Quantum Torpedoes

[Sumoben]

In your opinion, should these be the standard? Should they still be limited like in the series?

Take into account these factors:

1. In 40 years, shield technology likely advanced, possibly considerably.

2. In 40 years, the Federation may have found a way to replicate the materials to create Quantum torpedoes, or have found more sources of materials for them.

3. Not actually that important, but do you like a Red/Orangey glow to your torpedoes or Blue? (Or perhaps Green in the Klingons's case)


Also, would you like the Klingons to have a similar new torpedo? Perhaps something like the Polaron torpedo from SFC3, but with actual use (If you've played the game, you would know how, almost useless these were)

[Vorador]

Quantum torpedoes will likely still be restricted to warships. Science and explorer vessels likely will not have them, with the exception of Sovereign.

Klingons will likely be using a newer version of photon torpedoes, same with non-warship focused Federation ships.

Dominion will have polaron torpedoes, and Romulans should have plasma torpedoes.

[loyaltrekie]

Probably be avaliable to any class that wants to install the launchers, but will probably come "stock" on higher tiered ships. Since it takes place in the future from current cannon, Cryptic will surely come up with some obnoxious weapons that put Q. Torpedoes to shame.

[Lord_Pleximus]

40 years equals leaps and bounds in new technology. Especialy during and after a war. So I would see something like these on most ships maybe even something a little stronger.

All Klingon weapons need to be green. Hull paint job can be different as I want to paint my fleet red or white. :D

[Sumoben]

Probably be avaliable to any class that wants to install the launchers, but will probably come "stock" on higher tiered ships. Since it takes place in the future from current cannon, Cryptic will surely come up with some obnoxious weapons that put Q. Torpedoes to shame.

Transphasic torpedoes for everyone?

[Lord_Pleximus]

Transphasic torpedoes for everyone?

yes please!

[Dahakra]

As a Standard Load out for all Federation ships = No
Science, Scout, Survey, Hospital / Medical and Diplomatic orientated ships should / would have no need for such high end weapons.

Dedicated Warships = Yes
But they would also have regular Photon torps as their Main torp. Just because we're set in the future, doesn't mean QT's will be my easier or less resource intensive to build.

As an optional upgrade to basically all ships = Yes
But would have to be at the expense of something else, like taking up more space that the regular torps.

As for Trans-phasic torps, I really don't know what to do with them TBH. The whole "End game" future tech kinda messes up things here. Should they or something like them be included then they'd have to add an equivalent to Klingon's and any other future Faction. They'd also have to drastically improve things like shields for all faction ships, in order for them not to be one-shotted IMO.

- Dahakra

[DanSeale]

Quantum torpedoes will likely still be restricted to warships. Science and explorer vessels likely will not have them, with the exception of Sovereign.

Klingons will likely be using a newer version of photon torpedoes, same with non-warship focused Federation ships.

Dominion will have polaron torpedoes, and Romulans should have plasma torpedoes.

Without over analysing and trying to second and third guess everything ... I'd say you are pretty close to the mark.

ie: Klingons would be up to a MK XX high yeild photon.
ie: Feds: MK XX (or so ... standard issue) Quantum on Certain Advance class (ie Sea Wolf) ... or Soverign or NX-91001 class or similar series.

[Manta2015]

They said the NX-91001's torpedo payload (as to what type) are classified =)

They'll let us know soon enough ~


-Manta-

[hustlecore]

im sorry this might be a stupid question but im not to hip to this topic...what exactly makes quantum torpedoes so much better and what are there benefits

[Quint]

Are we forgetting the Tricobalt torpedoes from Star Trek: Armada and Voyager's assault on The Caretaker? Voyager only carried two of those, but I could imagine with 40 years of developments they'd become easier to carry and perhaps more widespread (especially amongst Steamrunner-class vessels :D )

[Lord_Pleximus]

Are we forgetting the Tricobalt torpedoes from Star Trek: Armada and Voyager's assault on The Caretaker? Voyager only carried two of those, but I could imagine with 40 years of developments they'd become easier to carry and perhaps more widespread (especially amongst Steamrunner-class vessels :D )

What was the yield on those warheads? Also if they were experimental for Voyager that would mean that during the 7 years Voyager took to get home they would have made more of that type of warhead. So maybe we can get some of those for my Bird of Prey or Raptor :D

[Quint]

