Federation Commander

[Kang]

I'm well aware of the effect of decels and accels on initiative as described in the Briefing #1 rules update.

However I am not sure when the declaration of decel should take place.

In this real-life example, we have a Kzinti FF and a Lyran FF, both with speed 16 and no accels plotted, on sub-pulse 2 of the impulse. Turn mode and speed identical, therefore it's time to write down the moves. So far, so good.

But what if, as my plotted move, I order a decel? Does that not prevent my opponent from doing a me-too decel?

Alternatively, if I order a decel, does that mean that I would move first on that sub-pulse if my opponent elects not to decel?

I guess the essence of it is this: do I have to declare a decel before we get to the written moves stage, and, if, so, what effect does that have on initiative?

Please can I have some advice on which method is correct - if either?
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[DNordeen]

Ok few things...

1) According to 2A5 (second paragraph), write down your movement for that sub-pulse only, expose the orders, and execute simultaneously. With that in mind, for that sub-pulse, you and your opponent can only perform the movement actions that are written down so "me too" is not allowed.

2) If you decel, you aren't moving so you would not move first, second, or at all on the sub-pulse in which you decel

3) According to 2A5 (third paragraph), if you have decelerated during any sub-pulse of that impulse, you are now slower than your opponent for the rest of the impulse. What that means is if you want to decel, you would perform your actions along the lines of paragraph 2 (see #1 above), but for the rest of the impulse, your opponent would have the initiative and you would move before him.

Also, if a ship accelerates, they are faster than a ship that did not. I play that if you accelerate and decel, but your opponent did neither, you are faster. The reverse being if you both accel and only you decel, your opponent is faster.

Hope that helps.
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Speed is life; Patience is victory

[Kang]

[DNordeen]

Decel would be part of the written stage. Decel is a movement action that would have to be written down in your orders. If it's not written, you or your opponent would not be able to do it.

Yes, your ship would be slower "after" the impulse.

The only "turn in place" rules I know are HETs and Tactical manuevers.

You cannot perform a Tactical manuever when you decel (you're not stopped). According to 2B2b "a ship which cancels movement cannot perform Tactical Maneuvers" (This statement is between the two examples in 2B2b)

For a HET, 2D2a states that you pay for a HET at the start of any sub-pulse and turn your ship to any new facing immediately, regardless of speed or turn mode. With that in mind, all HETs would take place before any movement during that sub-pulse. If more than one ship used a HET, they would HET in priority order.
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Speed is life; Patience is victory

[Scoutdad]

[Mike]

That shameless plug bracketing didn't come through quite right, but I agree wholeheartedly!!!

Those movement cards would be great to have. There may not be many times during a game when they would be needed, but when movement has to be recorded, it can be a real pain.

djdood's cards included every type of movement that could possibly occur, right?

One question I have about the situation described here...Isn't deceleration announced at the start of the sub-pulse? If so, then doesn't that make the other player "faster" automatically (and, therefore, the moving player would have the initiative and move after he sees what the decelerated turning player did)?

Another related question...On a subsequent sub-pulse in which both players are to move, wouldn't they again be treated as equally having initiative and, therefore, be required to write down their moves (or use djdood's neat cards)? Does a deceleration on one sub-pulse affect the status of a player's movement for the remainder of the impulse?

[Scoutdad]

[DNordeen]

Basically, if you have to resort to written orders anything that your ship is going to do in that sub-pulse (Decel, turn, slip, move, HET, Tactical Manuever, etc.) must be written down and you must follow your written orders to the letter.

For specific items from above...

[Kang]

1) There's a new product idea, then: DJDood's cards. Could be like Captain's Yeoman or similar....

2) DJDood, have you got a set on file you can post for us, please?!
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[Kang]

[mjwest]

DNordeen nailed it perfectly.

I just want to add one clarification. (Not a correction, only a clarification.)

[Kang]

Excellent - thank you, gentlemen
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