re: Fleet Escorts

> Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 08:54:47 -0800 (PST)
> From: David Griffin <carbon_dragon@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Fleet Escorts
> 
> I'm a new player to Full Thrust playing in a local
> group (in Atlanta). In the few games I've played
> so far (knock down drag outs with lots of ships)
> I've been struck by two things -- 1) Escort sized
> ships seem to be nothing but targets in the battle,
> and 2) Escorts don't seem to have a real role on
> the board other than to make the setup look pretty
> and possibly to absorb damage.
> 
> This, combined with the difficulty defending against
> salvo missiles and fighters led me to wonder if it
> was possible to create an escort sized vessel with
> the ability to actually protect the fleet from
> fighters and missiles and maybe stay alive themselves
> (and have a role on the battlefield).
> 
> The obvious first choice of having lots of PDS and
> ADEF is a little unsatisfactory because it's not
> possible to fire on the fighters until they attack.

[snip]

we use the house rule that PDS and ADFC may fire at any fighters within
range -- not just ones that fire on the escort.  that way, large capital
ships can be screened from pesky fighters and missles -- the true escort
mission.  so if an enemy wants a shot at your big ship, they gotta
neutralize/cripple/destroy enough escorts to do it.  it seemed like
common
sense to us anyway....