Aurora 4x

New Players => The Academy => Topic started by: Mormota on December 10, 2011, 09:55:32 AM

Title: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Mormota on December 10, 2011, 09:55:32 AM
I designed a 30 cm railgun but I can't choose it in the turret design screen. Can't railguns be turreted?
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Andrew on December 10, 2011, 10:00:48 AM
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
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Mormota on December 10, 2011, 10:29:42 AM
That severely limits their PD-capability then, sadly.
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Vynadan on December 10, 2011, 11:00:17 AM
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.
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 10, 2011, 11:19:31 AM
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
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Mormota on December 10, 2011, 11:55:37 AM
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?
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 10, 2011, 12:09:36 PM
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
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Girlinhat on December 10, 2011, 08:18:58 PM
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.
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: Mormota on December 11, 2011, 04:23:53 AM
I'm thinking of putting railguns on a FAC, and use it for colony defense. Would that be a viable option?
Title: Re: Turreted Railguns
Post by: TheDeadlyShoe on December 11, 2011, 04:57:13 AM
Railguns are great on FACs!    But they do require you to close through enemy missile range.  YMMV.