Weapons.tbl

Revision information.....

SVN revision: 7766

Note: Please update the version number when the page is updated. If your edit had nothing to do with new code entries then please do not edit the version numbers

Special Case Weapons

Beam Cannons

• REQUIRES: "beam" flag
• REQUIRES: $BeamInfo:

Flak Guns

• REQUIRE: "flak" and "particle spew" flags
• Must have inner and outer radius defined to have any effect.
• Does not use any model or weapon effect though model must be defined, usually Hornet.pof. Instead it uses particle spew. Trails can also be added.

General Format

• The weapons table consist of several sections
• All sections beginning with # need #End before the next section.
  • #Primary Weapons
    • Defines all standard primaries weapons as well as beam cannons and flak cannons.
  • #Secondary Weapons
    • Defines all secondary weapons.
  • #Beam Weapons
    • I haven't got any ideas for this one.
  • #Countermeasures
    • Defines the used countermeasure.
  • $Player Weapon Precedence
    • Player Weapon Precedence is used in weapon selection when a default specified by the mission designer is not available to the player. The next weapon on the list is used in its place (assuming that weapon is allowed for the player).

Core Table

$Name:

• This is the name of the weapon. If it's going to be used by the player, keep it under 12 characters so it doesn't spill over the HUD box.
  Two special characters can be used in the name: # and @. Their usage details are the very same than inside the $Name field from Ships.tbl.
• Syntax: String

+nocreate

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• In Modular Tables name can be followed by line +nocreate that prevent game from creating an incomplete entry by leaving the entry unread unless it already exists (either in ship.tbl or in earlier parsed *-shp.tbm files) by the time the *-shp.tbm is read.

$Alt Name:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• An alternative name that can be referenced instead of $Name:
• Syntax: String

$Subtype:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

+Title:

• This is the title of the weapon in the Weapons loadout screen. Only needed for player allowed weapons. Title may be anything. Numerical value is a reference to translations in Tstrings.tbl
• Syntax: XSTR("String", -1)

+Description:

• This is the description you see in the weapons loadout screen. Again, these aren't based on any hard numbers, just approximations. Only needed for player allowed weapons. Numerical value is a reference to translations in Tstrings.tbl

Example

XSTR(
"''Standard Issue
''Level 3 Hull Damage
''Level 2 Shield Damage''", -1)
$end_multi_text

+Tech Title:

• Title of the weapon in the Tech room. Only needed for player allowed weapons.
• Syntax: XSTR("String", -1)

+Tech Anim:

• Animation used for the weapon in the Tech room. Only needed for player allowed weapons.
• Syntax: String, animation filename
  • Example: Tech_Subach_HL-7

+Tech Description:

• Descriptive text you see in the tech room. Only needed for player allowed weapons. Numerical value is a reference to translations in Tstrings.tbl

Example

XSTR(
"''The Subach-Innes HL-7...''", 3245)
$end_multi_text

$Tech Model:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines model used in wing loadout screen and in Tech Room for the weapon.
• Syntax: String.pof, model filename

$Selection Effect:

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Defines which selection effect to use when the -weapon_choice_3d commandline flag is enabled or no ani can be found for the selected weapon.
• Syntax: String, either "FS1", or "Off". This defaults to the FS2 effect.

$HUD Image:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the picture used to represent the weapon in HUD loadout list
• Syntax: String, filename

$Model File:

• Filename of the model file (.pof) at data/models folder. Additional fields beginning from @Laser Bitmap: and ending to @Laser Tail Radius: are not needed if a model has been defined for the weapon.
• Standard primaries and beam cannons do not use specific models so for those the name is 'none'.
• Flak weapons and secondaries use models, though the exact model is not important with the flak weapons.
• Syntax: String.pof or none, model filename
  • Example: none

$POF target LOD:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the LOD (Level-Of-Detail) of the model used in HUD targeting view
• Syntax: Integer

$Detail Distance:

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Defines the distance where the change between different Levels-Of-Details (LODs) occurs
• Take notice that these are base values. Model detail in Detail options, (within game press F2), applies a multiplier to these values. These multipliers are (from left to right): 1/8, 1/4, 1, 4, 8
• Optional. If not defined the game uses the formula ((radius * 20.0 + 20.0) * LOD)
• Syntax: (Detail Distances) , list of integers (same amount as LODs), distances from the model in meters
  • Example: (0, 80, 300, 900)

$External Model File:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the models shown on the gunpoint, used with Bobb's external-visible-weapon code.
• Syntax: String.pof, model filename

$Submodel Rotation Speed:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the rotation speed of the external weapon model
• Syntax: Float

$Submodel Rotation Acceleration:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the rotation acceleration of the external weapon model
• Syntax: Float

@Laser

In the event a 3D model is not defined for the weapon, FSO creates an object similar to a glowpoint. Essentially, it is a 2D plane that always faces the player's camera with an additive texture applied to it, and may or may not have an omnilight follow it.

As suggested by its name, this option group is normally used for lasers and similar primaries, but it may also be used for other weapon types as well.

Unless said otherwise, the graphic files used within this group may be of any compatible type (.DDS, .PCX, .TGA, etc.), however a .DDS is recommended.

@Laser Bitmap:

Defines the graphic file to be used as the weapon effect.

Blending type: additive

Syntax: String, filename

Example:

@Laser Bitmap: my_laser_bitmap

@Laser Glow:

Defines the graphic file to be used for the glowmap of the weapon effect.

Blending type: additive

• This file is 'multiplied' by a value between Color and Color2.
• The physical dimensions of the glowmap in-game is 2x the size of the bitmap.

