Federation Commander

The rules state that "For phasers and fusion beams, if the modified die roll is greater than six, move to the next column to the right (one column per shift; seven moves one column, eight moves two)."

Does this mean "read as though you had rolled a six in the next column over", or "read as though you had rolled whatever you rolled in the next column over"?

For example, I am an Orion using Evasive Maneuvers; a +3 modifier. My opponent rolls a 4 when firing a phaser at Range 2. The total adjusted result is 7. Does my opponent read 6 from the "Range 3" column, or 4 from the "Range 3" column?

Mike,
While I am no FC rulesmaster, if it works like SFB, then your opponent reads 6 on the range 3 column.

It seems pretty clear to me that the intent is that it works as in SFB - i.e. a '5' at range 1 with a +2 die roll modifier is treated as a '6' at range 2.

So while the rule may be worded a little oddly, that's the way that I'd treat it.

MikePowers wrote:Does this mean "read as though you had rolled a six in the next column over" ...?

This is correct.

(As mentioned by the others.)

Maybe the best way to tell new players or players who don't know the rule very well is to say that a roll of "5" with a +2 modifier increases the Die roll to "6" and then "pushes" the Die Roll to the next column (in this case, Range 2).

That's how I've always been playing it.

It always does seem a bit harsh, though. It makes the higher numbers suddenly be a cliff; if I roll a 1,2,3, or 4 against a target on EM, I lose one or two points of damage. But if I roll a 5 I lose four or five; if I roll a 6 I might miss entirely.

That's true for phasers.

For most heavy weapons, it's even worse since they're generally 'hit or miss', and a modified roll higher than a '6' guarantees a miss.

I'm not sure why you guys think its too harsh of a penelty. You still got 2 out of 3 odds of still causing some damage with Phasers and other simlar weapons. With no Electronic Warfare (excluding the new Senor Rules) EM is all you got to defend your self and you are severaly limted in other ways when preforming EM (can't fire weapons, seeking weapons can still hit you).

That severe drop off in damage with die rolls of "5" or greater is probably what the EM is suppose to be useful for in a Phaser Sabre Dance.

We used to call that, "taking pot shots."