Ship #931: BigUtility. Designer: Lyle

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This topic is for discussion of ship #931: BigUtility


Size: 17x11
Designer: Lyle

Desc:
A densely packed lathe-type ship, this utility vessel is unusually well armed for its role. Designed for duties such as turret and spawn point disabling, it boasts an impressive point defense array, backed by a generous supply of power. This new version adds side armor and lasers to reduce the impact of getting flanked.

This ship was modified on: Apr 02 2017 23:30:09 GMT

[Builder17]

sides need some armor and maybe lasers to make shield more effective?  ???

[agentlyseria]

(OP here)
That is probably true, though I am nervous about making it too wide and therefore difficult to squeeze into dense fleet operations or cramped locations.  Going to need to see it in action.

[agentlyseria]

New version uploaded.  I think it's the best available compromise to limit the impact of getting flanked while still squeezing into fleet formations.

[GoodMorning]

Welcome to the forum.

Nice ship. Especially now that the expensive modules are not toasted by any passing shot.

Do you think it might be more effective to swap out one of the tanks for another guppy?

[agentlyseria]

I've only just discovered the purpose of Reactors.  I'm thinking they'd be a better choice.  I'm planning on updating every one of my designs to include at least 1 reactor, as to lessen the energy requirements of such large and expensive ships.

Testing has proven them to be highly effective, but also very difficult to field.  Also, tough to squeeze in spots at times.

[agentlyseria]

Model revised after playtesting.

Removed: 1 guppy, 1 energy tank.
Added: 2 reactors.

Repositioned shield to be more in the back, and placed the reactors as close to the bridge as possible so they kick in quickly while the ship is being built or repaired.

Playtesting has proven this ship to be seriously effective in its intended role: blowing up particle spawners.

Though they still need support for the particularly vicious ones, the combination of armor and shield on the front of this ship, with three lathe beams, makes short work of many a spawner.

Playtesting has also revealed the previous energy supply efforts to be largely pointless, and wasteful.  This new configuration will tie up the supply less during construction.  It really didn't need this much juice.

[GoodMorning]

This is starting to feel familiar...

Just after release, I built something similar, sans lasers, particle beams and cannons, and with a third Reactor in place of the Discharger. A third engine and a thicker nose, and this would be essentially the same design.