Re: Couple more questions for FT.....

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark & Staci Drake" <markandstaci@charter.net>
To: <gzg-l@scotch.csua.berkeley.edu>
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 9:09 PM
Subject: Couple more questions for FT.....

> Hi all,
>
> Seems like I am always asking something lately--just getting into FT
so am
> asking questions as they arise.Appreciate everyones help on this.
>
> 1. How do you model Q-ships in FT?  Have been reading naval history
and
> sci-fi where these type ships appear and wish to try them out.Figure
in
FtF
> play one player records which one is the Q-ship but wonder how I would
do
> this in solo play.Plus I have a scenario idea or two that incorporates
this
> ship.......
>

In my games I have Q-Ships represented by normal freighter models, the
rationalle (sp?) being that it's rather easy to conceal popup turrets
and
torpedo tubes from anything other than a close visual inspection.

Q-Ships are generally seen either operating solo on shipping routes or
in
convoy. The solo method is more common, since this is far more likley to
attract the attention of raiders thinking it's a juicy kill.  Inculding
them
in a convoy makes the convoy seem bigger than it is, and can prove to be
a
very nasty suprise if hostile ships close to board the "freighter". Best
place for reading about Q-Ships is in WW2 books. The Germans used
disguised
merchantmen to kill lone Allied freighters with some success.

Remember though, a Q-Ship looks damn obvious if it starts displaying
characteristics that a freighter would likley not have.

> 2.Also looking to model 2 types of weapons from Trek DS9:
> the Breen energy dissipator--did find a reference for it , but anyone
have
> any rules/suggestions for this weapon? Have an idea of how to model it
but
> want to check here to see if already done.....
>
> Cardassian orbital satellites--cannot remember much about these but do
> remember the Fed and its allies had trouble with these while invading
> Cardassia Prime. Can anyone jog my memory on how these worked? Any
> rules/suggestions for FT use?

Never seen any conversions for the breen weapon, so post your design if
you
do!

As for satellites, I don't remember how the Cadassian ones worked in
Cardassia orbit, but I do remember the ones in the Chin'toka system.
Those
had a central power station on a small asteroid, mounted a several
torpedo
launchers, and were very maneuverable. My suggestion is to ignore the
central power station (since that would make things a bit cheap, unless
you
ARE trying to replicate the battle), mount a couple of fixed pulse
torps, an
ADFC with some PDS systems, and give the hull a thrust 1 engine. If you
have
it move in vector mode, and make a note that it can't actually move,
just
change it's facing, then you've got a pretty decent approximation IMHO.
I
have similar bases in my FT campaign, and they are very effective.

> 3.Does anyone play with fighters using them as individually , while
also
> involved in scenarios with capital ships?  ( using cinematic movement
also)
> Wish to try each fighter as own individual craft like capital ships
instead
> of by squadrons......my idea is to have fighters with either one armor
box
> and one hull box,and possible option for level 1 screens.

This is trickier. The easiest way to do this really is to just cram in
everything you want onboard the fighter (using your own judgement as
what is
too much, or perhaps working out some more solid guidelines) and then
just
totalling the cost of all the hardware. It ain't canon, or even vauegly
following the rules, but that's the best I can suggest.

> Again, thanks to everyone for helping out the new vachead.
>
> Mark

No problemo Mark. Have fun!

Sylvester