EMP Guardians Last Too Long?

[Coppermantis]

What I think IS unfair -- assuming I read the text right the one time it's happened to me -- is that the AI got +6 AIP from detonating its own frickin EMP. Talk about insult to injury.

(Or maybe I had an untended EMP floating around that planet that got triggered... in which case joke's on me.)

Not as bad as when I had a *nuke* floating around that I forgot I built. Granted, it was the tutorial mission and I was a newbie, but still. I think some kind of missile cleanup station would be useful for safely disposing of warheads built accidentally/no longer needed.

[x4000]

What I think IS unfair -- assuming I read the text right the one time it's happened to me -- is that the AI got +6 AIP from detonating its own frickin EMP. Talk about insult to injury.

(Or maybe I had an untended EMP floating around that planet that got triggered... in which case joke's on me.)

Not as bad as when I had a *nuke* floating around that I forgot I built. Granted, it was the tutorial mission and I was a newbie, but still. I think some kind of missile cleanup station would be useful for safely disposing of warheads built accidentally/no longer needed.

Yeah, that's something that's been floating around the list for future items for a long time.  I agree it would be nice.

[mindloss]

Optional green warning text in the upper left a la other warnings? "You have 1 nuke at <planet>."

[x4000]

That's up to Keith, but you could put it in mantis.

[TechSY730]

OK the results are in. It seems that among those who actually familiar with the wrath of EMP guardians, most of them think they are fine as is.

Also, it turns out I was wrong. It seems that EMP guardian duration does NOT increase with Mk. level, but rather is fixed at 20 seconds for all mark levels. This is something that I think should be addressed, as I shouldn't have to fear a Mk. I EMP guardian just as much as I fear a Mk. IV EMP guardian.

EDIT: Oh, and if EMPs can trigger other EMPs, that needs to be fixed too.

[zoutzakje]

I also believe EMP guardians are fine the way they are now. Yes, it's true they are high on my target list when neutering/taking a planet, but they will only fire the EMP when entering one of your wormholes, which is not that hard to prevent if you just look out before attacking something.

[x4000]

I also believe EMP guardians are fine the way they are now. Yes, it's true they are high on my target list when neutering/taking a planet, but they will only fire the EMP when entering one of your wormholes, which is not that hard to prevent if you just look out before attacking something.

And that's what the higher-mark EMP guardians provide: more health and firepower, which makes it more likely they will slip through.  The time being the same on all of them is a kindness to the player; if I were to change it, which I don't think is warranted, it would be to increase the higher-mark ones.

Regarding EMPs setting off other EMPs: that's always been that way, and is by design.  I don't see a strong reason to change that.  If you have warheads just sitting around, that's not the best thing.  At least put them in a transport, which I think is possible these days.

[TechSY730]

I also believe EMP guardians are fine the way they are now. Yes, it's true they are high on my target list when neutering/taking a planet, but they will only fire the EMP when entering one of your wormholes, which is not that hard to prevent if you just look out before attacking something.

And that's what the higher-mark EMP guardians provide: more health and firepower, which makes it more likely they will slip through.  The time being the same on all of them is a kindness to the player; if I were to change it, which I don't think is warranted, it would be to increase the higher-mark ones.

Great idea, but one problem. Thanks to the EMP, once they do detonate, their health and firepower are sort of irrelevant, as almost all opposition will be EMPed at the point for long enough for them to slip through the next planet and EMP it too. Only if you have some >=starships or Mk. V stuff on hand would their durability come into play.

Admittedly, higher health and stuff makes it more likely to get into one of your planets in the first place.

Regarding EMPs setting off other EMPs: that's always been that way, and is by design.  I don't see a strong reason to change that.  If you have warheads just sitting around, that's not the best thing.  At least put them in a transport, which I think is possible these days.

I don't really understand why, but if it is intended, I can live with it. Plus, its a pretty rare circumstance anyways. The transport thing is actually a nifty idea.

[x4000]

Yeah, the idea is that you aren't supposed to let them get to that first planet, or it snowballs unless you have some starships or whatever.

[zoutzakje]

I also believe EMP guardians are fine the way they are now. Yes, it's true they are high on my target list when neutering/taking a planet, but they will only fire the EMP when entering one of your wormholes, which is not that hard to prevent if you just look out before attacking something.

And that's what the higher-mark EMP guardians provide: more health and firepower, which makes it more likely they will slip through.

And that's exactly why they're high on my target list lol. I know how dangerous MK IV EMP can be, especially early game. One of the reasons I never alert MK IV planets until late game. I wouldn't mind though if the EMP duration of higher marks is longer. Adds more of an "OMG, an EMP guardian!!!" effect when I spot one. I like spotting dangerous things in AI war, especially when I'm drunk for some reason lol.