Having a problem with new weapons/armor

Hello, I'm trying to learn a bit more about the mechanics of this game (especially how the AI reacts to new/changing Tech Tree).

To this end, I have written a custom tech tree related to defenses and weapons. However, I'm having a problem that they seem to be taking up more room than the game is telling me. All of my new defenses and weapons are based on the Good/Evil weapon proportions, in terms of size, cost, and power.

For example:
I created Custom Armor I-IV. Custom Armor I starts with SIZE=6 and ABSORPTION=6. Each level gives size-1 and absorption+1 until Customer Armor IV has SIZE=3 and ABSORPTION=9. I do similar things for PD and Shields, as well as Missles, Beams, and Mass Drivers.

However, if I try to load up my boat with too many items it gets full before the size is completely consumed. With all the miniaturization techs (including the Hyperion Shrinker), my large ships only fill up to about 120/170, and my huge ships an even smaller ratio. After that, it simply refuses to place any new modules (of any type). This prevents me from reasonably creating an anti-DreadLord ship, for example.

What I am missing? I'm using the same SizeMod as the base items, but I don't really know what effect this has - I would guess it is the amount this item increases per ship size, but don't know for sure. Is it the number of hardpoints (and if so, is there any way to MOD that)? Anything else?

Thanks!
2,266 views 3 replies
Reply #1 Top
In ship building go to the extras beside hull size. There you can add parts onto existing hard points and gives you more hard points. Hope that helps a little   
Reply #2 Top
LOL... yea, make sure you're not running out of hard points. you might consider downloading Kryo's Hull system mod, which comes with hardpoint clusters and numerous invisible offsets.

also, what version are you running, and is it DL or DA? there was a glitch in DL similar to what you're describing, so updating might help.

amd yes, sizemod adds a percentage of the base hull size to the component size, so sizemod adds, for example, 5% of the hull's capacity to the size cost of a component if it has sizemod 5.
Reply #3 Top
I'm running the latest non-Alpha version of DA, so I should have the updates. But that makes sense about new components having extra hardpoints, because I have seen that sometimes there seem to be a few components added to a drive (if I try to remove the drive it won't let me without removing the other components first). Thanks!!!