Federation Commander

[storeylf]

Yup they can be 2 turn armed as noted. However, that means downgrading your weapon in order to do something other weapons can already do (fire on turn 1). If you think plasma is in need of help already then that doesn't appear much of a counter argument, unless of course you also think they will realistically get something much more potent to compensate.

[Kang]

[JimDauphinais]

My issue with Dal's 32+1 idea is that it is a more drastic change and one which would introduce clutter into the otherwise fairly simple and elegant impulse/subpulse system of FC.

The two turns of loading completed approach is simpler and more incremental, which will make it less likely overshoot the objective of bringing the plasma empires into better balance with the other empires.
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Jim Dauphinais, Chesterfield, MO

St. Louis Area Fed Comm Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/STL_Federation_Commander/

[Dal Downing]

[storeylf]

I'll happily take part in a discussion on other issues plasma may or may not have, but can you take it elsewhere please, and whether bolts or faster plasma is the way to go. There are other threads you can add those comments to.

Whilst some may see starting the game fully armed as some way to go towards fixing 'broken' plasma, whether you start a game fully armed or not and the effect that has on a game is a somewhat seperate issue. As anyone reading those other posts will note, I do not fall into the plasma is 'broke' camp in that sense, I am posting this cos' I do think the start of game arming is a bit of a downer for plasma ships, especially in time limited games.

[Kang]

[pmiller13]

Also beyond just the timing (first full power launch turn 2, 2nd launch turn 5) is the mind set that not having fully armed weapons imposes on one. Not having fully armed weapons forces me as a plasma boat to give up the middle of the map without a fight simply to arm my weapons. I have some experience with tournament play (though admittedly with SFB rather than FC) and holding the middle of the map is decisive. Without any other issues plasma may or may not have, forcing the loss of the middle of the map on a player at the start of a battle makes a player play from an inferior starting position every single game. Would anyone want to have to start every game against the Federation at range 8 on turn 1? Of course not this would unfairly favor the Federation Photon. Then why are we penalizing ALL plasma boats by starting them without there main weapons armed?

While speed 40 plasma’s would be an interesting idea I agree with storeylf that another thread would be a better location to have that discussion. I would love to join in with that discussion as well.

[mjwest]

Discussing ONLY the pre-game arming issue raised by Storey, is there anyone who does NOT think it is a good idea?
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Federation Commander Answer Guy

[Bolo_MK_XL]

Personally, unless a scenario is directed as being surprised, see no reason why all multi turn weapons shouldn't be charged to start with --

I mean, how long would you know there's another ship in the area, especially a fleet/squadron of ships --

Since FC is about simplification, it would help with that ----

[duxvolantis]

[marcus_aurelius]

[Kang]

I think it's an excellent idea that Storeylf has come up with, particularly the option of either having the old option with one turn loaded and batteries full, or two turns loaded and batteries empty. That way they're not getting everything for nothing.

Changing the subject slightly, but still on the subject of choices:

[storeylf]

[storeylf]

[mojo jojo]

I would also change it so that plasma can be 2 turn armed for 1 size smaller instead of just F. So G tubes can be 2 turn F, S tubes can be 2 turn G, and R tubes can be 2 turn S.

You may even want to allow F tubes to arm 2 turn Ds.