Zat Earthshatter
Ghosts Of Ourselves
364
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Posted - 2013.09.30 10:07:00 -
[1] - Quote
I've suggested using the Plasma Cannon as a mortar before, but I lost the thread I posted it in - so i'll give you the whole thing here.
Lore Issue
As a giant blaster, the PC is by nature a short-range weapon, and as-is wouldn't have the range to act as an artillery device.
For my solution, notice how you reload a plasma canister into the weapon,. A secondary Mortar firing mode would act as a coilgun to fire the entire canister, which would then burst heated plasma on impact.
Targeting
We have a few options here, and most have been used in other games before.
>Map-Pointer. Pointer on a map to adjust impact point with. Personally, I think this is more suited to a Caldari missile system than a mortar.
>Ironsight Targeting. A leaf sight that is used to indicate the range of the shot, requiring some skill to use accurately.
>Power-Charge. Holding the fire button launches the canister farther. This might fit in with the "coilgun" firing mechanism, so it is a strong possibility.
>Map-Sight. Pulls up a map on the weapon, but aims the same way Ironsight Targeting does. A more user-friendly way of manually aiming an indirect-fire weapon.
Race-based targeting. Different targeting systems for different races depending on the weapon type.
Racial Variants
Why do the Gallente have all the fun? I'll also list the targeting method that would go best with each racial type.
>Caldari: Infantry Ballistic Missile (IBM) - The soldier carries a lightweight launchpad and CPU, but is weighed down by the missile ammo. Precision comes at the cost of damage and firing speed. Fits with Map-Sight and/or Map-Pointer targeting.
>Gallente: existing PC with Mortar fire mode. Best supports Power-Charge targeting.
>Minmatar: existing MD with new firing mode. Fires entire clip at target, but shooter is stuck in place while doing so. Best supports Ironsight targeting, but can be modified for Map-Sight targeting.
>Amarr: Unidentified Clone-Frying Object (UFO) - sends out a hovering disc that uses capacitors combined with solar energy to blast the target zone with a heavy laser. Variants either fire one massive pulse with a long mid-air charge or rapid-fire smaller shots. Disc can be destroyed before it fully charges mid-air. Appears to only be compatible with Map-Pointer targeting. May auto-lock enemies in its targeting zone upon reaching destination |