Re: Full Thrust vs Starmada

I've always found fighters to be far the best anti-fighter weapons.
If the other fleet doesn't have fighters, you can use your fighters
to attack the other fleet. Fighters also protect the entire fleet,
not just the carrier (a PDS only protects the ship that mounts it,
so all ships have to mount PDS).

***Nothing beats a CAP to keep those enemy fighters away...)
The best anti-fighter weapon is a fighter interceptor or air
superiority fighter.....Hate to say it folks but it's true in FT
just like real life. 

Ways around it, long range missile strikes on the carrier/base,
decoys, Jamming,and lots more (as Sam says) PDS mounts.
Another trick that (might) work command detonated mines,
doesn't have to hit a fighter to give it a bad day but, that's a
one off trick move that your opponents will soon wise up to.

The bigger issue about games balance really hits home when
you play and attacker entering a enemy controlled planetary
system. The defender can have vast hordes fighters from planets,
space stations in orbit, small moons etc.and still be in line points
wise. The attacker really can't hope to have as many fighters 
and still have a credible attack fleet to do anything else. The
trick here is to stay at extreme range and ping his bases until
you make enough of a dent before you close with him.

Another way is a campaign setting giving the attacker a
three to one points advantage.......Will still be messy
no way around it.