• Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Topic: PT Boats.

I have made "PTBoats" and they are deadly, but inexpensive. I used them along with 150 point DDs and my 450 pt Arizona class DNs this afternoon with deadly effect.  My friends were amazed.  Frankly neither of us could figure how to deal with these speed 12 little ships.  I have them start behind the rest of the ships and then accelerate to 12 on the first turn, then they can go up to 24 the next turn or faster if they overload their engines.  We use range 18 as maximum for ships.  They usually go only 21 to allow for a 180 deg pivot so that after getting behind my opponants ships, which have no rear-firing weapons, they can devestate the ship with their Heavy torpedoes.
Here is what they look like:
BeowulfJB FAST ATTACK SHIPS-class PT Boats  (41)
no ARMOR   
4 HULL [_][_] [_] [_]
THRUST [12][8][6][4][3]    WEAPONS [_][1][2][3][4]
ECM [_][_][_][_][_] SHIELDS [_][_][_][_][_]
Fire Control; Fragile Systems

WEAPONS ARCS RANGE ATTACK DICE -4   -6   -8 -10
4× 40 Mm Turbo-Laser Guns (Acr/Rpt) [FX] 1-2-3;     4 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
3× Heavy Torpedoes (Acr/Dfs/Dx2/Dx3/Slw) [FR] 2-4-6;    3 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Any thoughts on how to counter my inexpensive, wicked designs?

  • Registered: 2006-07-24
  • Posts: 158

Re: PT Boats.

Have a larger ship split fire and nail multiple ones might work. Marines could work as well.
I found the slow fire trait to be too easily abusable with small ships(like the satellites launching 72 missiles in 1 turn), so I just took it off.

  • Registered: 2008-12-22
  • Posts: 654

Re: PT Boats.

Since the PTs have relatively short ranged weapons my first thought is to get a light, quick , cheap unit or two armed with longer-ranged guns jumping out in front of the battle line to intercept the PTs as they make their dash. Since the PTs depend on speed and not defenses, if the defending unit can bring them into range they could chop them up without having to mount "expensive" weapons with lots of bells and whistles. Historically, this is exactly what destroyers, originally known as Torpedo Boat Destroyers, were developed for. Throw a CD torpedo mount on the Destroyer and you have something that can add a little punch if the PTs don't show up. You could also put a couple of Mines if you guys use them, to drop in the PTs path. Either the PT has to brave the minefield, or alter course to avoid them. Just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head. The Mine version is a little more expensive, but the Torpedo version is cheaper than the PTs (though it is less dangerous to bigger ships than those PTs). I personally prefer the mine version... Cheers, E
[attachment=1]Torp Version.PNG[/attachment]
[attachment=0]Mine Variant.PNG[/attachment]

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Re: PT Boats.

Hello, Thanks for the ideas.  This is what I have done to deal with these.  My BBs have a heavy short-range battery to deal with the Seekers my nephew loves to put on his ships.  These would handle the the PT boats also.  My friends here in Jacksonville have mostly range 18 weapons with Dx3 or Dx3,Cts.  Their arcs are either FF or PS.  I can easily move my PT Boats into their blind spots and ravage them...

  • Registered: 2005-03-29
  • Posts: 859

Re: PT Boats.

Seeing as you seem to be using the official, and not the optional simultaneous play rule, any ideas I have aren't very useful...:)

  • Registered: 2006-07-24
  • Posts: 158

Re: PT Boats.

Just send out a fighter with the general from Monty Python on it.
"Stop it, those ships are just silly. Now I like a good laugh as much as the next person but I will stop the game if the ships get to silly."
That's my plan anyway.

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

Re: PT Boats.

so that after getting behind my opponants ships, which have no rear-firing weapons, they can devestate the ship with their Heavy torpedoes

I think you may have hit the nail on the head, there.

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Re: PT Boats.

PSYCHO829 (My nephew) Describes the situation & a way to deal with it very well:

:idea: Just send out a fighter with the general from Monty Python on it.
"Stop it, those ships are just silly. Now I like a good laugh as much as the next person but I will stop the game if the ships get to silly."

Love it!!  We are playing Starmada here in Jacksonville today Tuesday 8/21.  I will probably play three DNs of the latest version of the
Arizona class"  That I have listed in the B-Basin.  These 3 DNs will be accompanied by 3 DDs and a handful of "PT Boats"  Those little 3-hull ships have baffled my friends and influence their movement, firing, etc.  I like the chaos it caused for their side too... 8-)

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Re: PT Boats.

0ne of my friends came up with a "solution" to my PT Boats, and movement in general:  He brings speed one, three hull small ships with one small range 3 weapon.  These ships have a CR=5,  only five.  He takes 6 or seven of these and moves them first, keeping them in the back.  This allows him to move these useless ships while keeping his actual warships unmoved until the majority of his opponants' warships have moved.  It is a bit clever.  It will be a challange to find a solution to this strategy.  Any one have any suggestions?  8-)

  • Registered: 2006-07-24
  • Posts: 158

Re: PT Boats.

Battle Satellites smile