Describe a ship

[HCFC]

I have trouble with description at times and I wonder whether you lot could help.

Describe a capital ship that will replace the Titan in say 50 - 60 years from the end of the Khaak battle in OL.

Let your imagination run wild and hope it will inspire me, I can think of some pretty wild things but cant think of a good way to write them down. Peter F Hamilton can describe his ships so well you can see every detail in your mind, I dont need to be that in depth but need more than, "pear shaped with the bow tapering down to a near razor point", what I am thinking of thinks good but it sounds like a flying fruit designed to impale you.

I want the ship to be a major leap in advancement, something so good that the titan and all other x2 desroyers are obsolete over night.

[Jericho]

I have trouble with description at times and I wonder whether you lot could help.

Describe a capital ship that will replace the Titan in say 50 - 60 years from the end of the Khaak battle in OL.

Let your imagination run wild and hope it will inspire me, I can think of some pretty wild things but cant think of a good way to write them down. Peter F Hamilton can describe his ships so well you can see every detail in your mind, I dont need to be that in depth but need more than, "pear shaped with the bow tapering down to a near razor point", what I am thinking of thinks good but it sounds like a flying fruit designed to impale you.

I want the ship to be a major leap in advancement, something so good that the titan and all other x2 desroyers are obsolete over night.

I know exactly what you mean. I have had the same trouble with my writing. Peter F Hamiltion got away with perfect spheres as ships in the Nights Dawn trilogy, and the purely functional rotating spindle thingies with life support pods in Fallen Dragon

His voidhawks and blackhawks were squashed-tear-drops IIRC, which for some reason the cover artist drew as a circa-1960's blue cheesy looking Flying Saucer UFO. Bloody awefull rendition of a nice idea.

[HCFC]

I think voidhawks were always disk shaped as drawn and the blackhawks were tear shaped except Oenone (close enough) who was a mix of both.

I think the ships in Pandoras Star are brillient, the battle with the Second Chance against the nukes is great and the sacrifice of Dauntless excellent.

[Mon Mothma]

Make the ship somewhat wedge shaped. Now if we are keeping with the same rule of 3 weaps on a side, A wedge with the point facing forward would allow all the turrets but the rear to hit targets within the center firing arc. You like having 3 turrets hitting a target at once? Try 5 turrets hitting a target at once. Naturally this would leave the back somewhat under protected, so upgrade the rear turret to GPPCs, and upgrade the speed as well.

[fireblade]

ignoring the fact that you may end up with something completly out of sync with what egosoft may come up with

50 - 60 years is quite a long time so technology could have headed of in a completely different direction

also the actual appearance of a space ship bares little relation to its power

you could have a ship look identical to the current design or look like a kitchen sink and still outclass the current ones.

what exactly are you wanting?
can you give some kind of suggestions or pointers for what you are looking for ?

[Dragon_Lord]

try something based roughly on a star trek ship. There are so many of them with different designs and weapons. Mmmmm photon torpedoes. X2 - TR and the online universe need some weapons with great damage but hideous reload times like 1 shot every 5 or 10 seconds. It would seriously add to the intensity of a battle knowing that in ten seconds you may get hit with another photon torpedo or some beam-type weapon that could kill you instantly. It would give the player something to think about before attacking say an m6 or an m2. Think about it, if an m6 had a beam-type capable of killing you in one hit with a lucky shot would you risk getting hit by it or would turn tail and run. The salvage would pay off but the loss of your ship isnt a nice thought either. Battles with poor AI and the mundane weapons we have at our disposal offer little more than predictable battle times and predictable outcomes. You should be able to install a "super weapon" on an m4 but at a sacrifice of other weapons or speed and/or shields. How about make ships change apperance based on installed weapons and sheilds. Have empty hardpoints, red hot weapons if you fire for to long, etc.

