On 01Feb2023 1123, Christopher Sean Hilton - chris at vindaloo.com (via
tml list) wrote:
> I have two questions about designing ships with spinal mount weapons
> against Book 5 / High Guard. The questions are:
>
> * *Are lower tech spinal mounts available when building at higher tech levels?*
>    Specifically, if I'm designing a ship at TL10 and I want a spinal mount particle
>    accelerator, Can I install a factor "A" or factor "B" weapon. _Please ignore the gorilla in
>    the room for the moment._
>
> * *Should I decide to upgrade factors and if so, what are the criteria?* In my example
>     above, the best choice is actually a factor "C" weapon. It costs less, takes up less
>     space, uses the same energy, and packs a little more punch. In this case the answer is
>     obvious, install the factor "C" weapon. Should the decision always be based on EP
>     consumption?
>
> Assuming that factor "A" weapons are available an any tech above their introduction, the
> second question is actually pretty simple to answer but can you procure a factor "A" meson
> gun when you are building at TL14?
I see no reason why you can't install a lower power and lower TL spinal
weapon if you want. I don't think there's ever an optimisation reason to
do so, but I don't see why you couldn't if there was some in-universe
reason to.

--
Rupert Boleyn <xxxxxx@gmail.com>