Just how much weaker are plasma torpedoes?

Monroe · Post by **Monroe** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:01 am

And why didn't ENT ever use them? Didn't they jump from regular torpedoes to plasma?

Captain Picard's Hair · Thu May 22, 2008 1:04 am

Well, if Graham's theory is to be believed, firing a Plasma torpedo drains the entire output of the warp core for a second or two. Presumably, the huge cost of firing this type of weapon on the ship is a disincentive to use it, given how rarely it has been seen.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:22 am

Plus, the effectiveness of the torp diminishes drastically with range. Good for air-to-surface, not so good against a mobile opponent. As in TOS:"Balance of Terror," you don't really want a primary weapon that your target can run away from briefly until it's impotent.

SuperSaiyaMan12 · Post by **SuperSaiyaMan12** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:33 am

Aren't Romulan Plasma Torps the exception to the rule?

Post by **Mikey** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:34 am

SuperSaiyaMan12 wrote:Aren't Romulan Plasma Torps the exception to the rule?

What better examples do we have?

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:35 am

In "Sacrifice of Angels" Damar states that the ODP's use plasma torpedoes as well, except those were clearly a different type.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:39 am

Is there any useful extant info on those types?

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:45 am

Not that I'm aware of. They seemed to be pretty powerful. But since each platform carried a thousand of them, I'd say they're probably quite different, and probably less powerful than the "Balance of Terror" version.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:33 am

They would have to be - other types are said to draw warp plasma, of which there is none on an ODP.

Post by **Teaos** » Thu May 22, 2008 6:24 am

It could be that they are powerful in direct damage but shit against shields. It would explain the power difference.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:32 pm

Would also explain the disparity in effectiveness from static targets to mobile ones.