I have a question for on SV screen nodes and the mass they take up. It is
mainly for Jon TO give an official ruling but I'll let everyone voice their
opinion. I'm finalizing an excel spreadsheet for designing all ships from FB1
and FB2 and this situation came up. (I'll post the sheet on my 'Star Ranger's
Stuff' page later tonight)
According to the rules, each node is 5% the mass of the ship, but no mention
is made stating that if you have 2 nodes, it is 10% (like is done with screens
in FB1). So if the ship has 2 nodes, do the percentages get added before
multiplying times mass or is each node's mass calculated separately? If the
percentages are added before multiplying by mass, it could result in an odd
mass and then each node would have a different power value. This does not
effect any ships in FB2.
Example: A mass 150 ship wants 2 screen nodes. a) 150 mass x 10% = 15 mass for
the 2 screen nodes, power equals mass so 1 node requires 8 power and 1
requires 7 power
b) 150 mass x 5% = 7.5 rounded up to 8 mass so a total of 16 mass is used for
the 2 screen nodes, each requires 8 power to operate.
Again to rephrase, should screen nodes be calculated separately, or should
their percentages be added together before calculation?
Also how about Phalon Vapour Shrouds, same situation, combine percentages or
calculate separately? This does not have the power problem like the screen
nodes, but it could result in a 1 mass difference. (This might not be much of
an issue since the 2nd Shroud would be a backup)
> Example: A mass 150 ship wants 2 screen nodes.
I'd say that this would be correct, but I'd change the wording to: the first
node activated uses 8 power, and the second uses 7.
> Dean Gundberg wrote:
> I have a question for on SV screen nodes and the mass they take up.
It >is mainly for Jon TO give an official ruling but I'll let everyone voice
their
> opinion. I'm finalizing an excel spreadsheet for designing all ships
Good question. I'd interpret the rule as "calculate each node's mass
separately".
If Schoon's suggestion (having to power the bigger screen node first if
you have different-sized screen nodes) is adopted, you'll sooner or
later lose the bigger node to a threshold check and have the smaller one
unable to operate as well (since you *can't* power the bigger node first when
it is knocked down...).
> Also how about Phalon Vapour Shrouds, same situation, combine
Separately.
Later,
> If Schoon's suggestion (having to power the bigger screen node first if
Actually I meant the "first node" as non-specific. Technically they're
both 7.5 MASS. Any one node costs 8 to power. Both cost 15. See?
> Schoon wrote:
True, but since the icon for the screen node has the power required in it, if
one had an 8 and the other a 7, then the 8 was lost due to thresholds, the 7
would be left but actually requires 8 power:)
That is why I also interpret the rules to mean each node is rounded separately
so this situation will not happen.
Jon, any official ruling yet?
I did put up my FTFB Design Excel spreadsheet this morning:
http://star_ranger.homestead.com/starranger.html
New features over prior verions: General; all info on the screen at the same
time for 800x600 screens and larger Humans; FB2 compliant, allows entry of
hull mass and calculates percentage and crew units, includes all weapons and
systems listed in FB1 including Wave Gun, Nova Cannon, and Reflex Field. Also
enter the thrust as a negative amount and it is calculated as advanced
gravatic thrusters. Kra'Vak; supports all KV systems from FB2 Sa'Vasku;
supports SV systems from FB2 plus calculates a thrust chart, damage rows and
power generators Phalons; supports all Phalon systems from FB2
Go ahead and download the zipfile and then see if you can break it before I
finalize it.