Re: Armour generator

From: Jaime Tiampo <fugu@spikyfishthing.com>

Sorry for the stomping...

> Lets say each level @ 5% ship mass.
> Each level creates 5 armour points.
> Armour absorbs all damage

This is _far_ better than level 1 screens, which stop 1/6 of beam damage
only. It is far better than regular armour (even shell armour), as
nothing
(rerolls, torp damage, K-guns) penetrates. It has the additional balance
problem of being "kinetic" armor on top of the beam protection. Cost
would
have to be _very_ high - _minimum_ 10 pts/mass, probably more, since the
armour is more than 5x as effective as regular armor.

> Once armour is gone generator takes threshold check @ 5+

This is another _advantage_ of the Armour generator, since regular arour
has
_no_ chance of regeneration after it is all crossed off.

> Armour regenerates during repair phase @ 1 point per level

Another +2 or 3 pts/mass

>Generator can be targeted by needle beams
>While armour up needle beams cam only target generator

Small, but significant bonus depending on oppnent. +1-+5/Mass -
scenario/Genre dependent.

> Generator takes thresholds like normal system
> If repaired armour regenerates as normal that turn

> This system is more cost effective for small ships and less for large
> ones. Should make smaller ships harder to kill and more usefull.

_Far_ more cost effective. The NSL would rule space with this system:
A Waldburg replacing its 3 Armour with Armour Generators (10% of hull)
would, for the same mass, be able to take 10 points of damage before
even
scratching the hull. Even at a cost of 20/mass its cheap.

A Kornprinz Wilhelm could trade its 5 armour for 1 Generator, save 2
mass
for additional weapons or hull. and get better protection for a bargain
price.

pretty much everything under Heavy Cruiser  class would improve unduly
from
this system. A swarm of Falkes or Stroschen, each with 5 pts of
all-absorbing armour is the illogical extreme.

Noam