Re: [FT] SML missiles

Michael Johnson wrote:
>>Greetings:
>>
>>I hope this question hasn't been asked already, but I've looked
through the
>>FAQ and didn't see anything on it.  My question is "Do SML systems
require a
>>fire control?".  This is not stated in the rules, at least as far as I
can
>>find.  I assumed they did.  However my worthy opponet just pointed out
that
>>it isn't stated that the SML system has to have a fire control?  Any
>>thoughts on this?

Jon Tuffley wrote:

>The "official" ruling is that the ship needs to have an operating
firecon
>available during the SML launch phase of the turn (just one
irrespective of
>how many salvoes are fired), but that firecon can then ALSO be used
during
>the main fire phase of the same turn to fire other weapons. This is
simply
>a rule mechanism to avoid having to remember or record which firecons
have
>been "used up" from phase to phase.
>A ship that has lost all Firecon capability cannot fire SLMs (or any
other
>weapons).
>
>Jon (GZG)

And our group uses a house rule that if you dedicate one firecon per
salvo
for terminal guidance, then you can designate which ship is targeted
rather
than relying on the "targets closest ship" rule.  That way, small
missile
buckets which dump SMRs are a little less effective than big strike
cruisers with plenty of firecons available.  Also helps avoid the "swarm
of
scouts" defense.

Jeff Lyon