Syntax: String, filename

Example:

@Laser Glow: my_laser_glowmap

@Laser Color:

The RGB color of the glow effect.

• The color is applied both to the glowmap and the omnilight that follows the effect.

Syntax: Color, red, green, blue respectively, 8-bit value from 0 to 255

Example:

@Laser Color: 255, 0, 0    ; Red glow effect at the start of the effect's lifetime

@Laser Color2:

The RGB color of the glow effect at the end of the effect's lifetime (at its maximum range).

• The color is applied both to the glowmap and the omnilight that follows the effect.
• The actual color of the glow effect is somewhere in between the values defined by Color and Color2. Essentially, the actual color "fades" from Color to Color2 over its lifetime.
  • If Color is not defined, then a default value of 255, 255, 255 is assumed for its initial color. (needs confirmation)

Syntax: Color, red, green, blue respectively, 8-bit value from 0 to 255

Example:

@Laser Color2:  0, 0, 255    ; Blue glow effect at the end of the effect's lifetime.

Example:

@Laser Color: 255, 0,   0    ; Start with a Red glow effect, and fade into...
@Laser Color2:  0, 0, 255    ; a Blue glow effect over the lifetime of the effect.

@Laser Length:

Defines the length of the weapon effect.

• This option stretches the 2D plane "away" from its origin.

Syntax: Float, meters

Example:

@Laser Length:  1.0

@Laser Head Radius:

Defines the width of the leading edge, or "head," of the weapon effect.

• The edge of the 2D plane farthest away from its origin is the leading edge.

Syntax: Float, meters

Example:

@Laser Head Radius: 0.75

@Laser Tail Radius:

Defines the width of the trailing edge, or "tail" of the weapon effect.

• The edge of the 2D plane that is closest to its origin is the trailing edge.

Syntax: Float, meters

Example:

@Laser Tail Radius: 0.75

$Mass:

• How much of a kinetic effect this weapon has on its target. 3+ gives you the Flail effect. Set it to 10 and you can knock cruisers around.
• This is somehow multiplied by the speed. ie $Mass: 3 and $Velocity: 200 has much weaker kinetic effect than $Mass: 3 and $Velocity: 1000. Also $Mass is used to calculate intensity of "shudder" effect if flagged.
• Syntax: Float, blast effect

$Velocity:

• How fast the weapon travels. Is also used to define the weapon range, $Velocity x $Lifetime = range.
• Beams travel instantly so this field has effect only on weapon range and AI beam targeting with certain beam types. $Velocity of beam also applies to its kinetic effect along with $Mass.
• Syntax: Float, meters per second

$Fire Wait:

• Time in seconds between firings
• Note that Fire wait will be reset to 1 if it is set over 5 for non turreted primary weapons
• Syntax: Float, seconds

$Damage:

• Base damage this weapon does. The actual damage is this number multiplied by the factors below.
• Base damage this beam does is continuous damage, damage is 5.5 times the damage value per second. The actual damage is this number multiplied by one of the factors below.
• Syntax: Float, damage

$Damage Type:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the damage type that this weapon uses. All armor effects are applied after shield and have no function against shockwave or subsystem damage. REQUIRES ADDITIONAL TABLE.
• Syntax: String, name of the damage type as defined in armor.tbl

$Arm time:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the time after the launch that is required before the weapon comes hot
• If the time has not been reached when the weapon detonates the Dinky explosion is used
• Syntax: Float, seconds

$Arm distance:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the distance from the firing ships that is required before the weapon comes hot
• If the distance has not been reached when the weapon detonates the Dinky explosion is used
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Arm radius:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the distance from the target where the weapon will arm itself
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Detonation Range:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the distance from the point in space that the weapon was launched where the weapon will detonate
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Detonation Radius:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the distance between the target center point point and the weapon which detonates the weapon.
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Shockwave damage:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Override for the damage caused by shockwaves
• Syntax: Float, damage

$Shockwave Damage Type:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• REQUIRES ADDITIONAL TABLE. Defines the damage type used for the weapon explosions
• Syntax: String, name as defined in armor.tbl

$Blast Force:

• The intensity of the kinetic blast effect when ship is within the outer radius of the explosion. Comes in effect only if inner and outer radius are defined.
• Syntax: Float, blast effect

$Inner Radius:

• Radius at which the full explosion damage is done. Marks the line where damage attenuation begins.
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Outer Radius:

• Maximum radius at which any damage is done
• Also defines the size of the shockwave (if shockwave speed is > 0)
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Shockwave Speed:

• Speed shockwave expands at. Zero means no shockwave and that damage is applied immediately
• Syntax: Float, meters per second

$Shockwave rotation:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines how the 3D shockwave is rotated.
• Syntax: Angle, three values, pitch, bank, heading respectively, in degrees

$Shockwave model:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the model file (.pof) used as a shockwave for the 3D shockwaves.
• Syntax: String.pof, model filename

$Shockwave name:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the name of the animation used for the 2D shockwave
• Syntax: String, filename

$Dinky shockwave:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Dinky shockwave are used if the weapon is shot down before arming or if the conditions marked at Arm time and Arm distance are not reached before impact
• It uses exactly same entries as the standard shockwaves
• +Shockwave damage:
• +Shockwave damage type:
• +Blast Force:
• +Inner Radius:
• +Outer Radius:
• +Shockwave Speed:
• +Shockwave Rotation:
• +Shockwave Model:
• +Shockwave Name:

$Armor Factor:

