Crystal Subconjuration is ultimately just making crystal stronger. Fluff-wise, we basically just try to tweak the more basic structure to get a stronger crystal.
Here's two alternative revisions though:
Revision: Aether Reactor - Crystal DampenersVia tweaking of the Aether Reactor Mk.2's energy dispellment circuits, we should be able to convert kinetic energy into sound in addition to the existing magical energy conversion. And as the Aether Reactor's power network should span the entirety of designs utilizing it (the Lightning turret, pneumatics, controls, especially the KPD, etc.), the dispellment effect should be felt across the entire design.
As the current system is designed to handle sudden overloads by the reactor, it should fit well (or at least well enough) with the sudden kinetic energy pulses from weapon impacts. Of course, not all of the kinetic energy can be converted, which is why we've named this revision Crystal
Dampeners. It should greatly reduce the effect of projectiles hitting armor.
Essentially, when the armor of a design using the Reactor Mk. 2 is hit by something - a lightning bolt, a ballistae bolt, a coilgun shell, a bomb, anything - some of the energy of the impact is converted into harmless sound.
TL;DR: Tweak the Reactor's "sudden excess magical energy -> sound" circuitry to also do the same to kinetic energy, and it should apply across the whole craft due to the whole craft (KPD, turrets, pneumatics, etc.) being connected to the reactor. Thus greatly decreasing the damage of enemy weaponry, whether it's coilguns or lightning or ballistae or whatever.
Revision: BlastcrystalDamage from weapon impacts is energy.
Crystal regeneration is energy-based.
These two things match.
Using similar techniques to anti-magic gems or the Aether Reactor Mk.2's safety circuits, we can tweak crystal to "route" a bit of energy from impacts to regeneration. Of course, only a small percentage of the energy is used towards regeneration. But that's less damage for the crystal and a bit more regeneration for the crystal.
This should make our crystal much more durable!
TL;DR: Harness a tiny portion of kinetic energy on crystal to instead route to crystal regeneration. Reduce effect of weapons against crystal.
1. Our biggest advantage is our artillery, something which they have made very ineffective with their wind magic. The easiest, simplest way of getting an advantage over Moskurg is to get back that advantage. Our artillery has proven to be effective against their air assets so it will help in that regard as well.
2. Between the cheap Lightnings, the increased speed aerophobic crystal gives those Lightnings, and the AA fire our artillery will put out, we will have our air superiority.
3. The Valkyrie does not need to be used right in the thick of combat to be effective in combat situations. Furthermore, "unarmoured" just means they don't use any extra crystal for protection. They're still made of crystal and that means they'll be pretty tough regardless.
4. Aerophobic crystal helps the Lightning as well, allowing it to outmanoeuvre and outrun opposition much more easily.
5. Crystal subconjuration only helps everywhere crystal is used as armour. Right now, the strength of crystal as armour isn't an issue. It's our limited offensive capabilities that we have trouble with. Allowing our ammunition to fly farther, faster, and more accurately will do more for the war effort than better armour, especially since it means our artillery can once more be as useful as it used to be.
Disclaimer: I'm not
against Aerophobic Crystal, I'd just prefer upping our armor instead.
1. Things change. Moskurg is entirely airborne now. Artillery isn't
good against airships. At all. We already don't have a problem with their land forces, which artillery
is good against.
2. Artillery isn't good at AA fire, and we should double down on air superiority. Make sure we have the lead. We can't get complacent before we even know if it's going to work.
3. "Unarmored" means it isn't armored. Not "it's relatively unarmored for crystal", but
that it isn't armored. Just like how a very thin sheet of steel can be easily punctured by just about anything.
4. The Lightning already easily outmanoeuvres and outruns its opposition.
5. Just because it isn't fixing an "issue" doesn't mean it's not effective. Upping the armor of
nearly every design we have is an insane improvement.