Energy Bomb

Energy Bomb
Name	Energy Bomb
Cost	900.0 ₢
TL Availability	8

A powerful one-shot device that emits a high-powered electromagnetic pulse, disrupting plasma containment in drives of nearby ships, resulting in catastrophic damage. Well shielded larger vessels are capable of withstanding this assault on occasion, but small ships invariably do not survive. Triggering the Energy Bomb temporarily deactivates sensitive components. The pulse is harmonised with the drive of the firing ship.

Overview

The Medusa Pandora Self-homing Energy Bomb is a tactical weapon capable of Megazon Destruct Force 13 with a heat radius of 9000km. Developed by the Klaus-Kline laboratories for multi-rôle combat using "launch and leave" techniques.

Residual Effects

The release of an energy bomb creates magnetic field shockwaves that can cause catastrophic vibrations in certain minerals, including most asteroidal rock types. This invariably results in the fragmentation of asteroids that are within the range of an energy bomb explosion.

• For tactics see Using weapons of mass destruction.
• Theories of how the Energy Bomb actually works (2011).

Energy Bomb removed

Thanks to an energetic & vigorous campaign by several members of the community, the energy bomb was saved from removal from v1.74 (circa 2010). The argument for removal was that the energy bomb was far too powerful and affected the game balance by leaving the player unaffected. However, being an original feature of Elite, removal engendered strong emotions from fans of the classic game.

But it should be noted that it was an issue back in 2004. The ensuing debate back then led to the creation of the Quirium Cascade Mine.

As proposed by Giles, the energy bomb was reinstated in v1.74. The energy bomb has nevertheless been disabled by default since version 1.77, which focused on more “visible” core game changes.

Whilst Oolite's first lead developer Giles/Aegidian was sympathetic to it, the second & third (Ahruman and Cim) were not!

• see also: Energy Bomb Campaign thread
• See Cheating for an analysis of some of the issues involved.
• See Oolite 2.0 or II‎‎ for a wider context on the debate!

Update on Energy Bomb removal

The Energy Bomb is now only available by OXP.
Download and install Energy Bomb OXP by Cim (or get it through the in-game Expansions Manager)

Links

• EBs 2004-5 debate kicked off by Murgh
• On energy bombs 2010 debate
• Energy bomb (Solved) 2012 debate
• NPC Energy Bomb gives the energy bomb to NPCs (Another_Commander c.2010?): really an exercise in showing how it wrecks the game when NPCs have it!
• The Energy Bomb - new 'solutions' to old problems: Redspear's brainstorming (2022).

Oolite Equipment Standard Equipment Astrogation Console • Cargo Hold • Compass • Energy banks • Engine/Main Drive • HUD • IFF Scanner • Life Support Systems • Missile • Pulse Laser • Shields • Ship's Hull • Torus Jump Drive • View Screen • Witchspace/Hyperspace Drive Optional Equipment Advanced Navigational Array • Advanced Space Compass • Cargo Bay Expansion • Docking Computers • E.C.M. System • Escape Pod • Extra Energy Unit • External Heat Shielding • Fuel Scoops • Galactic Hyperdrive • Integrated Targeting System • Military Shield Enhancement • Multi-Targeting System • Naval Energy Unit • Passenger Berth • Scanner Targeting Enhancement • Shield Boosters • Target System Memory Expansion • Witchdrive Fuel Injectors • Wormhole Scanner Weapons Beam Laser • ECM Hardened Missile • Energy Bomb • Military Laser • Mining Laser • Missile • Pulse Laser • Quirium Cascade Mine • Twin Plasma Cannon