Aerial Turret

[ChaosMarch]

Subject:
Defensive turret that hovers in the air.

Description:
All the old C&C games, and pretty much all RTS's for that matter, have had base defenses--basically towers that shoot at stuff. The standard counters are using units against which it is ineffective (like tanks against an MG nest) or artillery. I think it would be interesting to have the option to build turrets that can hover. These would be either stationary or very slow moving, and can only be attacked by units that can hit air units. In particular, this means that they're immune to conventional artillery. Being high above the ground, they would have better sight range and possibly longer range weaponry than other turrets, but would be more expensive and/or fragile and/or less damaging, and would use significantly more power. You could also implement a mechanic where if base power goes down, it crashes down to the ground and is reasonably damaged. They also have to be used carefully--since they're not on the ground, they can't be used as a physical barrier to stop fast ground-based raiders from getting into a base--walls or ground units would have to be used for that.

Positive Effect:
--Provides bases with a counter against artillery
--Attackers have to bring anti-air along
--Anti-air-only units, like air superiority fighters, are now more useful in attacking bases
--One more reason to hit an enemy's power grid
--If somewhat mobile, can provide another option for the turret push strategy

Negative Effect:
--Has to be balanced so turtling doesn't become overpowered, but not so nerfed that no one would use them

[GeneralSGJist]

hmmm This does seem like a very unconventional idea to base defenses........

It's definitely out there........

I reminded of the Sc2 Raven laser interceptor ball thing.......

Thing is they would neet to have a reason to be in the air.....

It aseems like it would cost a lot of power to have something just hover in the air.....

This idea may be just to crazy and inefficient for C&C...

[Kyang]

Aerial artillery, aerial turrets...

Are aerial bases next?

[CnC_Fin]

My opinion: Turrets stay on ground level. If a turret must reach enemy artillery, build a "special long range defense turret" which has a build limit of 1 or 2.

[=LEVIATHEN=]

I like the idea,but I think that making it too fragile/expensive/power-using would render it useless.I agree with the power-using and expensive part,but I think that the thing should be about as sturdy as the base defense that it's supposed to replace (and I think that it should either be very long-ranged and powerful,or it should replace a certain base defense).

My opinion: Turrets stay on ground level. If a turret must reach enemy artillery, build a "special long range defense turret" which has a build limit of 1 or 2.

You mean like in Supreme Commander 2 (except with a limit)?

[Lauren]

Aerial artillery, aerial turrets...

Are aerial bases next?

I vote for aerial aircraft.

[HOPE1134]

Aerial Submarines... oh wait

[=LEVIATHEN=]

Aerial Nitrogen/Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen/etc.

[CnC_Fin]

You mean like in Supreme Commander 2 (except with a limit)?

I haven't played Supreme Commander 2 so I'm not quite sure.

[IVI4tt]

I haven't played Supreme Commander 2 so I'm not quite sure.

Supreme Commander 2 gives two factions heavy artillery to build. These can be created in the base and although they don't do much damage they're mostly an imprecise harassment tool.


On topic,
+ How would you justify floating turrets in the story? You can't just say "We attached a helicopter rotor to our turret because screw you guys that's why"
+ What would happen if they ran out of power? Would they keep floating? Would they fall out of the sky?