Have we stopped to think about the fundamentals of what Orbital Defenses should be? Why would you build a defense platform with just one weapon system on it? If you have multiple platforms, but each only has one kind of weapon, then you lose a weapon system entirely if one goes down. However, if you mount all three weapons onto each platform, albeit in lower strengths, you can consistently put a presence against any opponent that comes after you. And in reality, torpedoes and attack craft are the best form of planetary defense. Your opponent must come towards the planet, so the best way to disrupt the enemy on the way in is to fire torpedoes escorted by fighters. This will do one of two things: 1. Completely disrupt the rythm of the attacker as he avoids the torpedo waves and, 2. Likely be taking damage on the way in. After this, I would rank WB's as the next important weapon as most targets would be naturally closing against you at the 60cm range bracket (for those about to say this isn't always true, may I remind you their are ususally turn limits on games that make it more difficult to take the time to line up a platform abeam of you).
This is how I have done my platforms. I have not assigned points values as of yet:
Light Platform
Same core stats (Armor, hits, shields, etc.) and all weapons fire all around.
4 Torpedoes
2 Weapons Batteries @60cm
1 Lance @30cm
Heavy Platform (edit note: I had extra turrets and wanted to use them, lol)
Same core stats and all weapons fire all around.
4 Torpedoes
4 Weapons Batteries @60cm
2 Lances @30cm
This makes MUCH more sense to me than having a platform with just one weapon system that can find itself useless depending on the enemy engaging it.
After examining the Space Station model that GW produces, I don't think the stats in the Blue Book represent the model well at all. So I propose we look at the model and do a true redesign. I've thought about making using the quadrant idea the Ramilies uses to do the Station. Tentatively, this is what I've thought up.
Each Quadrant has:
4 Hits, 2 shields, 5+ armor, 2 turrets (quadrants may combine turret strength)
6 Weapons Batteries @60cm
2 Lances @30cm
I don't see anything on the GW model to represent Launch Bays so I was willing to drop them from my stats. I think this presents a tougher target to finish off, but keeps it balanced in terms of outgoing firepower. Again, I haven't assigned actual points totals.
Thoughts?
-Zhukov
