DSII, FAQ, SLaM

> Brian Bell <bkb@beol.net> wrote:

Quoted from the unofficial DSII FAQ at:
        http://members.xoom.com/AndrewMartin/DSII/FAQ/

SLAM versus Stealth
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Q: On page 9 of the Dirtside rules, it states that SLAMs "cannot be 'spoofed'
by ECM or Stealth systems". Does this mean that the defender's die type
against a SLAM attack is the Basic signature? I could not find any other
mention of this in the rulebook. We have been using effective signature, but a
clarification would be helpful. Are SLAM systems affected by stealth? A: Yes,
since a slam is just another direct fire weapon that uses a firecon to aim.
PDS and ECM are only effective versus GMS.

A better FAQ would be:

SLaM versus Stealth
-------------------
Q: On page 9 of the Dirtside rules, it states that SLaMs "cannot be 'spoofed'
by ECM or Stealth systems". Does this mean that the defender's die type
against a SLaM attack is the Basic signature? A: No. The defender uses their
effective signature. Page 9 is in error. See below answer for more details.

Q: I could not find any other mention of this in the rulebook. We have been
using effective signature, but a clarification would be helpful. Are SLaM
systems affected by stealth? A: Yes, since a SLaM is just another direct fire
weapon that uses a fire control to aim. Stealth is effective in making the
target harder to hit. PDS and ECM are only effective versus GMS.

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A further explanation is: Recall that SLaM is not quite an area effect weapon
like an artillery barrage. So the automatic hit for artillery is not quite
right for SLaM. See
page 30, SLAM systems - Multiple Targets. If SLaM is fired at close
range, only the intended target element is hit. If SLaM is fired at medium or
long range, there is a possibility that other nearby targets can be hit as
well. This reflects the deviation of unguided rockets.

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Of course, you are free to have a house rule in that stealth systems are
ineffective versus SLaM systems. Another interesting house rule is that SLaM
don't need Fire Control, stealth is ineffective, SLaMs have a 1" radius of
effect at close range,
2"
radius at medium range, and 4" radius at long range. To avoid being hit, each
infantry target in the radius of effect rolls
their quality die, trying to exceed their leadership number plus, +2 at
close range, +1 at medium range and +0 at long range.
For vehicle elements, roll their basic signature or their quality die (which
ever is worse!), trying to exceed the unit's leadership number plus,
+2 at close range, +1 at medium range and +0 at long range.
Failure means that the element draws damage chits equal to SLaM size.

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Comments invited!