POLL - Are some weapons techs too cheap

[Slynky]

Actually, not sure it's a blanket problem. Some weapon tech I never research (I don't think it's worth it). On the other hand, I think PPBs are too cheap. You can actually use them effectively the entire game and it takes quite a bit of research to get the shields to effectively stop them. So, in that respect, PPBs are too cheap.

IMHO, of course...

[oleg]

I think most people here agree that SEIV is not well balanced. PPB issue has been discussed much more thoroughly than Irag war
Still, it is MM' opinion only that trully matter.
No poll can change it

[Cyrien]

Actually the poll can change it... if it becomes a MOD!

The best thing about SE4 is that it isn't just MM's opinion that matters.

[oleg]

Originally posted by Cyrien:
Actually the poll can change it... if it becomes a MOD!

The best thing about SE4 is that it isn't just MM's opinion that matters.

Sure, that' why I did't play unmoded (one way or another) SE for well, .. all 3 years

[Grandpa Kim]

Actually it's the research cost progression that's a problem.

Your initial research for APB I should be quite pricey, but once your have the initial design, improvement to APB II, APB III should be comparatively cheap. You could address this by putting an intermediate prerequisite between the theoretical sciences and the weaponry.

For instance:

Physics I (50000) > Basic Energy Stream Weapon Design (100000) > Energy Stream Weapons (10000)

Physics would remain the same. Basic ESW Design would give you APB I. Energy Stream Weapons would give you APB II and beyond.

Correction! : Physics would change in that researching it would not give you ESW, but instead, Basic ESW Design.

[ November 01, 2003, 16:45: Message edited by: Grandpa Kim ]

[Suicide Junkie]

The biggest problem with that is you'll never use PPB2.
Once you've gotten over that 100k barrier, you'll fly through the levels

It wouldn't be as much a problem if all the weapon tech areas ran out to 20 or 30 levels with diminishing returns, though

[Fyron]

Some 5000 point techs should remain at 5000, like the ones that require no prereqs or even those that just require one level of a 50k prereq. But those that require more than that should be more expensive, though not all to the same degree. Phased Energy Weapons might stand to cost 10-15k, while Null-Space might stand to cost 20-25k. It all depends on how much theoretical tech research must be done first. The more of it, the more likely you can just max out the weapon (or other) tech quickly.