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Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:46 pm
by SnakeMittens
Wikipedia wrote:The Molecular Disruption Device is a fictional weapon of mass destruction featured in the Ender's Game series of science fiction novels by Orson Scott Card. Given the awkwardness of saying "molecular disruption device" or "molecular detachment device," the name was abbreviated to "M. D. Device," which gave rise to the nicknames "Dr. Device" and "The Little Doctor" as a joke. Originating from Formic technology it sets up a field in which the covalent and ionic atomic bonding cannot exist. The field's strength weakens with distance, but is regenerated when it encounters another molecule. This chain reaction rips apart molecules and can be used to destroy ships, fleets (when ships are in close proximity) or even an entire planet.
The radius of each explosion would be equivalent to the size of the object being destroyed, multiplied by 2. Therefore, if a minifig is being destroyed, anything within 2 inches of it would also disintegrate. Could be used instead of a nuke as an game-end mechanic, because it is possible it would actually leave survivors.
Edit: Apparently we're going to use d12 Electric rules for this now.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:57 am
by stubby
Unless the minifig were standing on a planet, in which case: nope.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:23 am
by SnakeMittens
True, very true. NOTHING WILL SURVIVE!
MUAHAHAHAHA
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:42 pm
by Robot Monkey
Read Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow, both good books. A "Little Doctor" in brikwars would be devastating.
Also, wouldn't that mean it could possibly destroy the ship that fired it, thus chaining the reaction to the next object, and so on and so forth? An MDD could have the potential to ruin entire glaxies, if there is enough planets/asteroids/ships in the area.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:45 pm
by IVhorseman
stubby wrote:Unless the minifig were standing on a planet, in which case: nope.
But only if the device did enough damage to destroy the planet and cause it to explode. How much damage does "disintegration" do anyway? or is it just infinite?
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:01 pm
by SnakeMittens
The Little Doctor couldn't destroy whole galaxies, because of the massive distances involved. Take the Earth. About 8000 miles across, but the Moon is something like 250,000 miles away. Even if the radius of the explosion was in fact twice that of the size of the object, it would only reach 16000 miles. Black holes and even stars probably wouldn't be affected at all, considering the massive gravitational forces involved.
@IVHorseman: The device rips individual molecules apart, and continues doing so. Anything hit by it is pretty much screwed.
Yes, yes, it's overpowered. But isn't that the point? It's so overpowered that it would most likely take out your own army as well as your enemy's.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:06 pm
by IVhorseman
I'm talking strictly from a game mechanic viewpoint. Shouldn't it do damage based off of the size of the destroyed object? It can still be ludicrous, but disrupting the molecules in an individual person shouldn't be enough starting energy to create a game-ending explosion of the planet EVERY time.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:26 pm
by SnakeMittens
True, I suppose. What do you suggest?
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:56 pm
by Robot Monkey
Organic matter disruption device?
Like an MDD, but only affects living creatures, and does S*1D6 damage, and spreads out S*4 inches.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:04 pm
by Whiteagle
Robot Monkey wrote:Organic matter disruption device?
Like an MDD, but only affects living creatures, and does S*1D6 damage, and spreads out S*4 inches.
Sounds like someone cranked up an Anal Disruptor to
Eleven...
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 2:43 pm
by IVhorseman
(Size)d10 explosion, standard blast rules. Successful destruction triggers new explosion.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:44 pm
by Cytheran
IVhorseman wrote:(Size)d10 explosion, standard blast rules. Successful destruction triggers new explosion.
I'm thinking d12 electric rules or in this case d20. So Xd20 dmg to everything in a two inch radius overkill damage traveling on til it fizzles out not gives minus to dmg for distance.
Re: Molecular Disruption Device
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:35 pm
by IVhorseman
Oh man, D12 Electric rules are waaaay cooler and more appropriate. Motion approved!
I'd say D20s are cooler, but it's definitely really underwhelming when you roll a 3 on it. D20s are just a little too unpredictable, and the overkill likely wouldn't have enough punch to do too much (unless you roll a 20, in which case mothafukken jackpot).