From whence do you get this "huge fireball" assumption upon which you are relying, Spartan? Why must there be a "huge fireball"? Furthermore, with regards to shields- ANH- Tantive IVs shields were overcome by a turbolaser bolt, but it clearly didn't fully penetrate.
Granted, but their no heavy turbolaser fired in ANH, and they weren't trying to destroy the Tantive IV either.
If we are talking teratons of energy being tossed around, then even if a fraction blows past the shields their should be huge amounts (hundreds of meters) of dura-steel being vaporized.
But like I said we see a fireball, so the HTL penetrated.
Actually now that I think about it; tossing around teratons of energy is a close quarter battle, would likly cause all kinds of friendly fire incidents.
Point conceded.
Massive explosions are not necessary for high-powered beam weapons, especially in space (and no, this battle, or at least, this part of the battle, does not take place in the upper atmosphere, canon observation
Well the ship should be pressurized right. If you breach the hull should their not be venting atmosphere, a vaporized hull, rapidly escaping the impact area...ie an explosion.
> foolish backstage statements- that's way too high to be upper atmosphere)- and as for not being as "impressive" as we hope- erm, I prefer ships being reduced to elaborate wrecks than the ROTJ-we-don't-have-the-money-or-SFX-to-blow-up-our-models-properly-so-we'll-just-replace-them-with-an-explosion *deep breath* method.
I have to agree on the coolness factor of the "Man O' War" blast the other guy to pieces at point blank range.
"The enemy outnumbers us a paltry three to one. Good odds for any Greek...."
"Spartans. Ready your breakfast and eat hearty--For tonight we dine in hell!" ~ King Leonidas of Sparta.