Thread: Drive Trains
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Unread 01-04-2008, 13:54
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Re: Drive Trains

Almost none of the specific details of a drive train are relevant to its performance on the field. In 99% of circumstances, wheel type, speed, or torque are inconsequential.
  • A successful drive train is reliable -- it functions well all the time. If it breaks or malfunctions, it can be repaired quickly and easily.
  • It is efficient -- it is well lubricated, quiet, and makes good use of its weight and power. It turns.
  • It is no more or less complex than it needs to be -- it needs to work for your gameplay strategy. Adding bells and whistles that are beyond the scope of your strategy is a sure-fire way to shoot yourself in the foot.

That's it! It's more easily said than done, of course, but very little else about drives matters if you haven't yet mastered these three things. Once you've got this stuff down cold, you can start to think a bit more about the dynamic operation of the system and what changes and improvements can be made to make the most of that remaining 1% of circumstances when power, speed and torque matter.
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