Forcing fights, Optional Rules, etc

> Replying to several posts here. Mikko Kurki-Suonio wrote:

> Örjan:

That was in reply to a question explicitly concerning the MT sensor rules, so
I'm not entirely certain it counts against the FT2 ones.

Weapon ranges can exceed the ranges at which you can positively identify your
target (using the FT2 sensor rules), yes. They don't exceed the range at which
you can detect the target and determine its location close enough to shoot at
it (very similar to certain fairly recent tank battle after action reports
I've seen, BTW).

The FT2 sensor rules aren't strictly required. OTOH, neither are
custom-designed ships (in which case you have no thrust-8 ships except
the ESU Lenovs if using FB1, or the Courier, Strike Boat, Lancer, Scout Ship,
Corvette and Privateer if using the FT2 and MT ships), fighters,
or any non-beam weapons <shrug>

Why use interceptable freighters? Because 12 thrust-15 freighters carry
as much cargo as 1 thrust-4 freighter, and cost almost 20 times more.
Can you afford to maintain the 12 thrust-15 freighters during times of
peace better than you can afford to lose the occasional thrust-4
freighter to enemy raiders during a war?

> Since you started quoting on me, I actually dug out my rulebook. Lo
(emphasis mine).
> This, IMHO, implies that the game is designed to work regardless of

You're quite correct, of course. My bad; I should have made sure you knew
which of them (ie., all) I considered to be in use.

I return a final couple of quotes (hope they're final; I'll try to stop after
this): "Above all, FULL THRUST is intended to be an ENJOYABLE
game - if you are not happy with a rule or system, throw it out and use
your own [...]" (FT2 p.2) and "Have fun, and above all: DON'T PLAY THE RULES,
PLAY THE GAME!" (FB1 p.46).

Since you are quite obviously not happy with the FT and FB rules as they
stand, how come I've never seen you actually propose any solutions of your own
to the problems you seem to find so overwhelming? Or, if you don't have any
solutions after all this time, how come you're still playing a game you've
repeatedly denounced as broken and
far-too-easily-abused? Over the past few years you've always given a
very strong impression of playing the rules exclusively and to the extremes of
their printed letters <shrug>

> Now, I'm perfectly willing to discuss CORE RULES ONLY. But if you

Depends. If you play with FT2 only, all of the Advanced Rules are optional.

If you play with FBx, the only FT2 Advanced rules I'd consider truly
optional are the Nova Cannon and the various design-system-related FT2
rules (since the latter are completely superceded by the FBx design system).

Regards,