• Multiplier for the damage done to armor
• Syntax: Float, damage multiplier

$Shield Factor:

• Multiplier for the damage done to shields
• Syntax: Float, damage multiplier

$Subsystem Factor:

• Multiplier for the damage done to subsystems
• Syntax: Float, damage multiplier

$Lifetime Min:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the minimum lifetime of the weapon
• Syntax: Float, seconds

$Lifetime Max:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the maximum lifetime of the weapon
• Syntax: Float, seconds

$Lifetime:

• Time before the standard primaries fizzle out and secondaries self destruct. Multiply this by the speed to get the range. If values are too low (below framerate) then the collision detection and graphic effects may suffer.
• This field has no effect for the beams apart from weapon range and AI beam targeting with certain beam types
• Syntax: Float, seconds

$Energy Consumed:

• The amount of energy each bolt drains firing ship. Has no effect on turretted weapons.
• Syntax: Float

$Cargo Size:

• Cargo size, is not used with non-ballistic primaries.
• Amount of missiles available = Bank capacity / Cargo Size.
• Syntax: Float

$Homing:

• Only for secondaries. You can't have homing primaries. If this is set to YES with primaries, then the bolts turn to face their target but keep moving in the same direction. If the field is set to NO then following fields are not required in the table.
• Defines if the missiles in question is homing
• Syntax: Boolean, yes or no
• +Type:
  • Defines the homing method
  • Syntax: String, ASPECT or HEAT

FS2 Open 3.6.10: An additional option, JAVELIN, has been added. This behaves like an aspect missile but automatically only locks onto the engines of a target, and only if the engines are in sight.

• +Turn Time:
  • Defines how well missile maneuvers. Number of seconds it takes the missile to do a 360 degree circle
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
• +View Cone:
  • Heat-seeking missiles only, this is then number of degrees the missile sees. Value / 2 gives the angle from the missile's centerline.
  • Syntax: Float, degrees

FS2 Open 3.6.10: Has been enabled also to aspect seekers as an option.

• +Min Lock Time:
  • For aspect/javelin missiles only, the minimum number of seconds to gain target lock
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
• +Lock Pixels/Sec:
  • For aspect/javelin missiles only, pixels the aspect triangle moves per second while attempting lock-on
  • Syntax: Integer, pixels per second
• +Catch-up Pixels/Sec:
  • For aspect/javelin missiles only, pixels moved per second while attempting to catch up to the target
  • Syntax: Integer, pixels per second
• +Catch-up Penalty:
  • For aspect/javelin missiles only, extra pixels to move after catching up ????
  • Syntax: Integer, pixels

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +Seeker Strength:
  • Defines the seeking ability of the homing system. Default of heat seekers is 3 and for aspect seekers 2. Spoofing change is defined as cm type effectiveness/seeker strength.
  • Syntax: Float, seeker strength

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• +Target Lead Scaler:
  • Defines the type of pursuit course the missile tries to obtain.
  • Values < 0 give lag pursuit, values ~ 0 give pure pursuit, values > 0 give lead pursuit.
  • Syntax: Float, default for heat seekers: 0, default for aspect or javelin seekers: 1.

$Swarm:

• The number of missiles to fire per volley if it's a swarm missile
• Can be issued to Standard primaries also. Causes single part turrets to malfunction but causes multi part turrets to fire only on their barrel line. Can be used for 'burst fire weapons'. Does not work with player weapons.
• Is incompatible with "Corkscrew" option.
• Syntax: Integer, number of shots in a swarm

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +SwarmWait:
  • Defines the time between weapons fired in a swarm
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
    • Default: 0.150
    • Max: 0.5 (Resets to default if set over 0.5)

$Free Flight Time:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the free flight time of homing weapons. During this time weapon flies at 1/4 of its velocity + firing ships velocity in a straight line.
• Syntax: Float, seconds
  • Default: 0.25

$Free Flight Speed:

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Defines the speed that the weapon will be travelling at during the free flight segment (see above).
• Syntax: Float, Multiplier for the actual speed, minimum 0.01.
  • Default: 0.25

$PreLaunchSnd:

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Defines the one-shot sound effect to play at the beginning of a firing stream. Currently only has an effect on primary weapons.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl
  • Default: No Sound

+PreLaunchSnd Min Interval:

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Defines Minimum interval between when the player stops firing and the next time the pre-launch sound can play, as a limiter in case the player is pumping the trigger.
• Syntax: Integer, Minimum delay in milliseconds between the end of the previous firing sequence and the next time the pre-launch sound effect will be played.
  • Default: 0 (play pre-launch sound at the beginning of every firing sequence, if present)

$LaunchSnd:

• Corresponding sound effect when the weapon is launched.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

$ImpactSnd:

• Sound the weapon makes when it hits a hull.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

$Disarmed ImpactSnd:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Sound the weapon makes when it hits a hull before being armed.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

$FlyBySnd:

• The sound this weapon makes if it narrowly misses you. -1 is no sound.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl, usually -1

$Model:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines used model file. Included for compatibility with countermeasures as they have been merged with weapons in the code.
• Syntax: String.pof, model filename

$Rearm Rate:

• Defines the rate the weapons are loaded to the ship
• Syntax: Float, missiles loaded per second

+Weapon Range:

• Defines the range to the target where the weapons under AI will start firing.
• Syntax: Float, meters

+Weapon Min Range:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the minimum range to the target where the weapons under AI will still fire.
• Implemented before FS_Open 3.6.5
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Flags:

• See below
• Syntax: ( "String" "String" ), names of the flags assigned to the weapon
  • Example: ( "Player allowed" "in tech database" )

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Can be followed by +override option in order to reset the weapon flags before parsing in the new ones
• Using this option will erase all homing-related flags as well as swarm, variable lead, trail, TAG, and transparent settings in addition to the listed flags. All these should be set again - if they are required - when this option is used.