[Elwood J Blues]

A ship with a truely revolutional design, minimizes power drain, maximizes speed, manouvering and weapon effiencey, therefore allowing for more heavier firepower, having a weapon layout that maximizes the effect of the weapon turrets, in that no matter what direction you are facing you have a minimum of half your ordance facing, and shooting, at your target. A corgo hold that can hold a luxery liner, while still have the capacity to hold the years worth of rations for the crew. All the weapon ammunition you can possibly need in your three month trek. All the little extras you need for your fighter comlement of nine assorted M3, M4 and M5 ships. An exterior docking berth for the corvette that will rotate the crew and bring extra supplies on the long journey. A special jumpdrive compartment that will hold enough energy to make three twenty sector jumps.

The bridge so well made that you chair is a recliner with gold-plated arms, five-star living quarters for the most efficient ship that only needs a crew of four-hundred and forty. Halls that don't look like a ship, that look like you still on Argon Prime, but haveing the best view of that giant, beautiful viod we call space. Three, three course five star meals a day, with all the little inbetween snacks you could ever want. A mission breifing room that doesn't make you bored and want to throw paper planes around at the chick you scretly admire. Recreation quaters that have everything you could ever want, even a game that you seem to be living called X-2 Th Threat.

Nah, i got nothing, I've been trying to make sketches of this ship for god only know how long. But I have been able to get a very, very basic draft of a new Split destroyer called the "Python 10-2 (Advanced Redesign)"

[Elwood J Blues]

I missed something, I can't believe I missed something; I don't know what it is now. I had it in mind last night and I was going to write it down but I forgot to (was bothered to), and now I'm going to end up slaving through my mind to try and find out what it was.

[Thalass]

I think the ships in Pandoras Star are brillient, the battle with the Second Chance against the nukes is great and the sacrifice of Dauntless excellent.

The Second Chance is indeed a fine vessel. 'cept the whole "no artificial gravity" thing

--

As for the ship you want... try watching the intros from/playing X-BTF and XT. Extrapolate from there.

For me, trying to design or describe a ship in text is extremely difficult. If I'm designing I need to be scetching at the same time, thinking about firing arcs and where certain systems would need to be located ect.

[Medic279]

ack - post Peter F Hamilton spoiler warnings guys - I'm only half way through Pandora's Star!
*erases knowledge from mind*
hehe

re: writing about objects - it is difficult to describe what you can plainly see in your mind to the audience. Justn try and focus on the first thing that hits you when you look at it (in your mind). Usually works for me but I'm an out of practice amateur so...

Good luck
Matt

[simonnance]

hmm....

the ship i'm working on now?

Prow like an argon titan, but more angular, attatched to a long flattend I girder like midsection that conects it to a Xenon style drive unit. 2/3rds the way down the midsection, 2 sets of wings jutt out, forwards and up/down respectively, each set of wings meeting at a long pylons to port and staboard respectively, and with a buils in engin nacelle half way along the wing. Four bays with closeable doors occupy the rear 1/3rd, and four retractable turrets in a 2x2 box shape occupy the front 1/3rd of the I shaped midsection (along the dorsal and ventral faces).

it looks pretty cool

[rustybucket]

I would like to return to the classic hubcap shape. In space there is no air resistance, no aerodynamic forces, no up, and, no down. Just orient the ship so that the top of the frisbee shape reads forward, and you can bring all of your batteries to bare on a target; and, spining on ones axis is a much more efficient then turning and banking to line up for the next target. The Khaaks in their clusters are close to latching onto this. Perhaps the other races will take the lead from them over the next 50 years.

[Graf_Grau]

if its sixty years on consider including some developement of beam lasers

[HCFC]

Thanks for the replys guys. Been very busy at work the last few months so things are sidelined until things calm down.

Sorry Medic279 - its a very good book that enjoys some typically hectic Hamilton space battles.

I have just read The Algebrist by Iain Banks. Good book the first I have read from that author. His ships are based on efficient travel through wormholes and as such the 'needle' ships are very long and narrow.

The ships in 3001 have a gravity drive system that is interesting. I think something that moves away from the standard propulsion styles, ie not limited to a nacelle etc with blue, green, gold or red directional energy. The Shark is actually quite interesting in that regard as unlike the Ray it doesnt have two nacelles bolted on (unless I missed something when viewing it). This is a good way for Boron ships to look. I think if the Ray were to loose its two nacelles and the stupid standard bridge (looks good on a Titan and a Python but not on a Ray or Shark). The more alien the better.

