(FT) Re: Nova Cannons and Wave Guns.

(did I send my message too soon again?)  *sigh*

where was I?  Ah, I'll just start over.

I do think these weapons need a little more oomph, but also some way
to defend against them.  Slow moving targets are too easy to hit and
medium to fast moving/thrust-rated are very hard to hit so if you do
you want it to be nasty.  Yes, 6D6 from a NC is nasty but I've never
hit with one in its first range band.  Having shields reduce the number
of die, similar to plasma bolts, might be an option.  This would keep
a NC-based fleet from sitting out at range 74 and shooting at stationary
bases that might have level-2 screens (the shot goes 72 but the area of
effect will reach those 2 mu, even 3 but using 1 for error room).

Options to beef them up:
a) double the area of effect, but that added area does only 1/2 damage.
b) allow an arc improvement to a full arc but with a mass increase.
c) have them start with a higher damage potential but every ship hit
reduces the damage by a die for the next ship hit.  Fighter squadrons
and missiles do not reduce the damage.	Alternatively, reduce the
damage by the mass of ships hit previously; for example: a mass 14
frigate was the first hit so when the mass 40 destroyer behind it is
hit you roll the dice as normal and subtract 14 for the amound of
damage (or instead of mass, the damage done to armor and hull boxes
inflicted on the previous ships).

Glen