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So two jumps at jump-6 in CR3I vs 3 jumps at jump-4 in OTU? I'd say that might cancel each other out.
But it's true,. for later era, the speed gaps would make some difference. Enough to change the outcome of the war, though?
Hm. Or maybe more expensive, with a fleet of tenders dropping interface craft behind the Zhodani lines in case they must retreat?
But the Zhodani (and everybody else) would have been used to the defender being in that advantageous position. It may be that this would just mean that attackers use bigger support fleets in addition to their regular space combattants.
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To put as example FFW, IMHO, the main differences would be:
- Imperial ships would travel at J6, while Zhodani at J5, giving yet another advantage to the Imperials (in OTU both move at J3-4, with some ocasional J5 cruiser squadrons, as higher jump reduces payload too much). This would have been also important in communications.
- Imperials, playing defensively, would have a clear advantage on fuel availability, as they would fight mostly in friendly terrain.
- Reserves coming from elsewhere in the Imperium could no longer perform 3+ jumps a month (I always assumed they fiind the tankers ready in any spot to move as quick as posible), again due to the cooling down time.
So two jumps at jump-6 in CR3I vs 3 jumps at jump-4 in OTU? I'd say that might cancel each other out.
But it's true,. for later era, the speed gaps would make some difference. Enough to change the outcome of the war, though?
- I already talked about interface/landing problems. The Zhodani reembarcation in Jewell would probably have been quite disastrous.
Hm. Or maybe more expensive, with a fleet of tenders dropping interface craft behind the Zhodani lines in case they must retreat?
- The Imperial ambush to the retreating Zhodani from Rhylanor would probably also have been a true disaster, as most ships could jump out system, while in this universo they would have been out of fuel to maneuver and could not have jumped (again the 7 days cooling down).
Sure there would be some more differences I cannot think about right now.
Would that be enough to change the war? not sure, though I think in overall gives a small advantage to the Imperials, being on defensive.
But the Zhodani (and everybody else) would have been used to the defender being in that advantageous position. It may be that this would just mean that attackers use bigger support fleets in addition to their regular space combattants.