A ship that can generate a gravity field that enables it to move against space. Insane acceleration and deceleration, with instant direction change.

I have had an idea for a sphere ship. This would consist of a standard thin long fusalage with a ring around it supported of three large strutts. The forward section would be similar in profile to a Titan front (a bit longer and more pointed perhaps) and the rear would match. At the centre of the ring which would be quite large in diameter would be a sphere containing the gravity drive at the exact centre of the ship related to its mass.

The gravity effects would emminate from the sphere. The ring would house launge tubes. At least a hundred of them. Stocked on the ship would be a large number (1000 allowing 10 per tube) of sphere drones. These should only be around 1 - 1.5m in diameter but each should be armed with a high power weapon say a AHEPT or GPAC. They would be deployed and controlled by the gravity field that the ship would generate and form complex formations for protection or attack. There would be a limit to there range however due to the gravity field required but they could go out to say 10 - 15 K and still be controlled by the main field. Being controlled by the gravity field they would have the same massive acceration and control properties as the main ship.

The main ship would have powerfull PPC weapons all round and also feature two projectile cannons running the centre of the fusalage to the front and back out from the gravity well in the centre. The gravuty field could be used to propell shells, slugs or warheads like a guass cannon with the abilty to knock through anything in its way like an uber mass driver.

Temporal Shielding and weapons are also interesting. Year of Hell on Voyager dealt with these with Krenem (I think) ships. A shield that is just a few micro micro micro seconds in the past or future that generates a temporal shell around a ship. Because the opposing weapons are in normal time they will never be able to hit the ship. Obviously the vessel would have to revert to normal shields and normal space time to fire back but it could do so with waepons in temporal flux. These would penetrate enemy shields due to being in a differnet time frame and then de-flux just before impact so as to directly affect the hull.

As for weapon advancements other than temporal functions, how about a revision on the HEPT. Using the same principals as the Kyon emmiter but having a rapid pulse of HEPT shot. The resultant beam effect would be devastaing. More power would be needed however to sustain this.

PDC - particle displacement cannons. Weapons that directly affect and alter the physical state of whatever material it is fired against. Ie turning a metal into a liquid or gas instantly. Slow firing super weapons that can cripple a cap ship in one shot. Would require the power of up to 6 GPPCs to fire though.

Phase Transit Beam - A micro probe that can penetrate and directly affect the energy in a shield. This would create a small zone on the shield where normal weapons can fire through to directly hit the hull. Needs very precise targeting.


Bio ships are interesting. Not the Boron ones but actual living ships bred and grown - aka Moya out of Farscape. PDCs would be very deadly against these.


Anyway those are some of my thoughts. A lot of them have come from Star Trek and books I have read and just worked upon. In my head.

[Elwood J Blues]

Great ideas!!!! I was thinking of stuff when reading it, made my brain tick. I'll be able to expand on what you have there tonight, I have been....
INSPIRED

[HCFC]

I had done this for a Frigate thread on the Xuniverse forum but it probably belongs in here. These are just a few thoughts on a very powerful but often quite specialised group of ships that are smaller than M2s but bigger than M6s. Id call them M9s as its a bit cooler than M7 or 8.
What do you think?


Argon Defender:

A single hull tactical interdiction and assault frigate. Similar in profile to the Centaur but with elongated nacelles and a large directional communications transmitter on the underside for the special function. This ship serves as a support vessel to the Titan able to bring its impressive probe system to bear on opposing ships enabling the Titans to close and deal with targets effectively. That is not to say the Defender cant handle itself.

Max shields: 4x125Mw
Speed: 157 - 194m/s
Acceleration: 10m/s/s
Steering: 4.89 - 10.30%
Hull: 50000 mass units
Cargo: 2000
Max docked ships: 2x M4, M5

Turrets
Front: max 2xGPPC/GHEPT Ions MD
Back: max 2xAPPC/BHEPT Ions MD
Side: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT MD
Top and bottom: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT MD

Max missile Hornet.

