Here is an idea for the Lyran ESG for Full Thrust, I was wondering if other
SFB/FT players out there feel that this is a viable interpretation.
The key to ESG's and they're use in SFB is determined by the hex map and
impulse turn systems. This in turn makes the ESG tricky to convert in FT,
especially in regard to its interaction with other vessels in movement. I have
taken the following approach in order to minimise record keeping, it does not
represent accurately how the ESG operates in SFB, but I feel it does capture
the flavour.
ESG 1). Each ESG may be activated once per turn. It most be noted in the
vessels orders when and how the ESG's are to be activated.
2) Individual ESG's may be activated in an offensive or defensive mode, but
not both in one turn. Different ESG's on one vessel may be set to different
modes in the same turn.
3) If set to a defensive mode the ESG's activate in the point defence segment.
Roll 1d6 per ESG activated and total. This is the number of attacking missiles
and fighters killed. Inflict kills on missiles before fighters (I figure
fighter pilots wil be more inclined to evasive
manoeuvreing than drones will be). Fighters attacking from 3 - 6mu
distance require 2 points to kill. ESG's then shut down, excess points are
lost.
4) ESG's set to offensive mode activate in the direct fire weapons stage and
"attack" when the carrying ship does so. The ESGs inflict 1d6 points of damage
each on the closest enemy vessel within 3mu. If 2 or more enemy vessels are
within range and equal distance the total damage is devided as equally as
possible amongst them. If a friendly vessel is closest the player may shut the
ESG's down before damage is caused to it (if the player so wishes). After
attacking the ESG's shut down, excess damage is lost.
I have developed the rules as such to reflect the two main uses of ESG's I
have encountered, as anti fighter/drone sweeps or anti-vessel rams.
Depending on which use they are put to determins in which game phase they are
activated. This I feel is a good compromise between the FT and SFB
turn/movement systems, and does away with a lot of record
keeping/station
keeping required if ESG's are activated at the start of the FT game turn.
Does this seem logical?
If it does, what mass and cost would be recommended?
Regards,
> Here is an idea for the Lyran ESG for Full Thrust, I was wondering if
[snip game mechanics]
> Does this seem logical?
Looks reasonably straightforward, I think.
> If it does, what mass and cost would be recommended?
On a quick calculation, I'd say about 4 Mass and 12 points per ESG, each
covers 6 arcs, however, I did not factor in the ESGs ability to hit ships in
the aft arc even if the ship has used thrust that turn (which I assume they
get). So the mass and cost might need increasing.
> Regards,
Yours,
CST replied to Matt Tope:
> > Here is an idea for the Lyran ESG for Full Thrust, I was wondering
[snip ]
> >The ESGs inflict 1d6 points of damage each on the closest enemy
Just checking to see if I got this right: If there are 2 enemy ships at the
same range (and both are within 3 mu), you roll 2d6 (ie., 1d6 EACH) for the
total damage and split as evenly as possible between them?
> >If it does, what mass and cost would be recommended?
I'd start there, but I'd be prepared to reduce it to 3 Mass/9 pts - keep
in
mind that the anti-ship range is a mere 3 mu, so you don't get to use
this mode all that often! (Most of the times it does shoot at ships it'll only
hit one enemy ship, too, though that depends on how careful you are with
the "equal distance" bit...) As far as I can see the ESG's main effect is
roughly that of a multi-shot scattergun.
Later,
> Oerjan Ohlson wrote:
> As far as I can see the ESG's main effect is roughly that of a
Sounds like a good reason to take the higher cost right there... >.<
> Oerjan wrote:
> Just checking to see if I got this right: If there are 2 enemy ships at
Only 1d6 is ever rolled per active ESG. If two or more targets are subject to
attack then the damage is split between them as evenly as possible. In the
above example, with 1 active ESG attacking, roll 1d6, a score of 4 is rolled,
the targets vessels suffer 2 points of damage each.
Regards,
> Lachlan Atcliffe wrote:
> Oerjan Ohlson wrote:
> As far as I can see the ESG's main effect is roughly that of a
> Sounds like a good reason to take the higher cost right there... >.<
Well, Oerjan suggested mass 3, 9pts, and Charles suggested mass 4, 12 pts.
As the rules stand the ESG has only a PD role, and a limited range in an
anti-shipping role, so is not quite as effective as a scattergun in some
ways, but more effective in others (can be fired every turn, better damage
capablilty vs vessels).
So would mass 3, 12pts, or perhaps mass 3, 15 pts be reasonable?
Regards,
> Lachlan Atcliffe wrote:
> As far as I can see the ESG's main effect is roughly that of a
"The higher cost" in question being Mass 4/Cost 12. This - due to the
extra
engine and hull costs incurred by its larger mass - is very similar to
the cost of three scatterguns, but unlike the ESG the three scatterguns can
fire all three of their D6s in one single turn and are thus considerably
more effective than the ESG against massed missile and/or fighter
attacks.
IOW, the anti-missile/fighter capabilities of the ESG are only worth
this "higher cost" compared to scatterguns if it gets to fire *at least* four
shots, preferrably more, during the course of a battle - but IME it is
quite rare for a battle to feature that many turns' worth of fighter
and/or
missile attacks against a single individual ship (or even in the close
vicinity of one).
To answer Matt's question: Mass 3, Cost 12 might be OK, falling between my and
CST's suggested costs. Mass 3, Cost 15 is exactly the same cost as three
scatterguns; so if (which I believe) the Mass 4, Cost 12 is too high the Mass
3, Cost 15 will be too high as well.
Later,
> Oerjan Ohlson wrote:
> To answer Matt's question: Mass 3, Cost 12 might be OK, falling between
Thanks for the number crunching Oerjan (and Charles). I will give the mass
3,
cost 12 version a go.
Thanks again,