New Unit Idea |
I always wanted to add a new unit type to SE4, the Mini-Drone. Similar to the buzzbots from revenge of the sith, and the leeches from homeworld cataclysm (or hive drones). These mini fighters can not move strategically, and don't do much damage, but there's a lot of them and they're hard to hit. Weighing in at only 1kt, I can now make components that are 0.2kt for these guys. If the community supports this idea, I will add it to the Quantum Mod. Keep in mind however, that these guys are not completely autonomous... They require a control module (hanger bay) but it can only support so many mini-drones at once (only 1 bay per ship) 10 drones first level + 4 next level...
I am uncertain why this
I am uncertain why this would be distinct from missiles. Drones are already pretty blurry, being that they seem to be nothing more than large missiles. At present it is purposeless to put anything on them other than engines, a few armor plates, and warheads, seeing as regardless of what you put on them, they instantly die anyway.
Swarm Tactics
I remember reading a novel somewhere that discussed the use of exactly that type of technology to overwhelm the defenses of a well armed attacker. In minor numbers they are useless but because they are cheap if you hit something with 500 or 1000 it stands no chance. Had considered scripting a new AI that would basically mimic this type of behavior kind of like a space monster or the Swarm races in other 4X games....




Seem interesting...
But i wonder if we need something else to spam the battlefield. Besides, what kind of damage 1kt drone can do? Surely you would not make them as damaging as fighter weapons? If so, they would be completly ineffective against emissive armor equiped ships...