Beam weapon - Revision history

Androgeos Exeunt: Attempted to add more consistency regarding the use of jargon.

2020-10-18T06:13:15Z

Attempted to add more consistency regarding the use of jargon.

Androgeos Exeunt: /* Beam types */ The higher damage and faster refire rates of slashing beams are not hardcoded things. Transports/freighters can also be targeted by anti-cap beams, but are not capships, so I'm changing "capital ship" to "large ship".

2020-10-18T06:01:46Z

‎Beam types: The higher damage and faster refire rates of slashing beams are not hardcoded things. Transports/freighters can also be targeted by anti-cap beams, but are not capships, so I'm changing "capital ship" to "large ship".

Androgeos Exeunt: /* Beam types */ Re-wrote this section from a technical perspective based on ZylonBane's Beam Reference.

2020-10-13T04:14:36Z

‎Beam types: Re-wrote this section from a technical perspective based on ZylonBane's Beam Reference.

Androgeos Exeunt: /* Capabilities */ Not canonically known as "Sathanas 01".

2020-10-13T03:45:51Z

‎Capabilities: Not canonically known as "Sathanas 01".

Androgeos Exeunt: Rewrote the opening description for parity with the article name.

2020-10-13T03:42:57Z

Rewrote the opening description for parity with the article name.

Androgeos Exeunt: Vassago, you've been replaced.

2020-10-12T04:48:59Z

Vassago, you've been replaced.

Androgeos Exeunt: /* Beam types */ The Hawkwood would put an end to my whole career...

2020-10-12T04:43:08Z

‎Beam types: The Hawkwood would put an end to my whole career...

Goober5000: ZylonBane's Beam FAQ really needs to be included

2020-04-10T04:22:44Z

ZylonBane's Beam FAQ really needs to be included

Androgeos Exeunt: /* History */ Perhaps that hyphen is unnecessary...

2016-04-23T07:30:41Z

‎History: Perhaps that hyphen is unnecessary...

