Difference between revisions of "Category:Sub-Capital Weapons"

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Revision as of 12:38, 18 January 2010

Subcapital Weapons were created by Word of Blake engineers and technicians and released to production in 3073. Based on WarShip Capital Weapons, these smaller versions were created for use on the Word's Pocket WarShips. The Word engineers hoped that these "pocket capital weapons" would provide more effective firepower against enemy WarShips and planetary surfaces. These weapons are slightly more effective against small craft, AeroSpace Fighters, and other targets smaller than 500 tons than their larger counterparts,[1] but they were still intended to destroy large targets.

One key advantage of the various Subcapital Weapon types was their ability to be used aboard any platform DropShip sized or larger. This meant that the Word could repair their damaged WarShips with less expensive versions of capital weapons with only a moderate loss in firepower. This feature allowed Word WarShips and Assault DropShips to remain a threat far longer than they would have otherwise.

The key disadvantage to using Subcapital Weapons and Capital weapons in the same bay was the reduction in targeting efficiency: The larger Capital scale weapons and their mounts simply couldn't track small targets quickly enough to engage them. Though Subcapital Weapons on their own could track the small targets more effectively, they were greatly restricted by the weapon mounts and tracking systems used by the Capital Weapons.[2] A related, though less severe, restriction was imposed by the capital weapon's targeting systems: It was impossible to mount different types of capital and subcapital weapons in the same weapon bay. If a WarShip had a bay of Naval Lasers, it was impossible for the Word's refit facility to install Subcapital Cannons alongside them. They had to mount Subcapital Lasers.[3]

There were only three types of Subcapital Weapon produced in any number: Subcapital Cannons, Subcapital Lasers, and Subcapital Missiles. These weapon types were derived from their larger WarShip mounted cousins, and several were found on worlds in the Blake Protectorate as part of their Space Defense Systems.


References

  1. Tactical Operations, p. 343 Subcapital Weapons have a +3 to-hit modifier against any target smaller than 500 tons.
  2. Tactical Operations, p. 343 Subcapital Weapons have a +5 to-hit modifier against any target smaller than 500 tons when mounted alongside a Capital Scale Weapon.
  3. Tactical Operations, p. 343