Jonathan_S wrote:Uroboros wrote:Why does this thing have LACs? LACs are wonderful for system protection, but they're awful in combat in the low numbers you've provided for them. It'd take 8 ships, a full-on squadron, to match a single CLAC.
LACs rely on overwhelming numbers in order to swamp the target with too many targets, especially when they get close. 8-12 LACs aren't useful, they're just target practice.
My understanding is that he wanted them primarily to thicken his BB(P)/(C)'s antimissile defenses.
Used defensively they wouldn't be all
that awful in low numbers; since they wouldn't get close and at long range any Mantie LAC is a damn tough missile target.
Still I don't think parasite LACs are an overall effective way to spend displacement on any warship other than a dedicated carrier.
Carriers are fine for fleets. But what do you do at distant stations where you can't use a local space station? A lone BB/DN/SD carrying a handfull of LACs is a lot more effective than one without.
cf. what HH with her pinnaces did at Basisilisk
Sure you can bring in an arsenal ship with a LAC-pod.
But if it stays in orbit, you loose the missile defense option for the big ship prowling at the hyperlimit.
Another use for parasite LACs: minesweeper
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5217P.S. If you want to lose less room, how about this option: an oversized boatbay as decribed above, but with room for onyl 2 LACs (or a spec ops frigate). Plus 2 docking hardpoints and 4 LACs tractored to the hull Derfflinger style:
“Yes,” Charles murmured back. “Did I hear Captain Preis mention LACs?”
“Yes, two of them,” Weiss confirmed. “They came with us from Mischa’s Star, tractored to the hull. They’ll ride escort for us, as well as help with the search.”
(Act of war, cf link above) while deploying to station.
Now you rotate the 8 LACs:
- 2 Shrikes on missions away from the BB
- 2 Katanas are patrolling closeby as instant missile defense units
- 1 Shrike and 1 Katana docked at hardpoints.
- 1 Shrike and 1 Katana docked inside ship for servicing.
If an ennemy raiding fleet arrives, the patrolling Katanas return, get tractored to the hull and the BB microjumps (for such a short trip, risks to the LAC Crew should be minimal); after the jump, the other LACs deploy. You now have 5-6 LACs (depending on where you are wrt the servicing) available for missile defense at the cost of hangar space for just 2 of them.
And this REALLY was my last post on the topic ...