What was the yield on those warheads? Also if they were experimental for Voyager that would mean that during the 7 years Voyager took to get home they would have made more of that type of warhead. So maybe we can get some of those for my Bird of Prey or Raptor :D

I suppose you Klingons might end up with armories full of Tricobalts on your vessels, but seeing as they're banned by the Khitomer Accord due to their devastating effects on subspace, I doubt the Federation'll take kindly to us carrying too many of 'em...:(

...only need one t'tear up that hunk-a-junk Bird o' Prey anyhow :p

[Lord_Pleximus]

I suppose you Klingons might end up with armories full of Tricobalts on your vessels, but seeing as they're banned by the Khitomer Accord due to their devastating effects on subspace, I doubt the Federation'll take kindly to us carrying too many of 'em...:(

...only need one t'tear up that hunk-a-junk Bird o' Prey anyhow :p

Hunk of junk Bird of prey?!?!!?

You sir have wounded me deep.

Bird of Preys arent junk they are works of art. Art that will tear a hole in your warp reactor and melt your face ><!

[Quint]

Bird of Preys arent junk they are works of art. Art that will tear a hole in your warp reactor and melt your face ><!

THAT's quoted :D

I look forwards to having my face melted by your "beautiful work of art"...IF you can dodge mah torpedoez long enough, that is :cool:

[Dext]

I can see some kind of new ones in the game but not the same old one's

[Lord_Pleximus]

THAT's quoted :D

I look forwards to having my face melted by your "beautiful work of art"...IF you can dodge mah torpedoez long enough, that is :cool:

Nice! I was quoted!

And yes I will find you and destroy you! After that we can exchange pleasantries and trade ^_^

[Quint]

Nice! I was quoted!

And yes I will find you and destroy you! After that we can exchange pleasantries and trade ^_^

Indeed we shall! (If trade between empires is allowed)

I can see some kind of new ones in the game but not the same old one's

Now what makes you say that? Starfleet has been using photons for the last 100 years at least - surely they're not gonna do away with the old-style ordnance now, just reduce it a bit to make room for the new stuff.

[Trsmash]

Well the best info that I have been able to read up on states that photon torpedos are armed with Antimatter warheads and are capable of both punched defined amounts of damage into a surface or just doing overall damage to an area.

Quantum Torpedos from what I have read uses Plasma warheads. Plasma is much more powerful and volitile than antimatter and thus packs more of a punch than photon torpedos. Or at least, as so I have read. I could always be wrong.

[Para199x]

I'm sure tricobalt devices had to be programmed to a very high yield to rupture subspace and even then the rupture didn't last long so i don't think the federation would have much against using them on occasion

[Sumoben]

Well the best info that I have been able to read up on states that photon torpedos are armed with Antimatter warheads and are capable of both punched defined amounts of damage into a surface or just doing overall damage to an area.

Quantum Torpedos from what I have read uses Plasma warheads. Plasma is much more powerful and volitile than antimatter and thus packs more of a punch than photon torpedos. Or at least, as so I have read. I could always be wrong.

No, Quantum torpedoes do not use plasma.

The quantum warhead relies on rapid energy extraction from zero-point vacuum. This is established from an 11-dimensional space-time membrane, twisted into a Genus-1 topology string, housed inside the ultraclean vacuum of a 1.38 meter-long teardrop shaped zero-point field reaction chamber. The detonation of a photon torpedo warhead, enriched with fluoronetic vapor, inside the torpedo powers a continuum distortion emitter. It expands the membrane and pinches it out of the background vacuum. The membrane forms into subatomic particles accompanied by a high-explosive energy release.

DS9 Technical Manual.

[Reinkaos]

I'd like them to retain their "rareness". Failing that, make Quantums the new "normal" torpedo,and have a new special type of extra-powerful torpedo to fill quantum's old role. Maybe make it purple :p

[Sumoben]

I'd like them to retain their "rareness". Failing that, make Quantums the new "normal" torpedo,and have a new special type of extra-powerful torpedo to fill quantum's old role. Maybe make it purple :p

Like the Transphasic torpedo?

[Trsmash]

I wonder if we will be able to fit our custom starfleet vessels with soem "Isolytic Bursts" >_>

Nobody has to know.....except the many ships I annihilate with them!!!!!

Muah ha ha ha!!!!!!!