• • Syntax: +override

$Trail:

• This is used if you want your weapon to have a trail. Trail is often used only with secondaries though it works with standard primaries as well.
• +Start Width:
  • How wide the head of the trail is.
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +End Width:
  • How wide the tail of the trail is.
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +Start Alpha:
  • The opacity of the trail head.
  • Syntax: Float, value between 0 and 1
• +End Alpha:
  • The opacity of the trail tail.
  • Syntax: Float, value between 0 and 1
• +Max Life:
  • How long the trail lasts.
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
• +Bitmap:
  • The graphic file to use for the trail.
  • Syntax: String, filename

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• +Faded Out Sections:
  • Defines the number of the trail sections (counting from the leading edge) which are gradually faded out.
  • Syntax: Integer, number of trail sections

$Icon:

• Loadout icon used in the weapons selection screen.
• Syntax: String, filename

$Anim:

• Green grid animation used on the weapons screen.
• Syntax: String, filename

$Collide Ship:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Has been replaced with #Conditional Hooks, see Scripting.tbl

$Collide Weapon:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Has been replaced with #Conditional Hooks, see Scripting.tbl

$Impact Explosion:

• Impact explosion used. Must be defined in weapon_expl.tbl,
• Syntax: String, filename or none

$Impact Explosion Radius:

• Radius of the defined impact explosion.
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Dinky impact explosion:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Same as Impact explosion but for Dinky (not armed) explosions
• Syntax: String, filename or none

$Dinky impact explosion radius:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Same as Impact explosion radius but for Dinky explosions
• Syntax: Float, meters

$Piercing Impact Explosion:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the effect used for events when weapon pierces the target
• Syntax: String, filename or none

$Piercing Impact Radius:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the base radius of the effect used for piercing weapon impacts
• Syntax: Float

$Piercing Impact Velocity:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the base velocity for the particles piercing the target
• Syntax: Float

$Piercing Impact Splash Velocity:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the base velocity for the particles splashing from the target (secondary piercing effects
• Negative value causes the second batch or particles to splash to opposite direction
• Syntax: Float

$Piercing Impact Variance:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the variance added to the particles
• Values near 0 cause very little variance and values close to 1 cause extreme dispersal.
• Syntax: Float

$Piercing Impact Life:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the lifetime of the effect for single frame effects
• For multiple frame effects the lifetime is the lifetime of the animation used
• Syntax: Float

$Piercing Impact Life:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the number of particles released per impact
• Syntax: Integer

$Piercing Impact Draw Modifier:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the multiplier applied to the ships piercing effect limit percentage
• Syntax: Float

Option removed in 3.6.12. Use armor.tbl to finetune piercing effects.

$Muzzleflash:

• Normally only with flak cannons.
• Defines the muzzle flash the weapon uses
• Syntax: String, muzzleflash name, as defined in mflash.tbl

$EMP Intensity:

• • If it has an EMP effect, how deeply it scrambles your electronics
  • Syntax: Float

$EMP Time:

• • Duration of the EMP effect
  • Syntax: Float, seconds

$Leech Weapon:

• • The amount of weapon energy to drain with each hit
  • Syntax: Float

$Leech Afterburner:

• • The amount of afterburner fuel to drain with each hit
  • Syntax: Float

$Corkscrew:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Allow corkscrew parameters to be defined
• +Num Fired:
  • Defines the number of weapons fired in sequence. Same as the standard swarm entry but for corkscrew missiles
  • Syntax: Integer, number of missiles
• +Radius:
  • Defines the radius used in the corkscrew motion
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +Fire Delay:
  • Defines the delay between missile firings
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Counter rotate:
  • Defines if every other missile rotates to a different direction (clockwise / anticlockwise)
  • Syntax: Boolean, 0 or 1, no or yes
• +Twist:
  • Defines the speed of rotation movement on the radius of corkscrew motion.
  • Syntax: Float, radians per second

$Electronics:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the weapons effect against electronics. Requires "electronics" flag. +New Style: and +Old Style: options are mutually exclusive.
• +New Style:
  • Defines that the electronics use the new style which enables more options.
• +Old Style:
  • Defines that the electronics use the old style. The old style was the way the D-Missile worked in Descent: FreeSpace.
• +Intensity:
  • May only be used with +New Style: electronics. Has been deprecated.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Lifetime:
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Engine Multiplier:
  • May only be used with +New Style: electronics. Defines how much longer the disruption effect lasts for engine subsystems.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Weapon Multiplier:
  • May only be used with +New Style: electronics. Defines how much longer the disruption effect lasts for non-beam turrets.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Beam Turret Multiplier:
  • May only be used with +New Style: electronics. Defines how much longer the disruption effect lasts for beam turrets.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Sensors Multiplier:
  • May only be used with +New Style: electronics. Defines how much longer the disruption effect lasts for sensor subsystems.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Randomness Time:
  • Defines the randomness of duration target suffers from the electronics hit. A random number between 0 and this time will be added or subtracted from the disruption time.
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds

• Without any electronics parameters, a weapon with the "electronics" flag will default to the Old Style mode with a lifetime of 6000 milliseconds and a randomness of 4000 milliseconds. Thus any ship that gets hit can get disrupted for anywhere between 2 to 10 seconds.

