Building Academy

Astrum

kieffer5101 Gotcha. Still looks cool, in my opinion. Like the color selection.

Astrum

Made a slightly larger design, for the primary purpose of adding more shielding. (Figure I'd add improvements as I go, so I haven't modified the angle and thrust much, for instance).

image https://i.imgur.com/VFoTmoW.png

Notable improvements are namely defensive, including rear armor to protect the engines from missiles that get around the back (something I wanted in the first design, but didn't have the space for), and of course, and additional shield for each compartment. There are also more engines in general (though this is balanced by it's larger size and increased weight). I did also incorporate a few engine rooms (I plan on redesigning so I can add more later). The nose cone is also shielded, though not entirety. Will likely redesign that too.

Fort_Master_Gustav

Astrum Well, I would scrap the FTLS, they cost too much, unless you want to make it for Bounty Hunter, then it's up to you.
Back armor isn't really necessary, missiles can't attack your back as it is right now, because of changes on their targeting and maneuvering.
Engine part definetly needs a re-work, modules are actually pretty good, good job on that part, but maybe remove some armor all around, mainly on interior, that's generally what I do anyways.
Also, yes, you should try to make it with different angles, experimentation, in the end, will give much more information than what we say, after all, how do you think that we know this anyways? XD

Astrum

Fort_Master_Gustav Good calls. I dunno why I really stuck the FTLs in. I guess I just like them, and I wasn't too worried about going over price (yet). I meant to keep this design within the 1.5 million and below range. Interesting thing about the missiles. I might remove the rear armor, in that case. It's sorta ugly, anyways.

I'll most likely cut down on excess armor too. I know using it as filler is a cardinal sin, but as far as aesthetics go, (which I always like to try and blend with good design, with generally miserable results), armor and corridors make good visuals. I'm desperate for some frame blocks that have the weight and cost of the normal structure, but can be painted. Hopefully some day...

EDIT : I was redesigning before you commented, and did this:
image https://i.imgur.com/XUTWegL.png
Will now take your suggestions into account.

CrazyBirdie

Fort_Master_Gustav Back armor isn't really necessary, missiles can't attack your back as it is right now, because of changes on their targeting and maneuvering.

I have had multiple occasions (in BH; I'm not sure about multiplayer) where the missiles initially miss but circle around and are able to get at the engines once the target is slowed/stopped by weapons fire or EMPs.

Fort_Master_Gustav

Astrum Same complaints as earlier, in general, cull away some useless armor, do better thrusters, all of them on modules, the back armor , what I usually do, is a layer of struts and a layer of 1x2 slopes, just to catch any stray shots.
The pine-cone is looking vairly good, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the angle (which, now that I look at it, it might) it's a good design, shielding inside of it is really optional, but depending on how you use it, it may be very beneficial.

Astrum

Fort_Master_Gustav Yep, yep. I made these changes before I read your comment, but figured I'd post it anyways. I'll be sure to work on the other things as you've mentioned.

Astrum

Quickly throwing up what I did so far, unfortunately I am out of time for right this moment, so the rest of the improvements will have to wait!

EDIT: Did a little more. Still need more time to finish.
image https://i.imgur.com/D5RLdQ9.png

CursedPh4nt0m

Astrum (Damn, built some updated version of the smaller ship, now I can scrap all that work! Nice you improved your ship that much tho.)
You should remove one of the crew quarters in the tip, move the CRs from the outside to different thruster modules, put the PD before the EB (the HLB last), check the door (and corridor) placement and possibly tweak the thrusters, they seem like you simply threw some stuff together wherever you had enough space (which might actually be true).
That's about everything I spotted, now to build something for you to fight against... (Might take some time as I'm also trying to get back into modded building.)

Fort_Master_Gustav

CrazyBirdie It's really dependant on what you're doing with your ship, most of the times that won't happen, and it generally happens with EMP missiles.

CrazyBirdie

Fort_Master_Gustav I have found that a mix of EMPs and HEs (perhaps with some nukes) is very effective.

