Space Engineers

Space Engineers

InspiredWeaponry
luciendar21 15 Jun, 2018 @ 7:51am
Large Ship HSR Turrets and Fixed Weaponry Review
I did some testing of the new HSR series weapons for large ship, as well as large ship fixed weaponry, while messing around with some ideas inspired by W4stedspace and Texfire. Since a description isn’t up yet of the series, I thought it might be worthwhile to put my findings up here.

First thing of note is that the HSR series includes more than just weapons. It includes a few other types of functional blocks including ion thrusters and gyros, but most notably it includes an HSR Assembler that is key to the proper function of HSR weapons. It features a new tab in the Production control panel that allows you to manufacture HSR weapon prerequisites and ammunition. If you are using these weapons in survival, you will need one of these assemblers. It also appears to mean that you won’t be able to inventory manage the ammunition, since TIM and ISY do not know about this extra tab.

The HSR series is largely based around railgun ballistic weaponry, which is an enjoyable alternative to laser based weapons and explosive-based weaponry. It features very advanced looking designs and often unique particle and firing effects, but suffers from poor audio quality and oftentimes high-pitched audio firing effects (Kreeg, get a sounds-man please!). Many of the weapons are truly massive, sometimes too much so for their function, and have several interesting and unique mechanics.

HSR Series:

HSR Gatekeeper Anti-Personnel Turret
• Description: Small and easy to fit in small areas, but has a conveyor junction. Solid option for use instead of interior turrets where conveyors are desired. Sound effect is not great, but livable.
• Size:
o Small: 1x1x1 Block
o Slight Block Overlap in 5 Directions
• Fire Characteristics
o Burst Fire (6 Rounds in ¾ Second)
o 6 Round Magazine
o Reload ~1 Second
• Accuracy:
o Moderate Accuracy to 600m
o Aiming Range: 900m
• Rounds
o Blue EM Pulse
o No Additional Effect
o Noise: High-Pitch (Tenor) EM Effect

HSR Bombard Turret
• Description: Excellent option for a main and general-purpose turret on bases and reasonably sized large ships. Decent sound and effects. The sustained fire allows for use to great effect. Reasonably sized for its impact.
• Size:
o Large: 5x3x3 Block
o Slight Block Overlap in Left and Right Directions
o Barrels Extend Additional 4 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire x3 (Sustained ~1 Round per ¾ Second)
o 3 Round Magazine
o Reload ~½ Second
o Quick reload permits sustained fire.
• Accuracy:
o Moderate Accuracy to 1000m
o Aiming Range: 16000m
o Pattern is Below Reticle and Wide (about as Wide as Reticle at Medium Zoom)
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: Electric Effect
o Noise: Deep Bass (Distorted) and Electric Fire Effect

HSR Sky-Shatter Turret
• Description: Very large flak turret useful for putting a lot of targets between you and your enemy as a distraction. Would not recommend using, too large for its purpose and the audio effect is very poor.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o No Block Overlap
• Fire Characteristics:
o Automatic Fire
o ~30 Round Magazine
o Reload ~4 Second
• Accuracy:
o Very Poor Accuracy
o Aiming Range: 3100m
o Pattern is Below Reticle and Wide (about as Wide as Reticle at Medium Zoom)
• Rounds:
o Visual: Rocket with Smoketrail
o Fire: Electric Effect
o Noise: Very High-Pitch Tube-Launch Sound and Electric Fire Effect

HSR Phantom Turret
• Description: Audio is unbearably high. Automatic fire does not fit well with reload time. Would not recommend using.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o No Block Overlap
o Barrels Extend Additional 3 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o High-Rate Automatic Fire
o ~3 Seconds of Fire per Magazine
o Reload ~3 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Very Poor Accuracy
o Aiming Range: 16000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: No Effect
o Fire: No Effect
o Noise: Very High-Pitch (Alto) EM Effect

HSR Thunderhead Anti-Fighter Turret
• Description: Good defense turret for anti-missile, fighter, and meteor, but too large for the application. Audio and effects are reasonable.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o No Block Overlap
• Fire Characteristics:
o High-Rate Automatic Fire
o ~3 Seconds of Fire per Magazine
o Reload ~3 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Moderate Accuracy at 800m
o Aiming Range: 4000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: Electric Effect
o Noise: High-Pitch (Tenor) EM and Electric Effect

HSR Magnus Battery Turret
• Description: Bigger brother to the Bombard Turret, can do more rounds per reload but requires a bit of a pause every 3 seconds for reload (vs Bombard’s continuous fire). Good effects and reasonable sound. Reasonable size for impact.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o No Block Overlap
o Barrels Extend Additional 6 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire x3 (3 Rounds per Second)
o 9 Round Magazine
o Reload ~2 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Moderate Accuracy at 2500m
o Aiming Range: 15000m
o Pattern Slightly Below Reticle
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: Electric Effect
o Noise: Solid Bass and Electric Effect

