Re: [FT] Heavy Beams - scattered comments to the debate

>>On the first turn A expends the EPs, and B saves them. On the
>>second turn, both expend all available Eps. Both have expended the
>>same number of EPs, though at different points over the two turns.
>>Which is more effective?

> Assuming A had had a worthwhile target to shoot at on the first turn,
A
>is more effective. It has had a chance to take out at least some enemy
>weapons on turn 1; B hasn't had that chance.

Question: Doesn't it depend on _where_ A and B are when this comparison
is
made?

Assume valid targets for both. 

Situation 1: Close range punchout. A has a distinct advantage,
delivering
more damage sooner.

Situation 2: Medium/low speed approach run. A half fires its load from
some
distance, while B fires all at close range. Since HBW is really a close
range weapon, if A fires at ranges greater than 18" (or 12" vs screen 1,
or
6" vs. screen 2) it's likely to do far less damage than B would uloading
at
least 6" closer.

Situation 3: High speed strafe: B has the distinct advantage (at the
risk of
being attacked at medium/long range and knocked out by those weapons). A
fires half at extreme range, for marginal damage, and fires half the
dice
close in.

Relative advantage of A over B is requires some quantization of how
often
each situations encountered.

> IME you are very likely to have a worthwhile target to shoot at during
> your initial attack run (when your HBWs are almost guaranteed to have
> fully loaded BPSs).

But how you close the range is critical to the effect of the weapon, and
whether A or B is the better way.