General Battuta: removed inaccurate information, replaced with something better

2012-04-28T20:27:15Z

removed inaccurate information, replaced with something better

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:RScreen0198.png|480px|right|thumb|A ''Ravana''-class destroyer firing most of its beam weapons]]
-A '''beam weapon''', or '''beam cannon''', is a weapon system mounted exclusively on warships. It is used to attack larger targets at long range or as a point-defense weapon against fighters, bombers, and warheads.
+A '''beam weapon''', or '''beam cannon''', is a weapon system mounted exclusively on large vessels. It is used to attack larger targets at long range or as a point-defense weapon against fighters, bombers, and warheads.
 ==History==
-During the [[Great War]] and the [[GTI Rebellion]], the [[Terrans]] and [[Vasudans]] encountered the [[Shivans]], a previously unknown alien race. Both species took note of the technological capability of the Shivans, particularly the main guns of the [[SD Lucifer|Shivan command ship]], which they termed "Flux Cannons". The two races opted to replicate this technology after the end of the GTI Rebellion in late 2335. The result of this pursuit was the invention of the deadliest and most advanced weapons of war ever created by either race, called beam weapons. The first class of ship which was fully designed with beam weapons in mind may have been the [[GVCv Sobek|GVCv ''Sobek'']], which is said to have entered service shortly after the destruction of Vasuda Prime. Further advancements enabled engineers from both races to mount these weapons on older vessels never meant to accommodate them, as well as less powerful, more energy-efficient versions on smaller ships.
+During the [[Great War]] and [[GTI Rebellion]], the [[Terrans]] and [[Vasudans]] encountered the [[Shivans]], a previously unknown alien race. Both species took note of the technological capability of the Shivans, particularly the main guns of the [[SD Lucifer|Shivan command ship]], which they termed "Flux Cannons". The two races opted to replicate this technology after the end of the GTI Rebellion in late 2335. The result of this pursuit was the invention of the deadliest and most advanced weapons of war ever created by either race, called beam weapons. The first class of ship which was fully designed with beam weapons in mind may have been the [[GVCv Sobek|GVCv ''Sobek'']], which is said to have entered service shortly after the destruction of Vasuda Prime. Further advancements enabled engineers from both races to mount these weapons on older vessels never meant to accommodate them, as well as less powerful, more energy-efficient versions on smaller ships.
 Despite these advances, neither species was ultimately capable of matching up to the Shivans during the [[Second Shivan Incursion]] of 2367. Shivan beams were far more destructive than any Terran or Vasudan beam weapon ever made in terms of raw power and were capable of much faster refire rates at no visible cost to ship integrity. These advantages that Shivan beam weapons have over their Terran and Vasudan counterparts were demonstrated when the most powerful ship ever constructed by both races, the GTVA ''Colossus'', was obliterated almost completely by beam fire from a ''Sathanas'' juggernaut.
 ==Capabilities==
-Sufficient [[reactor]] power is required in order to fire beam weapons. Therefore, they are never mounted on fighters or bombers, which have reactors too small and too weak to support the power drain. For a time, the Vasudans' [[GVD Typhon|''Typhon''-class destroyers]] encountered similar issues, with most of them suffering from reactor overloads and system failures due to their power grid being unable to cope with the power needed to fire the beams equipped on them. The deployment of the [[GVD Hatshepsut|''Hatshepsut'']] line of destroyers would rectify this problem.
+Sufficient [[reactor]] power is required in order to fire beam weapons. Therefore, they are never mounted on small ships (fighters, bombers, and support ships), which have reactors too small and weak to support the power drain. For a time, the Vasudans' [[GVD Typhon|''Typhon''-class destroyers]] encountered similar issues, with most of them suffering from reactor overloads and system failures due to their power grid being unable to cope with the power needed to fire the beams equipped on them. The deployment of the [[GVD Hatshepsut|''Hatshepsut'']] line of destroyers would rectify this problem.
-In general, beam weapons are designed to be fired against ships larger than bomber-class, which are large enough to be targeted with. These are generally called "anti-capship beams" by players. However, smaller, lighter beam weapons exist that deliver less damage than anti-capship beams but are capable of targeting even fighters and bombers. These are recognized as "anti-fighter beams" in FreeSpace canon (dubbed "AAA beams" on occasion by players due to their names in the FreeSpace 2 table files). The advancement of the beam weapon in the Terran and Vasudan fleets is sufficient enough to enable the most powerful anti-capship beam from either race to easily cleave through most cruisers and corvettes in minutes and deal significant damage to destroyers, if not destroying them outright.
+In general, beam weapons are designed to be fired against large vessels, such as transports, installations, and warships. These are generally called "anti-capship beams" by players. However, smaller, lighter beam weapons exist that deliver less damage than anti-capship beams but are capable of targeting small ships and even incoming warheads. These are recognized as "anti-fighter beams" in FreeSpace canon (dubbed "AAA beams" on occasion by players due to their names in the FreeSpace 2 table files). The advancement of the beam weapon in the Terran and Vasudan fleets is sufficient enough to enable the most powerful anti-capship beam from either race to easily cleave through most cruisers and corvettes in minutes and deal significant damage to destroyers, if not destroying them outright.
 Most Terran and Vasudan beam weapons are meant to be fired at a specified power output, dealing a consistent rate of damage assuming that the beam in question strikes its target for the entire duration of its lifetime. However, if the situation warrants, it is also possible to reduce power output to limit damage done, or increase power output beyond specified limits to increase damage rates; the latter comes with the risk of emitter and heat sink deterioration. Examples of ships that have taken either course of action are the GTC ''Rampart'' during a feint attack on two cruisers, and the GTVA ''Colossus'', during its engagement with the first SJ ''Sathanas''.
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 There are five beam types included in retail FreeSpace 2, assigned to the following <code>+Type</code> integers:
 <ol start="0">
-<li>'''Anti-cap beams''', which only target large ships. These beams can be directed to target specific subsystems/turrets if necessary.</li>
+<li>'''Anti-cap beams''', which only target large vessels. These beams can be directed to target specific subsystems/turrets if necessary.</li>
-<li>'''Anti-cap slashing beams''', which only target large ships and strike their targets across a wide arc. The slashing beams included in retail FS2 generally have higher damage outputs and faster refire rates than anti-cap beams, but are not as accurate and may completely miss the target on occasion.</li>
+<li>'''Anti-cap slashing beams''', which only target large vessels and strike their targets across a wide arc. The slashing beams included in retail FS2 generally have higher damage outputs and faster refire rates than anti-cap beams, but are not as accurate and may completely miss the target on occasion.</li>
 <li>'''Targeting beams''', which are never used in the game and whose purpose remains unknown. One beam of this type (the [[Targeting Laser]]) is included in the FreeSpace 2 tables, but it appears to serve no purpose due to supplementary content being cut.</li>
 <li>'''Anti-fighter beams''', which can target small ships. These beams are capable of firing more than once per pulse, but do very little damage as compared to anti-cap beams. In the absence of small ships, they can target large ships, firing a single pulse.</li>

