barrel length just to confirm...

[Takamiki]

been a while since i played FtD and not too sure but Mantlets are counted towards the barrel's length right? just wanna make sure for matching the ammo to the ideal barrel length.

to add to the note what are all the downsides to having a longer/shorter barrel then the ammo's listed optimal barrel length for either accuracy or propellet burn's velocity?

[FourGreenFields]

Quite sure they count to barrel-length, yes.

Upside of a longer barrel is greater accuracy. Obviously also need at least the required length for propellant burn (less reduces speed), but anything byond that only adds accuracy. Long barrels add more weight, and take longer to turn. And are generally a pain to balance on small craft.

[Targa]

I advise against heavy barrels, as they take longer to aim (unless you don't care). I also suggest you use only the 1 meter barrels, as using the longer ones (such as the 4 meter segments) means that if your barrel gets shot off or blown up, you lose a bigger piece.

[Takamiki]

Originally posted by Targa:

I advise against heavy barrels, as they take longer to aim (unless you don't care). I also suggest you use only the 1 meter barrels, as using the longer ones (such as the 4 meter segments) means that if your barrel gets shot off or blown up, you lose a bigger piece.

at that i would also argue that with 1 meter barrels if 1 get shot off, that happens alot due to their relitively low HP, then you lose the entire end of the barrel where that destroyed barrel is. it is also one of the things i like to do with some of my craft where they fire shells from cram or advance that is timed fused with a large explosion radius, not enough damage to destroy armor, but enough to destroy barrels or missile gantry

[FourGreenFields]

Originally posted by Targa:

I advise against heavy barrels, as they take longer to aim (unless you don't care). I also suggest you use only the 1 meter barrels, as using the longer ones (such as the 4 meter segments) means that if your barrel gets shot off or blown up, you lose a bigger piece.

As the guy above, 4m barrels ftw. Having your barrels shot from the muzzle down to the mantlet piece-by-piece is an exception, so the weakest point matters.

I also wouldn't build a barrel entirely out of heavy barrels, but making the first 1-4m heavy will greatly reduce the risk of it being shot off at the mantlet.

[Takamiki]

Originally posted by FourGreenFields:

Quite sure they count to barrel-length, yes.

Upside of a longer barrel is greater accuracy. Obviously also need at least the required length for propellant burn (less reduces speed), but anything byond that only adds accuracy. Long barrels add more weight, and take longer to turn. And are generally a pain to balance on small craft.

also i thought having a longer barrel then the optimal for propellant burn would reduce velocity due to how gas expansion works when used to propell projectiles in a barrel IRL.
intresting to know longer barrel then optimal would not reduce velocity