TBeholder wrote:1) it sort of makes sense that if optical sensors works on large-scale (and are stackable), array does too
2) it isn't necessarily the same, since it may be working only if stationary, gradually growing with time to the maximum, not fully stackable (e.g. Max Detection raises by 0.6 + 0.4/unit), or all this at once (already tested). Which sort of makes sense too.
3) when used on a lower-level variant with little combat detection this may give better "ol' good sci-fi" atmosphere - arrived, released the probes... mineral deposits detected
* !
1) isn't really relevant
2) is kind of weird. Why would that be preferable to just not having the part give a detection bonus on the galaxy map?
3) will turn into heavy micromanagement if this has to happen on every single planet
Essentially, the point of recon fighters is to have mobile detectors in combat. The advantage compared to a regular detection-class part is that they can be launched and used to search the system for enemy ships. The disadvantage is that they don't give a bonus to detection on the galaxy map. Sure, you could just make them more expensive instead, but how is that more fun?
By the way. Do you think it's a good idea that a few special (like minerals under ground) should not be visible from afar (have stealth)? With possible un-stealthing later (for minerals, when someone starts to dig).
I believe that the game should support that possibility, but great care should be taken assigning stealth to specials. It would be very awkward if the player had to deliberately re-explore every planet for each new level of detection equipment he researched. Instead, the special might only be visible if the player has ownership of the planet. That would mean there's no extra micromanagement in exploration, but the player can still find interesting and surprising specials.
On an unrelated note, can anyone tell me why the bonuses for stealth and detection parts stack? That just makes for a balancing nightmare, and pretty makes the progression of stealth and detection techs pointless, since researching a hull with more slots will do the same thing as getting better stealth or detection equipment. It seems to me that it's much more reasonable for gameplay if they don't stack.
Krikkitone wrote:A planet special should only have stealth if it has no effect unless detected.
ie if there are "secret mineral deposits"=+25 mineral meter
then you don't get the +25 mineral meter until you have detected them.
That should be easy enough to accomplish with the VisibleTo condition, but there might be some cases in which having an unknown effect makes more sense in terms of gameplay and realism.