Sean O'Connor's Games

How exactly does the damage system work?

I've seen Plectrons destroy anywhere between 3 and 14 components on an unshielded ship, so there's got to be a large random element I would think.

Also, does a hit to one side of a ship destroy more components on that side, or is it completely random which components are destroyed? From what I've seen, it appears random.

Finally, shields can absorb 4 times more damage than other components (and super shields 8 times more). Is it fair to assume that shields have hidden "hit points", and that a severely damaged shield will actually only absorb 1 damage point despite looking the same as an undamged one?

I'd like to know for a few reasons - one of which being that it would help with judging whether it's time to bail out.

Sketchy wrote:How exactly does the damage system work?

Guess and check, usually! Yes, there's a pretty healthy random element.

Also, does a hit to one side of a ship destroy more components on that side, or is it completely random which components are destroyed? From what I've seen, it appears random.

I generally think of it as the exit wound effect. Damage tends to follow a path from the side hit to the opposite side. I'm not sure if it's 100% valid, but since control modules are usually at the front of ships, and they tend to get blown up most easily from rear impacts(which are more common for me than frontal impacts, except with a few ships), I make the assumption that more damage is distributed to the opposite side, much like the exit hole being larger than the entrance hole when you shoot a pumpkin with a small caliber rifle.

But, as a general rule, most damage is passed on the side hit and the side opposite the same.

Finally, shields can absorb 4 times more damage than other components (and super shields 8 times more). Is it fair to assume that shields have hidden "hit points", and that a severely damaged shield will actually only absorb 1 damage point despite looking the same as an undamged one?

Even a weak missile will take out a super shield in one hit. The difference is that a strong one, such as a Plectron, will generally only take out one super shield, whereas a Plectron can take out three normal shields in one hit, or one or two, passing damage inward. That's why I use weak missiles first, to clear out an enemy's shield, then hit them with Plecs... or only carry Plecs, as with a couple of my fighters and bombers.

I'd like to know for a few reasons - one of which being that it would help with judging whether it's time to bail out.

If in doubt, bail out.