Should USA Laser Tank require power?

[ZekeDlyoung]

In VZH Laser Tanks require 1 power to operate, this is not only a weird mechanic, but it creates a few issues:

1. It makes Laser Gen pretty defenseless when low powered
2. Even while you are low powered, Laser Tanks will still continue to build and clog up your War Factory for a while even after your power returns
3. It requires a larger investment to build an army with Laser Gen as you have to build power plants as well, which seems like a lot for a unit that's only marginally better than a Crusader

Proposal 1

Remove power requirement entirely

Proposal 2

Give it a global control rods upgrade that cancels out its power consumption, so it still gets disabled when you get low powered, but it doesn't slowly eat up your power when spammed

Proposal 3

Improve its performance to make it worth having to go through all the trouble of building power plants (i.e. give it explosion damage to make it good against infantry as well)

Proposal 4

Keep Laser Tank Power consumption, but do not power them off on low power.

Proposal 5

On low power, disable turret but keep the ability to drive.

Proposal 6

Reverse of proposal 5: Keep immobilization but keep turret operable.

Proposal 7

Increase attack range of Laser Tank: more then rocket defenders, less than artillery. Proposed in TheSuperHackers/GeneralsGamePatch#2522

[xezon]

I expect heated discussion :p

[ZekeDlyoung]

I expect heated discussion :p

Me too 😛

[commy2]

It makes Laser Gen pretty defenseless when low powered

That is the whole point. That's pretty much the entire lore of Lasergen xD

[ZekeDlyoung]

It makes Laser Gen pretty defenseless when low powered

That is the whole point. That's pretty much the entire lore of Lasergen xD

Indeed. The bigger issue for me is the "require 1 power". I can live with them being disabled, but I hope the requirement can be canceled out at least 🙃

[xezon]

Laser Tanks typically come in lower numbers in matches. It is a risk to build them due the risk of power outage, therefore it is almost always better to just spam Humvees instead.

[Stubbjax]

It is a weird, counterintuitive and often frustrating mechanic that lowers strategic diversity and tends to catch a lot of players off-guard. I don't see many upsides to the behaviour. It felt much nicer to play when ShockWave removed it.

It would certainly help in common early team-game situations where laser crusaders are fending off sneaky gattling tanks and a GLA bombs the power, effectively ending Townes' carrier career.

[xezon]

Perhaps they could have a different penalty for low power?

[ZekeDlyoung]

Perhaps they could have a different penalty for low power?

Not possible afaik

[ImTimK]

in 1.06 they increased power requirement still, but didn't power off on low power.

Idk Laser Tanks aren't that special, they're obviously very strong but not sure if low power should be that punishing, especially if he spammed more of them. Direct competitors don't have this downside.

[ImTimK]

Perhaps they could have a different penalty for low power?

Would be cool if turret can still operate, but can't move.

[penfriendz]

I am in favour of simply removing the power mechanic. While it will change gameplay, and I don't hate the mechanic, it is a little strange and will simplify the game. From a balance perspective laser tanks aren't terribly overpowered or overused.

[ImTimK]

More Laser Tanks means less Vees :)