User:Talas

AA shooting at "any" unit

Disclaimer: This has already been semi-debunked by GF in: http://zero-k.info/Forum/Thread/36893?postID=262077#262077 And to some extent also in: http://zero-k.info/Forum/Thread/35999?postID=256192#256192 However, I feel like it's good to discuss precisely which ideas are being dismissed.

Here's my take on how it could work, barring engine limitations:

Make AA have two zones of operation: High altitude and Low altitude.

If AA will fire on unit is determined by Altitude of target, firestate and Avoid Bad targets state.

Certain planes and gunships should be made to fly a bit higher, so they avoid most flex-AA. To balance this, AA that fires at high-altitude should be stronger.

There should be some overlap between the High altitude and the Low altitude zone. Krow altitude, for example, could be so that it is hit by both types. Certain AA can work in both zones, ie Gremlin, Zephyr.

Jumping and lobbed units shouldn't reach the High-altitude zone.

This system accomplishes the following: Landed planes don't get hit by AA. Launched units can be hit by AA. Certain planes/gunships can fly "under" the strongest AA (ie Artemis).

The following issues remain: Jumping/lobbed units can be hit by low-altitude AA. Building "correct" AA response becomes _more_ difficult. This is a large change, requiring huge balancing efforts. Might require engine changes to support altitude limited targeting.