> Adam Delafield wrote:
I don't know if I like the idea of the heavier beam batteries being used as
interceptors. I don't think it has been done in the series (correct me if I am
wrong).
> Weapons may fire through any three (or fewer) adjacent arcs, with
No problem here.
> Using specific arcs for shields means that angle of engagement becomes
I love the idea of arc specific interceptors. It so....cannonical.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Only one per ship max.
Only one? The Omegas carry a pair of beam cannons in front and four in the
rear. They can fire one at a time or together. The Hyperion cruisers (at least
the current versions) carry at least one.
> The gun charges by d6 (as per a wave gun) at the start of a turn
Declare fire before movement! What fun is that?
> Now the fun bit. How much damage does it do? Well, 3d6 seems about
I don't think I can buy the interceptor vs. beam idea. IMHO the beam should be
able to cleave through a low tech interseptor screen without much trouble. I
am sure the the Minbari, Vorlons and Shadows can offer up some defense.
> A ship that fires a BREW can not fire any other weapons in the same
How do you figure that?
Later,
Date sent: 22-AUG-1996 09:10:45
> I've just been looking at those great counter sheets (Something to
> Try these for size. (Shields are totaled, fractions rounded down,
> PDAF. Normal rules OR 0.5 shields 360
> I don't know if I like the idea of the heavier beam batteries
OK. The Churchill and Agamemnon used their heavy forward batteries to defend
against incoming fire from the Arippa and Rowanoak.
> Weapons may fire through any three (or fewer) adjacent arcs, with
> No problem here.
> I love the idea of arc specific interceptors. It
> [quoted text omitted]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Big beam weapon.
> Only one per ship max.
> Only one? The Omegas carry a pair of beam cannons in front and
The system represents power shunts and barrels. The limiting factor is power.
So only one power system per ship, that can be discharged through any of the
available barrels. Forward only on a cruiser, Forward or Aft on a Capital. I'm
one of those people who tends away from the idea that each gun has to be
represented by a separate system.
> Declare fire before movement! What fun is that?
It's to force people to think rather than blast away as soon as the beam is
charged.
> I don't think I can buy the interceptor vs. beam idea. IMHO the
Others have already mentioned how useless even a powerful laser is in an
atmosphere due to attenuation. The plasma cannons can be treated as the
defending ships own portable atmosphere. Ooo look, we've just been
hit by a big red spotlight 8-). But seriously, the dialogue suggests
that intercepting beams is possible. And the range of engagement suggests it's
not only possible, but common and simple.
> A ship that fires a BREW can not fire any other weapons in the same
> How do you figure that?
Local power drain. Interfearance from the cannon preventing tracking systems
from working. Forces player to think REAL HARD before firing. In fact I'm
being generous, as the material we have available suggests that no other
weapons fire while the beam is discharging.
> Later,
> I don't know if I like the idea of the heavier beam batteries
Just a point: the BREWs of the Churchill and Aggie went into some kind of
'interceptor' mode, which I can handle. Basically their BREWs can switch
modes, kinda sorta like the PDAFs go from anti-fighter, anti-missile,
and
anti-fire.
But it's not clear if the incoming fire was from the Agrippa and Roanoke,
or from their fighters (or maybe from any of the Hyperion-class ships in
the area). Least my copy of the tape doesn't make it clear. :-/
> Big beam weapon.
I'm still one to lean towards multiple systems. That way the forward BREW(s)
can be knocked out on a Capital, but it can still work with any aft BREW(s) it
carries.
Also, I like the idea of smaller-scale BREWS being mounted to fire port
or
starboard. The big BREWs would only fire forward and/or aft, along
spinal column of ship.
> Declare fire before movement! What fun is that?
With provisions to not fire if the target is no longer in arc?
Mk