• Registered: 2018-05-27
  • Posts: 129

Topic: Tholian Web deterioration?

I can't find any mention of web deterioration in the rules. In FC, web deteriorated by 1 pt for each hex of length per turn if not reinforced, so a 3-hex strand of strength 4 web would go down to strength 1 after 1 turn. Does web not deteriorate in Starmada? (I would advise against non-deteriorating web - it might be too powerful).

Also, the inclusion of a "Tholian Web Tender" in Alien Armada makes me think that web was intended to deteriorate, but perhaps the rules for it were left out accidentally?

I had posted about this under the "Tholian Web" topic, but I think that perhaps it was unnoticed amongst the various posts. My apologies for re-posting.

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: Tholian Web deterioration?

(I did see your post, but wanted to check my FedCom rules before responding. Either way, it's probably best that you split it out as a separate topic.)

A 3-hex strand of strength 4 web has a total strength of 12 (5M1b1: "A given Web Strand has a Total number of points, and the strength of the Web Strand is this total divided by the length of the web in hexes"). When it degrades, it is this TOTAL which is reduced by 1 per hex of length. Thus, in the example, the strength drops from 12 to 9, while each individual hex in the strand has its strength drop from 4 to 3 (5M1b2: "At the end of each turn, reduce the Strength Total of each Web Strand by one for each hex of the Strand").

What this means in practice is that a strand of strength 4 web will always take four turns to degrade, regardless of length (assuming no reinforcement).

You are, however, correct. There should be a rule somewhere on p.14 to the effect that each web strand with a strength greater than zero has its strength reduced by 1 during the End Phase. This reduction happens before reinforcement.

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2018-05-27
  • Posts: 129

Re: Tholian Web deterioration?

Lol I guess I fail web calculus! So, we can generalize it to say that, without reinforcement,"a strand of strength X web will take X turns to degrade, regardless of length." Got it. Thank you, Daniel!