ISC Strike/Light Cruiser

[mojo jojo]

I just got W&P and Boosters 28-30.

Should the ISC CS be the same points as the CL? Having 2 PPD is far superior than having 2 PL-S.

[HappyDaze]

The balance is that you need to have at least as many ships as PPDs. This means the other (expensive) ISC ships help to weigh out the cost difference (of about 5 per PL-S to PPD per the Orions).

[Savedfromwhat]

Then how do you use the CS in a scenario by itself...

[mojo jojo]

The balance is that you need to have at least as many ships as PPDs. This means the other (expensive) ISC ships help to weigh out the cost difference (of about 5 per PL-S to PPD per the Orions).

It that's the case, it would imply that the other non-PPD ships are overpriced.

A CS+DD costs the same as a CL+DD. Yet who in the world would ever choose the CL+DD for the same points?

I would submit that the PPD in FC terms is more than a 5 pt improvement over a PLS. The PPD costs 8 energy over 2 turns and averages 22.3 damage at range 4-10. The PL-S costs 8 energy over 3 turns and while it can theoretically do 30 damage, in practice it averages much less. Even a guaranteed hit at close range by a PL-S only averages the same per turn damage as a PPD.

[mojo jojo]

I noticed the same issue applies to the DNP and the DNT.

[wedge_hammersteel]

At Origins, I recall SVC saying to add 10 points to the ship with the PPD.

[mojo jojo]

I'm comparing the ISC CC and CA. The CC costs 35 pts more and has additional over the CA:

1 PPD
4 PWR
2 Control

Based on this, I'd say the system values the PPD as roughly 30 pts.

The Gorn BCH costs 32 pts over the BC and has additional:

1 PL-S
2 PH-1
2 PH-3
1 Control
3 PWR
2 BAT
2 TRAN
18 shield boxes.

Based on this, the system probably values the PL-S as roughly 15 pts or so.

So each PPD should cost roughly 15 pts more than a PL-S. That sounds right to me, that a PPD is roughly the value of 2 PL-S or 1 PL-R.

[terryoc]

Then how do you use the CS in a scenario by itself...

I assumed the answer to that one is, "You don't". Presumably doctrine requires these ships to be the core of an echelon, and they would always have other ships around. Same with the CC.

[Savedfromwhat]

First and future shock calls for a lone cs.

[mjwest]

You can always use a lone ship. So, you can use an ISC CS by itself if you want.

The restriction is there for squadrons and fleets so you don't load up on PPD ships at the expense of anything else.

[Kang]

Then how do you use the CS in a scenario by itself...

(You point it at the enemy and shoot.)

As for which ships can be used when and where - it's your game, use them where you like. This is Federation Commander, not Star Fleet Battles. If you can fit a D7 with photons, then you can use whatever ships you want.

Just don't tell anyone...

[mjwest]

Just don't tell anyone...

Oh, you can tell anyone you want. Just don't expect ADB to publish a ship card for the D7 with photons ...

[mojo jojo]

You can always use a lone ship. So, you can use an ISC CS by itself if you want.

The restriction is there for squadrons and fleets so you don't load up on PPD ships at the expense of anything else.

Mike, this is a very useful ruling. But it doesn't answer the original question. Should there be a point adjustment one way or another for a CS/CL or DNP/DNT?

[mjwest]

I will have to research on that, and I can't do that right now.

[HappyDaze]

You can always use a lone ship. So, you can use an ISC CS by itself if you want.

Can we get this added as an official ruling?