Re: Fw: Weapons for Newtonian based FTIII

On Tue, 6 May 1997, And yah, up CLOSE I'm a threat. Beyond range 12 I'm
an amusement... wrote:

> There are other things you can do to enhance your station's survival
in
> this matter. An optional rule (that has been discussed in the dim
past,
> and I cannot remember who came up with the idea first) would be to
allow
> Interceptor fighters the capability to engage missiles. Then no doubt
your
> base will be equipped with a fighter bay or four.
 
I personally use that variation, and it does work against vanilla
missiles.
But momentum-based weapons can defy fighter screen on sheer speed alone.

> Or outlaw missile use. They're optional, anyway (or, following Jon's
'spirit
> of the rules', anything's optional  ;-).  Or allow A and B batts to
'power
> down' and fire as C batts in anti-missile mode.

The last idea isn't too good. You need 6 (yes, SIX) PD capable weapons
to 
take out ONE missile with any degree of reliability. To wit, it takes 6 
MASS of defenses to stop 2 MASS of missiles... It won't work in the long

run. 
 
> Another thought is...where are the base's support ships? Or are you
> postulating a scenario in which a base is stand-alone against an enemy
> fleet? Maybe it's just me, but I think that'd be a silly
scenario..unless
> the enemy doesn't out-range the base in weapons. And if the enemy out-
> ranges your base, well, that's what the supporting ships are for.
While
> the enemy ranges your base, your support ships range the enemy. How
you
> go about doing this is entirely up to your tactical staff.

Maintaining my calm posture, I will re-iterate:

Goal: I want a fight AROUND the station, because such scenarios are 
fun. This is gaming, and gaming is all about having fun. For me, at
least.

Fact: Missiles and momentum-based weapons can destroy an immobile target

from outside that target's weapon ranges. Consequently this is a 
zero-risk proposition.

Result: Defending fleet must stop the attackers before they get within 
launching range of the station.

Result: The station will never get to shoot at anything, since the
battle 
is decided entirely outside its weapon ranges. So why put any guns on it

in the first place?

Conclusion: The fight around the station becomes a fight away from the 
station. The goal is not achieved.

Is this crystal clear now?

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