Pod Scanners Shields Weapons Batteries Defense Systems & More

[Frank_Stein]

This was going to be a simple thread but then my mind started swimming.

So, first let's talk about 

SCANNERS

Pod Scanners can currently track a pod or give you the rough location of people and mobs. Let's expand on this

First, let's give scanners more details you can learn about the thing you're scanning. 

For instance, a scanner that can tell you how many people, or who are riding in a pod. A scanner that can tell you what the pod is equipped with, what systems were powered, their damage etc. Maybe even have the option to hail a ship and have window open that allows you to chat with the directly, complete with a closeup of their face. And when they hang up on your scanners can pick up that they've armed their weapons and raised their shields. Or detect an incoming missile 

SHIELDS

Shields would be power draining, so you'd want to activate them sparingly. Like the shields found on station, they are configurable in different ways. You could increase the energy usage to provide stronger damage reduction, and configure it to be stronger on different sides of the ship that you're more likely to get hit on. Perhaps even configure them to block gasses or fluids. Create a bubble of safe atmosphere you can take with you around your pod, or just protect yourself from damage

WEAPONS

My thinking is break weapons systems into 3 categories

1. Primary Systems
   These are mostly your front facing guns usable by the pilot
   
2. Secondary Systems
   These would be more like the Tractor Beam or the SEED
   
3. Support Systems
   These would be systems meant for use by passengers or would operated automatically
   

Some ideas I had for each


Primary

• Flamethrowers - Simple enough
  
• Wave Beam - Projectiles wobble, covering a wider area but inconsistently
  
• Racer Rounds - These projectiles are steerable using the same keys as flying the pod
  
• Bubble Cannon - Encapsulates the target in a bubble of breathable atmosphere. They can resist to pod themselves out
  

Secondary

• Anti-Pod Missiles - Can lock onto a pod using the scanner. Missiles will attempt to steer into pod, but it detonate if they impact something in flight. Low turning radius in comparison to speed
  
• Jammer - Scrambles a scanner tracking your pod, causing to to lag in updating your position, which systems you have active, etc
  
• Escape Raft - Blasts you off in a pod similar to the ones you can arrive on. You will continue to fly forward until you hit the ejector which drops you on the tile you're over. Optionally, you can also explode the original pod from the Escape Raft
  
• Mines - Dump explosives in your wake. They go off if something hits them
  
• Tow Cable - Fly the pod close to something, attach the tow cable, and have the pod drag it on movement
  

Support

• Auto Turret - If there's a passenger, they can aim and fire this mounted rotating cannon. Otherwise, you can toggle it on and off and have it automatically track and fire a target you paint on click
  
• Drones - Little ships that follow your pod. They can attack targets, repair damage, or absorb hits.
  
• Fire suppression systems -Automatically extinguishes cabin fires
  
• Boosters - Makes the pod move faster expending more energy
  

BATTERIES

Now all these systems are going to be taxing, especially shields. Your engine will generate power at a constant rate, but what you'll really want is a good battery to store the excess power and act as a reserve for your systems.

Your pod HUD will have a handy monitor for tracking how much power is stored, how much the engine in generating, and how fast you're burning through it

DEFENSE SYSTEMS

I think it would be neat to have more things you have to do in reaction to being hunted and attacked by pods. One thing I was thinking was having pods take damage in different ways, and for pods to have damage status. Some ideas

• Cabin Fire - The inside of the pod is on fire, and if you don't put it out so will you. You can do this by turning off life support, which removes the oxygen from the pod and gradually puts on the fire. Using a fire extinguisher or having fire suppression systems installed would also work
  
• Vented - The pod has a whole in in that is letting the atmosphere out. These holes can be patched with regular repairs, using a welding inside the pod, or repair drones
  
• Tracked - Your Pod is being tracked. A jammer will help, but turning off your power will stop a track. It will leave you a sitting duck, but maybe you can run and hide
  
  

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