Aurora 4x
New Players => The Academy => Topic started by: welchbloke on December 17, 2008, 02:36:12 PM
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I've found a way to use Aurora on my Vista laptop and I'm in the progress of creating my first race for some time (last time I used Aurora was before V2.0 I think). Could someone explain what EM sensors and Thermal sensors are useful for please? I've read the topics on Search and FC sensors and I'm happy with them; I'm not sure I understand what EM and thermal sensors would be used for.
Welchbloke
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Both are passive detection systems. Thermal basicly detects active engines, while EM basicly detects active sensors and shields. IIRC colonies also produce detectable thermal and em imissions.
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OK thanks very much,
Are either considerecd essential? I can see some uility for the Thermal Sensors allowing ships a limited detection capability without going active.
Welchbloke
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If I recall, colonies generate a larger EM signature than thermal.
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You are correct; I have checked my new race's capital and they are generating an EM signature more than 3 times greater than their thermal signature. So I guess EM sensors might have some use in determining if a system is colonised.
Welchbloke
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You are correct; I have checked my new race's capital and they are generating an EM signature more than 3 times greater than their thermal signature. So I guess EM sensors might have some use in determining if a system is colonised.
Welchbloke
Also em sensors can detect active grav sensors and shields. If close enough they will tell you the shield strength of a ship. I think they also can detect beam weapon fire control, but I am not sure of that.
Brian
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OK thanks very much,
Are either considerecd essential? I can see some uility for the Thermal Sensors allowing ships a limited detection capability without going active.
Welchbloke
Are they essential? Of course they are!
The situation in Aurora (as I see it as a newby) is very likely to todays submarines. Yes, you can go active and see the enemy, if he is in range, but any enemy with passives within 10x that range will see *you* once you do this
You can also build missiles with thermal or EM seeking warheads, so you could be blown away without ever knowing you´re under attack.
Flying around with active sensors all the time is not something I would recomend!
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OK thanks very much,
Are either considerecd essential? I can see some uility for the Thermal Sensors allowing ships a limited detection capability without going active.
Welchbloke
Depends on how you define 'essential'. Too the overall game I do consider them essential.
Does every ship need a set? That depends on how you want your fleet(s) to operate. I've had races that absolutely require them, at some size, on every ship. While others have them resetricted to fleet scouts, explorers, and large combat platforms. And a few mixes in between as well. Usually I make sure that ships intended for idependent operations have them.
Best advise is to play around with different ideas until you find a setup you like.
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Thanks for all the replies; as Charlie suggests I'll play around with them until I get a combination and setup I like.
Welchbloke
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OK thanks very much,
Are either considerecd essential? I can see some uility for the Thermal Sensors allowing ships a limited detection capability without going active.
Welchbloke
Are they essential? Of course they are!
The situation in Aurora (as I see it as a newby) is very likely to todays submarines. Yes, you can go active and see the enemy, if he is in range, but any enemy with passives within 10x that range will see *you* once you do this
You can also build missiles with thermal or EM seeking warheads, so you could be blown away without ever knowing you´re under attack.
Flying around with active sensors all the time is not something I would recomend!
Yeah that was the way I saw it, but I've read a lot of David Weber's books and maybe my ideal of space combat has been colored by it.