MT Missile implementation

I think I liked two suggestions:

1) Missile has set amount of fuel (thrust) and can expend it at a maximum
rate (say 12 thrust). Missile moves as any other non-fighter space
object. In vector, it wouldn't miss unless the missile AI (read: human player)
was really buggy. When launched, inherits vector of ship. (So don't try to
shoot missiles at a pursuer...). Make it score contact hits (hit the base of
the figure if that is more reasonable) or give it a terminal guidance range of
3" like SMLs in vector (suggested version).

2) Missile has set range and duration, moves like a fighter, and has a
6"
secondary movement. It attacks only by coming into base-base contact.
This is real simple to administrate. For the KISS crowd, this is a good
option. Maybe a speed of 24" for the primary move, 6" for the secondary, and
two turns of endurance?

Select your targets is a good capability. I've never liked BJs.

Another possible balancer is to say a ship requires a Firecon to guide any
number of missiles, but that Firecon is devoted to missile guidance.

In either case, these should be a tad harder to kill with PDS. Or maybe we
allow PenAid (ECM drones?) missiles to degrade PDS to accompany them or
replace some of the MT missiles in a group fired at the same target?

> 1) Missile has set amount of fuel (thrust) and can expend it at

Say I have a 3000 point fleet, 10-15 ships, and one--just
one--of those ships is a missile cruiser, say 70 mass or so, 250
points, with 12 MTMs--a reasonable payload for an arsenal ship.
You launch them all at once--and you've just cut the game speed
and playability in half.

Not frustrated yet? Play that same 3000 point game with 4
arsenal ships, about 1/3 of your force.  But be prepared to
figure 60 vectors while your opponent reads a book. Sure, you can batch them
if you want to, but if your opponent's got escorting fighters you may need to
maneuver separately to avoid them.

I'd like vector MTM missiles if PBeM and I have a spreadsheet handy.
Otherwise, no. IMO, MTM missiles have to move as if fighters.

> I'd like vector MTM missiles if PBeM and I have a spreadsheet

IMO the fighter method is the way to go. We just need to figure out the
distances...