The problem here is you've just PSB'd an artificial limit. You could just as
easily say that fighter squadrons are only 2 or 4 fighters rather an 6 and
achieve the same result (i.e. if a squadron is 2 fighters, then a PDS could
completely eliminate a squadron in a single turn, rather than requiring 3
PDS's).
The basic system needs revision as it seems very odd that a PDS system
that can knock down up to 6 high-velocity missiles, can only take out
1-2 fighters. The quick solution is to allow PDS to kill 1-6 fighters.
Fighters will then have to resort to torpedoes or missiles and fire from
stand-off range or become "kamikaze-like" and close into PDS range to
inflict damage. Also allow PDS a range of 6" and not limit it to targets
attacking the ship, but any valid target within 6". This will allow ships to
support each other, at the expense of being vulnerable to
area weapons/missiles.
--Binhan
[quoted original message omitted]
> The problem here is you've just PSB'd an artificial limit. You could
Sure, but *any* point system is going to impose *some* artificial limit. Why
do pds shoot down the same number of fighters per turn if 12 are attacking
versus if 48 are attacking? This would at least have the virtue of being a
simple rule change that preserves the effectiveness of current ship designs
and still allows fighters to be useful.
> The basic system needs revision as it seems very odd that a PDS system
Fighters will then have to resort to torpedoes or missiles and fire from
stand-off range or become "kamikaze-like" and close into PDS range to
inflict damage. Also allow PDS a range of 6" and not limit it to targets
attacking the ship, but any valid target within 6". This will allow ships to
support each other, at the expense of being vulnerable to
area weapons/missiles.
> --Binhan
I'm not sure I understand the missile to fighter comparison. PDS attack
fighters and missiles identically.
oops, mixed PDS firing and target lock-on roll for missiles together in
my mind.
I still think fighters should be treated the same way as missiles with
1-6 fighters per squadron making a firing pass, and those fighters
having to make it through the PDS gauntlet before firing, keeping the
rule that each PDS may only fire at one squadron/missile group per turn.
On the otherhand I don't see any problem with having ships with 15 PDS's
if fighters are allowed to carry single-shot munitions like a
scatter-pack, single-round torpedo, or mini-SMR with 8" range that allow
them to fire outside of effective PDS range. If this is the case, then I would
definitely upgrade PDS's to ADAF abilities and allow a PDS not
directly engaged to fire at any fighter squadron/missile group within 6"
at a -1 modifer (probably after all the fighter/missile attacks have
been resolved.
--Binhan
[quoted original message omitted]
> Grant A. Ladue wrote:
Fighters will then have to resort to torpedoes or missiles and fire from
stand-off range or become "kamikaze-like" and close into PDS range to
inflict damage. Also allow PDS a range of 6" and not limit it to targets
attacking the ship, but any valid target within 6". This will allow ships to
support each other, at the expense of being vulnerable to
area weapons/missiles.
> I'm not sure I understand the missile to fighter comparison. PDS
I think the way it's stated is wrong, but the statement is SORT OF true. It
averages out where for every 6 missiles you launch 3.5 hit the nearest enemy
ship. So you need HALF the normal number of PDS's to elimnate them.
Whereas every fighter in a group gets through.
I _think_ that's what Binhan was thinking... maybe.
--Tim