[MOD TC/AP] Combat Mod 4 - v4.16 17/06/13 - AP 3.0 Compatibility

[paulwheeler]

If I had to choose between a non-bugged version of the iond and the ability to stun space flies, I know which I'd choose.

The iond is spawned by ai ships fairly often - especially pirates. In big battles it kills fps and renders missiles useless.

Really - space flies...? Who cares...?

[builder680]

If I had to choose between a non-bugged version of the iond and the ability to stun space flies, I know which I'd choose.

The iond is spawned by ai ships fairly often - especially pirates. In big battles it kills fps and renders missiles useless.

Really - space flies...? Who cares...?

Me! They're cute! Thanks Osiris, I found some!

[ external image ]

Just kidding, let em be just for show as far as I'm concerned. Like you, I'd much prefer the benefits of changing the IonD.

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

If I had to choose between a non-bugged version of the iond and the ability to stun space flies, I know which I'd choose.

The iond is spawned by ai ships fairly often - especially pirates. In big battles it kills fps and renders missiles useless.

Really - space flies...? Who cares...?

Simple answer, is to use EES to control what ships spawn what weapons (as of the current release it even applies to mission spawned ships - well those that use the OBS anyway).

Also if you create a cheaper/equally-priced weapon of the same mount type later in the TFile it will be picked instead of the earlier weapon by the default weapon spawning algorithms. This I discovered during the development of AWRM.

EDIT: I must empasise that I am not bothered either way myself, but was simply highlighting a potentially unintended consequence of doing what you are suggesting. (since you asked for people's opinions )

[paulwheeler]

I guess I could add a new weapon which would be the old iond called something like "spacefly stun gun" on the special subtype for those poachers among you who want to hunt poor, defenseless spaceflies....

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

I guess I could add a new weapon which would be the old iond called something like "spacefly stun gun" on the special subtype for those poachers among you who want to hunt poor, defenseless spaceflies....

It may be necessary to do it the other way round, as it could be one of those hard coded things (MDS and Tractor Beam seem to have a hard-coded capability mapping so it could be the same with the IonD - would not put it past them being TLaser index dependent)

[TrixX]

You could give the IRE a use and make it a spacefly stun gun

[HotSake]

Again, I have to ask if we know why the IonD is such an FPS-killer. It occupies a unique niche with its chaining ability, and I'd prefer a solution that retains that if at all possible.

[Sn4kemaster]

Again, I have to ask if we know why the IonD is such an FPS-killer. It occupies a unique niche with its chaining ability, and I'd prefer a solution that retains that if at all possible.

I tend to agree with you on this one, its different and unique...... and it would be a shame to loose it....although the bug of it going invisible when you fire more than 1 is a killer.

Although i like the ability that its certain death for missiles, as its a Boron weapon and in most mods they don't even have any missile ships so it kind of levels the playing field, and i do like the fact when its mixed in with Flak it actually piggy backs off the back of the flak explosions and jumps to double the range.

But im not against laser gun that does only shield damage at all, and it would be good to fit to some fighters for boarding operations, if its decided to go down this route one ability that i would like to see kept, is the random chance of destroying equipment on board targeted ships......just adds some flavor and can sometimes be the only way to get rid of ships defenses.

[Mizuchi]

I guess I could add a new weapon which would be the old iond called something like "spacefly stun gun" on the special subtype for those poachers among you who want to hunt poor, defenseless spaceflies....

The thing is, if you add a new weapon that is the old ION-D, then... you're kind of defeating the point of just removing it to begin with.

I sincerely doubt you're going to find yourself with pages of angry comments from dedicated spacefly hunters who have had their game RUINED by CMOD, anyhow, and who now hate you forever and ever and ever so there.

[paulwheeler]

I believe the FPS issue with the iond is due to the fact that it is a straight port from x2.

In x2 ships only had a handful of gun mounts. In TC when only one iond fires its fine. The iond seems to have problems when there are several of them firing at once - the graphics become corrupted and the fps is hit hard and it's probably caused by the chaining effect. The way the iond chains is nothing to do with the model itself, but with the zigzag flag, which, just like beams, is hard coded so there's not much that can be done.

[Osiris454]

I guess I could add a new weapon which would be the old iond called something like "spacefly stun gun" on the special subtype for those poachers among you who want to hunt poor, defenseless spaceflies....

I don't actually hunt spaceflies. I was just messing around with Mizuchi, so everyone can put the PETA signs down now.

[Wintersdark]

Honestly, I'd love to see the IonD turned into a regular gun. It drives me batty as is - with one ship firing it, no problem, but once a few of them are firing, it's quickly gets way out of hand.

I don't have any kind of FPS issue with it, but more just find it annoying and horrendously buggy. Regular bullets that do pure shield damage would be awesome.

Just my 2 random-lurker bits.

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

I have not witnessed the graphics corruption nor FPS issue described with IonD in X3:TC (yet) - I used to really like flying the X2 Ray with IonDs paired with PPCs all round (never saw any issues then either)... it was rather fun ... but at the end of the day it is paul's mod and his choice

[paulwheeler]

My thoughts about the graphics corruption issue with the iond are the same as for trails at high speeds. It seems to mostly affect low end systems. When the system can't keep up the graphic just gets messed up and this then brings a large fps hit with it. My laptop can only seem to handle one iond firing at any one time. My PC can handle a few more, but load up a barracuda with eight and it has trouble.

The problem is that the fps hit that comes with this corruption is, just like with trails, very noticeable and affects every one being rendered.

With trails we can fix it by reducing the density in particles3, but for the iond there is nothing that can be done.

I'm certainly liking what I've come up with as a replacement for the iond. It also reduces the danger of friendly fire that you get with the vanilla iond.

[mr.WHO]

Any chance for Terran non-lethal weapon too?

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

Any chance for Terran non-lethal weapon too?

There is one already... it is called the EMPC j/k

In case you were not aware, if you do not mind using CMOD with AWRM there is an EMP-type version of the PSG included with that (SSC mount) and a light damage tactical EMPC compatable weapon (Charged Particle Cannon - CPC)

[builder680]

Roger you stole my joke before I could make it... except I was going to say Poltergeist Missile.

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

Roger you stole my joke before I could make it... except I was going to say Poltergeist Missile.

lol... a swarm of poltergeist can be lethal to an M5

[Osiris454]

It seems to mostly affect low end systems.

My system is nowhere near low end and it's still bogs it down.

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

It seems to mostly affect low end systems.

My system is nowhere near low end and it's still bogs it down.

What spec is it? What OS are you running? Do you have the latest drivers?