Tinkerbells black rhino actually gave me a few ideas regarding a shipclass which would give a more smooth way to go from a bomber to a gunship.
An overgrown ship with up to 10 to 12 fighter turret mounts (class 5) with that, comes a freighter shield (class 6) and enough cargo to mount a cap 2 armor.
The turn rate would be that of a fat bomber and, maybe, put to use the still unused turret class 6. The damage would be between a 4.00 fighter gun and a 4.00 gunboat gun. A missile for this would be a damage that of a, say, sidewinder. Again, same power use not to allow spam and so on.
It is just a small idea, that's all. So, do shoot it down.
I saw the Black Rhino and I'm thoroughly impressed with it. there could be crosses, like Heavy Bombers or Light Gunboats (the transitional class if you will). finally give use to those class 6 turrets too...
(although, I was thinking of suggesting that regular transports convert over to class 6 while the Liners get the class 7 (Transport Turret Class 6, Liner Turrets/Missiles Class 7))
I vote an extremely enthusiastic YUS!
They would make the most perfect and sensible pirate craft. They'd have the armor and firepower to pose a significant threat to shipping, but not Naval craft, like it should be. Also, escorts would become a useful thing!
Sounds like a really great Idea.
Could have a heavy bomber which comes with a Forward SNAC sort of gun but more powerful.
(Maybe takes 3/4 power so it cant be super-spammed)
It would be easier to shoot down though becasue of size.
' Wrote:I vote an extremely enthusiastic YUS!
They would make the most perfect and sensible pirate craft. They'd have the armor and firepower to pose a significant threat to shipping, but not Naval craft, like it should be. Also, escorts would become a useful thing!
That was part of my point with the Black Rhino--its not going to take down a gunboat or cap ship of anykind and still has a freighter shield to boot.
Yes I like the idea of classifying them as "Corvettes" but I would rather see a "Frigate" to bridge the gap between Gunboats and Cruisers.
that too powerful in numbers...
12 lvl5 fighterturrets along with freighter shields - and i guess smaller than a gunboat / as large as a SHF = waaay too much dps.
of course such a ship cannot have torpedo slot, cause if it had - it could fire a supernova ( with the powerplant required to fire 12 turrets even slightly efficiently )
so far - i m not at all convined by the concept.
obviously this is a work in progress
granted there probably should not be a torpedo slot, limiting this class to antifighter duty.... instead of 12 turrets maybe something more reasonable like 8-10....... Like a combat oriented Camara ?
' Wrote:that too powerful in numbers...
12 lvl5 fighterturrets along with freighter shields - and i guess smaller than a gunboat / as large as a SHF = waaay too much dps.
of course such a ship cannot have torpedo slot, cause if it had - it could fire a supernova ( with the powerplant required to fire 12 turrets even slightly efficiently )
so far - i m not at all convined by the concept.
That's why I only put a cd on it and considerd not having that as neither original ship did. I also omitted mine droppers for the same reason. One thing I had considered was dropping the four "inside turrets and using the mounts for "hull bracing" jousts. Then you would be down to eight guns--which is essentially a less maneuverable fighter--not the goal. It compares quite well as presented to the Spatial. Cut the hull in half and you have a pretty good ship--if maneuverability is retained.
My father flew a B-25J gunship in WWII. He flew "skip bombing" missions from Okinawa and had eighteen forward firing 50 caliber gun he could sync and fire from a single button on the stick. This was along the same line.
There are a lot of designs Freelancer and Discovery have overlooked that exist in real life. Niche ships, hybrids, etc. that are commonplace or of exceptional note in hostory. I think we try to play it too safe sometimes instead of taking some chances. It's a balance.