• Registered: 2010-03-05
  • Posts: 7

Topic: RA Questions

Howdy Yall,

So I've been playing Starmada for a while now, but mainly using my own B5Wars conversions. I also play FedCom and SFB and eagerly snatched up KA and RA. A friend and I sat down for a game of Romulan Armada last night and we have a few questions, mainly regarding plasmas, since I've never used seekers in my own designs.

First we were wondering how seeking plasma torpedoes interact with cloaked ships. Since a cloak always works on the first turn wouldn't that cause the torpedoes to lose tracking? If not, how would you move them? If so, this would seem to preclude launching seeking plasmas at anything that can cloak.

Second, if a seeking plasma manages to attack its target on the turn right after it was launched, the target doesn't get to shoot at the torpedo, since it attacks in the fighter phase, yes? That seems to be what the sequence of play is saying.

Finally, on a philosophical note, we were wondering why the standard Starmada movement system was chosen for KA and RA. Seems to us that the Basic system would be more FC-ish.

Thanks in advance,
Colin

  • Registered: 2010-03-09
  • Posts: 630

Re: RA Questions

Colin wrote:

Second, if a seeking plasma manages to attack its target on the turn right after it was launched, the target doesn't get to shoot at the torpedo, since it attacks in the fighter phase, yes? That seems to be what the sequence of play is saying.

Yes, that's right. Note that Starmada and SFB/FC are totally different. For example, in Starmada, a seeking plasma may, even if it reach its target, inflict no damage.

Finally, on a philosophical note, we were wondering why the standard Starmada movement system was chosen for KA and RA. Seems to us that the Basic system would be more FC-ish.

I dont know, but I like the 'inertial' movement. Otherwise, I suppose you could chose whichever you want.

Marc

  • Registered: 2010-03-05
  • Posts: 7

Re: RA Questions

Yes, that's right. Note that Starmada and SFB/FC are totally different. For example, in Starmada, a seeking plasma may, even if it reach its target, inflict no damage.

Okay, thanks. That's what I was thinking. And yes, I am very aware of the differences in the two games. Last night my Wareagle hit home bolting its plasma R ... which promptly bounced completely off the target's shields. What can I say? The dice gods weren't with me smile

I dont know, but I like the 'inertial' movement. Otherwise, I suppose you could chose whichever you want.

Oh, I agree. I think Starmada's movement system is quite realistic and like it a lot. It's just that Star Trek isn't very realistic. We went ahead and used the basic system to get the right feel.

Thanks for the reply,
Colin

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

Re: RA Questions

Colin wrote:

First we were wondering how seeking plasma torpedoes interact with cloaked ships. Since a cloak always works on the first turn wouldn't that cause the torpedoes to lose tracking? If not, how would you move them? If so, this would seem to preclude launching seeking plasmas at anything that can cloak.

Ack. This interaction is not specifically addressed in the rules... but yes, you are correct. If a ship successfully cloaks (which, as you say, is automatic in the first turn) any seekers currently targeting that ship are immediately removed from the board. (I suspect that's one reason to have the "bolt" option for plasmas...)

Second, if a seeking plasma manages to attack its target on the turn right after it was launched, the target doesn't get to shoot at the torpedo, since it attacks in the fighter phase, yes? That seems to be what the sequence of play is saying.

Yes.

Finally, on a philosophical note, we were wondering why the standard Starmada movement system was chosen for KA and RA. Seems to us that the Basic system would be more FC-ish.

Yes, the basic system would be more suitable for the SFU -- however, I wanted to make as few modifications to the "essential" rules as necessary.

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2010-03-05
  • Posts: 7

Re: RA Questions

Excellent. Many thanks.