So this topic has been discussed before, a simple search for "tractor beam" results in over 350 topics where it is brought up. But I've been thinking about this for some time, ever since I got into mining. So here are some of my thoughts on having them in-game.
To begin, im not really sure if tractor beams would be lore friendly or not, but I if artificial gravity is a thing, then why not tractor beams? A utility slot or even an internal slot could be utilized to direct a beam of artificial gravity at a specific object in space. There would have to be some limiting factors in the utilization of this device like only operable in space since planetary gravity near the surface might interfere with the beam direction. It could only be used on small objects under a certain mass, such as cargo containers and mining fragments. There would be an advantage to using it over collector limpets, but not so much that limpets would be obsolete.
for instance, only one tractor can be in use at any given time, making limpets much faster at collecting objects than a tractor beam. It would also take more power to operate than a limpet operation module of the same rating/class.
the benefits would be that it doesn't take ammo, and it collects objects in order of closest to furthest. The higher class/rating would improve speed and distance at which it pulls an object, but would take more power to operate accordingly.
You could even modify them at engineers to add longer pull distance, lower power usage, or increase pull speed.
some of the potential benefits to this that I can see right off hand would be the ability to pull specific objects, though I feel like limpets are going to get this ability at some point in the future, not having to carry limpets in your cargo hold, freeing up space for other cargo and not limiting your jump range.
what does everyone else thing about this? Is it too much? Are tractor beams too lore breaking to exist in the first place? If so, then I guess it's back to the age-old discussion of how to make limpets better. (I have a few ideas on that subject as well).
To begin, im not really sure if tractor beams would be lore friendly or not, but I if artificial gravity is a thing, then why not tractor beams? A utility slot or even an internal slot could be utilized to direct a beam of artificial gravity at a specific object in space. There would have to be some limiting factors in the utilization of this device like only operable in space since planetary gravity near the surface might interfere with the beam direction. It could only be used on small objects under a certain mass, such as cargo containers and mining fragments. There would be an advantage to using it over collector limpets, but not so much that limpets would be obsolete.
for instance, only one tractor can be in use at any given time, making limpets much faster at collecting objects than a tractor beam. It would also take more power to operate than a limpet operation module of the same rating/class.
the benefits would be that it doesn't take ammo, and it collects objects in order of closest to furthest. The higher class/rating would improve speed and distance at which it pulls an object, but would take more power to operate accordingly.
You could even modify them at engineers to add longer pull distance, lower power usage, or increase pull speed.
some of the potential benefits to this that I can see right off hand would be the ability to pull specific objects, though I feel like limpets are going to get this ability at some point in the future, not having to carry limpets in your cargo hold, freeing up space for other cargo and not limiting your jump range.
what does everyone else thing about this? Is it too much? Are tractor beams too lore breaking to exist in the first place? If so, then I guess it's back to the age-old discussion of how to make limpets better. (I have a few ideas on that subject as well).