Fort_Master_Gustav

CrazyBirdie Nowadays just pure HE spam also works really well, seeing as people invest a lot in flak, which can one-shot EMPs (Don't know if that's changed), but can't contain too many missiles at once.

CrazyBirdie

Fort_Master_Gustav EMPs are fast and flak has a limited angle of sight, so they are still effective. The mix of EMPs and HEs allows some of the HEs to take the flak shots and allow the EMPs to get in.

Fort_Master_Gustav

CrazyBirdie takes some 3 HE to take down a shield, and EMPs get soaked up by armor too easily, although it depends what you're fighting

Astrum

CursedPh4nt0m Oh man, didn't realize you were planning to do something to my first variation! If you wanted to offer improvements or a design to test against it, feel free! I still like that design, and envision it as the cheaper counterpart to this one. (In fact, don't be surprised if this current design gets succeeded soon enough).

I took your concerns into account (You were right about the thrusters. I really did throw those around willy nilly. The thruster modules based around the engine rooms were more purpose built, but the other ones were just kinda... there, for more speed. I kind of have a speed addiction, I guess. I really hate slow ships.

And thanks for taking the time to build something. I really do appreciate it!

EDIT: Here it is as of now, in all its tilted, pointy glory! I could probably cut down on armor a bit more if I wanted, but I haven't done that (for aesthetics reasons primarily to be honest... What can I say? It looks better with less holes!).

Worth noting: I've imparted a 1,250,000 credit limit on the design for myself. This is currently at 1,235,600 credits!

image https://i.imgur.com/WTGX7Ap.png

CursedPh4nt0m

Astrum I've got only one little issue:

CursedPh4nt0m check the door (and corridor) placement

image https://i.imgur.com/suWxzIV.png

Huh, guess I'm still too lazy to go designing when I already have something in that price class....
Have fun fighting one of my few GiF designs that didn't loose almost all firepower with the 0.14.7 update:
image https://i.imgur.com/xyPND7h.png
(Didn't expect my cannon triangle to do that good against your design, guess those missiles are a great counter to the AI piloting....)

Fort_Master_Gustav

Astrum You like fast speeds? That's a shame, the most recent update killed Ultralights, which were THE speedy ships, 0 armor, all shields, thrusters, and weapons that gained more range with speed, now with the short range of stuff they really don't work as well as they did :p

Astrum

Fort_Master_Gustav Yeah, I remember seeing some speedy-looking designs from back when I joined. Though back then, I made horrific big heavy ships (maybe I'll post them some day... they are NOT pretty...).

Fort_Master_Gustav

Astrum Don't worry mate, everyone made trash ships at the start XD

Astrum

Fort_Master_Gustav Too true, lol

Astrum

CursedPh4nt0m Missiles have always been the bane of this design, Guess I’ll see how it holds up after some modifications I’ll do today when I’m home.

As for the doors and corridors, I probably have some extra, though I found having double doors around the reactor meant crew retrieved power just a bit faster, so that was the thinking there. As for the 1X1 gap on the left, under the shield, that was where the fire extinguisher went. Guess I forgot to fill it in when I moved it!

Also, the crew below the two crew barracks is arranged and segregated on purpose.I could probably get rid of the two person bunk, but the two quarters down there are only to help power the engines.

Astrum

CursedPh4nt0m Yep, it was the missiles. Having them on meant defeat for my vessel, but turning them off meant I won with only about 37k worth of damages. Stark difference! I guess I need to work in more PD!

By quickly adding 2 PD to each battery, I got... closer, but still not it. Clearly something else needs to change.

...

Or maybe, it's time for a new overhauled design? Definitely a possibility...

Well, did an edit, deciding that the best way to fight your missiles was with more missiles... (Fire fighting fire...?). PD spam did not do much, and I haven't tried flak on a diagonal design (due to flak having limited firing angles).

Created this:
image https://i.imgur.com/J74Movr.png

My design "won" but not by much at all, especially given my design is 1,250,000, and yours is 1,000,000

Aftermath of the battle:
image https://i.imgur.com/8rrMTr1.png

EDIT: Also wasn't expecting cannons on diagonal designs to be any good... Might be making one soon.