Special – Invasive computer probe. A focused subspace beam that can penetrate a targets shields and directly connect with the onboard computer systems or AI. Depending on the class of ship it will take up to 20 seconds to establish a connection. Once connection is established you have control of the targets computer for 12 seconds before the opposing fail safes kick in and the invading computer is booted out. What can you do with 12 seconds of control over your target’s computer? Access the command console and get the ship to disengage and fly to another area, turn of the turret controls, access the freight bay and eject the shields or weapons. Imagine being able to remotely drop the shields of a K instantly and following up with an immediate attack. The price for using this however would be the power and control requirements of the computer as it invades. Turret control will be disabled and speed will drop to a quarter whilst you are in control of your targets computer. Range of probe 5km.


Paranid Poseidon:

A quad hull fast attack gunboat. A break from traditional designs. The Poseidons four hulls are arranged around a diamond shape central core which houses the propulsion system and power reactors. The four hulls are strutted out from the core from each side of the diamond and appear pear shaped in profile with the stub side forward. The hulls will contract to form a single pear shaped shell when employing the special weapon.

Max shields: 4x125Mw
Speed: 180 - 238m/s
Acceleration: 15m/s/s
Steering: 5.00 – 11.20%
Hull: 55000 mass units
Cargo: 1500
Max docked ships: 2 x M4, M5

Turrets
Front: max 3xGPPC/GHEPT/BPSG
Back: max 1xAPPC/GHEPT/APSG
Side: max 2xBPPC/GHEPT/APSG
Top and bottom: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT/BPSG

Max missile: Hornet

Special: Shockwave sphere. A powerful area affect weapon that fires from emitters on the hull sections when retracted into the pear shell. A sphere of PSG fire spreads out from the ship hitting anything in its path out to a range of 6Km. The sphere has the power of 5 GPSG hits wherever it hits which will decimate smaller craft and severely damage capital ships if not destroy them. The ship computer has enforcing inhibitors however that prevents fire of the weapon where non-combatants are within a range of 7Km from the ship. The price is that the ship must come to a complete halt to fire the weapon and your shields will lower whilst it is firing meaning that you are severely weakened whilst they recharge after the firing sequence is complete. Standard weapons will be off line during the firing sequence and after for 10 seconds.


Boron Hammerhead

Advanced tactical assault frigate. A sleek shark shaped vessel capable of atmospheric sub-aqua and interstellar travel. This double hull ship features the effective spinning thrust emitters that dominate the Ray and Shark but this ship has been given advanced multi panel emitters across its mottled bio hull that enable increased manoeuvrability. The last of the races to develop this class the Boron were determined not to repeat the failure of the Hydra project. The double hulls can separate to expose the 3 M4 class fighters the ship can support and the disk emitter that fires the special weapon.

Max shields: 4x125Mw
Speed: 190 - 300m/s
Acceleration: m/s/s
Steering: 9.87 - 20.30%
Hull: 45000 mass units
Cargo: 2500
Max docked ships: 3x M4, M5

Turrets
Front: max 3xGPPC/GHEPT Ions
Back: max 2xAPPC/BHEPT Ions
Side: max 1xGPPC/GHEPT Ions
Top and bottom: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT Ions

Max missile Hornet.

Special: Ion blade. The Hammerheads hulls separate to the maximum extension and the central disk emitter opens up to reveal the primary discharge nodes. Upon firing a circular wave of ion disrupter energy streaks out from the ship to a radius of 6km any ships hit spread the ‘ion lightning’ to their neighbours. The power of the ion blade is 10 times that of a standard Ion disrupter meaning that enemy ship shields and systems are put under incredible stress leading to lasting damage and disability. A total of ten shots maximum are available per deployment and there is a long recharge time after the final shot which is dependant on how many of the ten shots were taken. The price for this is a reflection of the massive power requirements of the device. The ship will loose shielding at for every shot taken. If all ten are taken in quick succession it will result in a total shield drop. Whilst the ion blade is in operation normal weaponry will be ineffective. Boron Captains are trusted not to fire this area effect weapon in situations where friendly ships or facilities are affected. There is no inhibitor as found on the Paranid Poseidon.


