Beam-Armed Mines

[HaliRyan (OP)]

So I've recently started a new game and I've decided I want to try to go it without missiles. One of the problems I've run into is that it doesn't seem to be possible to build a mine armed with a beam weapon rather than missile sub-munitions. Is this really the case or am I missing something?

[Charlie Beeler]

Your not missing anything.

[HaliRyan (OP)]

 

[Thiosk]

For this i'd use an engineless drone spacecraft armed with a couple beams.  Yeah, you've got to tug them all to position, and yeah you have to train them and worry about their maintenance, but hey, at least you can stick beamythings at warp points.

[Ashery]

Or just rely purely on sensor buoys. Yea, you won't do any damage, but if you put'em a system or two out from your core systems, you'll have some time to get your fleets in place.

[HaliRyan (OP)]

Yeah, I'm aware of all the alternatives I think. I was just really hoping for a 1-shot laser-mine.

[Texashawk]

On this general topic, is is possible to simulate the 'bomb-pumped laserheads' used on missiles in the Honorverse?

[Erik L]

On this general topic, is is possible to simulate the 'bomb-pumped laserheads' used on missiles in the Honorverse?

Not sure if they are still in, but you can make laser warhead missiles in previous versions. I'm not sure how well they worked (if at all).

[Deutschbag]

They are in. I've never used them, so I don't know how well/if they work, but you're welcome to try them and report back with your findings!

[Texashawk]

I see the option, but it's grayed out on the missile design screen. Do you need a specific tech(s)?

[Brian Neumann]

I see the option, but it's grayed out on the missile design screen. Do you need a specific tech(s)?

Yes and the prerequisite is a laser tech.  IIRC it is either x-ray or soft x-ray laser as the range multiplier.

Brian

[Steve Walmsley]

TBH, I have no idea if the laser warheads work

They were something I started working on and left in by accident but I don't recall ever testing them. When I get around to them in Newtonian Aurora, I will also make sure they work in standard Aurora as well.

Steve

[Mel Vixen]

While you are at it can we get bomb pumped neutron lasers? A high radiation laser should do the trick with the effect of killing a ships crew.

[Naismith]

From my quick testing it looks like:
Laser warheads split damage into several small chunks, one per space of warhead.
Warhead strength uses the laser warhead tech not the regular warhead tech.
Each chunk has an individual chance to hit, and uses the missile damage template.
Missiles with laser warheads bypass final defense.

My testing wasn't thorough so some of that may be wrong.

[wedgebert]

While you are at it can we get bomb pumped neutron lasers? A high radiation laser should do the trick with the effect of killing a ships crew.

That would be a particle beam, and neutrons are stopped by the ship's armor, otherwise the first direct hit from a missile would irradiate the entire ship.