• WARNING: Putting +Old Style doesn't seem to work either.

To have a working electronics weapon just put the electronics flag in the weapon and make sure it has a big shockwave radius and a shockwave speed of 0.

$Spawn Angle:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the cone (with an angle) where the spawned weapons appear. Value gives the angle from the missiles centerline. The maximum possible angle between any two child weapons would be Value*2.
• Spawn angle can be defined as many times as the carrier missile has child weapons defined for it (up to 5).
• Syntax: Float, degrees

$Local SSM:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the local SSM (Subspace Missile). In effect missile moves via subspace to a position close to the target and starts homing.
• Weapon must be aspect seeking missile and must have local ssm flag.
• +Warpout Delay:
  • Defines the time between the missile launch and the subspace jump.
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Warpin Delay:
  • Defines the time missile stays in subspace before exiting.
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Stage 5 Velocity:
  • Defines the velocity of the missile after the subspace jump.
  • Syntax: Float, meters per second
• +Warpin Radius:
  • Defines how far from the SSM will appear from the outer radius of the target.
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +Lock Range:
  • Defines the maximum range where SSM can achieve target lock
  • Syntax: Float, meters

$Countermeasure:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the countermeasure effectiveness and radius
• +Heat Effectiveness:
  • Defines the countermeasures effectiveness against heat seeking missiles
  • Syntax: Float, cm effectiveness
    • Default: 1
• +Aspect Effectiveness:
  • Defines the countermeasures effectiveness against aspect seeking missiles
  • Syntax: Float, cm effectiveness
    • Default: 1
• +Effective Radius:
  • Defines the countermeasures effective radius
  • Syntax: Float, meters
    • Default: 300

$BeamInfo:

• +Type:
  • Defines the type of beam in question. Beam types: 0 is a standard non-slashing type beam. 1 is a slashing type beam. 2 is a targeting beam that is used to trigger SSMs. 3 is a beam type that fires pulses in anti-fighter role and acts like type 0 beam in other roles. 4 is a beam that is restricted to what is directly in front of it, along turrets firepoints normal.
  • Syntax: Integer,, only values from 0 to 4 are legal
• +Life:
  • How long it lasts once the beam is actually firing.
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
• +Warmup:
  • Warmup time
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Warmdown:
  • Warmdown time
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Radius:
  • Muzzle glow radius
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +PCount:
  • Particles spewed every interval. ??
  • Syntax: Integer
• +PRadius:
  • Particle radius
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +PAngle:
  • Defines the random "cone" where the particles are generated
  • Syntax: Float, angle of the cone
• +PAni:
  • Animation used to represent the particles
  • Syntax: String, filename
• +Miss Factor:
  • The higher the numbers, the more likely that this beam will miss. One value for every difficulty level
  • Syntax: Miss Factor, five floats, very easy, easy, moderate, hard, insane, respectively.
    • Example: 0.5 0.975 1.35 1.875 2.5

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• IFF specific miss factors
  • Identical to the preceding entry but IFF specific. Replace the <IFF> with the name of the IFF from iff_defs.tbl
  • Syntax: +<IFF> Miss Factor:, five floats, very easy, easy, moderate, hard, insane, respectively.
    • Example: 0.5 0.975 1.35 1.875 2.5

+BeamSound:

• Corresponding looping sound effect when the beam is firing.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

+WarmupSound:

• Corresponding sound effect when the beam is beam warmed up.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

+WarmdownSound:

• Corresponding sound effect when the beam is warming down.
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

+Muzzleglow:

• Defines the bitmap used to create the muzzle glow
• Syntax: String, filename

+Shots:

• Defines into how may invidual shots the type 3 (AAA) beams are divided. Note total firing is the same as the +Life:
• Syntax: Integer

+ShrinkFactor:

• What percentage of lifetime where beam starts shrinking (0.1 == 10% life left)
• Syntax: Float

+ShrinkPct:

• What percentage of max width we subtract per second
• Syntax: Float

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +Range:
  • Defines the maximum range where the beam still has any effect.
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +Attenuation:
  • Defines the point where the damage caused by the beam starts to attenuate. At maximum range damage is zero.
  • Syntax: Float, from 0 - firing point to 1 - no effect
    • Default: 1

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• +BeamWidth:
  • Defines the width of the beam for collision test purposes instead of using widest beam section.
  • Syntax: Float'
• +Beam Flash Effect:
  • Defines the additional impact flash effect for the beam.
  • Syntax: String, filename
• +Beam Flash Radius:
  • Defines the radius for the additional impact flash effect.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Beam Piercing Effect:
  • Defines the beam piercing (bursting flames) effect for the beam.
  • Syntax: String, filename
• +Beam Piercing Radius:
  • Defines the average radius used for the beam piercing effects.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Beam Piercing Effect Velocity:
  • Defines the base velocity for the piercing effects
  • Syntax: Float
• +Beam Piercing Splash Effect Velocity:
  • Defines the base velocity for the secondary piercing effects
  • Negative velocity causes the particles to move to opposite direction
  • Syntax: Float
• +Beam Piercing Effect Variance:
  • Defines the variances of the particles from the main path
  • Values close to 0 cause minimum variance, higher values cause higher variances
  • Syntax: Float

• $Section:
  • Beams are made up of up to five sections layered atop one another to create the effect. Each section has its own parameters.

