Escorting convoys

Perhaps something like the following rules for convoy escort scenarios would
sort things out.

1. A ship may screen the convoy ships (much as a fighter group screens a ship)
for incoming fire. (The screening ship must be within 3? inches of the convoy
ship, and have a greater thrust rating, for manuevering) 2. Any fire directed
at the convoy ship requires an extra dice roll by the
  screening ship's owner.  (Who must choose which ship to roll against -
you
  can't screen against a swarm of ships)  If the number rolled is 5+ any
hits inflicted are scored on the screening ship. You may not roll if the
firing ship is on the opposite side of the convoy ship. 3. If the screening
ship is physically between the firing ship and the convoy
  ship, then a +1 bonus is applied to the screening roll.

This reflects the carefully manuevering required to place a screening ship in
the right place to take the hits for the convoy. As well as encouraging such
manuevering on the players part (to get the bonus) and not affecting the
points cost of anything:)

And a little note.. this should not affect the firing of salvo missiles,

its hard enough to hit the ship that you want to anyway - and any escort
worth a damn should be able to help with the ADFC and PDS anyway.

I hope that all sounds sensible.. as I don't get the chance to play test any
of my ideas,

> On 23-Sep-99 at 10:58, Sean Bayan Schoonmaker (schoon@aimnet.com) wrote:
You
> >may not roll if the firing ship is on the opposite side of the
If
> you're within 3" and have "screening" in you orders, you have the

If you want a die roll, make the screening roll be the difference in thrust
between what the screened ship applied and the thrust of the screener. For
example: cargo ship applies 2 thrust running as fast as it can. Screening
thrust 6 destroyer uses 2 thrust keeping up. Therefore on a 4 or less it
screens incoming fire from one source.

> Perhaps something like the following rules for convoy escort scenarios

I like it so far. Let's take a look...

> 2. Any fire directed at the convoy ship requires an extra dice roll by

If you're within 3", why add this restriction. Fighters don't have it. If
you're within 3" and have "screening" in you orders, you have the option to
use the effect against ANY one ship.

> 3. If the screening ship is physically between the firing ship and the

I'd axe this entirely. It muddles things, and invites conflict over the
definition of "between."

> And a little note.. this should not affect the firing of salvo

Agreed.

> I hope that all sounds sensible.. as I don't get the chance to play

Sound workable with some mods. Playtesters up!