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 There are five beam types included in retail FreeSpace 2, assigned to the following <code>+Type</code> integers:
 <ol start="0">
-<li>'''Anti-cap beams''', which only target capital ships. These beams can be directed to target specific subsystems/turrets if necessary.</li>
+<li>'''Anti-cap beams''', which only target large ships. These beams can be directed to target specific subsystems/turrets if necessary.</li>
-<li>'''Anti-cap slashing beams''', which only target capital ships and strike their targets across a wide arc. Slashing beams have a marginally higher damage output and faster refire rate than anti-cap beams, but are much more inaccurate and may completely miss the target on occasion.</li>
+<li>'''Anti-cap slashing beams''', which only target large ships and strike their targets across a wide arc. The slashing beams included in retail FS2 generally have higher damage outputs and faster refire rates than anti-cap beams, but are not as accurate and may completely miss the target on occasion.</li>
 <li>'''Targeting beams''', which are never used in the game and whose purpose remains unknown. One beam of this type (the [[Targeting Laser]]) is included in the FreeSpace 2 tables, but it appears to serve no purpose due to supplementary content being cut.</li>
-<li>'''Anti-fighter beams''', which can target vessels smaller than capital ships. These beams are capable of firing more than once per pulse, but do very little damage as compared to anti-cap beams. In the absence of small ships, they can target capital ships, firing a single pulse.</li>
+<li>'''Anti-fighter beams''', which can target small ships. These beams are capable of firing more than once per pulse, but do very little damage as compared to anti-cap beams. In the absence of small ships, they can target large ships, firing a single pulse.</li>
 <li>'''Fixed beams''', which only target and fire at anything directly in front of them. This is distinct from most other beam types, which have a virtual "view cone" that allows them to fire at targets that are off-center.</li>
 </ol>

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 ==Beam types==
-There are four beam types included in retail FreeSpace 2, but only the first three were used throughout the course of the game.
+:''See also: [[Weapons.tbl#$BeamInfo:]]''
-# ''Direct-fire beams'', which are essentially standard-issue point-and-shoot weapons. These beams can be directed to target specific subsystems/turrets if necessary.
+There are five beam types included in retail FreeSpace 2, assigned to the following <code>+Type</code> integers:
-# ''Slashing beams'', which strike their targets across a wide arc. Slashing beams have a marginally higher damage output and faster refire rate than direct-fire beams, but are much more inaccurate and may completely miss the target on occasion.
+<ol start="0">
-# ''Anti-fighter beams'', which can target vessels smaller than cruiser-class. These beams are capable of firing more than once per pulse, but do very little damage as compared to direct-fire or slashing beams. Under the most dire circumstances, they may be used against larger vessels as well.
+<li>'''Anti-cap beams''', which only target capital ships. These beams can be directed to target specific subsystems/turrets if necessary.</li>
-# ''Targeting beams'', which are never used in the game and whose purpose remains unknown. One beam of this type (the [[Targeting Laser]]) is included in the FreeSpace 2 tables, but it appears to serve no purpose due to supplementary content being cut.
+<li>'''Anti-cap slashing beams''', which only target capital ships and strike their targets across a wide arc. Slashing beams have a marginally higher damage output and faster refire rate than anti-cap beams, but are much more inaccurate and may completely miss the target on occasion.</li>
+<li>'''Targeting beams''', which are never used in the game and whose purpose remains unknown. One beam of this type (the [[Targeting Laser]]) is included in the FreeSpace 2 tables, but it appears to serve no purpose due to supplementary content being cut.</li>
-Both the Terrans and Vasudans manufacture and make use of the first three beam types. The Shivans, however, utilize only the first and third types.
+<li>'''Anti-fighter beams''', which can target vessels smaller than capital ships. These beams are capable of firing more than once per pulse, but do very little damage as compared to anti-cap beams. In the absence of small ships, they can target capital ships, firing a single pulse.</li>
 ==Notes for mission designers==