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +Index:
  • Field used to define with Modular Tables the beam section which is edited.
  • Only needed when editing beams that already exist in other tables.
  • Syntax: Integer, index number legal values are from 0 to 5
• +remove
  • Removes the set beam section.
• +nocreate
  • Does not create new section for the beam

• +Width:
  • Width of the section
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +Texture:
  • Texture for the section
  • Syntax: String, filename
• +RGBA Inner:
  • Defines the color and transparency of the center of the section
  • Syntax: Color, red, green, blue, alpha, respectively, value from 0 to 255
    • Example: 255 255 255 255
• +RGBA Outer:
  • Defines the color and transparency of the edges of the section
  • Syntax: Color, red, green, blue, alpha, respectively, value from 0 to 255
    • Example: 150 150 150 10
• +Flicker:
  • Defines how much the section flickers
  • Syntax: Float, value from 0 to 1
• +Zadd:
  • Defines the 'thickness' of the section. The higher the Zadd, the closer the section appears to be.
  • Syntax: Float

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +Tile Factor:
  • Defines the beam texture tiling factor. Second number defines the tiling type. Type 0 tiles the graphic in the beam as many times as defined by the 1st number. Type 1 uses the 1st value as the lenght of the tile.
  • Syntax: Float, Integer
• +Translation:
  • Defines the speed of translation of the beam, a positive value moves from the impact point to the firing point, while a negative value moves away from the firing point towards the impact point. Measured in tiles per second, where the tile count is defined in the "+Tile Factor:" field above.
  • Syntax: Float

$Pspew:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines a particle spew effect for the given weapon

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• +Index:
  • indicates which spewer to add/edit/delete. may be 0-3. used for xmt compatibility.
  • Syntax: Integer
• +Remove
  • removes spewer at +Index: (requires +index:)
• +Type:
  • type of particle spew
  • Syntax: String, Default, Helix, Sparkler, Ring, or Plume

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +Count:
  • Defines how many particles are spawn when they are ready to be created (at each +Time: interval)
  • Syntax: Integer
• +Time:
  • Defines the time in milliseconds between next particle(s) spewed
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds
• +Vel:
  • Defines the created particles velocity as percentage of the weapons velocity
  • Syntax: Float
• +Radius:
  • Defines the size of the created particles
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +Life:
  • Defines how long the particles last.
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
• +Scale:
  • Defines the particle spread. Small value will make particles group together
  • typically controls how big the effect is or how fast it moves away from the weapon path on a perpendicular (or sometimes arbitrary) axis.
  • helical spews and rings use this value to control how fast the particle helix moves away from the central axis.
  • sparklers use this to control how fast particles move away from the spawn point, in any direction
  • plumes use this to set the diameter of the disk across which particles are spawned
  • Syntax: Float

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• +Z Scale:
  • for sparklers, allows you to elongate the effect to surround other effects, like lasers. essentially a length multiplier
  • for plume, it multiplies against +scale to set the plume to spread or converge, zero would be full convergence, 1 would be straight flight, and bigger numbers would cause particles to diverge from the disk.
  • Syntax: Float
• +Rotation Rate:
  • used only by helical spews, controls how many rotations per second the helix makes
  • Syntax: Float, may be negative, useful for setting up 2 spews that spin in opposite directions
• +Offset:
  • position of effect with regards to the weapon center
  • Syntax: Vector
• +Initial Velocity:
  • to indicate both direction and speed of particle effects regards to the weapon velocity and +scale:
  • Syntax: Vector

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• +Bitmap:
  • Defines the animation used to create the particle spew effect
  • Syntax: String, filename

$Tag:

• Allowed for secondary weapons

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Allowed for primary weapons and secondary weapons

• Sets this weapon as a TAG missile, level 1, 2, or 3. The second number is the duration in seconds.
• TAG Level 1 will illuminate hidden targets such as stealth fighters or ships normally obscured by nebula conditions.
• TAG Level 2 illiminates targets much like TAG Level 1, but turrets will prefer to shoot at them over other ships.
• TAG Level 3 has no effect in retail.

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• TAG Level 3 allows the weapon to trigger SSMs

• Syntax: Integer Float, TAG level and seconds respectively

$SSM:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the weapons SSM index number.
• Requires TAG level 3 or a targeting beam.
• Syntax: Integer

$FOF:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the field of fire for the weapon. Causes weapon to fire into a firing cone instead of direct firing line thus causing light inaccuracy
• Syntax: Float, degrees

$Shots:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the number of shots every time the weapon is fired.
• Works only for primary weapons
• Syntax: Integer, number of shots

$decal:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines impact decals if they are in use
• +texture:
  • Defines the texture used for impact decals (can use -burn and -glow textures)
  • Syntax: String, filename
• +backface texture:
  • Defines ???
  • Syntax: String, filename
• +radius:
  • Defines the size of the impact decals on target
  • Syntax: Float, meters
• +burn time:
  • Defines the time the -burn texture appears on the target
  • Syntax: Integer, milliseconds

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Feature removed - table parsing retained to maintain compatibility

$Transparent:

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines weapon effect as transparent. Enables optional fields for 'alpha animations'
• +Alpha:
  • Defines the strenght of the alpha (transparency). And also the maximum value for the alpha cycle option
  • Syntax: Float, from 0 to 1
• +Alpha Min:
  • Defines the minimum alpha value for alpha cycle option
  • Syntax: Float, from 0 to 1
• +Alpha Cycle:
  • Defines the change in alpha per frame, between Alpha and Alpha Min values
  • Syntax: Float

$Weapon Hitpoints:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the amount of hitpoints a weapon has.
• Weapons with "bomb" flag have 50 hitpoints by default
• Giving weapon hitpoints makes it possible for the weapon to be shot down or be destroyed by EMP.
  • Syntax: Integer

$Burst Shots:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the number of shots in a burst
• Shots in a burst use shorter ( $Burst Delay: ) delay than usually
  • Syntax: Integer

$Burst Delay:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the time in milliseconds between the shots in a burst
  • Syntax: Integer

$Burst Flags:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the flags used to define the burst firing behaviour
  • Syntax: ( String String ), list of flags
  • Available burst flags:
    • "fast firing", acts as if same turret cooldown flag would be used between the shots in the burst.
    • "random length", makes AI to fire burst of random length (from 1 to burst shots).

