RE: [FT] Fighter group sizes

This would be like splitting up Salvo missiles into salvoes of
a single missile each.	I think there are some basic assumptions
regarding number of targets and how the PDS works.  If you're
going to allow groups to be broken up, then the PDS should gain
the capability to shoot up to six targets each - doing one point per
target for a 6 plus a re-roll.

I think the assumptions is that the fighter group is just a convenient
breakdown for doing rolls, you could fire at each target individually
with each PDS being able to fire at up to 6 targets or just do 1 roll
for every 6.

In addition, if you use the Fighter Morale Rules a group of 1 would
rarely make the morale check and wouldn't attack.  Use of the Morale
rules is recommended in the FB.

--Binhan

-----Original Message-----
From:	Izenberg, Noam [SMTP:Noam.Izenberg@jhuapl.edu]
Sent:	Thursday, February 18, 1999 7:38 AM
To:	'FT List'
Subject:	[FT] Fighter group sizes

FT Fighters:

As I understand it, the standard 6-fighter group is simply a convention
for ship building and book keeping. There is no hard and fast rule
regarding the size of fighter groups. This opens fighter use to
potential abuse. You have a slight advantage sending in 6 groups of 5
instead of 5 groups of 6 - Even if the defender has 5 PDS, at least 5
fighters are guaranteed a clean, unscathed shot. If you made your groups
3 fighters instead of 6, you could tie up 2 PDS's or interceptor groups
instead of 1, leaving more fighters to get through to the target. Moreso
groups of 2 (the whole reason I have these questions was because I began
thinking of fighters in terms of lead and wingman) which effectively
eliminate the reroll, as a 6 just kills off the whole 'group' of 2.
Finally groups of 1 - whouch would navigate on the board as individual
units, are the ultimate in maximizing fighter power if you take the PDS
and dogfight rules verbatim.