Quote from: TikTokToe on August 11, 2021, 06:57:35 PMPerhaps what you see is based on technology. Just like actual seeing, there is much we don't see. I might then be encouraged to revisit places after I reach a sufficient technological advancement.
Quote from: Konstantine on August 04, 2021, 05:02:27 PMQuote from: Got_Donuts on July 20, 2021, 09:10:10 PMHad an idea while driving the big rig today, maybe a weapon used by the scrapper faction. Some kind of grappling hook to help them attach and pin down floating debris, or other ships. Would make them an easy target though too as it would kind of lock both ships into each other. No idea how feasible this would be or if it would even be a good idea lmao.Sorry I'm still getting used to your forum software, what I wanted to quote was you desiring to keep weapons realistic.
I got to play a sim back when PCs were the size of a closet, it centered around combat within the system with realistic tech and capabilities.
While I found it exciting, it was a different time, and the excitement came more from being able to experience something most people could not back then, not so much the combat itself. To make a long story short, we were exclusively firing missiles at each other with nuclear warheads. In space, they don'y have the damage output most people would think.
As a starting weapon, I would think some kind of missile is a must, but you will need more.
You expressed a desire to stay clear of lasers, I kind of agree as they would not be what we see in sci-fi movies. The beam itself would hold little destructive power and could be negated rather easily (IRL).
Charged particle beams on the other hand may work. Here the laser would act as a containment field so that the beam does not lose cohesion, and you could get some good offensive power, (a basic explanation I know, but it should suffice). Electron beams, Proton beams, etc, these would qualify. You could also make something up or just leave it generic without a qualifier.
Finally you can go with something Kinetic, anything from actual space borne artillery to mass drivers/rail guns. These may be handy for shorter range types of weapons.
Anyway, there are many options available that would be interesting and believable, options where someone could claim 'we can do that now" (or the very near future).
Is this the effect you are going for with weapons?
P.S.
Grappling hooks, cables, or even nets would be workable, but not as a primary weapon IMO, they could be the equivalent of tractor beams.
Edit
Even basic weaponry such as this could include qualifiers and modifications, for example
Missiles would be highly destructive, but a limited resource as they take up space
Artillery could be ballistic, meaning a dumb projectile intended to pierce a hull without exploding (thus decompressing the target and making boarding easier), or explosive to cause maximum damage. Again ammo may be introduced here but at a higher level than missiles
Rail guns/mass drivers could be a shorter range weapon requiring some energy to fire
Charged particle beams would require no ammo, but a lot of reactor energy to use.
Realistically, even "basic" low tech weapons such as these could offer a lot of variety and options to game play.
Quote from: Got_Donuts on October 16, 2022, 02:10:50 AMQuick question when it relates to the hull, would it be possible to have multiple segments separate from one another? Or will everything have to setup to be a singular ship? Just curious really.