$Thruster Flame Effect:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the filename of the effect used on the modeled thruster of the missile
  • Syntax: String, filename

$Thruster Glow Effect:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the filename of the effect used on the glow type effect of the missile
  • Syntax: String, filename

$Thruster Glow Radius Factor:

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the radius multiplier for the thruster's glow type effect
  • Syntax: Float

$Substitute:

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Defines a pattern of ammo to substitute for primary or secondary weapons. $substitute: can be repeated any number of times. +period and +index will grow the pattern array anytime something does not fit so any whole number will be accepted. If neither +period or +index is specified, it is assumed to be equivalent to +index: 0.
  • Syntax: Weapon Name
• +period:
• Substitute Weapon Name every period shots. Mutually exclusive with +index
  • Syntax: Positive Integer
• +offset:
• Shift period pattern offset shots. Must be used with +frequency
  • Syntax: Positive Integer
• +index:
• Substitute the Weapon Name at index in the shot pattern. Mutually exclusive with +period
  • Syntax: Positive Integer

Weapons.tbl Flags

"Electronics"

• Will seize up the weapons and engines systems of any ship for a short period of time.

"Spawn Name,Value"

• Will spawn the specified number of defined missiles upon detonation.

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Multiple spawn types can be defined for a single 'carrier' weapon up to maximum of 5 different weapons

"Remote Detonate"

• Can be triggered remotely via a second press on the trigger

"Big Ship"

• These weapons cannot be mounted on small ships like fighters, bombers, sentry guns etc.

"Huge"

• Allows this weapon to do the final 10% damage to a ship with the "Big Damage" flag. Also the AI will not try to hit fighters with it.

"Supercap"

• Allows this weapon to do the final 75% damage to a ship with the "supercap" flag.

"Bomber+"

• The AI will prefer to use this weapon against bombers

"child"

• Cannot be set as a weapon on any ship, but is instead a child of a weapon. Usually defined with "Spawn Name,Value"

"Bomb"

• Makes this weapon targetable with the B key, and the AI prefers to use it against large ships

"No Dumbfire"

• Missile will not fire without a lock

"in tech database"

• Has the weapon in the tech database at the start of the campaign

"Player allowed"

• Allows this weapon as a player weapon.

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE:
  • Whenever you plan to use a weapon as a player one in your campaign or missions, USE THIS FLAG.
  • Not using it can cause problems within fs_open and it's a BAD MOD DESIGN.
  • In the future, fs_open will maybe be able to avoid these problems but, nevertheless, it's still a BAD DESIGN.
  • As another possible example: be careful to update "retail" tables if you plan to use Shivan weapons in player fighters.

"Particle Spew"

• Makes the weapon projectile spew out particles

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Can be defined with Particle Spew parameters

"EMP"

• This weapon will have an EMP effect on any ship within the blast radius
• Can be defined with EMP Intensity and EMP Time

"Esuck"

• Drains the target's energy banks
• Can be defined with Leech Weapon and Leech Afterburner

"Flak"

• Makes this weapon a flak gun

"Corkscrew"

• Makes this weapon spiral AND swarm 4.

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Can be defined with Corkscrew parameters

"Shudder"

• Makes your ship shudder while you're firing the weapon

"lockarm"

• Requires a target lock in order to arm its warhead. In other words weapon causes less damage if it hits the target without target lock.

"beam"

• Makes this weapon a beam cannon

"stream"

• Does nothing

"puncture"

• Reduces hull damage by 75%

The AI will prefer these weapons for anti-subsystem use

"countermeasure"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the weapon as a countermeasure

"Ballistic"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Defines the weapon as a ballistic weapon that needs ammunition.
• Make sure you define the size and reload rate for ballistic weapons

"pierce shields"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Causes weapons to penetrate shield without causing damage to it.

"no pierce shields"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Prevents weapons (beams) from piercing shields causing shields to be damaged by weapons first.

"local ssm"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

"tagged only"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Weapon can only be fired at tagged targets

"beam no whack"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Disables beam whacking (push). Practically same as setting beam mass to zero.

"cycle"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Causes weapon to alternate between firing points

"small only"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Causes AI to use the weapon only on small targets (fighters, bombers etc.)

"same turret cooldown"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Forces the turrets to fire on the designated rate of fire on all difficulty levels and all AI levels

"apply no light"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Prevents light from being applied to the weapon model.

"training"

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• Sets weapon to be of training weapon type. ?

"smart spawn"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Forces turret fired spawn weapon of this type to be fired like normal weapons.

"inherit parent target"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Sets spawned 'child' weapons to use parent weapon's target.

"no emp kill"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the weapon (with hitpoints) to be immune to automatic EMP destruction.

"untargeted heat seeker"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Defines the weapon as a heatseeker type missile which acquires its target by itself.

"no radius doubling"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Prevents weapon radius from being doubled when doing collision test. Makes bombs harder to intercept.

