Rules Question (Order of actions)

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USS Enterprise
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Rules Question (Order of actions)

Post by USS Enterprise »

Was playing a game with my brother the other day, and we came across a problem. I hit him with Plasma torpedoes on the same turn he was going to shoot me. Note, not Plasma Bolts, Plasma Torpedoes, which I fired on an earlier impulse.

Does my damage take precedence, can he shoot at me first, or is it simutaneous.

We ruled it simultaneous, but I am getting the feeling my torpedoes should have taken precedence. What is it?
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dharras
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Re: Rules Question (Order of actions)

Post by dharras »

USS Enterprise wrote:Was playing a game with my brother the other day, and we came across a problem. I hit him with Plasma torpedoes on the same turn he was going to shoot me. Note, not Plasma Bolts, Plasma Torpedoes, which I fired on an earlier impulse.

We ruled it simultaneous, but I am getting the feeling my torpedoes should have taken precedence. What is it?
Seeking weapons, of which Plasma torpedoes are, will do their damage in at the end of the Defensive Fire Phase (1E2c), in this phase the impacted ship can fire some weapons at the torpedo in an attempt to make it hurt less.
After this, is the Offensive Direct-Fire phase (1E2d) during which shooting offensively can occur (eg phasers at you).
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mjwest
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Post by mjwest »

Each phase is discrete. Activity within a phase is simultaneous*.

Therefore, since plasma torpedoes hit during the Defensive Fire phase, their damage is scored and marked in that phase. The Offensive Fire phase comes after that and any damage scored in the Defensive Fire phase has already taken effect. Any (for example) phasers that were disabled during the Defensive Fire phase are not available to fire during the Offensive Fire phase.

So, yes, you should have applied the damage from the plasma torpedoes before determining what weapons he was able to fire on you in response.

[*] For certain definitions of "simultaneous". Certain activities has specific orders within a phase, but everything is still pretty much considered simultaneous for the purposes of damage and such.
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Post by USS Enterprise »

mjwest wrote:Each phase is discrete. Activity within a phase is simultaneous*.

Therefore, since plasma torpedoes hit during the Defensive Fire phase, their damage is scored and marked in that phase. The Offensive Fire phase comes after that and any damage scored in the Defensive Fire phase has already taken effect. Any (for example) phasers that were disabled during the Defensive Fire phase are not available to fire during the Offensive Fire phase.

So, yes, you should have applied the damage from the plasma torpedoes before determining what weapons he was able to fire on you in response.

[*] For certain definitions of "simultaneous". Certain activities has specific orders within a phase, but everything is still pretty much considered simultaneous for the purposes of damage and such.
Thanks!

That was what I thought, but I couldn't find it in the rules so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Now I know for next time. Again, thanks!
"The good of the many outweighs the good of the few"

"Since my customary greeting would seem entirely self serving, I will simply say good luck."

"Live long and Prosper."
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