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Re: LaGrange Points, others

From: John Leary <realjtl@s...>
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 15:21:20 -0700
Subject: Re: LaGrange Points, others

Noah Doyle wrote:
> 
>	  I dunno, it would seem to me that the 'where does FTL work'
question is
> very much on-topic.  As good as the rules are, it's the strategic
> background that we like to thrash around with.  But, I can see a
technical
> discussion of what a LaGrange point is being a bit OT.
>	  I like the 'official' jump rules - pretty much anywhere,
that's not on top
> of a big mass.  Means that most battles will be fought around
important
> points, like planets, asteroid bases, etc.  Though it does make convoy
> escort scenarios a bit less likely, and that's a bad thing.  Maybe
I'll
> shove the jump limit out to 0.01g, and keep detection ranges short.
> 
> Noah

Greetings All,
     Just to interject a bit of K.I.S.S. into the discussion:

    In the current FT campaign, (designed to produce space battles and 
not much else.) the system is very easy to use.   
 
Turn 1) A ship loads cargo at a planet.
Turn 2) The ship moves to EOS.	(Edge of System)
Turn 3) The ship does the FTL jump to the next hex.  (this repeats 
	as necessary to reach the next systems EOS.)
Turn X) Arrives at next EOS.
Turn Y) Moves to planet.
Turn Z) Unload at destination.

     The inclusion of the EOS concept allows the existance of 'pirates'
in the game and gives them a place/zone where they can maneuver and 
intercept cargo ships that are inbound to the system.	If the cargo
ship is allowed to jump too close to the planet the pirate cannot 
operate because the planet can post a few scouts/corvetts to prevent
the capture of any cargo ship as it arrives at the inbound jump
location.   
     Remember that the pirate needs to chase down the cargo ship, force
surrender/disable/capture the ship, unload and transfer cargo,
(and more than likely destroy/remove all sensor logs, and eliminate
all crew/passengers), and remove themselves from the area before any
official types get within sensor range.   (Presuming sensor data can
be recorded and variations in engine/FTL/pirate sensors can be used
to identify the ship at a later date.)

     With the above as a fact of life, the 'pirate' will not be running
a warship (no space for cargo), otherwise piracy becomes a 'non-profit'
operation.   The ideal pirate ship becomes a converted full-streamlined
thrust 4 to 6 ship not greater than mass 18, with additional boarding 
parties and two mass in weapons.

just a thought,

Got comments?

Bye for now,
John L.


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