I'm trying to get a handle on sensors... what kind to use, and in what situation. I'm only in my first game (version 5.02), an extension of the Tutorial using
Steve's Tutorials. I'm using this game to learn the game mechanics.
A quick summary of Sensors:
- EM Sensors: Detect shields, planets, and active sensors from other ships.
- Components: EM Sensor Sensitivity, Total Sensor Size, Hardening
- Sensor Range = (GPS value or EM Signature of target) x EM Sensor Sensitivity x Sensor Size x 1000km
- Thermal Sensors: Detect Thermal signatures from planets and ships.
- Components: Thermal Sensor Sensitivity, Total Sensor Size, Hardening
- Sensor Range = Thermal signature of target x Thermal Sensor Sensitivity x Sensor Size x 1000km
- Active Sensors: Detect targets and provide guidance for missiles.
- Components: Active Sensor Strength, EM Sensor Sensitivity, Antenna Size, Minimum Resolution, Hardening
- Sensor Range = Active Sensor Strength x Sensor Size x Sensor Resolution x (EM Sensitivity/10) x 10,000km
For roleplaying purposes, assume "we don't know if another race of beings is out there, but if there isn't, it's an awfully big waste of space." And based on most first contact situations on Earth, and how those turned out, assume NPRs aren't friendly.
Active vs. Passive: I'm wondering why, in the Tutorial
Part 4: Basic Class Design, Steve has the user place an Active Sensor on the Gravitational and Geological Survey ships:
In this case, we want a general search sensor so lets stick with resolution 100. If we encounter an enemy that likes to design ships of 4000 tons or 6000 tons we can modify future sensor designs to take the best advantage of an appropriate resolution (80 or 120).
I haven't read anything that says a Geological or Gravitational Sensor requires an Active Sensor to work, and the statement above seems to imply the sensor is for detecting other ships, so let's assume that's what the sensor is for. However, other articles/threads indicate it's not a good idea to leave active sensors on, because you can be detected by opposing EM Sensors. So assuming you aren't leaving the sensor on, because you don't want to be detected by an enemy (because your survey ship has no offensive or defensive capabilities), wouldn't it be better to use an EM and/or Thermal Sensor instead of an Active Sensor? And if I only picked one, I'd probably go with Thermal as the EM would only pick up NPR ships if they had shields or were using Active Sensors.
I realize there are probably multiple reasons for using any particular item, and I'm just trying to understand the "why" of this sensor usage. Perhaps it's due to range? Of course, sensing a planet would be much easier than sensing a ship, and wouldn't require an active ping.