably benefit greatly from an ability to boost shields long enough to escape uneven combat.
Right now, Aux reactors store power like a battery, releasing it quickly once the reactor is turned on. Personally I can't say I've ever been in a situation where a 5-7 second infusion of stored power would help that much.
What if, instead of just releasing that power to the main power grid, that stored power was released as a "buff" to any system in need of charging? Like lets say you are in battle; Your shields are getting low and your jump drive is at 0. You turn your aux reactor on and stored power is dumped directly into those two systems, giving a shield boost, and a jump-start on your jump drive charge.
I'd also say that to keep people from just constantly charging and dumping, there should be a fairly long recovery time (1 minute?) from the time an aux reactor is turned off, until it begins to charge stored energy.
This might make Aux reactors more appealing to smaller ships too. A smaller ship would probably benefit greatly from an ability to boost shields long enough to escape uneven combat.
