[FT] Fighter vs PDS & Soapbubbles

One random thought I had (vaguely recalling some previous comment) was
about
PDS effectiveness.

If PDS can attack every incoming fighter/missile, but reduce hits to
6+reroll (b-1 on 6, noreroll).	However this creates some additional
problems in that it will be difficult to get capship missiles (with
their 1
hit) through average PDS.

Math (probably faulty):
For a ship with average 4 PDS = 0.267*4 = 1.07 kills per incoming
attack.
Normal kill rate of 0.8*4 = 3.2 kills per turn.

This advantages the defender against more than 3 targets, but
disadvantages
against single salvoes (where you would think law of averages would
increase
effectiveness).

FT weaponry is abstracted anyway (a B-3 could be 15 different weapon
mounts
for the effect for example).

*****
Following the thought through;

PDS has two modes: Point Attack and Area Attack.  Each PDS must be
nominated
before rolling dice.

Point Attack Mode requires a specific target and uses standard PDS rules
(4-5 = 1 kill, 6 = 2 kills + reroll).  This represents gunners
co-ordinating
fire to take down specific targets.

Area Attack Mode simply throws as much fire as possible into the space
around the ship without caring what is hit.  All fighters/missiles
attacking
the ship are attacked by the PDS (6 = 1 kill + reroll).

Beam-1 as PDS: can only be used in Point Attack Mode (standard rules:
5-6 =
1 kill + reroll).

ADFC: Can use the ship's own PDS in Point Attack Mode to help defend
another
ship as per normal rules OR may instead attack *ANY* unengaged fighter
within 6MU in Area attack mode if not used elsewhere.

Ships would have an option as to what they want to do; if only being
attacked by a few fighters or missiles, they can concentrate their
defence.
If being swarmed it's possible to kill a few from all of them, possibly
by
mixing area and point attacks for high threat targets.

Brendan
'Neath Southern Skies - http://home.pacific.net.au/~southernskies/