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 In general, beam weapons are designed to be fired against ships larger than bomber-class, which are large enough to be targeted with. These are generally called "anti-capship beams" by players. However, smaller, lighter beam weapons exist that deliver less damage than anti-capship beams but are capable of targeting even fighters and bombers. These are recognized as "anti-fighter beams" in FreeSpace canon (dubbed "AAA beams" on occasion by players due to their names in the FreeSpace 2 table files). The advancement of the beam weapon in the Terran and Vasudan fleets is sufficient enough to enable the most powerful anti-capship beam from either race to easily cleave through most cruisers and corvettes in minutes and deal significant damage to destroyers, if not destroying them outright.
-Most Terran and Vasudan beam weapons are meant to be fired at a specified power output, dealing a consistent rate of damage assuming that the beam in question strikes its target for the entire duration of its lifetime. However, if the situation warrants, it is also possible to reduce power output to limit damage done, or increase power output beyond specified limits to increase damage rates; the latter comes with the risk of emitter and heat sink deterioration. Examples of ships that have taken either course of action are the GTC ''Rampart'' during a feint attack on two cruisers, and the GTVA ''Colossus'', during its engagement with SJ ''Sathanas 01''.
+Most Terran and Vasudan beam weapons are meant to be fired at a specified power output, dealing a consistent rate of damage assuming that the beam in question strikes its target for the entire duration of its lifetime. However, if the situation warrants, it is also possible to reduce power output to limit damage done, or increase power output beyond specified limits to increase damage rates; the latter comes with the risk of emitter and heat sink deterioration. Examples of ships that have taken either course of action are the GTC ''Rampart'' during a feint attack on two cruisers, and the GTVA ''Colossus'', during its engagement with the first SJ ''Sathanas''.
 ==Beam types==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:RScreen0198.png|480px|right|thumb|A ''Ravana''-class destroyer firing most of its beam weapons]]
-'''Beam weapons''', or '''beam cannons''', are powerful weapons systems mounted exclusively on warships. They are used to engage other warships in combat, and for point defense against fighters, bombers, and warheads.
+A '''beam weapon''', or '''beam cannon''', is a weapon system mounted exclusively on warships. It is used to attack larger targets at long range or as a point-defense weapon against fighters, bombers, and warheads.
 ==History==
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 ==Related Links==
 *[https://web.archive.org/web/20011215000921/http://home.att.net/~clay.h/fs2/beamfaq.htm ZylonBane's Beam FAQ]
 [[Category:Technologies]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:48, 12 October 2020
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−	[[File:~~RScreen0053~~.png\|480px\|right\|thumb\|A ''Ravana''-class destroyer firing ~~two~~ of its ~~frontal primary~~ beam weapons ~~upon exiting subspace~~]]	+	[[File:RScreen0198.png\|480px\|right\|thumb\|A ''Ravana''-class destroyer firing most of its beam weapons]]

	'''Beam weapons''', or '''beam cannons''', are powerful weapons systems mounted exclusively on warships. They are used to engage other warships in combat, and for point defense against fighters, bombers, and warheads.		'''Beam weapons''', or '''beam cannons''', are powerful weapons systems mounted exclusively on warships. They are used to engage other warships in combat, and for point defense against fighters, bombers, and warheads.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:22, 10 April 2020
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	fred2_open adds an option to enable all beams by default in the Mission Statistics box.		fred2_open adds an option to enable all beams by default in the Mission Statistics box.
		+
		+	==Related Links==
		+	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20011215000921/http://home.att.net/~clay.h/fs2/beamfaq.htm ZylonBane's Beam FAQ]
		+

	[[Category:Technologies]]		[[Category:Technologies]]