Re: The Vector Dilema

Sean Bayan Schoonmaker wrote:

> I've got a problem with the vector movement system, which was somewhat
> addressed in the B5 Wireframe system: both a thrust 2 SDN and a thrust
8
> corvette can bring their guns to bear with an equal chance of success.
> Granted that the corvette can do a bit extra in the maneuver
department,
> but estimation of enemy position can take precedence over good
maneuvering.
>

Seconded, at least in principle (see below for comments on the exact
mechanics)

In our first games with the vector movement system we misunderstood the
rules,
and limited ships to the same number of rotation points as their thrust.
This
seemed to work fine to us, and it wasn't until much later that we
realised our
mistake.

>
> I think that this is why many still favor the cinematic movement
system.
>
> So I propose this potential solution:
>
> It takes alot more umph to push a SDN than it does a CT, so limit the
> number of facings that a ship can rotate with each thrust point.
Say...
>
> Mass 0-4: Unlimited
> Mass 5-16: 6 per point
> Mass 17-64: 3 per point
> Mass 65-256: 2 per point
> Mass 257+: 1 per point

Six rotation points are needed for a 180 degree turn, which is the most
you
should ever need at one go. So, if I understand the above table
correctly, a
mass 65-256 ship (a range which covers most capital ships) could do a
120
degree rotation if it has thrust 2. This isn't actually much of a
limitation
IMHO. I would be inclined to be even more drastic and go with our
'misunderstood' system above of one rotation per thrust point. It
shouldn't be
necessary to bring the ship's mass into it (after all, the ship's mass
has
already been taken account of when buying the manouevre engines).

Tony