Questions about (8C21) Enemy Among Us from CL40.

[jmt]

My friend and I have played this scenario three times in a row and we think that we must have something wrong as it appears the Raider Player has a significant advantage.

First off:

1. Convoy Continuity: All convoy ships must remain within five hexes of the ore carrier. Ships outside this range must move closer to that ship at every opportunity until within this range. If the ore carrier is captured or destroyed, the Convoy player designates one of the other ships as the convoy flagship and this rule applies to that ship.

Are the light or war cruiser, frigate, and police ship held to this same restriction?

We played that they were (based on the fact that in section (8C21b) INITIAL SETUP no distinction between the military and the civilian ships is given. Playing under this restriction immediately hampers the ships defending the convoy.

The defenders are required to basically circle the convoy at range of 3 to 5 (depending on their turn modes). Circling the convoy means that these ships can only bring their weapons to bear as they circle toward the pirates. The pirates can conduct conduct fly-by attacks that concentrating on the defending ships without worrying about the freighters getting away (as all convoy ships must remain within the 5 hex circle).

Secondly in (8C21c) OBJECTIVE, you have:

Time-Limit: The scenario continues until all ships belonging to one player have been captured or destroyed, or have disengaged.

I wonder if this is in error. Usually convoy scenarios have a hard time limit - representing the arrival of sufficient protection to force the pirates to leave. With no time limit, the superior ships (based on PV) of the pirates will eventually remove the military ships and allow the looting of the others.

As I said, I've played this now three times (twice with LDR defenders and once with Gorn) and in each case, it was a rout of the defenders. I usually do better the more times I play a scenario.

Any info or help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[mjwest]

In the case of (8C21d) the restriction should only apply to the civilian ships. The military escort can go do whatever they need to do. The primary purpose of such rules is to prevent the convoy from scattering.

In the case of (8C21c), I have to trust what is written. Not all convoys get to have a cavalry rescue. Considering that it has a fairly powerful military escorts implies that it is on its own. So, yes, I think the lack of a time limit is intentional.

[jmt]

Thanks, MJWest.