HSR Malediction Turret
• Description: Good ship-to-ship turret with less impact than Bombards or Magnus (which are more useful against or from fixed turrets or in capital combat) but very solid fire rate. A bit too large for the application.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o No Block Overlap
o Barrel Extends Additional 3 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Automatic Fire
o 12 Round Magazine
o Reload ~2 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Excellent Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 12500m
o Pattern Slightly To Right of Reticle
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: No Effect
o Noise: High-Bass Effect

HSR Pulsar Turret
• Description: Smaller version of the Malediction and bigger version of the Gatekeeper, this is a great ship-to-ship weapon and utility turret.
• Size:
o Medium: 3x3x2 Block
o No Block Overlap
o Barrel Extends Additional 2 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Automatic Fire
o 4 Round Magazine
o Reload ~1 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Excellent Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 12500m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: No Effect
o Noise: High-Bass Effect

HSR Valkyrie-I Turret
• Description: Unique design requires consideration during ship design to bury the body of the gun into the ship, but this gun provides completely sustained fire at high rate and incredible accuracy. Sound is a bit high-pitched, but solid gun despite it’s weird shape.
• Size:
o Medium: 1x1x5 Block
o Slight Block Overlap in 5 Directions
o Barrel Extends Additional 6 Blocks from top 1x1x1 Block Space
• Fire Characteristics:
o Automatic Fire
o No Reloading, Sustained Fire
o Need to verify, but does not appear to require ammo/conveyor connection
• Accuracy:
o Excellent Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 12500m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: No Effect
o Noise: High-Pitch (Tenor) EM Effect

HSR Condemnation Heavy-Turret
• Description: An artillery piece, heavier hitting and slower firing version of the Malediction. Solid choice for when you want to wipe out an enemy from a distance rather than dealing with them and take them out in a shot or two. Best for stations, slow fire rate does not accommodate movement well.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o No Block Overlap
o Barrels Extend Additional 3 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire x2 (2 Rounds per Second)
o 2 Round Magazine
o Reload ~5 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Excellent Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 10000m
o Pattern to Left and Right of Reticle
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: No Effect
o Noise: Solid Bass Effect


HSR Calamity Heavy-Turret
• Description: Even heavier and bigger than the Condemnation. Effects are good but sound is very bad. Do not recommend use and really not necessary against AI. Only really useful in very long range capital ship combat or defense against capital ships from a station.
• Size:
o Large: 9x9x4 Block
o No Block Overlap
o Barrels Extend Additional 15 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (1 Rounds per Second)
o 6 Round Magazine
o Reload ~4 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Excellent Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 20000m
o Pattern Slightly Below Reticle
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: Electric Effect
o Noise: Very-Low and Distorted Bass and Electric Effect

HSR Divine Rail-Battery
• Description: Uniquely shaped, this railgun “turret” is meant to serve as a spinal cannon railgun replacement with ~15° of side-to-side movement for off-axis aiming capability and up to 90° of vertical.
• Size:
o Large: 34x2x2 Block
o Slight Block overlap
o Barrel fits within footprint but swings side to side and up and very slightly down.
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (1 ½ Rounds per Second)
o 4 Round Magazine
o Reload ~2 ½ Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Moderate Accuracy at 2500m
o Aiming Range: 40000m
o Pattern Slightly Above and to Left and Right of Reticle
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue EM Pulse
o Fire: None
o Noise: Solid Base Effect

HSR Merciless Super-Heavy Turret
• Description: Unnecessary is the appropriate term. Satisfactory for defending against death stars, moon bases, and other capital ships that surpass the game engine limits. The jump drive effect is extra nice, as it implies the particles are accelerated to FTL with a jump-like effect. Rounds do a 20-block wide explosive effect that bypasses shields and annihilates heavy armor.
• Size:
o Large: 23x23x15 Block
o 2 Block Overlap
o Barrels Extend Additional 55 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (1 Rounds per Second)
o 3 Round Magazine
o Reload ~44 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Excellent Accuracy at 10000m
o Aiming Range: 120000m
o Pattern Slightly Below Reticle and Wide
• Rounds:
o Visual: No Effect until Explosion
o Fire: Jump Drive Effect
o Noise: High Base Effect

K3:

HSR K3 Mass Driver Turret
• Description: Heavy hitting and large. Alternative for single-shot artillery to Calamity but more low-tech and focused on heavy hitting vs multiple shots.
• Size:
o Large: 9x9x5 Block
o 1 ½ Block Overlap
o Top Overlap of 3 Blocks
o Barrels Extend Additional 10 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (1 Rounds per Second)
o 3 Round Magazine
o Reload ~18 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 6000m
o Pattern Slightly Below Reticle
• Rounds:
o Visual: Rocket Trail and Explosion
o Fire: No Effect
o Noise: High Base Effect

