Threshold Levels

-------------------- Begin Original Message --------------------
Which reminds me of one popular local complaint about FT. There really no such
thing as a critical hit. You've got to pound the shit out of a big ship
forever, to neutralize or destroy it. Not as satisfying as seeing a WWI German
cruiser blow sky high on a magazine hit in a game of Panzerschiffe the other
day. And remember the Hood?

I've always thought it excellent that FT has such a GREAT critical hit system.
You can never tell which systems are going to die when you go over a
threshold. (In short you make critical hit checks all at once.)
-------------------- End Original Message --------------------

If you want more critical hits (why???) you could always mark off damage down
the column instead of across the row. This would give MUCH more critical
chances.

I do agree, however, that capitals have an undue advantage for delaying
criticals. A good rule of thumb would have been:
  Escorts 2-18 tons:    2 rows
  Cruisers 19-36 tons:  3 rows
  Capitals 37-50 tons:  4 rows
           51-75 tons:  5 rows
           76-100 tons: 6 rows
Superships: 1 row for each 25 or fraction thereof.
-or-
All ships have 1 threshold row plus 1 threshold row per 50 tons (round
up).

While I'm here criticizing the game I love...

It was a shame that Jon didn't spread the classes more evenly. Such as:
Corvette/Gunboat:    1-10 tons  Escort
Frigate:            11-20 tons  Escort
Destroyer:          21-30 tons  Escort
Lt Cruiser:         31-40 tons  Cruiser
Escort Cruiser:     41-50 tons  Cruiser
Hvy Cruiser:        51-60 tons  Cruiser
Battlecruiser:      61-70 tons  Capital
Battleship:         71-80 tons  Capital
Battledreadnought:  81-90 tons  Capital
Superdreadnought:   91-100 tons Capital
This would have given Escorts and Cruisers more meaning. A 30 ton ship with an
thrust of 8 is something could be something to contend with! Likewise a 60 ton
ship with a thrust of 6 heading toward your flank is a threat!