"no subsystem homing"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Prevents weapon from acquiring a subsystem as its target. Missile homing points are spread over the target ship.

"no lifeleft penalty"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Prevents weapon lifetime from being penalized if the angle to the target is too big.

"can be targeted"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Allows weapon to be targeted by player. Does not influence AI

"show on radar"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Allows weapon to be visible on the radar

"show friendly on radar"

FS2 Open, 3.6.12:

• Allows friendly, otherwise visible to radar weapon, to be visible on player radar

"capital+"

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Tells AI to use this weapon only on capital ships

"chain external model fps"

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Tells game to keep switching external model firingpoints when firing

"external model launcher"

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Tells game that the external model is a launcher so that it would be kept static without loading motion

"takes blast damage"

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Weapon takes damage from weapon blasts

"takes shockwave damage"

FS2 Open, 3.6.14:

• Weapon takes damage from shockwaves

Countermeasures

• Usually not altered. Only one can exist

FS2 Open 3.6.10:

• More than one can exist

$Name:

• Name of the countermeasure
• Syntax: String, name

$Velocity:

• Defines the speed of the countermeasure, relative to the ship.
• Syntax: Float, meter per second

$Fire Wait:

• Definies the minumum time between the countermeasure launches
• Syntax: Float, seconds

Lifetime

• Countermeasure's life time is defined between with minimum and maximum lifetime
• $Lifetime Min:
  • Syntax: Float, seconds
• $Lifetime Max:
  • Syntax: Float, seconds

$LaunchSnd:

• Defines the sound for the countermeasure launch
• Syntax: Integer or String, name or identification number of the sound as defined in sounds.tbl

$Model:

• Defines the used model file (.pof)
• Syntax: String.pof, model filename

Player Weapon Precedence

• First the primary weapons are defined, from most powerful to least powerful, and then the same for secondaries
• Syntax: ( "String" "String"), names of the weapons
• Example:

$Player Weapon Precedence: (
     "UD-8 Kayser"
     "Prometheus R"
     "Subach HL-7"
     "Harpoon"
     "Tempest"
     "Rockeye"   )

Sample

#Primary Weapons

$Name:                            @Subach HL-7
   +Title:                           XSTR("GTW Subach HL-7", 3243)
   +Description:
XSTR( "Standard Issue
Level 3 Hull Damage
Level 2 Shield Damage", 3244)
$end_multi_text
   +Tech Title:                      XSTR("Subach HL-7", 146)
   +Tech Anim:                       Tech_Subach_HL-7
   +Tech Description:
XSTR(
"Descriptive text...", -1)
$end_multi_text
$Model File:                      none
   @Laser Bitmap:                    newglo9
   @Laser Glow:                      2_laserglow03
   @Laser Color:                     250, 0, 0
   @Laser Color2:                    0, 0, 250
   @Laser Length:                    10.0
   @Laser Head Radius:               0.90
   @Laser Tail Radius:               0.90
$Mass:                            0.2
$Velocity:                        450.0
$Fire Wait:                       0.2
$Damage:                          15
$Armor Factor:                    0.9
$Shield Factor:                   0.7
$Subsystem Factor:                0.3
$Lifetime:                        2.0
$Energy Consumed:                 0.20
$Cargo Size:                      0.0
$Homing:                          NO
$LaunchSnd:                       76
$ImpactSnd:                       85
$Flags:                           (  "in tech database"
                                     "player allowed"
                                     "stream")
$Icon:                            iconSD4
$Anim:                            SD4
$Impact Explosion:                none

#End


#Secondary Weapons

$Name:                            EMP Adv.
   +Title:                           XSTR("GTM-14 EMP Adv.", 3396)
   +Description:
XSTR( "Advanced Missile
Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon
General Purpose Suppression", 3397)
$end_multi_text
   +Tech Title:                      XSTR("GTM-14 EM Pulse Adv.", 3398)
   +Tech Anim:                       Tech_EMP
   +Tech Description:
XSTR(
"Descriptive text...", -1)
$end_multi_text
$Model File:                      EMPulse2.pof
$Mass:                            15.0
$Velocity:                        275.0
$Fire Wait:                       2.0
$Damage:                          45
$Blast Force:                     20.0
$Inner Radius:                    80.0
$Outer Radius:                    300.0
$Shockwave Speed:                 120.0
$Armor Factor:                    1.0
$Shield Factor:                   0.8
$Subsystem Factor:                0.5
$Lifetime:                        5.0
$Energy Consumed:                 0.0
$Cargo Size:                      4.0
$Homing:                          YES
   +Type:                            ASPECT
   +Turn Time:                       1.0
   +Min Lock Time:                   2.0
   +Lock Pixels/Sec:                 70
   +Catch-up Pixels/Sec:             100
   +Catch-up Penalty:                30
$LaunchSnd:                       118
$ImpactSnd:                       88
$FlyBySnd:                        -1
$Rearm Rate:                      2.0
$Flags:                           (  "player allowed"
                                     "EMP")
$Trail:
   +Start Width:                     0.25
   +End Width:                       0.75
   +Start Alpha:                     1.0
   +End Alpha:                       0.0
   +Max Life:                        1.5
   +Bitmap:                          MissileTrail04
$Icon:                            iconEMPulse
$Anim:                            ecm
$Impact Explosion:                ExpMissileHit1
$Impact Explosion Radius:         10.0
$EMP Intensity:                   375.0
$EMP Time:                        20.0

#End

$Player Weapon Precedence: (
     "Subach HL-7"
     "EMP Adv."   )