Beam Weapons Rules Variant

This is a slightly more complex version of the basic beam weapon rules. The
basic mechanism is that the beam weapons require a ‘to hit’ round the same
as rail guns and pulse torpedos. If the to hit roll is successful the number
of damage die for the Beam are rolled and damage calculated as per the basic
FT rules. The second change is that each beam type has been designed to combat
a specific class of ship. Using the beam battery against other classes will
effect the to hit roll.

All beam batteries have a basic 50% chance to hit at all ranges.

Battery Type Mass Turrent Damage Dice range Target Classes
                                                        Fighter/Missiles
C               2       +1 Mass 1D6             0-36    Escort
B               2       +1 Mass 2D6             0-36    Cruiser
A               2       +1 Mass 3D6             0-36    Capital
AA              3       +1 Mass 4D6             0-48    Super

Modifiers for the to hit roll

+1 for each class higher than the target class
-1 for each class lower than the target class
+2 bonus to hit if weapon is mounted on a Station
-2 additional penalty for attempting to target fighters/missiles
for each drive threshold check failed consider the ship to be of one larger
class

Examples

1. C battery targeting a Capital ship requires  2-6 to hit but rolls 1D6
to attempt to do damage. 2. A battery targeting an Escort requires 6 to hit
but rolls 3D6 to attempt to do damage when it hits.
3. A battery targeting a Cruiser with half drive gone requires 4-6 to
hit, if drive was 0 the to hit would be 3-6.
4. A battery mounted on a Station targeting an Escort requires 4-6 to
hit. 5. C batteries mounted on a Station may target fighter or missiles and
require a 5-6 to hit and possibility destroy a single fighter (5-6) or a
missile on a 6. 6. B batteries mounted on a Station may even target fighters
or missiles but require a 6 to hit and possibly destroy two fighters or a
missile.

> Jim Bell & Christine Hartig wrote:

> The basic mechanism is that the beam weapons require a 'to hit' round

Interesting, but I like the one roll for beams as it stands. Besides it's a
lot of fun to roll all those dice when the ranges diminish!1:)