RE: Idle Torpedo Thoughts

Well there is a caveat to the more damage more mass idea.  That rule 
should apply when everything else is equal - range, hit probabilities
etc.
If, for instance a system does twice the damage, but has half the range
I'd be willing to let it go for the same mass.	This is currently seen
with
Class 1 Vs Class 3 batteries - you can choose more damage at shorter
ranges and get a limited PDF capability or more range for equal masses.

Perhaps someone is willing to create a formula where you can equate
mass, 
damage, range, hit probabilities, and fire arcs to a set of numbers that
would
allow direct comparison of various weapon systems.  This would probably 
break down when you hit the extremes of the system (light damage at
extreme
ranges or heavy damage at very short ranges) but at least it would give
an idea
if a weapon was balanced compared to the known weapon systems.

--Binhan

-----Original Message-----
From:	Tom McCarthy [SMTP:tmcarth@fox.nstn.ca]
Sent:	Wednesday, May 05, 1999 10:57 AM
To:	gzg-l@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU
Subject:	Re: Idle Torpedo Thoughts

Noam,

I'm a firm believer that MASS is a more serious design restriction than
points.  I think if the 3-torp or 6-torp does more damage per MASS, then
it's the better weapon, no questions asked.

To that end, I might be tempted to make the 3-torp do 1 damage on a 1-5,
2
damage on a 6.	Different mechanic, same damage.  If you opt for more
damage, increase the MASS.

The 6-torp is interesting.  I don't think I'd give it PDS ability, and I
think MASS would have to be up around 7 for one arc and 2 MASS per extra
arc.