OT: mini review B5 Wars - Reply

> To considerable interest and much anticipation, Chris Weuve wrote:

> In the playtest version [of B5 Wars], ships moved by funnelling
Each reactor point (regardless of the ship) generated one thrust point, and
each thrust point (regardless of the ship) generated one hex per turn of
thrust. Think about this for thirty seconds, max, and you will realize that
implies that ALL SHIPS HAVE THE SAME MASS. <<

Actually, no -- to me, it implies a couple of other things:

i. If 1 reactor point (RP hereafter) gives 1 thrust point (TP) which (I
assume)
corresponds to 1 hex/turn of movement, then it means that there is a
constant relationship between RPs and TPs regardless of the mass of the ship.
In effect, RPs vary with the size of the ship, as do TPs; only the effect of
TPs is constant. To use an FT analogy, the movement ability of a frigate and a
super-dreadnought
are identical if they have the same thrust rating, but the size of the SD's
engines
would be much greater (and cost a lot more, points-wise), and they would
produce a lot more thrust than those of the FF. Of course, this breaks down if
RPs have other functions like powering weapons, sensors, etc., a la Star Fleet
Battles. Having never seen B5W, I don't know if this is the case. If it is,
then Chris' objection stands.

ii. If 1 TP = 1 hex/turn of _speed_, then this is SFB non-inertial
movement all over again. I can accept this for SFB, because warp flight could
well be
non-Newtonian, but not for B5, in which it has been established that
both normal space and hyperspace travel is Newtonian (in theory, if not always
in "practice", i.e., what the SFX boys show us). I think I want Chris'
replacement system.

Phil, looking forward to B5 tonight! And to Claudia in "Space Cadets"
immediately beforehand...