CT Book 2 Space Combat Return Laser Fire

[snrdg082102]

More CT Book 2 Space Combat questions,

In the Native Return Laser Fire phase there are three events that can occur:

Event 1. Return Fire

If the Return Fire and Targeting or Multi-targeting programs are running in the CPU the target's, aka native, laser turrets capable of returning fire can do so.

Question 1-1: Is the return fire automatic or does the native player have to declare that the lasers are firing?

Question 1-2: Is the return fire resolved the same way as in the Intruder Fire Laser Phase?

Fire resolution:
A. Determine Offensive and Defensive DMs

B. Roll 2D if Roll + DMs >= 8 means a hit is achieved

Question 1-3: Do I roll for a hit on the table or is the laser turret or turrets fired by the Intruder the location hit?

C. Roll for hit location

D. If critical hit roll on critical hit table

E. Resolve damage

F. Before missile damage is determined and and either or both Anti-missile and ECM programs are in CPU got to Events 2 and/or 3.

G. After all laser return fire events are completed more to Intruder Ordnance Launch phase.

Event 2: Anti-missile laser fire

Question 2-1: If the Anti-missile program is in the CPU do the available turrets automatically fire on incoming missiles?

Question 2-2: How many missiles does each type of laser take out if a Hit is achieved?

Event 3: ECM

CT Book 2 page 39 describes the ECM program as destroying all missiles in contact with the target ship on a 2D roll of >= 7.

Question 3-1: Did a summarize the ECM rule correctly?

Question 4: Have I got a handle on the Native Return Fire phase?

 

[Piper]

Question 1-1: Is the return fire automatic or does the native player have to declare that the lasers are firing?

Answer: no firing is automatic, firing must be declared. Consider the situation where a ship is targeted by two opponents. Each is potential target for return fire.


Question 1-2: Is the return fire resolved the same way as in the Intruder Fire Laser Phase?

Answer: yes, see the "Return Fire" program description.


Question 1-3: Do I roll for a hit on the table or is the laser turret or turrets fired by the Intruder the location hit?

Answer: you roll for location.


Question 2-1: If the Anti-missile program is in the CPU do the available turrets automatically fire on incoming missiles?

Answer: not specified. Crew control over weapon discharge would seem mandatory, though.
Revised answer: No automatic fire as each missile needs to be targeted individually. Note, my opinions on this ( and on question 2-2) are based on "Mayday" as Book 2 isn't really as clear as it could be on missile combat. If you're actually intending to use Book 2 for a game, I would encourage you to get a hold of the Special Supplement for missiles.


Question 2-2: How many missiles does each type of laser take out if a Hit is achieved?

Answer: each missile is a separate target.


Question 3-1: Did a summarize the ECM rule correctly?

Answer: yes.

Question 4: Have I got a handle on the Native Return Fire phase?

Answer: yup

 

[snrdg082102]

Morning PST Piper,

Thanks for the answers to my questions

Question 1-1: Is the return fire automatic or does the native player have to declare that the lasers are firing?

Answer: no firing is automatic, firing must be declared. Consider the situation where a ship is targeted by two opponents. Each is potential target for return fire.

When I entered my question my thinking was that the two sides had already declared what programs, in the case of the native player targeting and return fire, where operating in the CPU of each ship. During the natives return fire phase the first intruder ship that targets and hits the natives ship receives the return fire.

Of course the automatic return fire bit is influenced by my understanding of how the computers are used to control vehicle mounted weapons in the Hammer's Slammers books by David Drake.

Question 1-2: Is the return fire resolved the same way as in the Intruder Fire Laser Phase?

Answer: yes, see the "Return Fire" program description.

I'm making sure my understanding fits the description as follows:

Return Fire resolution:
A. Determine Offensive and Defensive DMs

B. Roll 2D if Roll + DMs >= 8 means a hit is achieved

C. Roll for hit location

D. If critical hit roll on critical hit table

E. Resolve damage

Question 1-3: Do I roll for a hit on the table or is the laser turret or turrets fired by the Intruder the location hit?

Answer: you roll for location.

I got this one right on the first try.

Question 2-1: If the Anti-missile program is in the CPU do the available turrets automatically fire on incoming missiles?

Answer: not specified. Crew control over weapon discharge would seem mandatory, though.

Revised answer: No automatic fire as each missile needs to be targeted individually. Note, my opinions on this (and on question 2-2) are based on "Mayday" as Book 2 isn't really as clear as it could be on missile combat. If you're actually intending to use Book 2 for a game, I would encourage you to get a hold of the Special Supplement for missiles.

I kind of noticed the Book 2 is sort of light on details. I have both Mayday and Special Supplement 3. I've got a original purchase copy and a copy in FFE 005. Special Supplement 3 I have a copy in FFE 007 and I think I have a copy of JTAS 21.

Question 2-2: How many missiles does each type of laser take out if a Hit is achieved?

Answer: each missile is a separate target.

I can agree with the native player having to designate which missile is the target since the native player is acting as the computer.

Question 3-1: Did a summarize the ECM rule correctly?

Answer: yes.

I got another one right the first go round.

Question 4: Have I got a handle on the Native Return Fire phase?

Answer: yup

A great day in the neighborhood I've got a shaking, based on the little details mentioned, handle on the phase.

Thanks again Piper.