I think that actually makes laser-based cannons one of the best accuracy options, although severely problematic when dealing with cooling.
They can miss, but you can not shoot down a laser. Enormous slugs like the one of the Hellfire and my Barracuda/Cracker missiles are big enough (not sure on the shell's case) for the PD turrets to attack and take down.
Notes: The liquid cooling operates with external masts, so they must be outside, on Deck 2. Similarly, the exhaust hatch is used not to protect engines on the same deck, it is used to allow engines to be built one deck below, if I remember correctly. The internal weapons battery is also made to house weapons one deck below. So you can actually save some space on the deck 2 by erasing the internal weapons battery and exhaust hatch.
You can damage the laser battery, for which there won't be a replacement. Missile ships can afford to have multiple launching bays, with laser you can't. The Shells won't be affected by the PD.
Also, a note. I didn't change it in the rules but all arceleration is doubled. Your ship can increase speed by a max of 30.
He probably uses the exhaust hatch for the boosters now, since those seem to be inside.
Liquid cooling does indeed need to be outside.
Also, a note. I didn't change it in the rules but all arceleration is doubled. Your ship can increase speed by a max of 30.
Both the Exhaust Hatch, and Internal Weapon Batteries are indeed to protect that weapon/engine. The Hellfire Cannon is far to valuable not to be protected (Plus thats to represent that fact that the weapon is built into the ship acting a a sort of spine with the deck, and armor protecting it from damage)
They won't do any good. At the moment all weapon systems and engines are already protected by armor. (Except for external launchers and from fighters making precision attacks). The external exhaust won't stop fighters from targetting them, however. (Unless when they are closed however).
Nope it just builds them into the ship, the engine wouldn't exactly work that well if it had to go through two decks to provide propulsion.
The Concept of the exhaust hatch does indeed allow you to build them One deck lower than they are supposed to be. This protects them more from internal damage. The engine won't suffer any problem from this. (We're in space, there's no friction to slow the exhaust down).