RE: [FT] SMLs and Banzai Jammers

Here are some ways to "fix" SM's. Many have side effects. Each solution
is
independent and should not be combined with the other solutions listed.

1) Reduce the mass of Salvos (but not the launcher) to 1 for Std and 2
for
ER. This doubles the number of Std salvos that a ship carries (1.5 x for
ER). This may make Banzai Jammers too expensive to use (as you would
need
more of them). Side effect: Ship designs with SMR's would need to be
redesigned (or state that SMR's fire 2 salvos at the same time).

2) Move the Launch Salvo Missiles phase to after the Move Ships phase.
This
would allow the SM player to put the missiles on the target (if in
range),
and negate the Banzai Jammer defense. Side Effect: This would increase
the
PDS/ADFC that designs would need. However, since this is on the rise due
to
the power of Fighters, it may not be that large of a side effect. I
would
also suggest allowing PDS to attack any missile/fighter in range if this
option is taken.

3) Allow a FCS to be dedicated to missile control. The target would need
to
be within sensor range (52tu). All SM's fired by the ship that turn
would
target the ship designated by the FCS. The FCS would need to designate
the
target before the SM's are launched. If the FCS is lost, SM's act in the
standard fashion. The FCS cannot be used for other functions that round.
Only one target may be designated from any one ship. Note: This leaves
room
for ECM/Sensor rules.

4)  For extra cost (not mass) allow SM's for a SHIP, to be of the
"dispersal" type. Each salvo of this type will not pick the same target
as
any other salvo. Effect: Multiple salvos in an area will pick different
targets, so Banzai Jamming does not work. However, if there is less
targets
in range than salvos, the "extra" salvos do not acquire a target. All
salvos
on a ship would need to be of the standard or dispersal types (for ease
of
play). Dispersal salvos from different ships do not interact (so
dispersal
missiles from multiple ships do NOT gain this benefit).

6) Change the targeting rule from "attacks nearest ship" to "divide the
damage among all ships in range". Again, you would need to allow PDS to
attack any missile in range if you use this option.

7) Allow SM's to be set for a Mass range. You may want to use the 3-99,
100-199, 200-299 mass ranges. Side Effect: again, this would push
designs to
have more PDS/ADFC. If this option is used, I would also suggest that a
chance that the missile misidentifies the mass of the target be
included.
When you roll for damage, ignore any rolls of 6 (as the target failed to
acquire the target).

I'm sure that there are other options.

-----
Brian Bell
bkb@beol.net
http://members.xoom.com/rlyehable/ft/	 
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