Ulysses Knapse
Nuevo Atlas Corporation
117
   |
Posted - 2013.03.15 22:10:00 -
[1] - Quote
Currently, turrets have a few mildly different variants and strange nomenclature. For example, in EVE, there are three variants for every size class of blaster. Ion, Electron, and Neutron. Electron is the weakest, but fires more rapidly and uses less power and CPU. Neutron is the most powerful, but requires the most amount of power. Ion is middle ground. In Dust, things work a little differently. Standard Blasters are simply labeled "Blaster", Advanced Blasters are "Neutron Blasters" and Prototype Blasters are "Ion Cannons". We need a more standard naming convention, and variants need to be more unique (i.e., not the remotely different variants we currently see). The reason I included the poor naming is because it directly impacts the main suggestion, which is better variants.
In lieu of completely different names, we could give turrets a roman numeral to denote tech status, like in EVE.
For example: 80GJ Ion Blaster II instead of 80GJ Neutron Blaster.
Another problem is the poor variants, as well as the strange blaster conundrum. Instead of Blasters being the way they are now, they can become a weapon with shorter range and slower rate of fire, but with a much more fearsome punch.
Electron Blaster
Essentially the same as current blasters, but with less intensive power requirements and greater falloff (meaning it keeps it's old range, but with reduced power the further the shot travels). Greatest rate of fire and turning speed of all Blasters.
Ion Blaster
Similar to current blasters, but more powerful with less rate of fire. Standard power requirements and little falloff. Least falloff of any Blaster, meaning it retains its effectiveness at longer ranges where other Blasters fall short.
Neutron Blaster
A true heavy hitter. It has the slowest rate of fire but it is also the most powerful. It's rate of fire is equivalent to current railgun turrets of the same size. Greater than average power requirements. At longer ranges it's heavy amount of falloff reduces its effectiveness, but at close range it outclasses Railguns in both damage and turning speed. Highest DPS of all Blasters, but its low rate of fire and turning speed make it less effective against small mobile targets than other Blasters.
Now for the Railguns.
Gauss Cannon
The Gauss Cannon fires slightly more rapidly than other Railguns, but its true shining comes from the fact that it produces the least amount of heat of any Railgun, allowing it to enter extended confrontations without losing damage potential like other Railguns would. It also uses less power requirements than other Railguns. Unfortunately, its DPS is relatively low and it only starts to match other Railguns in long drawn-out conflicts where it can fire far longer without overheating. Its splash damage is also relatively low, which limits the 80GJ Gauss Cannon's anti-infantry capacity (it still does better against them than other Railguns, mind you).
Dual Railgun
The equivalent of the current Railgun. Nothing special.
Heavy Railgun
The Heavy Railgun is a powerhouse. It has incredible range and damage, and has the highest alpha of any turret, whether it be Blaster or Railgun. It also fires the fastest projectile that travels the farthest. Unfortunately, you must make each shot matter, as it fires more slowly and produces heat far faster than other variants. Its DPS is only marginally better than the Dual Railgun, meaning it relies mostly on Alpha Damage and it's incredible range to take down adversaries. Its DPS is lower than that of the Neutron Blaster at close range, and it's tracking speed is even lower, meaning that it is best to remain as far away as possible. It has the highest power requirements of all Railguns. |