overview - it is my personal belief that if CCP is going to keep the ammunition in turrets unlimited, the same rule should apply to projectile turrets, and i have a few ideas on different variants for CCP's consideration. the artillery and autocannons should come in small and large sizes (unless the CCP overlords deem otherwise)
1. Autocannons - i actually rather enjoy the mechanics of the HMG and i would LOVE to see this carried over to autocannon turrets. namely, give them heat bars similar to railgun/blaster turrets, but also include magazines. i believe this would add an element of realism as gunners would need to "reload" before/inbetween engagements. now, some may think that with a mag capacity mechanic, there would be no need to have overheating a danger, but i think that heat presents another tactical element that would just be plain cool to have. so autocannon mechanics summed up; magazing capacity requiring reloads, the ability to reload partial magsin between fights, overheating to prevent sustained fire, and in keeping with current turrets, unlimited ammo. gotta love them nanites
variants - again, being a fan of the HMG mechanics, i like the ideas presented in;
"standard" - self explanitory
"burst" - MUCH higher ROF, but also, much increased heat generation.
"scout" - increased range and zoom fidelity (shh, i copied blasters here)
2. Artillery - My thoughts on arty are that they should be single-shot weapons with devestating potential, but a reload period between shots. again, unlimited ammo because nanites are awsome. one more thing, ive seen alot of threads about the "lack of" balistic drop, and i think this is actually a good this in this instance, i mean, were running around with shielded suits spewing all matter of futureistic weaponry, shouldnt projectiles be advanced enough to not have balistic drop within any distances we'll be fighting at (if you NEED an excuse, call them "rocket assisted" shells)
variants - if your not sure what this word means by now, go buy a dictionary
"standard" - single-shot, reload between shells
"volley" - my thoughts on this are to actually have a 4-5 round drum with lessened damage to compensate (i would like to think that the drum would work similar to autocannon mechanics being that it has a mag capacity and the ability to reload partial drums, but believe that it should be without a heat bar as the drum should be small enough to technically not over heat the barrel)
"scout" - faster velocity shells, dampened damage
"slug" - low velocity high damage rounds
3. Mass Driver - and this is where i lose all respect from my audience, but i actually like this idea, so im gonna post it anyway. my thoughts on a massdriver turret is that it come in one size only, LARGE. it is a semiautomatic grenade launcher mounted on a tank that uses balistic trajectory to shoot over hills and obstructions. It should also retain the "drum" concept and require reloading, with the ability to reload partial drums just like the arty and autocannons. Now, before everyone cries about that being absolutely broken, im perfectly ok with this being a low damage weapon, the priniciple behind it is that it is a mid range infantry support weapon. i dont have any specifics on damage/blast radius numbers, but i rather enjoy the principle behind the idea of the weapon and believe that it would be a fun addition to vehicular warfare
sidenote - for those responding to these thoughts, please refrain from "this is so broke or that is so broke" and instead try to think in terms of balance. what should have more damage, what should have less? what mechanical elements should be added/removed from