Is it possible to restrict a component ...

[Wenin]

Is it possible to restrict a component to a specific vehicle size?

I'd like to make a component that is armor for Infantry, but I don't want it made available for the larger troop sizes. The idea is to create Storm Trooper armor.

If that isn't possible, is it possible to create a new Unit Type? So that I can split the Troops into two different unit types?

[Captain Kwok]

You could make the armor very large and then create a mount to downsize it that would only be valid for the vehicle in question. The mount entry would need to be specific to the family number of the storm trooper armor and also to the infantry troop's size.

[Ed Kolis]

You cannot create new unit types, though such a feature has been promised for SE5. (Whether it actually appears is another question... ) However, you can restrict components to specific vehicle sizes by the use of Scale Mounts. What you do is make the component prohibitively huge and expensive - say, 100 times the size and cost you want it to be. Then you make a special mount (in CompEnhancement.txt) which can only be used by your Infantry hull (using the minimum and maximum size restriction fields - make sure no other troop has the same tonnage!) and only applies to the specified Stormtrooper Armor component family (by means of the component family restriction field).

[Wenin]

Awesome, such quick responses! =)

[Kevin Arisa]

Alternatively, you could give the armor the basic movement ability that an engine has, then allow only the infantry vehicle size to have engines. Then the larger troop sizes will not be able to use it. It is also helpful for handheld weapons such as blades and guns.

[Wenin]

The base file doesn't address the way to restrict a mount to a family. Do I specify the Weapon Type Requirement to be none?

[Wenin]

I'm liking your idea better Kevin, it requires less modification. I'm running into a problem however. The I'm using happens to have Small Arms as well. They are identified as Movement just as you're suggesting. If I set the Max engines to two, then the unit can have two suits of armor, or two small arms. I've tried to set the armor up as a Aux Control, and the Infantry are the only Troop Vehicle allowed to have them. However I'm able to add the armor onto the larger troop vehicles without any warnings.

Here is my Battle Suit

Name := Battle Armor I
Description := A full suit of armor used by infantry.
Pic Num := 2273
Tonnage Space Taken := 3
Tonnage Structure := 6
Cost Minerals := 10
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 0
Vehicle Type := Troop
Supply Amount Used := 0
Restrictions := None
General Group := Armor
Family := 3519
Roman Numeral := 1
Custom Group := 0
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Armor
Tech Level Req 1 := 1
Number of Abilities := 2
Ability 1 Type := Armor
Ability 1 Descr := Is damaged before any other components on the vehicle.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 0
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Type := Ship Auxiliary Control
Ability 2 Descr :=
Ability 2 Val 1 := 0
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Weapon Type := None

[Kevin Arisa]

Hmm, maybe if you gave it the engine ability also it could solve your problem. Usually, infantry is such a small unit that 2 armor suits wouldnt fit. You could simulate that effect.

[Rollo]

Here is how you do such a mount. Make the component oversized by 100 (Tonnage Space Taken := 300, in your case) and add this mount to /data/compenhancement.txt
Code:

---

Long Name                      := Battle Armor Mount or whatever

Short Name                     := Battle Armor Mount or whatever

Description                    := whatever

Code                           := BA or whatever

Comp Family Requirement        := 3519 (the family number of your armor)

Cost Percent                   := 100

Tonnage Percent                := 1

Tonnage Structure Percent      := 100

Damage Percent                 := 100

Supply Percent                 := 100

Range Modifier                 := 0

Weapon To Hit Modifier         := 0

Vehicle Size Minimum           := vehicle size of your troopers

Vehicle Size Maximum           := vehicle size of your troopers

Weapon Type Requirement        := None

Number of Tech Req             := 0

Vehicle Type                   := Troop

---

[Rollo]

As an alternative you could also use both the engine ability for the Armor and Small Arms, restrict the trooper vehicle to max. engnies = 2. And restrict the armor AND the small arms to only one per vehicle (Restrictions := One Per Vehicle).

That way your trooper can carry both an armor and a small arms, but not two of either.