Teladhi Kestrel

The Teladhi call this an Advanced Profit Protection and Acquisition Medium Fleet Ship. As for other Teladhi ships this is a mishmash of ships taken from other races and mixed with original Teladhi technology. The ship is constructed using components from 4 Ospreys, 2 Dragons and a Nemesis (Purchase legitimately of course!!) along with individual advanced structural components developed in secret Teladhi labs to form the M9 hull. The ship is coated in Teladianium plating which gives it the gleam that the Osprey can show. A boxy angular ship of three hull profile similar to the general shape of the Phoenix but proportionally longer and less stubby. It is regarded as the most fearsome of the Teladhi fleet. For once the Teladhi have gone against the ritual of slow and steady and have developed a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This is fast, manoeuvrable and deadly.

Max shields: 5x125Mw
Speed: 135 - 192m/s
Acceleration: 15m/s/s
Steering: 5.89 - 15.90%
Hull: 57000 mass units
Cargo: 4000
Max docked ships: 2x M4, M5

Turrets
Front: max 2xGPPC/GHEPT, BPSG
Back: max 2xAPPC/BHEPT, BPSG
Side: max 2xBPPC/GHEPT
Top and bottom: max 2xBPPC/GHEPT, Ions

Max missile Hornet.

Special: The invasive transporter. This is an advanced transporter device designed to penetrate the shields and hull of any vessel. Even if it is not your own. Two options are available. After a 15 second configuration time the transporter then has 8 seconds of functionality until the opposing ships computer is able to adjust the shields to compensate. Option one is to transport an explosive fusion shell into the cargo bay of the target vessel. This when detonated will cause massive structural damage to the ship. A Kestrel can only carry 3 of these shells at any time and only a Kestrel has the shielding to prevent radiation killing the crew. These are very expensive commodities available in Seizewell only. The second option is 8 seconds within the cargo bay in which to transport goods, weapons or shields directly to your cargo hold. You can only transport if you have room to receive and only if in a range of 5Km. The price reduced weaponry. You loose all but your top, bottom and rear turrets. You also need to take power from your engines to fuel the device, dropping your speed by up to three quarters.


Split Viper

Tactical Assault and interception Gunship. This ship is similar in shape to the Python with a double angular triangular hull. Unlike the Python the front part of the hull will be the longer more acute triangle ending in a tight point. The rear section will finish just past the joining bridge and power core centre ending in a stub triangle. The hull can branch apart to expose the docked M4s and the large calibre special weapon. As with all Split ships this is fast, powerful and designed for optimum attack power. Many Split families have replaced even the Python with this powerful gunship as there main defenders.

Max shields: 3x125Mw
Speed: 190 - 323m/s
Acceleration: 30m/s/s
Steering: 7.00 - 16.00%
Hull: 40000 mass units
Cargo: 2000
Max docked ships: 2x M4, M5

Turrets
Front: max 4xGPPC/GHEPT, MD
Back: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT, MD
Side: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT, MD
Top and bottom: max 1xBPPC/GHEPT, MD

Max missile Hornet.

Special: Large Calibre single shot gauss cannon with fragmentation mass driver shells. This cannon is positioned dead centre out from the main junction between the hulls and fires via electromagnetic enhancement a large slug. The slug is fired so fast that it takes less than a second to travel to its maximum range of 10Km. Any target is subjected to massive shield damage. If the shields don’t fail hull damage is still inflicted as a barrage of mass driver shells erupt forward from the slug upon impact passing through the shields and hitting the hull. Each slug has around 50 mass driver shells on board. Slugs are bought in Family Pride only. These fire at a rate of 1 per 5 seconds. The maximum number of slugs that the viper can carry is 20. The price – well the Split have maxed out here. No ill effects on using the weapon. All other weapons are unaffected and shields remain at full strength. The only weakness is the need to target with the ship as the weapon is fired in line with the ship exactly. This requires very precise manoeuvring, which can be difficult at the speeds this ship can travel.