Welcome to the Asylum. ;-)
The main difference between FT2 & FTFB is the 6 fire arcs as you surmised. The
basic game mechanics are unchanged, but new & modified weapon systems are in
the FB (ie: PulseTorps have been given extended ranges & multiple arcs) and
the damage averages of energy weapons have been increased by about 0.1 damage
per die. FTFB is more of an 'interim' rules system until FT3 is published
(fingers crossed than Jon has it scheduled for next year!) & thus requires FT2
for the full rules. You might find it useful to also get a copy of More
Thrust, which covers capship missiles (as opposed to salvo missiles from
FTFB), advanced fighters & other goodies including 2 alien races (which are
being redone for the FTFB2 which is hopefully out next month!).
'Neath Southern Skies
http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~denian/
*****
Cmdr Robertson - GCV Southern Skies
Fleet Admiral Doyle - NKV Vesuvius (La Fayette invasion force)
Gunslinger, Emperor & all-around demigod.
[quoted original message omitted]
Hello,
I've just recently joined the list as a group of us are getting into FT for
the first time. A couple of us are using B5 fleets and a couple of others
conventional FT stuff....
I found Richard Bax's excellent revamped B5 stuff to fit the new FT FB ship
design and points system, which is great because we will be using B5 fleets
against FT fleets as well as against more 'traditional' opposition. 8-)
I also downloaded the FT Ship Builder program by Bill Willcox (which seems to
be the right one as it has Class 1, 2, 3, rather than A, B, C, for weapons).
Although if I may say so it took 3 attempts because the available
downloads are _not_ clearly identified which version they belong to nor
how old they are... Bill's is marked "Ship Builder", and older FT1 one is
marked "Ship Builder 2", and elsewhere I found the SB 2 version listed as
"Ship
Builder" too! All very confusing... 8-(
Anyway I only have a copy of TBP's EFSB at present (and yes I'm about to
order FT2 & FT FB) - I was wondering if someone would mind explaining
whether the difference between FT2 and FT FB is more than just the ship design
system? Presumably it is points cost to, but does it include weaponry changes,
such as the 6 instead of 4 fire arcs, or is this part of FT2 to start with?
Many TIA for you patience and I look forward to learning a few "Tips and
Tricks" from any FT old hands out there!! 8-)
Cheers
John
"In war one sees his own troubles and not those of the enemy."
- Napoleon