Mass Driver?

[dcheng7475]

This weapon is unique in that it is the only type of non-energy based projectile weapon available. It consists of a rapid feed multi barrelled cannon, which is capable of delivering a large number of small projectiles to its target in a short period of time. It inflicts damage not due power of individual projectiles but because of the large numbers of projectiles delivered. Due to the unique nature of this weapon's ammunition it has almost no effect on a ship's shields but instead delivers heavy damage directly to the target's hull. It also causes very little power drain due to the fact that its ammunition supplies all energy requirements. Currently the weapon can only be fitted to Argon and split ships as they are the only ships that can accommodate the ammunition feed system. The true power of this weapon comes from its "ammunition".

Shield damage: 0 units of damage per shot
Hull damage: 12 units of damage per shot

Do you think its really worth 269520 credits per Mass Driver and lets not forget about 1348 credits per clip (200 projectiles)....

[gillrichard]

Don't use them anymore as the shockwave weapons kill Khaak far more rapidly and nothing else can get in my way

Not worth 1/4 million

[Gazzareth]

I like the idea, but unfortunately I am too lazy and can't be bothered to buy ammo !!!

[Brianetta]

Mass drivers are excellent for use on board the Split Scorpion. It's very fast, but not well shielded, so the best way to fight is to swoop in, shoot the enemy a little, then swoop out of range.

This is a useless technique with most weapons, because the enemy's shields are usually recharged by the time you make another run. With a mass driver, the shields aren't a problem - the hull doesn't recharge!

It's possible to take out a capital ship with a Scorpion, if you have enough patience and ammunition.

[High_Pinger]

or you could buy any ship with psg's, the perseus for example and do it in about a tenth of the time. I think mass drivers are good for one thing and one thing only, khaak and missile killing in crowded sectors. Also in large battles involving lots of your ships psg's just get in the way.

[Benji Mouse]

Don't bother with them, I got on just fine with an Ion Disruptor in one bay and Beta HEPT in other (in an Argon Nova) - actually got two Beta HEPT's in that ships (for when friendlies are about)

[CeeBod]

I've got twin mass drivers in 1 turret on my Dragon - which I set to missile defence. It seems to keep missiles off me, and I think it's dealing with Khaak M5s ok - whilst concentrating on the M3(s) I notice that fairly quickly all those other red dots disappear! - I'm still not sure if it's really worth the money though - I'm going to have to buy more guns, and play with more weapons combos to see what works best.

[dSerk]

How does the mass driver's projectile speed compare to PAC/HEPT/PPCs? And the rate of fire? Can one clip last you through, say, a raid on a pirate base?

[SetiRobert]

Speed is good
very fast firing rate

no range though
and underpowered IMO

[CGrand]

Don't fit them to captial ships

Me think, hum mass drivers hull damage i'll try destroying zenon witht them

i took the split destroyer gave all turrents mass drivers half the hold of ammo and full sheilds

Result - zenon ship hull 75% me blow to smitheriins, the range is a majour problem with these things, ok on smaller ships, but you just can't get that close with destroyer especially given the scary speed the zenon can turn at!

[PegasusJF31]

Well, damage can be modded.

[Nanook]

I use mass drivers in my Nova for Khaak cluster busting. I kill the M3 with Ions and BHEPTs and then switch to dual MDs to kill the M5s. Anything else is too tedious and slow trying to shoot a 400+m/s Khaak M5.

Of course, I'm normally in my Dragon, but when I go pirate-hunting in my Nova and get a distress call, I can jump in with my Nova quicker than retrieving my Dragon. As a former Boy Scout, I always come prepared.

[BigVern]

MD's do hold a certain sentimental value for us old fogeys who still remember Wing Commander 1 and the lumbering Scimitar!

They also made an appearance in B5 albeit as "planet pounders".

Soon as I get my M3, it's getting a Mass Driver...

[KnightLight]

In my opinion, nothing works better on the rear turret of a Nova than a Mass Driver. Great missile defense.

[Momaw]

This has been hashed many times. The strength of the mass driver is that it's very fast (hence accurate), and does damage which cannot be recharged (hence is usable against any ship no matter how much shielding it has). If you don't need accuracy, or have uber-guns, then don't bother with the mass driver. Another use is that it does very litte but very precise damage, so t's useful for capturing.

[dcheng7475]

Shouldnt they increase the damage per shot to at least 15~20. Because whats one of the worth things can happen to polits while flying a spacecraft....

Answer: You get holes all over your ship, air start to leak,and you cant repair them.

[Momaw]

15 is the sane maximum. 20 damage per shot would mean 400 hull damage per second, far too high given the weapoon's accuracy and permanence.

[Goumindong]

MD's do hold a certain sentimental value for us old fogeys who still remember Wing Commander 1 and the lumbering Scimitar!

They also made an appearance in B5 albeit as "planet pounders".

Soon as I get my M3, it's getting a Mass Driver...

That thing rocked the house.

I had it on an old 286. Too slow without turbo mode on, too fast with turbo mode on. toughest flight sim ive ever played(so darn fast)