I hope I didnt say that out loud. that whole khan experience was kinda embaressing -_-.

Well for old times sake....... KAHHHHHNNNNNNNN!!!

[DanSeale]

I'd like them to retain their "rareness". Failing that, make Quantums the new "normal" torpedo,and have a new special type of extra-powerful torpedo to fill quantum's old role. Maybe make it purple :p

I was kinda thinking the following for torps in general (as far as availability.)

1. Standard Photon torps: common ( all ships with torp capability)
2. High yield Photon torps: new ships ( considered an up-grade)
3. Quantum torps: rare ( only on Soverign / Defiant / Intrepid class / NX-91001 others ??? very limited issue )
4. Transphasic : VERY rare: up grade only for only those ships that use quamtum torps.

(note: transphasic can be controlled as a rare drop or rare instance achievement)

[TruthSeer]

I was kinda thinking the following for torps in general (as far as availability.)

1. Standard Photon torps: common ( all ships with torp capability)
2. High yield Photon torps: new ships ( considered an up-grade)
3. Quantum torps: rare ( only on Soverign / Defiant / Intrepid class / NX-91001 others ??? very limited issue )
4. Transphasic : VERY rare: up grade only for only those ships that use quamtum torps.

(note: transphasic can be controlled as a rare drop or rare instance achievement)

I think I'd rather see transphasic torpedoes and the like, as mission specific weapons. Where before you actually start the mission you told to go to Starbase X to receive the torpedo upgrade, and then when the mission is over Starfleet takes any left over torpedoes you have. Maybe you get to keep what ever you have left over, but I can seriously see transphasic, tri-cobalt, and the like becoming super weapons and unbalancing the game.

[JDHester2000]

im sorry this might be a stupid question but im not to hip to this topic...what exactly makes quantum torpedoes so much better and what are there benefits

This is the basic breakdown...

A Quantum torpedo works in a similar fassion to a Photon torpedo in that they both use a matter antimatter reaction to cause an explosion, they're also both warp capable allowing a Federation ship to fire on another ship while at warp. The main difference between the two is they both use aproximately the same ammount of matter/antimatter but the Quantum torpedo uses the energy produced by the fission reaction more efficiently by employing an energetic local release of the zero point energy field, thereby essentially allowing the engergy produced to react with it's self before releasing the energy in the form of an explosion, causing the maximum yield to be aproximately double that of a Photon torpedo.
It's a more complicated process which would account for Quantum torpedos beging a more recent invention and(as Quark informed us ["Little Green Men" DS9])more expencive to produce.

[Reinkaos]

Like the Transphasic torpedo?

I guess. It seems logical that as we're a good few years on from Nemesis, quantums should become more commonplace (i.e they take the place of regular torps), and transphasics and more powerful torpedoes become the more powerful, special option. Hopefully we'll only be able to have limited numbers of more powerful torpedoes at a time, so as to retain their value and impact (no pun intended)

[Sumoben]

I guess. It seems logical that as we're a good few years on from Nemesis, quantums should become more commonplace (i.e they take the place of regular torps), and transphasics and more powerful torpedoes become the more powerful, special option. Hopefully we'll only be able to have limited numbers of more powerful torpedoes at a time, so as to retain their value and impact (no pun intended)

I guess we could have the Federation working towards more and more powerful torpedoes while the Klingons work on more and more powerful Disruptors, and more powerful fighter and shuttle class disruptors.

[Azurian]

The thing about Photon Torpedoes people forget is that they use Matter and Antimatter from the starship. So normally they can be safely stored, and fueled when combat alerts are given. One last benefit, which Voyager grealy enjoyed, was that they could construct replacement torpedoes when the situation calls for it. (Like being on the other side of the Galaxy).

Plasma Torpedoes, are the same, except they use a ship's warp plasma.

Quantum Torpedoes obviously need upgraded torpedo launchers to handle these. In STO, I see them being an upgradeable option for any ship, like in SFC3. So players most likely need high prestige and their ships can handle the upgrades (like the power systems).

Transphasic Torpedoes, are meant as a weapon of last-resort against the Borg. So in STO, these would be very, very rare, and most likely reserved for Captains of High Rank and on High-End ships.

[Sumoben]

The thing about Photon Torpedoes people forget is that they use Matter and Antimatter from the starship. So normally they can be safely stored, and fueled when combat alerts are given. One last benefit, which Voyager grealy enjoyed, was that they could construct replacement torpedoes when the situation calls for it. (Like being on the other side of the Galaxy).

