Plasma Beam Rebalance

[BobTheBreaker]

I love the Plasma Beam, but after a while one realizes that they're a bit overpowered.
I thusly suggest that they be rebalanced in some way, here are some possibilities:

• They could use Elerium for ammo, making sustained PB operation much more resource-demanding
• Simply reducing their range to, say, Stingray range (eliminating the standoff advantage that makes PBs so popular)
• Reduce their damage, but increase their fire rate, possibly?

These could easily(?) be implemented with rulesets, but I'm not exactly sure how to work out the balancing part of it.

[Gifty]

The elerium-based ammo makes perfect sense, but I think it would have wider repercussions in the game's economy that would just be a pain to deal with. I vote for option two, it seems like it would get the job done pretty painlessly, and make dogfights more tense.

[BobTheBreaker]

Before:

Code: [Select]

  - type: STR_PLASMA_BEAM_UC
    sprite: 5
    sound: 9
    damage: 140
    range: 52
    accuracy: 50
    reloadCautious: 12
    reloadStandard: 12
    reloadAggressive: 12
    ammoMax: 100
    rearmRate: 50
    launcher: STR_PLASMA_BEAM
    projectileType: 5
After:

Code: [Select]

  - type: STR_PLASMA_BEAM_UC
    sprite: 5
    sound: 9
    damage: 140
    range: 30
    accuracy: 50
    reloadCautious: 12
    reloadStandard: 12
    reloadAggressive: 12
    ammoMax: 100
    rearmRate: 50
    launcher: STR_PLASMA_BEAM
    projectileType: 5

[Solarius Scorch]

Just so you know: I made a mod that does precisely that. You can download it at https://www.corelabrat.com/oxc-mods/mod/plasma-beam-mod.

As for the game economy: yes, it makes the game harder, but not exactly painful to deal with. Actually, this is one of my very favourite mods that I made: it makes the game far more balanced and enjoyable. It also forces you to make more effort to gain Elerium, or just fall back on the laser cannon.

[LouisdeFuines]

Why can`t this be found in the "completed" list? :-)

[Solarius Scorch]

Why can`t this be found in the "completed" list? :-)

I was uncomfortable with publishing it, as it wasn't really my code; all I did was putting it on the website.

Besides, it's the OXC Mods website that should be the primary source for mods. This forum is mainly for communication; the chief reason why it became a completed mods repository is because there was no alternative. I believe our Dev Leaders share this view, so I'm trying to link there whenever I can.

[LouisdeFuines]

Ok, but not everyone knows that page.

Normally I only look here in the forum.

Maybe many others do the same....

[Mr. Quiet]

Not everyone meaning only us, but most gamers will want a fancy website to get the stuff and get out, without desire to sign-up, unless they have a problem, or they find out X-COM is awesomer than the new XCOM.

I also can't wait to star rating my favorite mods

[LouisdeFuines]

@Solarius:

When using your mod. How much ELERIUM does it take to equip a ship with the plasma beam (100 units??).

[Solarius Scorch]

@Solarius:

When using your mod. How much ELERIUM does it take to equip a ship with the plasma beam (100 units??).

Well, 100 units.

[redv]

Looks such as the one old topic: https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php?topic=1870.msg18595#msg18595

I use this ruleset (see attachment):

Code: [Select]

craftWeapons:
  - type: STR_PLASMA_BEAM_UC
    ammoMax: 50
    rearmRate: 10
    clip: STR_ELERIUM_115
items:
  - type: STR_ELERIUM_115
    clipSize: 1
manufacture:
  - name: STR_PLASMA_BEAM
    requiredItems:
      STR_ALIEN_ALLOYS: 1
      STR_ELERIUM_115: 5

I was uncomfortable with publishing it, as it wasn't really my code; all I did was putting it on the website.

This is opensource project:) therefore you can use the code as you wish:)

I have another question. How to use Elerium for Plasma Beam AND for Plasma Tank simultaneously?

For example in TFTD:
> The Coelacanth/Gauss uses Craft Gauss Cannon rounds, which must be manufactured and are shared with any Gauss Cannons in use at the base.
https://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Coelacanth/Gauss

But for OpenXcom this behavior impossible:(