Ion vs Plasma vs Atomic (thrusters)?

[zgrssd]

I am trying to figure out wich way to upgrade/change the Thrusters on my ships. But I can not quite figure out the "Tier" of Drives, to make a proper Comparision. Wich in turn means I can not make a meaningfull decision.

Maybe writing down the math can help me?



Let's take the example of hte Greyhound Plasma Thruster (Default for Modified Argosy):
34 mass
66,240 Thrust
108 Energy
204 Heat

Comparing that to the same mass A250 Atomic Thrusters is easy:
34 mass
98,280 Thrust
186 Energy
366 Heat

34 ton Plasma to 34 ton Atomic:
+32040 Thrust or +48,4%
+80 Energy or +74,1 %
+162 Heat or 79,4%

So +50% Thrust, but also about +75% Energy and Heat increase. The Energy Drain and heat increases much faster then the Thrust. So now I have to consider how well the Ship is cooled and powered, as part of the Thruster Mass calculation (of course the reactor and cooling will not count against the Drive Mass, only total outfitting mass - so that might still be a win).


Or Maybe Impala to A250 is a better Comparision (that Atomic work like a next Tier Plasma Drive):
58 mass
127,440 Thrust
192 Energy
390 Heat

So the Atomic has almost the drain of the next higher Plasma, but with:
-24 mass or -41,4 % mass to Plasma
-29160 Thrust or -22,9% Mass to Plasma
So going from a Plasma to a smaler Atomic would save a lot of mass, with less loss of Thrust and no gain in Heat/Energy

And now Ion drives compare neither in Mass, Thrust, Energy nor Heat. So I can not tell wich one would be a replacement either...

Could anybody help me understanding those drives?

[Ker]

Well these are all tier 1, but various stages. Let me simplify things.

Ions require the least space, produce the least heat, and require the least energy. These are your go-tos if your engines matter least to you.

Atomics require a lot of energy, produce a fair amount of heat, but are great for their size. These are arguably the best engines especially for combat ships, but you will have to keep energy production and energy generation in mind. Most combat and preformance ships wont have any issues.

Plasmas are kinda right in-between. Some argue they are better than Ions, I argue the opposite. So thats a matter of personal preference.

Generally I look at things like this:

Atomics for when you can afford them, always get them.

Ions work best on smaller ships

Plasmas work on smaller ships too, but are more resource intensive.

[Amazinite]

Plasmas are stronger than Ions, so I use them on my freighters when I can't afford atomics.

[Lt_Duckweed]

Think of it like this, the bactrian has 180 engine space, no more, no less. How can I get my ship as fast as possible with 180 engine space?

[Ker]

Go fast or turn fast?

[Husker_85]

And when you want to go really big, you can try the Planetary Thrusters/Stellar Steering combo.

[Ker]

Originally posted by FallenCat:

And when you want to go really big, you can try the Planetary Thrusters/Stellar Steering combo.

spoilers m90

[warp_core]

Originally posted by The Diddler on the Roof:

Think of it like this, the bactrian has 180 engine space, no more, no less. How can I get my ship as fast as possible with 180 engine space?

The Bactrian also has a very high outfit space which can be significantly increased through the use of mass expansions and, in its normal fleet role, it generally doesn't need to dedicate any space to weapons since it's mostly used for capturing and plundering so those engines can be easily powered and cooled. At earlier points in the game, when ships have to strike a balance between movement and damage output, and when the ships the player uses are smaller, the best engine in terms of space effectiveness isn't always the best engine in terms of combat.

[Ker]

Originally posted by warp_core:

Originally posted by The Diddler on the Roof:

Think of it like this, the bactrian has 180 engine space, no more, no less. How can I get my ship as fast as possible with 180 engine space?

The Bactrian also has a very high outfit space which can be significantly increased through the use of mass expansions and, in its normal fleet role, it generally doesn't need to dedicate any space to weapons since it's mostly used for capturing and plundering so those engines can be easily powered and cooled. At earlier points in the game, when ships have to strike a balance between movement and damage output, and when the ships the player uses are smaller, the best engine in terms of space effectiveness isn't always the best engine in terms of combat.

Which is why theres an argument about which is superior, ions or plasmas?

Atomics are far, far superior to both when ignoring the need for power and cooling, but which of the two is better when you need it?

I argue Ions. Derpy argues plasmas. I hate the way ion engines look and sound and im thinking about changing their sound and look. Their preformance-to-space ratio is more than acceptable pre-atomics tho.

[warp_core]

Originally posted by Kiko:

Originally posted by warp_core:

The Bactrian also has a very high outfit space which can be significantly increased through the use of mass expansions and, in its normal fleet role, it generally doesn't need to dedicate any space to weapons since it's mostly used for capturing and plundering so those engines can be easily powered and cooled. At earlier points in the game, when ships have to strike a balance between movement and damage output, and when the ships the player uses are smaller, the best engine in terms of space effectiveness isn't always the best engine in terms of combat.

Which is why theres an argument about which is superior, ions or plasmas?

Atomics are far, far superior to both when ignoring the need for power and cooling, but which of the two is better when you need it?

I argue Ions. Derpy argues plasmas. I hate the way ion engines look and sound and im thinking about changing their sound and look. Their preformance-to-space ratio is more than acceptable pre-atomics tho.

I generally just go with whatever the ship comes with until I get to medium warships at which point I use plasmas unless I can afford atomics.

[Avior]

Depends.
Am I fighting in the Free Worlds war? If so, I'll go with atomic engines, because they take up the least space, allowing me to outfit my ship more effectively for combat.
Otherwise, I generally just go with whatever the ship comes with.

[Sinsling]

Outside of combat purposes, atomic thrusters just eat up space as you generally need to dedicate more outfit space compared to same ton engines on energy generation.

When not doing anything combat related (mission running or trading), only your flagship really needs any decent manuevarbililty. You can pretty much choose to fit in whatever makes it move along at a decent pace. Your fleet ships really just need decent turning to keep up with you. I typically generate this effect using an ion thrust with plasma steering.

Then there is accounting for drag. I hate having my combat fleet move outside the safety of deathball mode. I generally favor breaking down max speed so that every ship keeps a near-similiar movespeed outside of fighters. The only move stat I keep higher is for ships with more fore weapons than turrets, who need better turning to keep their guns on point. This lets me keep them in a tight ball that stomps anyone stupid enough fly into me.


Now, considering you are saying "upgrade" your thrusters, the obvious choice would be atomics. Anything else is really a downgrade to your thrust capabilities. Without knowing your ship though, we can't tell what kind of outfit space you may have availible to power those engines.

[Amazinite]

Originally posted by Kiko:

I argue Ions. Derpy argues plasmas. I hate the way ion engines look and sound and im thinking about changing their sound and look. Their preformance-to-space ratio is more than acceptable pre-atomics tho.

Well I wouldn't really argue Plasmas, I just use them for my early-game play style. But they each have their place pre-Atomics.

[NEET]

As a Hai Bufaer atomic thruster enthusiast I'd suggest atomic engines over plasma when it comes to speed department, nothing can get near you when you move like Rosberg on a Mercedes Bactrian, who doesn't want to win formula one space championship in year 3016?

(Actually, someone please make a racing mini game in the game, hello modders?xD)

[warp_core]

Originally posted by NEET:

(Actually, someone please make a racing mini game in the game, hello modders?xD)

Challenge accepted

[Sinsling]

Originally posted by warp_core:

Originally posted by NEET:

(Actually, someone please make a racing mini game in the game, hello modders?xD)

Challenge accepted

Braver than me.