Hull hardness is a stat that is unique to each ship, and reflects how much damage a ship will take from weapons.
If the piercing value of a weapon is greater than or equal to the target ship's hull hardness, the ship will take full damage from the weapon. For example, a ship with 20 hardness getting shot by a weapon with 30 piercing that does 10 damage per second will take the full 10 damage every second.
If the piercing value of a weapon is less than the target ship's hull hardness, the ship will take reduced damage proportional to [piercing] / [hardness]. For example, the same ship with 20 hardness getting shot by a weapon with 10 piercing that does 10 damage per second will take the 5 damage every second (10 damage * 10 / 20 = 5 damage).
As for why different ships have different hardness values, it's a balancing mechanic that is meant to allow larger and more combat-focused ships to absorb more damage.
If the piercing value of a weapon is greater than or equal to the target ship's hull hardness, the ship will take full damage from the weapon. For example, a ship with 20 hardness getting shot by a weapon with 30 piercing that does 10 damage per second will take the full 10 damage every second.
If the piercing value of a weapon is less than the target ship's hull hardness, the ship will take reduced damage proportional to [piercing] / [hardness]. For example, the same ship with 20 hardness getting shot by a weapon with 10 piercing that does 10 damage per second will take the 5 damage every second (10 damage * 10 / 20 = 5 damage).
As for why different ships have different hardness values, it's a balancing mechanic that is meant to allow larger and more combat-focused ships to absorb more damage.
Thank you very much for the detailed answer.
It's not for nothing that I wrote about the Krait Mk2 and the Phantom. I understand why the T10 has the largest HDR. But I still do not understand why the Phantom has more HDR. What is considered more militant than MK2? With a smaller number of slots for weapons.
Maybe because it has less hard-points (and can't fit a fighter bay) it needs to be able to tank more damage? MkII has sacrificed some of it's hull to fit more modules inside, so the remaining hull is less damage resistant. Other handwavium is available
If the Phantom would have had more body, then he would not be able to fly faster than MK2.Maybe because it has less hard-points (and can't fit a fighter bay) it needs to be able to tank more damage? MkII has sacrificed some of it's hull to fit more modules inside, so the remaining hull is less damage resistant. Other handwavium is available