2e Vorlon Beam Deflection?
- Thread starter Alexb83
- Start date
Sulfurdown
Mongoose
You know....
I looked over that video clip several times, slowed it down to get a better look, as close to frame by frame as I could. Even reversed the clip to get a different angle.
http://www.babtech-onthe.net/quicktime/shields1.mov
I don't see any energy field. I don't see any deflection. What I see is the slicer beam either striking or just missing one of the forward weapon pylons on the Vorlon cruiser just as the Cruiser is powering its weapon to fire. The screen focuses on the Vorlon ship and we don't see the beam from the cruiser, just the focusing energy between the weapon pylons/tentacles, which implies to me that the weapon is firing.
I just don't see any evidence of shielding, I see a light hit from the shadows as the vorlon charges to return fire.
I looked over that video clip several times, slowed it down to get a better look, as close to frame by frame as I could. Even reversed the clip to get a different angle.
http://www.babtech-onthe.net/quicktime/shields1.mov
I don't see any energy field. I don't see any deflection. What I see is the slicer beam either striking or just missing one of the forward weapon pylons on the Vorlon cruiser just as the Cruiser is powering its weapon to fire. The screen focuses on the Vorlon ship and we don't see the beam from the cruiser, just the focusing energy between the weapon pylons/tentacles, which implies to me that the weapon is firing.
I just don't see any evidence of shielding, I see a light hit from the shadows as the vorlon charges to return fire.
emperorpenguin
Mongoose
Sulfurdown said:
agreed, it really is too little evidence. I play Vorlons a lot and I don't think they need any extra toughness, they just need some help versus very agile foes, especially the Shadows
Sulfurdown
Mongoose
Right, the frame cuts off the end of the ship so all that is shown is the back edge of an energy flare.
Not really, they'd still be stuck with short-ranged, low AD weapons in only one arc 
As for the heavy cruisers - as per the pilot movie and Coriana 6 battle, they seem to fly around with their energy field frazzling between the pylons - I think Mongoose have taken this to be the charged energy pulse, but given the intercepted blast shown in the clip (and obviously babtech and other online resources have interpreted it as such, and it's not just me and others here on this thread) it could be to defend against incoming fire.
As for the heavy cruisers - as per the pilot movie and Coriana 6 battle, they seem to fly around with their energy field frazzling between the pylons - I think Mongoose have taken this to be the charged energy pulse, but given the intercepted blast shown in the clip (and obviously babtech and other online resources have interpreted it as such, and it's not just me and others here on this thread) it could be to defend against incoming fire.
Sulfurdown
Mongoose
cordas said:
..... actually, I didn't see any evidence for shields in that scene.
However, watch the beginning of the episode "Walkabout" and it seems like the Vorlons can do some pretty impressive maneuvering. I don't know if that ability would be applicable in a combat situation but it seems to state that they can all stop and then move in any direction (similar to super maneuverable but it doesn't really turn, just sideslips).
emperorpenguin
Mongoose
cordas said:
I hope you don't ever sit on a jury in that case..... :wink:
emperorpenguin
Mongoose
Alexb83 said:
Babtech is a terrible site, I wouldn't champion them as supporting you!
Apparently Vorchans carry 16 twin arrays.......
That's more grounds for all stop and pivot, which they currently can't do.
And the argument wasn't for shields (that's part of the AA), but for the ability to intercept incoming fire using your weapon systems - to me it was clear that the beam intersected the energy vortex and didn't hit at all. Given the shaking of the Vorlon ship and the accompanying sound effects from when it gets hit earlier in the fight by another beam weren't there, I thought it was pretty clear that the shadow ship didn't hit it again.
And the argument wasn't for shields (that's part of the AA), but for the ability to intercept incoming fire using your weapon systems - to me it was clear that the beam intersected the energy vortex and didn't hit at all. Given the shaking of the Vorlon ship and the accompanying sound effects from when it gets hit earlier in the fight by another beam weren't there, I thought it was pretty clear that the shadow ship didn't hit it again.
Sulfurdown
Mongoose
From the appearance in the clip it looks like the slicer beam hits the upper port pylon as the Cruiser begins a firing sequence. It's a poor clip since it's so ambiguous about whether the cruiser is hit or not and what the intention of the energy collection is. If it's a defensive measure you lose sight of the slicer beam hitting it off frame and if it's simply charging up it's main lightning cannon to make it's own attack, that is also lost out of frame.
Some closeup caps - First the 'vortex' of the lightning cannon as normally seen (in the Pilot and again here in Interludes) with little lightning streamers from the pylon.
Shadow beam (purple) approaching the vortex. Note the lack of little lightning streamers.
The Shadow beam hits the vortex and clearly changes colour.
The change in the Vortex when it's hit (it gets wider and a nimbus seems to spread around the front of the ship).
The way the beam looks when it hits 'normally' - no colour change, clear impact.
Shadow beam (purple) approaching the vortex. Note the lack of little lightning streamers.
The Shadow beam hits the vortex and clearly changes colour.
The change in the Vortex when it's hit (it gets wider and a nimbus seems to spread around the front of the ship).
The way the beam looks when it hits 'normally' - no colour change, clear impact.
Sulfurdown
Mongoose
Do you have any shots of the lightning cannon firing sequence? (I can't find anything decent online right now and all my DVDs are at home.)
captainsmirk
Mongoose
The Vorlon HC fires its main gun to destroy Deathwalker's flyer in season 1 "Deathwalker".
Nick
Nick
