Goonhub
01-31-2020, 08:02 AM
So, first a few bits of information: The telescience computer and the telpad can both be scanned by mechanics, as can the necenssary data terminals. So building a new telescience is already possible.
Let's start with your "requirements" that are needed now:
* Telepad: Yes, you need that.
* Telescience computer: Not strictly needed, but has a nice interface, so yeah.
* Space: Two tiles are enough, one for the pad, one for the computer. Yes, they can be next to each other.
* Connection to the mainframe: This is a good thing, see below.
The mainframe is one of the big things that sets goon apart from other SS13 code bases.
For telescience it means not only that you can use a DWAINE terminal, but that you can control the telepad using mechcomp and packets. If you throw that requirement away, you remove the ability to do exactly that. Also makes the mainframe less useful as it is now, and it only has a niche use already.
Also, one of the ways to disable telescience is to tinker with the mainframe - a good way to prevent an obvious antagonist RD to canbomb the shuttle with it.
An other thought is about building off-station telescience labs.
This is already possible on all maps, as the debris field has 2 working mainframes, and the ocean maps also have one working off station. And yes, it is possible to build one there. It's not that easy, but nevertheless possible, and a very powerful option.
Consider someone stealing stuff from the station using telescience, you go to telescience and nobody is there.
Building a telescience lab offstation should be work, and is only balanced by the fact on how hard it is to do so.
tl;dr: No, I'm against those suggested changes.
Let's start with your "requirements" that are needed now:
* Telepad: Yes, you need that.
* Telescience computer: Not strictly needed, but has a nice interface, so yeah.
* Space: Two tiles are enough, one for the pad, one for the computer. Yes, they can be next to each other.
* Connection to the mainframe: This is a good thing, see below.
The mainframe is one of the big things that sets goon apart from other SS13 code bases.
For telescience it means not only that you can use a DWAINE terminal, but that you can control the telepad using mechcomp and packets. If you throw that requirement away, you remove the ability to do exactly that. Also makes the mainframe less useful as it is now, and it only has a niche use already.
Also, one of the ways to disable telescience is to tinker with the mainframe - a good way to prevent an obvious antagonist RD to canbomb the shuttle with it.
An other thought is about building off-station telescience labs.
This is already possible on all maps, as the debris field has 2 working mainframes, and the ocean maps also have one working off station. And yes, it is possible to build one there. It's not that easy, but nevertheless possible, and a very powerful option.
Consider someone stealing stuff from the station using telescience, you go to telescience and nobody is there.
Building a telescience lab offstation should be work, and is only balanced by the fact on how hard it is to do so.
tl;dr: No, I'm against those suggested changes.