HSR K3-King Heavy-Turret
• Description: Aggressive firing rate and damage, this turret is not very accurate but packs a big punch. Comparable to a Mexpex Mk.3.
• Size:
o Large: 9x9x5 Block
o 1 ½ Block Overlap Including Top
o Barrels Extend Additional 7 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (2 Rounds per Second)
o 22 Round Magazine
o Reload ~4 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Poor Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 40000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Red Pulse
o Fire: Jump Effect
o Noise: Solid Base Effect

HSR K3-Terminous Heavy-Turret
• Description: Smaller brother to the King turret, very similar characteristics.
• Size:
o Large: 7x7x3 Block
o Slight Block Overlap
o Barrels Extend Additional 3 Blocks
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (2 Rounds per Second)
8 Round Magazine
o Reload ~4 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1000m
o Aiming Range: 20000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Red Pulse
o Fire: Jump Effect
o Noise: Solid Base Effect

In my analysis I also considered large ship fixed weapons from across the Inspired Weaponry set, specifically for application on large-ship direct fire applications like corvettes, sloops, and cutters, similar to W4stedspace’s large ship version of a fighter, Musa Grande. These weapons come from several various sets within Inspired Weaponry and have vastly different feels.


HS Spinal Cannon
• Description: Single shot weapon, too slow to even be salvoed in a group of reasonable size.
• Size:
o Large: 22x1x2 Block
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire
1 Round Magazine
o Reload ~50 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1000m
o Effective Range: 2000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Shell and Explosion
o Fire:
o Noise: Solid Base Effect

Tex-III
• Description: Good fire rate and effective, slightly more accurate than Mexpex Mk. 1 Battery. Good size for impact, even a bit small.
• Size:
o Large: 3x1x1 Block
• Fire Characteristics:
o Single Fire (3 Rounds per Second)
o 3 Round Magazine
o Reload ~1 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1000m
o Effective Range: 1000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Shell and Explosion
o Fire:
o Noise: Solid Base Effect

HS Mass Accelerator
• Description: Good Gatling alternative, similar output to ISM Pikeman in a fixed turret.
• Size:
o Large: 3x1x1 Block
• Fire Characteristics:
o Automatic Fire (4 Minutes Sustained)
2000 Round Magazine
o Reload ~20 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Moderate Accuracy at 200m
o Effective Range: 650m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Blue Pulse
o Fire:
o Noise: Gatling fire effect

HS Spinal Laser
• Description: Beam shifts color throughout firing/reloading. Good accuracy and fire characteristics. Thump audio is not characteristic of the effect or weapon.
• Size:
o Large: 3x1x1 Block
o Stackable for increased damage
• Fire Characteristics:
o Continuous Fire
o Reload <1 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1000m
o Effective Range: 1500m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Color shift or Green-Only firestream
o Fire:
o Noise: Occasional thump

HS Heavy Spinal Laser
• Description: Beam shifts color throughout firing/reloading. Good accuracy and fire characteristics. Thump audio is not characteristic of the effect or weapon. Bigger brother to spinal laser.
• Size:
o Large: 5x1x3 Block
o 1 ½ Block Overlap on Topf
o Stackable for increased damage
• Fire Characteristics:
o Continuous Fire
o Reload <1 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1500m
o Effective Range: 2000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Color shift or Green-Only firestream
o Fire:
o Noise: Occasional thump

HS Masser
• Description: Pulsed laser weapon, alternative if you do not want continuous stream laser weapon. Bass sound does not fit weapon.
• Size:
o Large: 5x1x1 Block
• Fire Characteristics:
o Continuous Pulse Fire
o Reload ~1 Second every ~10 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1000m
o Effective Range: 1500m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Pulsed firestream
o Fire:
o Noise: Solid Bass

HS Spinal Harbinger
• Description: Beam shifts color throughout firing/reloading. Good accuracy and fire characteristics. Even bigger than heavy spinal cannon. Sound does not fit weapon.
• Size:
o Large: 5x1x3 Block
o 1 ½ Block Overlap on Top
o Stackable for increased damage
• Fire Characteristics:
o Continuous Fire
o Reload <1 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1500m
o Effective Range: 2000m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Color shift or Green-Only firestream
o Fire:
o Noise: Occasional Bass Thump

Warp Cascade Cannon
• Description: Barely fits with the other weapons. Definitely a capital ship weapon with an effect that looks quite alien.
• Size:
o Large: 6x3x3 Block
o 1 ½ Block Overlap on Top
o Stackable for increased damage
• Fire Characteristics:
o Continuous Fire
o Reload <1 Seconds
• Accuracy:
o Good Accuracy at 1500m
o Effective Range: 2500m
• Rounds:
o Visual: Magenta Firestream with Diffusion Effect
o Fire:
o Noise: Occasional Bass Thump

Last edited by luciendar21; 15 Jun, 2018 @ 7:51am