[FTIII] Re: FT-WDA?

Ok, you let the cat out of the bag: what else is locked down in FT III? I
thought it was all still on the table...

G'day,

> Ok, you let the cat out of the bag:

Nothing is ever locked down until Jon has the new books in his hands;)

> I thought it was all still on the table...

... and the floor, behind the chest of draws, perched precariously on top of
an over full book case...;)

From: <devans@uneb.edu>

> Ok, you let the cat out of the bag: what else is locked down in FT

I said "may", not "will". The playtest list has come up with what I personally
think is a good take on MT missiles, but nothing's set in concrete, some
prefer other solutions, and St Jon has the last and only word as usual.

The variant that seems to have the least opposition is as follows: 4 Types of
Missile, EMP, Long Lance, Standard, and Misericorde. EMP and Misericorde
missiles have an endurance of 1, Standard 3, Long Lance 5. Speed 18, they move
like fighters, but before fighters. Somewhat like fighters, they can burn an
endurance to move an additional 6" (3" in vector) after ships have moved. This
means they can effectively trade some range for the ability to pick their
target. They home in on the nearest enemy within 6" (3" in vector), and are
shot at like SMs. A single hit destroys them, so ships with reasonable PDS
have little to fear unless shot at by swarms of em ( or MTMs and SMs and
Fighters simultaneously).

Damage - EMP 1 pt, and a Threshold on a roll of 2+TargetScreen, so
a ship with screen-2 would be affected on a 4+. A cherry ship hit by
3 EMP missiles that take effect would take a single Threshold at 4+,
one that's already at 5 instead of 6 would take it at 3+.
Misericordes do 3D6 of damage (but note that their range is only 18", and they
can't burn an extra endurance, as they only have 1). Their main use will be on
small ships that act like Torpedo Boats, hoping for a lucky shot or putting a
wreck out of its misery. Standard missiles do 2D6, and Long Lances 1D6. The
first is most common, and most useful. The Last is mainly for sniping small
stuff
or long-range shots, e.g. at fixed defences.

But... as I said, the final version may be completely different, no
resemblance at all.

I would reasonably expect FT3 to contain everything that's in More Thrust.
This means things like:

ECM/ESM/Stealth/Cloaking
Boarding
Ground/Space Interface

Plus a lot more besides. In going through More Thrust, I was constanly being
surprised at just how good St Jon's initial efforts were.