Close vs Optimal?

[AngleWyrm]

So what is the difference between short-range, and optimal range?

I'm thinking about adding a new set of componants called RangeFinders. They would act like weapons, and fire like weapons, but do no damage, and use no ammo.

Adding one of these to a ship would make it possible to say "Maximum Range" and have that useful to an unarmed ship.

For instance, set the first RangeFinder to range-5, one-shot. Once it gets there, it fires, and a second rangefire kicks in with range of 10. so the ship steps back.

Why? Because carrier launch should be done on approach, so that the fighters form an attack cloud. Ideally, missiles should be timed to reach target at the same time as the fighters.

[Suicide Junkie]

In your example, max range would be 10 the whole time.

[AngleWyrm]

heh, ya. And point blank would probably remain at zero.

The ones that I don't quite understand are short and optimal. Is there a long? I forget.

Taking a wild guess, I would suppose that short is a percentage of max?

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Rangefinders? Sounds great to me!

[Suicide Junkie]

Optimal means try to stick to the range which maximizes your weapon damage while minimizing the enemy's. Generally this means getting as close as you can without entering the enemy weapons range... not that you'll be able to stay out for sure, of course.