Plasma Torpedoes, are the same, except they use a ship's warp plasma.

Quantum Torpedoes obviously need upgraded torpedo launchers to handle these. In STO, I see them being an upgradeable option for any ship, like in SFC3. So players most likely need high prestige and their ships can handle the upgrades (like the power systems).

Transphasic Torpedoes, are meant as a weapon of last-resort, against the Borg. So in STO, these would be very, very rare, and most likely reserved for Captains of High Rank and on High-End ships.

Well, the launchers are the same for Quantum Torpedoes as Photon torpedoes, however the handling of the torpedoes is much more delicate, as well as the fact that they likely have more electronics inside of them.

[TechDragon]

Torpedo Physics and History 101

Spatial Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Spatial_torpedo)

Earliest used torpedo on a starship, more like a "space missile" that is simply fired and explodes on impact with some sort of atomic detonation.


Photonic Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Photonic_torpedo)

A type of tactical photonic antimatter weapon designed for use aboard starships and equipped with a variable yield antimatter warhead that has over fifty times greater range than the spatial torpedo. These were described as being able to put a "three-kilometer crater in an asteroid" at their most powerful setting. The Enterprise NX-01 upgraded from spatial to photonic torpedoes in 2153.


Photon Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Photon_torpedo)

A warp-capable tactical matter/antimatter weapon commonly deployed aboard starships and starbases by various organizations by the 23rd and 24th centuries. The components of a torpedo are contained within an elongated elliptical casing, also known as a photon tube. The weapon is armed with a photon warhead. The warhead has a detonation chamber filled with antimatter. Upon detonation the torpedo creates a matter-antimatter explosion.


Quantum Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Quantum_torpedo)

"The quantum torpedo is an advanced heavy weapon developed by Starfleet as a part of its Advanced Defense Initiative to combat Borg incursions. As the photon torpedo reached what many Starfleet researchers agreed was its highest possible explosive yield, a group of engineers at the Starfleet R&D facility on Groombridge 273-2A began investigating methods for achieving a higher release of energy from a projectile of equal dimensions to the photon torpedo."

The quantum warhead relies on rapid energy extraction from zero-point vacuum. This is established from an 11-dimensional space-time membrane, twisted into a Genus-1 topology string, housed inside the ultraclean vacuum of a 1.38 meter-long teardrop shaped zero-point field reaction chamber. The detonation of a photon torpedo warhead, enriched with fluoronetic vapor, inside the torpedo powers a continuum distortion emitter. It expands the membrane and pinches it out of the background vacuum. The membrane forms into subatomic particles accompanied by a high-explosive energy release.


Transphasic Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Transphasic_torpedo)

The transphasic torpedo was a Starfleet weapon developed sometime in the 2380s in a future alternate timeline. One transphasic torpedo was enough to destroy a Borg cube.

The warhead technology of the torpedoes is based on generating a destructive subspace compression pulse. Upon detonation the torpedo delivers the pulse in an asymmetric superposition of multiple phase states. Shields can only block one subcomponent of the pulse. The other subcomponents deliver the majority of the pulse to the target. Every torpedo has a different transphasic configuration, generated randomly by a dissonant feedback effect to prevent the Borg from predicting the configuration of the phase states.

Transphasic torpedoes were in fact kept by Starfleet as the weapon of last resort to be deployed to starships only when all else had failed against the Borg. They were the one and only thing Starfleet knew the Borg had not yet adapted to and for that reason wanted to keep this ace in the hole for as long as possible.

(It may also be speculated that based on the way transphasic torpedoes work, it may be impossible for the Borg to ever fully adapt to them, due to the use of multiple phase states that are configured differently at random for every torpedo making it impossible to predict. Janeway's counter to the Borg is in fact the point of it being unadaptable to.)


Chroniton Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Chroniton_torpedo)

A chroniton torpedo is a projectile weapon based on temporal science used by the Krenim Imperium. They were able to pass unhindered through the shields of enemy ships due to their existing in a state of temporal flux.


Gravimetric Torpedo (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Gravimetric_torpedo)

A gravimetric torpedo was a type of torpedo built by a gravimetric charge into a photon torpedo casing.



