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Author Topic:   Prototypes

presence posted 05-11-99 02:05 PM ET
As I understand it, prototype costs only apply to each equipment, weapon, armor, or chassis type once, not to each individual unit that you design. Is it a good idea, then, if you don't have skunkworks, to make the cheapest unit possible with a new technology, and once it's completed, build more reasonable units?
For an example consider prototyping a silksteel sentinels unit (prototype cost = 45) versus prototyping a AAA silksteel garrison (cost = 75, I think). Both would allow cheaper production of all silksteel units in the future.
GaryD posted 05-11-99 02:10 PM ET
Perhaps I'm missing something, but don't you have to prototype both ?
At least if I have a unit and I just up their defence then I have to build a whole new prototype (but I don't understand the justification for it - maybe there isn't any).
Plato90s posted 05-11-99 03:57 PM ET
Not all special abilities have to be prototyped. All new vehicle types, armor types, and weapon types must be prototyped. But stuff like AAA, Non-Lethal Method, etc... don't have to be.
sandworm posted 05-11-99 05:42 PM ET
I always prototype the "vanilla" unit, then upgrade if I need to, adding enhancments like AAA/ECM seems to boost the cost a lot more than a enhancing a unit thats already been prototyped. After a unit is prototyped, you could go ahead and add enhancements for a new specialized unit, without prototype cost. Sometimes its cheaper to actually build scout units and upgrade -them- to whatever you need. A couple of skunkworks can eliminate the prototype expense entirely, or you could play Spartan, they have no prototype costs (kind of silly when -anyone- with the right tech can build skunkworks).
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Author	Topic: Prototypes
presence	posted 05-11-99 02:05 PM ET As I understand it, prototype costs only apply to each equipment, weapon, armor, or chassis type once, not to each individual unit that you design. Is it a good idea, then, if you don't have skunkworks, to make the cheapest unit possible with a new technology, and once it's completed, build more reasonable units? For an example consider prototyping a silksteel sentinels unit (prototype cost = 45) versus prototyping a AAA silksteel garrison (cost = 75, I think). Both would allow cheaper production of all silksteel units in the future.
GaryD	posted 05-11-99 02:10 PM ET Perhaps I'm missing something, but don't you have to prototype both ? At least if I have a unit and I just up their defence then I have to build a whole new prototype (but I don't understand the justification for it - maybe there isn't any).
Plato90s	posted 05-11-99 03:57 PM ET Not all special abilities have to be prototyped. All new vehicle types, armor types, and weapon types must be prototyped. But stuff like AAA, Non-Lethal Method, etc... don't have to be.
sandworm	posted 05-11-99 05:42 PM ET I always prototype the "vanilla" unit, then upgrade if I need to, adding enhancments like AAA/ECM seems to boost the cost a lot more than a enhancing a unit thats already been prototyped. After a unit is prototyped, you could go ahead and add enhancements for a new specialized unit, without prototype cost. Sometimes its cheaper to actually build scout units and upgrade -them- to whatever you need. A couple of skunkworks can eliminate the prototype expense entirely, or you could play Spartan, they have no prototype costs (kind of silly when -anyone- with the right tech can build skunkworks).