1st FC session: some rules questions

mike_espo · Post by **mike_espo** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:25 pm

Just finished playing FC this weekend. Had a few questions:

Dropping shields: I know the rules say that two impulses must elapse before they can be raised, but is this true if shields were dropped on Impulse#8? Are shields raised on the beginning of the next turn? I ask this because with weapons, if you fire on Impulse 8 they are ready to fire at the beginning of turn.

thanks.... Lovin this game!!!!

OGOPTIMUS · Post by **OGOPTIMUS** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:36 am

My gut says that it carries over the turn break since the rule says that the shield may be reactivated 2 impulses later and makes no reference to the end of the turn. Shields don't really get raised again at the beginning of the turn - they're active for the entire game as long as you choose not to lower them (unless the enemy does do enough damage to disable all the boxes). As for weapons, the rule states that the weapons are available next turn, rather than X number of impulses later (particle cannons being a notable exception).

terryoc · Post by **terryoc** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:00 am

Shields wait 2 impulses. Weapons are different.

mjwest · Post by **mjwest** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:47 pm

Terry and the giant robot are correct. The two impulse delay extends over the turn break for shields.

mike_espo · Post by **mike_espo** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:36 pm

Thanks. Keep forgetting that this is not SFB.

mike_espo · Post by **mike_espo** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 4:43 pm

One more thing: I played a convoy scenario the other day with a Fed Middle years DD escorting a convoy vs an Orion CR.

Found that the DDM is not too powerful. The CR crippled it with no problem; mostly due to engine doubling and tractor

The question I have is damage allocation and directed damage:

The Fed DD with only the center warp engine is incredibly hard to knock out. With Directed damage, the center warp engine is only a alternate until the tenth internal. I am assuming that a Cwarp can only be taken out on a CWarp hit or Any Warp?

With Directed Damage: What happens if only, say 6 internals are called for vs the Fed DD; Lets say that the Orion succeeds in Engine targeting and row 1 is used.

Hit 1-skipped. Hit 2 Impulse. Hit 3-skipped. Hit 4 Hull. Hit 5 Lab Hit 6 Trans. Since Hits 1-3 are skipped, the DD only suffers 4 internals. Is this correct?
If so, at this rate, the DD won't start losing warp engines for a long time..the saucer will be a hulk before this happens....

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:38 pm

That is correct... if directed targeting (3D4) is used. Be aware however; that most people will not use directed targeting against a Federation DD for that reason. At least not against "power:, now "weapons" OTOH...
Too many chances for lost damage points.

I'd rather let the chips fall were they may as opposed to having every L Warp / R Warp become a missed hit.