Re: Gunboats in FT...

> From: 	 "Mike Wikan" <mww@n-space.com>
> Organization:  n-Space, Inc.
> To:		 FTGZG-L@bolton.ac.uk
> Date: 	 Thu, 20 Nov 1997 11:49:25 +0000
> Subject:	 Gunboats in FT...
> Reply-to:	 FTGZG-L@bolton.ac.uk
> Priority:	 normal

> New system: Gunboat
> Mass: 2 per Gunboat
> Cost: 15 per gunboat
> Speed:10"
> 
> Gunboats are similar to bombers of the late 20th century. They have a 
> forward firing energy cannon (as a fighter but may only attack ships 
> not fighters due to it's slow recharge rate) two volleys of range 6" 
> submunitions (1 submunition die each) and an anti fighter 
> mount with a 360 degree arc (roll a d6, on a 6 a fighter is killed) 
> The Gunboat may either fire 1 or 2 submunitions or fire it's energy 
> armament. The gunner may fire his mount seperately. A squadron of 6 
> gunboats firing it's submunitions (12 die) at a ship target would 
> average 8 points of damage regardless of shields on the target. 
> Gunboats are built for extended missions and thus have an endurance 
> of6 attack rounds before needing to return to the carrier.
> 
Nice idea, but I think you may have undervalued it - especially if 
you're making it harder to hit than a normal ship of mass 2. I've 
experimented with Strikeboats of mass 3, thrust 8 carrying two
submunition 
packs launched from carriers and costing 18 points - a legal FT 
design. A full fleet carrier's worth (12) packs a lot of short-ranged 
firepower but, being normal ships, they are easily destroyed by beam 
batteries having only one damage point and have no self-defence 
capabilities. So, I suspect your gunboat is worth nearer 20 points 
than 15.