The Tempest thread (confirmed 100% weaponry free)

Another BTW question: do you know of any expedition (without the goal of conquer/war) that went into an exploration mission with armatures at the spearhead?

Whether you think building the Tempest without weapons was smart or not there was undoubtedly a reason for it. The dangers of unknown space are obvious to anyone, most of all people who's job it is to think of things like it. I have to imagine it was a calculated risk taken by the project designers. They must have figured that arming every ship, especially scout ships, would more than likely be seen as an aggressive action. We'd be seen as an invading army. Conquerors.

I highly doubt we're bringing a huge standing military force. The bulk of the Andromeda Initiative is probably scientists and civilians, with a minimum to moderate military force only as a protective measure. We're not outfitting to fight a war in Andromeda, no way we'd have the resources for that. Since we're flying into the unknown who knows how long it would take for us to get those resources.

That leaves us with two realistic options for survival should we run into a hostile alien force. Running away, or diplomacy. Both of which the Tempest is perfectly designed to do. No weapons means less mass and a more agile ship for running away. No weapons also means we appear non-threatening enough to make diplomacy much easier.

At the end of the day maybe it is a stupid design decision. Maybe it will bite us in the ass. Regardless, it was a decision that was made by the people who put AI together. No one is forced into the Andromeda Initiative, if you choose to join, if you choose to abide by the parameters of the mission, then you choose to assume the risks. It's not going to change at this point.

Nope. Meta-gaming away a nonsensical decision breaks immersion, pure and simple.
It makes no sense for the Tempest to be unarmed in-game. The fact we'll never need them is irrelevant.
Also, the fact that such a decision was made in the first place does not bode well for the story, my main reason for wanting this game.
And being concerned that not having pretend weapons on my pretend space-magic powered ship does not mean I have deep seated psychological problems relating to my vulnerabilities. It means I expect rational, in-game reasons for the choices made by the AI. I have yet to see anything explaining the lack of weapons or the pathfinder's shag palace.

Eh, not really. The Hyperion and the other Ark ships are bog ol' colony vessels and prison ships that ended up settling Botany Bay and such in this comparison.


I suspect there are not. The AI got a fighter escort out of the MW. IF they had their own armed vessels, why would they need an escort?

Just for the hell of it, here's what it would take for the Nomad/Tempest being weaponless to not be completely batshit:

Nomad- made of unobtainium, the thing is somehow an indestructible brick, short of falling into a star/black hole. The offensive capability then becomes simply ramming into things. Judging by the looks of the design and of course the lore, I highly doubt this is the case. Could be wrong though, you never know #waitandsee

Tempest- escorted by warships and/or FTL-capable fighters at all times. Seems very unlikely given that it's a scout ship. The alternative is esoteric space magic technology that still removes hostile threats without technically going pew pew. Something like super powerful shaping forcefields you could use to move things out of the way or contain them (or break them apart). Or it creates a stasis field that traps enemy ships/ other foreign objects. Usually reserved for more advanced "alien" aliens. Very much doubt it'd be something humans would be toting around after a 600 year old nap. Also with something like that aren't we splitting hairs at this point? Nonlethal weapons are still weapons aren't they?

With any luck we have a small fighter compliment and Kodiak's with guns (and the what should be obligatory ARK and Nexus defenses): I've now put out the word to Ian Frazier as well as Macdogg to try and gain some clarity on the Fleet and Flotilla armaments....

...here's hoping we're not left with our fly down with no way to zip it up in Andromeda