Posted by: Charlie Beeler
« on: March 07, 2013, 07:58:54 AM »I would not put too much stock into the various comments about range.
First, because the main limiter on range is the beam fire control not the weapons mounts. Gauss Cannons being a notable exception.
Second, through the first couple of tech levels both Particle Beams and Plasma Carronades out range Lasers. And until the Lasers reach fourth level tech a roughly equal research effort in Plasma Carronades have the greater absolute range. (see above about BFC's limiting actual engagement range)
In all cases, with the notable exception of Particle Beams (technically also Meson Cannon and High Powered Microwave) , damage potential falls off very quickly past point blank ranges.
It should also be noted that Gauss Cannon and Railguns are researched through the Missile/Kinetic Weapons track and not Energy Weapons.
As well it should be noted that Cyclic Rate of Fire is controlled by Capacitor tech researched through the Power and Propulsion tech track. Here the notable exception is Gauss Cannons which have a fixed cyclic rate of 5 seconds.
First, because the main limiter on range is the beam fire control not the weapons mounts. Gauss Cannons being a notable exception.
Second, through the first couple of tech levels both Particle Beams and Plasma Carronades out range Lasers. And until the Lasers reach fourth level tech a roughly equal research effort in Plasma Carronades have the greater absolute range. (see above about BFC's limiting actual engagement range)
In all cases, with the notable exception of Particle Beams (technically also Meson Cannon and High Powered Microwave) , damage potential falls off very quickly past point blank ranges.
It should also be noted that Gauss Cannon and Railguns are researched through the Missile/Kinetic Weapons track and not Energy Weapons.
As well it should be noted that Cyclic Rate of Fire is controlled by Capacitor tech researched through the Power and Propulsion tech track. Here the notable exception is Gauss Cannons which have a fixed cyclic rate of 5 seconds.