(12-02-2018, 12:40 AM)Minh Wrote: I may sound controversial with the idea: make it the actual gunboat. However, it would have less turrets (4-5), a bit weaker powercore and less base armor, yet it would hold a bit bigger cargo capacity than a typical gunboat (around 700) and better base speed (think Pelican's 100m/s).
Why?
Because it could be a design that initially was supposed to be a cheap, light transport... but someone in the middle of planning decided to adjust the powercore and turn design into more combat capable ship.
Result? A fancy low-cost blockade runner, armed smuggler or convoy raider!
tbh i'd rather see more 3k cargo gunboats in the game like the salvager =P
(12-02-2018, 12:52 AM)Tenacity Wrote: tbh i'd rather see more 3k cargo gunboats in the game like the salvager =P
I think transport-turned-gunboat hybrid with unique cargo capacity but reasonably weaker than a typical gunboat would fit philosophy of the Borderworld line.
Salvager and Raba do not have CDs and are enormous in size, whereas idea I have in mind is being a small multirole ship.
I don't feel like external cargo pods make sense for a mobile smelter. How do you get the smelted metal into them? Makes more sense to rely on internal cargo for that one.
The actual smelter bit of the model is gonna be connected to (and cover parts of) the pods. They won't be hanging out in the open as they currently are. It doesn't make all that much sense, but then again, what in FL does? might as well go with something that has a bit more flavor than the bland ol' box-for-belly mining ship design.
(12-02-2018, 12:40 AM)Minh Wrote:
I may sound controversial with the idea: make it the actual gunboat. However, it would have less turrets (4-5), a bit weaker powercore and less base armor, yet it would hold a bit bigger cargo capacity than a typical gunboat (around 700) and better base speed (think Pelican's 100m/s).
Why?
Because it could be a design that initially was supposed to be a cheap, light transport... but someone in the middle of planning decided to adjust the powercore and turn design into more combat capable ship.
Result? A fancy low-cost blockade runner, armed smuggler or convoy raider!
That's an interesting idea for a hybrid, but unfortunately I feel like it wouldn't really offer much practical use in-game, just like all the other unique and interesting transports that no one uses just because of their triple-digit cargo space. Though, as mentioned in the first post, this ship is going to have a CD mount (which is why, as a drawback, its being pushed more toward the transport end up the hybrid rather than gunboat), so it will still be a viable choice for those less-than-lawful activities you've listed... Just not an absolute tank while doing it.
Going back and making more niche ships to fill the smaller gaps in the lines is of course always an option further down the line, but to get the whole BW trans line started, I feel like sticking to the ship types that offer more universal use could probably work better.
Smelter is very cool and I want to see it finished. Not sure about the frigate's design, usefulness, and I feel we'd rather have a proper Montante replacement instead.
(12-02-2018, 02:03 PM)Durandal Wrote: Not sure about the frigate's design, usefulness, and I feel we'd rather have a proper Montante replacement instead.
BW Gunship & Gunboat is a separate project. The frigate is intended as its own thing and doesn't effect those in any way.
(12-02-2018, 12:39 AM)Kazinsal Wrote: smashes the approve button
HIT THE BUTTON HARDER!!!
Anyway, well, the frigate looks like "what ought happen" would be a BW-Train and a BW-Frigate work together to provide haulage and safety. However, the game mechanics of such things are that Transports are really balanced to lose fights, so I'm back to what Durandal said regarding "what's the point?".
However, I still think that's a sharp looking ship, and really fills out the BW line, which after this, will have the fullest stable of merchant-ships. I think that makes sense, given the setting of the BW line.
edit: uuh..two posts? Not sure how I messed this up.
@aerelm My point was to create a ship that could have great use for pirates as raider or escort to protect 'core' convoy trade ships, yet still able to ship some cargo on their own. Plus, neither Raba nor Salvager have CD slot, rendering them useless as multipurpose ships.