Federation Commander

I'm looking at the rules section (4S4), using TR beams as tractors.

Rule (4S4b) says that 'a TR beam with no energy in it (never used, or used as negative tractor) could be used as a tractor beam...'

However, Rule (4S4d) says that 'the Andromedan player has the option to use a TR beam which has energy in it [as a tractor beam], in which case it is considered 'fired'....'

...and then regarding 'fired' TR beams, (4S4c) says that 'A TR beam cannot be used as a tractor beam during a turn that it was fired'

As far as I can see, these rules appear to contradict in triangular fashion. A TR whose energy was used as negative tractor could be used as a tractor, but if it has used its energy as negative tractor, it has been fired, in which case it cannot be used as a tractor.

Can someone please advise?

OK, you are making something out of nothing.

Rule (4S4c) means that you cannot use a T/R as a tractor after it was "fired". That in no way contradicts (4S4b), as the T/R is not considered "fired" except as a result of its use as a tractor. Ergo, the "firing" of (4S4b) is a result of its use, and the T/R is has not been "fired" prior to its use.

In other words (4S4b) is simply saying that using the T/R as a tractor means you have used it. (4S4c) is simply saying that you cannot use a T/R beam as a tractor if you have already used it that turn (whether as a T/R beam or as a tractor).

I agree about the tractor use. However, what, then, does (4S4d) mean in the context of negative tractor? It says that using the energy in the TR beam 'for that purpose' (i.e. for negative tractor) means that the weapon is considered 'fired'. That looks quite clear to me.

(4S4d) is a special case. If you use the energy allocated to a T/R for the purposes of negative tractor, all of the power must be used together for negative tractor, and the T/R is counted as used. This is to differentiate its use from (4S4b), where it is possible for an otherwise unpowered T/R to be used as a tractor even after negative tractor has been used.

Ah, that's what I was getting at. That's cool; thanks Mike as always