Sand Clouds

Sand Clouds were designed as a counter measure against primarily missiles. It
is also effective against ships rushing in at high velocities, fighters and
discourages beams.

> On Tue, 6 May 1997, Phillip E. Pournelle wrote:

> Sand Clouds were designed as a counter measure against

I pretty much guessed what you *intended* them for. I had a problem with the
side effects you probably didn't intend to include.

You *intended* to make it a counter *against* rushing ships, ok. But as the
damage (and a lot of it) is determined by relative velocity,
it instead becomes a weapon usable *by* rushing ships -- the logical
conclusion of which is the speed 100000000" cloud hitting an immobile station.

I also have a problem with area weapons that can be used for enveloping
attacks. Space is 3D whether or not your board is. True 3D envelopment
requires immense resources, unlike the onboard 2D variety.

To give an example, assume I have a 60" wide table. 2D area is 60x60" and 3D
60x60x60". To send an enveloping sand barrier in 2D takes just 20 casters. In
3D, it takes 400 casters, and even that leaves holes!

Thus, IMHO, any non-guided weapon that can be massed into envelopments
is a completely absurd idea.

Yes, this includes novas and waves, but thankfully they're too big and
expensive to be used en masse...