So lets discuss how adding some currently space only units to ground maps could be worked in the limitations of the engine.
This is not a thread about asking it to be added, we've had enough of those that the mod team knows some of us think it's silly not to have, this is just a discussion about how it should be done if it were to be done.
Now, here's how I see it:
-what ships get to go into atmosphere
-what will be the criteria for limiting the ships capabilities in atmosphere
Ok first up, how do we decide what you should be able to bring into a fight on the ground (or run into on a ground map).
Well, the answer is simple: The same way the PR team decided what weapons each ship got.
Look at the canon. If a ship is capable of atmospheric flight, it should be able to be used on ground maps.
This pretty much covers all type-1 yard vessels, and most type-2 ones as well.
For anything larger than a corvette it should be case by case basis, but for cap ships specifically stated in the cannon as being intended to land or fly in atmosphere (Acclamator, VSD-I, Venator) they should be included for that reason alone.
Now, the next question is what's the criteria for limiting their capabilities.
That is to say, when do we nerf them ?
My thoughts on the matter are simple:
-snubcraft get the same stats as in space, except they all get a lowered speed and their maneuverability gets raised or lowered depening on the ship (IE: a TIE would get less maneuverability on the ground)
-Make missile/torpedo/rocket/bomb weaponry an special ability that has to be targeted on something or an area of ground. Instead of the infinite automatic reloads that auto-fire at the target like in space, you have to target something, then get a cool down that depends on the ordinance type.
So from fastest to slowest cooldown... conc missiles, proton torps, proton rockets, proton bombs.
-Regular transports as well as compat transports (IE: YT-1300, stormtrooper transport, Assault Transport) should function the same as LAATs.
-With turreted weapons, only the ventral turrets should be able to target ground units. If possible, have the dorsal turrets only capable of engaging higher flying craft using the same layer as the airspeeder and the cloud cars (which should also be the layer that snubcraft use).
-Cap ships should have significantly reduced speed (the bigger the ship, the higher the reduction).
Obviously, only a handful of cap ships would be usable on ground maps.
Their hull strength should also be lowered quite a bit in atmosphere, because while they can limp on damaged engines in space, they'll go splat in atmosphere with damaged engines.
Of course the turreted weapon restriction would also mean that their ventral guns could engage ground targets (or their torpedo/missile weapons).
Have them in the higest possible layer on ground maps (IE: the one the cloud cars use, or a higher one if possible.), and set them to always be visible everywhere on the map (it's a big ship high up, everyone can see it).
Also, their weapon range and line of sight should be greatly reduced so on their own they can largely only target the area directly beneath them, or provide fire support to friendlies in contact.
Thoughts ?