Azaran Federation - Valkyrie & Balmung

AstralXYZ · Post by **AstralXYZ** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:16 pm

I guess so.

Added the big thrusters (I like how they turned out) and moved back the Ragnarok Cannons. I'm thinking of extending wings out so that the cannons rest on them.

Kanosint · Post by **Kanosint** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:13 pm

Hmmm, nice ship... Though the attach-points look rather flimsy for such a MASSIVE gun... I'd add more than just an extra wing-attachment, that's for sure...

And the thrusters look slightly off... May I suggest doing it more like the muzzle of the cannons? Right now they look like they point up a tad...

Post by **Kaelis** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:00 pm

Your color layering has certainly improved, although the front could still benefit from some more (its too dark, overall), as well as the engine part (too bright). Adding some more colors (white/gray, maybe?) might help, too. Theres simply too much detail for there to be large, single-colored area.

Those cannons are completely out of place. I say get rid of them, and maybe make another ship out of them.

Other than that, its a fine ship.

AstralXYZ · Post by **AstralXYZ** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:52 pm

Well, I guess it's fine. Maybe the Muspelheim Siege Dreadnought will be the one carrying the dual-Ragnarok Cannons. >.>

Verminator · Post by **Verminator** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:04 pm

If I were you, I'd just have one cannon, with the rest of the ship built around it.

As for this actual ship, cut off the guns and its great.

AstralXYZ · Post by **AstralXYZ** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:31 pm

Cannons chopped, rear wings now exist. Anything else before I start adding the weapons?

Edit: Hardly worth a mention, but...

Some may say that the Ragnarok Cannon and the Gungnir Mobile Kinetic Cannon are good enough weapons, but when the Azaran Armada deems some targets too insignificant for their use, they send in the Mjolnir Kinetic Missile. Usually launched from a Megingjord Carrier, these big fast-moving missiles do not use warheads to cause damage, but packets of charges inside the missile itself, detonated when in close proximity to a target to blow the missile itself into pieces, sending debris flying into an enemy ship. It is predicted that just one Mjolnir can severely damage even the Niflheim Dreadnought if aimed well enough. As such, these missiles are never launched without first inputting a safety code and performing a heavy IFF check. Friendly ships must also stay clear of the target area, or they run a high risk of being hit by the missile debris.

Sponge · Post by **Sponge** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 3:43 am

I'd like to see what it would look like if you went back to the first version you posted, and just removed the cannons. The massive engines and the "wings" seem to add nothing more than mass to the ship. I could see the engines looking good if placed toward the stern of the variant that I referred to. As it stands, I find the new shape to be less attractive than the old, and the thing's so massive that it won't even load in game. If you actually plan on using it, you'll have to cut back.

AstralXYZ · Post by **AstralXYZ** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:45 pm

Cut off a bit of the wings and added weapons to the Niflheim...

...and made a new ship.

Valkyrie Heavy Destroyer

The workhorse of any Azaran fleet, the AD-04 Valkyrie-class Heavy Destroyer is another medium-sized ship that carries battleship-class turrets. These new specialized Sylvan-type dual-particle cannon turrets can shred small craft to pieces in just a few shots - if they can hit. The heavy weaponry installed on the turrets slows down the turning rate to that of the Ares turret mounting.

Besides the 3 Sylvan turrets, the Valkyrie carries 12 Raxtor 18-tube missile launchers, 4 Particle Guns, and 6 Particle CIWS Guns. The spread of the weapons means that at least 2 launchers are pointed at an enemy at any time, allowing it to engage enemies at all angles effectively, although the advantage diminishes when faced with foes coming from multiple sides, as the Sylvan turrets cannot attack more than one ship each at a time.

Mak0 · Post by **Mak0** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:56 pm

<3 That is an awesome coloring job, and i especially love your ship on the first page (the sattelite ship). Also, that is a massive dreadnought.

Nice work overall, keep em coming

AstralXYZ · Post by **AstralXYZ** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:03 pm

Thanks. =)

A Balmung Variable Battleship on patrol

Balmung after entering Siege Mode - Barrel of Shock Cannon EX and activated blast shield visible

Balmung Variable Battleship

Although the AB-10 Balmung Variable Battleship is called a Variable Battleship, it is pretty much just a ship with a Shock Cannon EX hidden inside... and lots of missiles. Following its name faithfully, it can unleash a devastating salvo of missiles on an enemy base or ship, causing collateral damage. Not only that, the missiles are usually followed with a burst from the Shock Cannon EX. This weapon is pretty much an upscaled version of the Shock Cannon seen on other Azaran ships. Besides the Shock Cannon EX and the missile launchers, the Balmung carries 6 Particle Guns, 2 Torpedo Launchers and 6 Particle CIWS guns.

Basic tactics using this ship usually involve a pincer attack on a target from two sides using both the missiles and the Shock Cannon. However, when the Shock Cannon is firing, it's vulnerable to attack, so most Balmung captains prefer to close up the 'maw' of the ship after firing to allow the cannon to recharge, and then fire again. Balmungs are known to be vulnerable to HPWs (Hull Penetrating Weapons), and many a Balmung has gotten disabled just by getting the missile launchers and the Shock Cannon shot off by an errant HPW projectile, as the Particle Guns are only really effective as defense against smaller ships such as corvettes.

The Shock Cannon's powerful and continuous recoil means the Balmung must have special equipment onboard to handle it. When in Siege Mode, two blast shields appear from the side of the ship to help deflect the blast from firing. While actually firing, two nozzles pointing away from the cannon's tip activate, ejecting hot coolant liquid that also helps to push the cannon forward to counteract the shaking.

AstralXYZ · Post by **AstralXYZ** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:57 am

Bump...? (I want some constructive criticism)

_Ti__ · Post by **_Ti__** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:17 am

To tell the truth, I liked your first smaller ships better. On the big ones, instead of only using diferent color shades, try using more outlining. And also the "pool blue" don't look good with them.