Interesting, even those that have harped about getting back on topic haven’t. The original poster made an oblique request for ballistic rockets with strong warheads. Rockets being unguided and missiles being guided, yes this is correct military terminology. This quickly devolved into at least 2 separate, but related, discussions viable fighter beam weapons and beam weapons that require ammunition.
I think that it’s been adequately demonstrated that the current game does have viable beam weapons for fighters. As long as so care is taken when designing the beam and the supporting power plant. There is room here for expanding some hanger bay functionality to allow for the recharge of beam capacitors thus allowing the removal of power plants from fighters at the player’s discretion. Something along the lines used in SFB for recharge of fighters armed with heavy weapons (fusion beams, photon torpedoes, disrupters, etc)
On the other hand, it does not look like a game benefit has been found, outside of role-playing, for ammunition being required for any beam weapon. At least not in light of the existing beam capabilities. (ie ballistic rockets add very little to the game for the effort to implement)
On the gripping hand, no one described how the close assault missile can be designed an implemented within the current game structure, it’s actually quite easy. Use the same principals that have been described in the past for point defense counter missiles, missile size points (MSP) can be used to 3 decimal places. The player does need to research higher levels of missile warhead strength as well as better engine technology. Select .001 for fuel capacity, this is the absolute minimum I’ve been able to make function. Adjust warhead strength to desired yield and then adjust engine power to missile size class desired. Remember that the game will not allow a sub-size 1 missile. The resulting missile with only effectively have a 5 second fight time. This also means that counter missiles or point defense because of the sequence of play cannot intercept it. While this is not exactly what the original poster asked for, it is in my opinion close the the spirit of the request.
