Missile Combat Reimagined

OK, so the title's a bit grandiose but if I can convince myself of a better one then I'll change it...

This OXP tries to alter the situation of standard missiles being 'a bit rubbish' and hardhead missiles being maybe a bit too good. I like the simple mechanic of the ECM but I think it's problematic in it's current use.

As I see it:

Standard missiles are one of the few (if not only) weapons available for purchase by the starting player but often they are money 'thrown away' (bit harsh perhaps but can be true). Pirate packs and trade convoys will usually have ECM - so when the player needs their missiles most (ie when outnumbered) they are at their least useful.

Thargoids in Classic Elite were (nearly always) immune to missiles because they always had ECM and there were no hardheads. I think that's kinda cool - if there were to be a special anti-Thargoid missile then I think it should be rare or expensive or part of a mission or perhaps all three! Meanwhile hardheads nearly always hit (to significant effect) and standard missiles nearly always don't. I don't think that's desirable behaviour.

So, what does this OXP do about it?

3 missile types: defence (cheap, weak), standard and torpedo (not ECM-hardened but high damage)
ECM frequency in non player ships is significantly reduced for most (but not all) ships
ECM is no longer a much higher tech (which matches the elite lore if not it's historical tech value) and therefore is rarer
ECM is more fragile and so easily damaged, so a player is without it more often

The result is closer to that of the original elite - and more interesting in my honest opinion - whilst remaining simple:

Standard missiles are much more useful for both player and occasionally for non-players too
ECM is rarer (and the torpedo is dangerous) but the defence missiles provide a relatively cheap, if perishable, anti-missile defence
ECM becomes something that you are likely to be without occasionally, even in a well equipped ship
All missiles are a threat again but rarely a death sentence
Thargoids no longer care about your missiles

It's only version 0.2 as there's potentially lots to tweak and maybe a few things to add but... it works for me. Hope it's of interest.

Redspear

Available from the in game manager.