FT-Needle beam ideas

I posted something a while ago (ok, the 20-02-01), and I had some ideas
that need thinking about (or for someone to tell me if I`m off course).

1-Multi arc needle beams
Thinking that a normal needle bean has a mass of 2, how about multi arc needle
beams at 3 arcs for a mass of 4, and 6 arcs for a mass of 6 (masses off the
top of head, just for discusion).

2-heavy needle beams (as on noam`s site, with the double dammage
ablities) I personally don`t like a needle beam that can do double hits at
once. But each to their own (if it works for him, OK).

3-Long range needle beams (simular to above, but without double dammage)
I was thinking of allowing these the same range as cl.2 batts, but at a mass
of 4, with no increase in die rolled/dammage potential as the range
drops (don`t know, this may make them a bit heavy for what you get).

4-Multi arc long range needle beams
Same as above, but with each extra arc payed for with 1 mass (same as a cl.3
batt).

5-Needle beam MT missiles
These I`m not sure about. With only a range of 6 mu (vs 12 for a normal
NB),
at the same mass as a normal NB, being only one shot, but with the extra range
of a missile, these probably OK as is.

6-Variable focus needle beams/class 3 bats. this idea is from the
insurrection novel, with the beam batt. capable of being tightly focused to
turn it into a needle beam on one turn, and fire as a class 3 batt the next.
My idea is a cl.3 batt, with a extra 1 mass in the base mass(1 arc masses 5
instead of 4, with the arcs at the same 1 mass per arc). This could be used as
a normal cl.3 batt, or a multi arc normal ranged needle beam. The weapon would
have to be configured at the start of the turn, when the orders are wrote.
This is a very rough idea at the moment.

Comments anyone?

> From BIF:

> 1-Multi arc needle beams

Possible. Multi-arc needle beams are much more useful than single arc. I
have PSB/"feel" reservations about a 6-arc pinpoint weapon, but at least
1
mass/3 or 4 points per extra arc is in the right ballpark.

> 2-heavy needle beams (as on noam`s site, with the double dammage
I personally don`t like a needle beam that can do double hits at once. But
each to their own (if it works for him, OK).

I bilieve the Heavy Needle can't target more than one system (even at close
range), though on 2 sixes it can destroy "2-hit" systems like Main
Drive. The main function of the HNB is extended range. It behaves like 2
Needles
at 0-12" and a single needle at 12-24"

> 3-Long range needle beams (simular to above, but without double
The Class 2 beam dynamic _is_ what the HNB is based on. I can see you're
thinking of something that basically has a single roll from say 0-24",
which is another way to go about it. I'd have to cost it at least 3 Mass for 1
arc, + at least 1 mass per additional (max 3 if any). Probably cost
4xMass. I'd still choose the HNB, though.

> 4-Multi arc long range needle beams

> 5-Needle beam MT missiles

> 6-Variable focus needle beams/class 3 bats.
Plausible. I'd say you have to pick a single arc it could fire through,
though.