[FT] Idle Trek thoughts

A major problem with Trek, as no doubt you are all aware, is the lack of any
real consistency in the way shields operate, the damage they can absorb. This
coupled with inconsistency in the way weapons work also causes problems. My
approach is based on the "gut feeling" I get from watching the space combats
from the first 6 movies, and from the Klingon and Dominion Wars from DS9. I
ignore all other evidence in a vain attempt to preserve an already fractured
sanity.

Anyway, getting to the point, I have found that using screens and hull damage
in the normal FT way works best, that is if one imagines that the screen
generators represent the deflector element of shields, and the hull damage
represents a vessels hull integrity reinforced by the shields damage
absorbtion ability.

A good example of the though processes behind this approach is the
engagement between the 1701-A and General Changs Boyd of Prey (sorry, I
automatically have to pronounce that in a Chicago gangsters accent). In the
beginning of that action the Boyd of Preys torpedoes cause damage each time
they hit the Enterprise, but only mild surface damage is vibily scored on its
hull (though inside you have panels and power couplings blowing out from the
impacts). This stage I liken to the first two rows of damage being
eroded, with thresholds occurring but not to serious-yet.

The 5th (?) torp then hits and brings down one of the enterprises shields, the
following torp then blows a hole clear through the saucer section (in FT terms
a third threshold hit, screen gens collapse(either hit then or lost on the
second threshold).

Again in the DS9 battles, a vessels shields can still be up, but internal
damage is still occurring, eg; any engagement as seen from the bridge of the
Defiant.

To reitterate my approach, hull damage and shields represent different facets
of the same thing, once shields are gone, so to is the vessel, as in ST
battles.

Regards,