I was reading through all the discussions about 30 range weapons and ships, it sounded like, fleeing while bombarding the ships chasing them into oblivion. 

Right now the shield rule doesn't really promote tactical maneuver because there is no advantage to hitting a ship from one direction via another except possible return fire based on weapon arcs.  Simple idea.  Whatever the shield rating it is +1 if receiving fire through the unit's front hex and -1 if receiving fire through the rear hex. (i.e. a ship with a 4 rated shield would be 5 if fired on through the front and 3 if fired on through the rear)  This would be a very simple means of putting the emphasis back on relative positions of ships and maneuver. 

Just as an aside given that the recommended map size is something like 22 x 24 hexes I see no appeal to using ranges beyond 18.  Having said that the above idea still would add a lot.

Alternatively if strengthening the front by one seems to much you could still weaken the rear shield by one or two.  Credit it to propulsion interference with the shield projectors or something on that order.

Experience Starmadians, what do you think?

Do I read the rules correctly that if a fighter or seeker is launched during the game it will be able to attack/strike its target without the target ever having the opportunity to fire on it (provided it is within 10 hexes or whatever movement rate is assigned)?  Somehow that doesn't seem right.

I'm working with ship design and I'm not sure I understand the interplay between "tech range" and "tech level."  The first runs between 1 and 10 and the second between 5 and -5.  Could someone please explain this?  Thanks...