Turreted Railguns

[Mormota (OP)]

I designed a 30 cm railgun but I can't choose it in the turret design screen. Can't railguns be turreted?

[Andrew]

No they cannot.
Gauss weapons, Lasers, Mesons are the only weapons which can be turreted.
(possibly Micorwaves but I have never used them_
Plasma Cannonades, Particle Beams and Railguns are fixed mounts only

[Mormota (OP)]

That severely limits their PD-capability then, sadly.

[Vynadan]

Gauss cannons are pretty much PD railguns, although they require a different tech line (and if it comes down it, are an entirely different weapon technology). If you have a good speed or base tracking, railguns can double as mediocre PD, though.

Microwaves cannot be turreted.

[Steve Walmsley]

That severely limits their PD-capability then, sadly.

Actually railguns are one of the best low tech PD weapons. Their low chance to hit against fast moving targets is outweighed by the fact they fire four shots.

Steve

[Mormota (OP)]

So I suppose for PD duties only, gauss weapons are better. Do gauss weapons have a shorter range, or what makes railguns a competing factor against them, considering gauss weapons don't even need a reactor, hm?

[Steve Walmsley]

So I suppose for PD duties only, gauss weapons are better. Do gauss weapons have a shorter range, or what makes railguns a competing factor against them, considering gauss weapons don't even need a reactor, hm?

Gauss are very short ranged and only cause 1 point of damage. Railguns inflict more damage and can be used in either an anti-ship or anti-missile role, so it depends on the intended role of the ship, your overall fleet doctrine and the comparative level of technology for each system. There are a number of threads discussing the relative merits of the various energy weapons in depth. Those would probably be your best source for the type of information you need.

Steve

[Girlinhat]

Railguns also use kinetic tech, so if you've got a 60% scientist in kinetics and your best in energy is 10% you might want to go for railguns simply for the ease of research.

[Mormota (OP)]

I'm thinking of putting railguns on a FAC, and use it for colony defense. Would that be a viable option?

[TheDeadlyShoe]

Railguns are great on FACs!    But they do require you to close through enemy missile range.  YMMV.