Radiation Effects (was Re: Full Thrust discussion, anyone?)

Someone earlier mentioned banning particle beam weapons, that and this
discussion of missles got me thinking of a piece of chrome for FT.

Anyone who has ever played High Guard is familar with the old radiation damage
table. Radiation damage comes from high energy particles either made from
nuclear weapons or particle beams colliding with parts of a
ship and causing those parts to effectively glow with X-rays and Gamma
Rays.

My thinking is that you could, for an extra point cost say, purchased enhanced
weapons. To simply simulate the effect of radiation, I was thinking you could
treat the weapon as normal but if a successful hit is made you also get a free
needle beam attack. For beam weapons, I would suggest only doing this at
shortest range band. The cost of these weapons should be the cost of a needle
beam and a A battery combined somehow. Also, only A batteries should be
allowed to have this enhanced ability (thus preventing someone buying 20
enhanced C batteries for the free needle attack).

Just a thought....

cheers

> Brad Holden wrote:

Brad, Suggestion: How about using an 'A' battery AS a needle at short range
(roll 1D6), and require an FCS for this function. (For each 'A' used in this
manner.)

Bye for now,

> Brad Holden <holden@tokyo-rose.uchicago.edu> wrote:

[snip]

> My thinking is that you could, for an extra point cost say, purchased

I'd think that in order to balance out this effect, the cost would have to be
far more than a point.

Also, who gets to pick the target of the needle attack? When is it picked
- before or after the weapon hits ? This raises the ugly question of
"What happens if the beam damage causes a treshold roll and systems are
knocked out before the needle attack?"

> In a message dated 98-05-14 21:08:51 EDT, Schoon writes:

<< Also, who gets to pick the target of the needle attack? When is it picked
 - before or after the weapon hits ? This raises the ugly question of
"What happens if the beam damage causes a treshold roll and systems are
knocked out before the needle attack?" >>

Pretty simple: Firer selects target system. Selection occurs before firing. If
the beam damage causes a threshold roll, & all systems are knocked out
before the needlebeam fires, then the needlebeam is SOL - consider
yourself lucky that the ship was knocked out; unless, of course, you wanted a
prize.