Isoton Measurements for Torpedoes (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Isoton)

An isoton was a measure of both mass and explosive yield used by at least Federation, Dominion, Borg, etc.

According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, 25 isotons is the maximum theoretical yield of a matter-antimatter reaction in photon torpedoes and that quantum torpedoes have a yield of 50+ isotons.

(These figures are not compatible with on-screen statements.)


A photon torpedo explosion of 25 isotons could destroy an entire city within seconds. (VOY: "Living Witness")
A 54 isoton yield gravimetric charge could blow up a small planet. (VOY: "The Omega Directive")
200 isotons was the explosive yield of a photon torpedo with a class-6 warhead. (VOY: "Scorpion, Part II")
A 5 million isoton explosion of a multi-kinetic neutronic mine could affect an entire star system. The shock wave had a dispersive force radius of 5 light years. (VOY: "Scorpion, Part II")

In Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual a figure of 1,5kg of antimatter is given as the maximum warhead material of a photon torpedo. (pg. 129) Using standard physics calculations a direct 1:1 explosion would equal to about 64 megatons. Warhead materials are however premixed to achieves the level of destructive force of an antimatter pod rupture containing 100 cubic meters of antideuterium. (pg. 69) Antimatter is stored as liquid or slush on starships. (pg. 68) Density of mere liquid antideuterium is around 160 kg per cubic meter. According to this comparison the high annihilation rate energy release would be comparable to about 690 gigatons.

[TruthSeer]

Transphasic Torpedoes, are meant as a weapon of last-resort against the Borg. So in STO, these would be very, very rare, and most likely reserved for Captains of High Rank and on High-End ships.

Which is why I'd prefer to see torpedoes of this caliber and better be mission specific bonus items. Not potentially standard equipment (meaning once you get to a certain rank you can access them for ever).

Torpedo Physics and History 101

Good stuff.

[Sumoben]

Which is why I'd prefer to see torpedoes of this caliber and better be mission specific bonus items. Not potentially standard equipment (meaning once you get to a certain rank you can access them for ever).

Well, usually, the mission specific torpedoes are usually Tri Cobalt in nature, as they have an extremely destructive capability, and are not SUPER DUPER rare.

[TruthSeer]

Well, usually, the mission specific torpedoes are usually Tri Cobalt in nature, as they have an extremely destructive capability, and are not SUPER DUPER rare.

Have them both as mission specific. Thats what I meant by that caliber and up. Things that would completely imbalance the game but are still fun to play around with now and then.

[Azurian]

Which is why I'd prefer to see torpedoes of this caliber and better be mission specific bonus items. Not potentially standard equipment (meaning once you get to a certain rank you can access them for ever).

Oh I agree, they would be very overpowered in PvE and PvP. Heck, I would keep a few just for PvP alone if I had the opportunity.

Well, usually, the mission specific torpedoes are usually Tri Cobalt in nature, as they have an extremely destructive capability, and are not SUPER DUPER rare.

Indeed, their use would be extremely rare.

Janeway had to use them, as not to leave any technology behind that the Kazon could exploit. So I could imagine a similar scenario of us doing that so certain technology ever falls into the wrong hands.

[dyvimtorm]

Howdy,

I greatly enjoyed the tech discussion of torpedoes, particularly how they work and yields, but I doubt the yield numbers would be translated directly into game stats. Probably there will be levels of torpedoes, obtainable only in certain ships or advancement rates, and the amount of damage they do scaled to that rank of ship. Probably not all torps will make it into the game (something with a 5 light year shockwave is not a PC weapon. After all, only Frodo gets the ring (oh wait, unless you have a PS3 :P ) So while tech specs may say a torp has 100 times the yield, the game stat for it may be different (maybe twice as powerful, maybe 1000 times more powerful, depending on the scale).

That being said, I always liked my torpedoes red.

Pavel Bester

[CinC-UFPForces-Cardassia]

Quantum torpedoes should be a standard armament of any starship constructed after 2390, and in most retrofitted starships.

[THORN74]

at 30 years past nemesis, i think quantum torpedos should be a standard weapons system on all but the weakest ships. all ships shopuld carry both photon and quantum torps, though QTs in lower quantities.

i would also be surprised if there wasnt some other new weapons out or at least around the corner

[jamzgub]

i think photons will be unlimited, or have a "respawn" time, and QT will be limited stock till you get somewhere to restock,