[FT] Fighter vs PDS & Soapbubbles

One random thought I had (vaguely recalling some previous comment) was about
PDS effectiveness.

If PDS can attack every incoming fighter/missile, but reduce hits to
6+reroll (b-1 on 6, noreroll).  However this creates some additional
problems in that it will be difficult to get capship missiles (with their 1
hit) through average PDS.

Math (probably faulty): For a ship with average 4 PDS = 0.267*4 = 1.07 kills
per incoming attack. Normal kill rate of 0.8*4 = 3.2 kills per turn.

This advantages the defender against more than 3 targets, but disadvantages
against single salvoes (where you would think law of averages would increase
effectiveness).

FT weaponry is abstracted anyway (a B-3 could be 15 different weapon
mounts for the effect for example).

*****
Following the thought through;

PDS has two modes: Point Attack and Area Attack. Each PDS must be nominated
before rolling dice.

Point Attack Mode requires a specific target and uses standard PDS rules
(4-5 = 1 kill, 6 = 2 kills + reroll).  This represents gunners
co-ordinating
fire to take down specific targets.

Area Attack Mode simply throws as much fire as possible into the space
around the ship without caring what is hit.  All fighters/missiles
attacking
the ship are attacked by the PDS (6 = 1 kill + reroll).

Beam-1 as PDS: can only be used in Point Attack Mode (standard rules:
5-6 =
1 kill + reroll).

ADFC: Can use the ship's own PDS in Point Attack Mode to help defend another
ship as per normal rules OR may instead attack *ANY* unengaged fighter within
6MU in Area attack mode if not used elsewhere.

Ships would have an option as to what they want to do; if only being attacked
by a few fighters or missiles, they can concentrate their defence. If being
swarmed it's possible to kill a few from all of them, possibly by mixing area
and point attacks for high threat targets.

On Wednesday, February 19, 2003 4:21 PM, Randall Joiner
> [SMTP:rljoiner@mindspring.com] wrote:

Being Heavy would have no benefit (similar to B-1 in PDS mode).  With
that much firepower flying around, Murphy will take matters into hand.

> One random thought I had (vaguely recalling some previous comment) was

Was this my idea? Actually, it was a good deal more complicated than that;
you'd have a limited number of 'free' squadron attacks after the first PDS's
'bolts' before the subsequent squadrons started having PDS rolls against them.

While not trying for either PSB or 'realism', I was thinking of the example of
WWII carrier strikes. They were designed to have several squadrons hitting at
once. The 'anvil' was to cause the ship's captain to have to choose between
dodging bombs or attempting to rake torpedoes, but it also had the effect of
causing gunnery to be split between high and low level attacks.

In the actual case, the Americans' attacks were successful BECAUSE of
separation, as the failed torpedo bombers drew off the CAP, leaving the dive
bombers almost clear skies. However, I said I wasn't trying to match
reality exactly. ;->=

The two parts to the equation is how many squadrons attacking does it take to
swamp a PDS suite, and how many squadrons can you synchronize for one
simultaneous attack. The second number gives you how many squadrons attack
before you start allowing PDS damage again. Adjust the numbers in each case to
make excessive fighters more vulnerable.

Admittedly, capship missles should be individual strikes, but that's something
I'll leave someone else to PSB out...

Did that make sense? I'm home, and I STILL can't find my books to check the
mechanism for PDS's.

The_Beast

I like it, it has a good beat, and I can dance to it, BUT...

What about Heavy fighters vs. area denial?

> At 01:11 PM 2/19/03 +1100, you wrote:
5-6 =
> 1 kill + reroll).