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

Topic: Another way at the escort trait

Although I like the possibility of having escort ships, I don't like the way escort is simulated. Escort ships usually actis as one-shot shield against  fire targeting bigger and juicer targets. I can understand its value especially on a battlefield that can evolve very fast, where each turn is very important, but I fail to see how it would work in real life. Worst, it's not my way escort should work IMHO. I would rather see escort ships able to fire at seekers targeting an adjacent friendly ship as if those seekers targeted the escort ship.
That and maybe something else, like increasing the target ship defenses one way or another.

Marc

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

I'm tempted on putting the escort traits on massive ships (like the Death Star, or my constant semi-coherent musings on a setting with asteroid monitors) to represent not that they're escorts, but they take up such a large portion of the hex they're in that they do block LoS through a hex.

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

It's a bit farfetched in space... But it could be the psychological effect of seeing such a monstrous unit that anything behind is forgotten!
On a more pragmatic POV, the escort trait is very expensive. For example, when I design ships, escort are usually using the same hull as a destroyer/frigate which may serve as a scout, replacing the escort trait with a scout trait and an ECM 1; the escort trait is cheaper than the scout and ECM 1. I never tried it on a big ship but I really wonder how much it would cost...

But, the thing that is annoying me more than that is that I wonder who would want to command a small escort ship knowing that it will be the first to be killed whatever you do if he uses it as he should do...

Marc

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

I made an uber cheese fleet one time with 1 Regeneration ship with a lot of hull, and a bunch of escort ships with no weapons and a lot of hull. Combat, hide behind the escort ships and heal up, repeat as necessary.

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

madpax wrote:

It's a bit farfetched in space... But it could be the psychological effect of seeing such a monstrous unit that anything behind is forgotten!

Marc

I was thinking either of the sort of low-tech settings that I sometimes do, where the hexes would be 'only' a kilometre across, or recreating the battles you see in films or on TV...

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

murtalianconfederacy wrote:

, or recreating the battles you see in films or on TV...

...where starships are firing at each other across a distance of mere hundred of meters  big_smile

Marc

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

Exactly, and where a large ship quite easily blocks LoS...:D

BTW, when did the forum style change?

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

I viewed the forum Wednesday night & saw this kewl change Thursday morn ing.
Bravo!

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

Yes, the new forum is beautiful!
Now, I would like some cool starships moving across the screen... big_smile

Now, if an expansion rulebook is possible, maybe a new trait could be 'close escort' and, for a reduced cost, would work according the above proposals.

Marc

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

I fail to see the advantage of the escort rule as proposed. Right now, ANY ship can target seekers attacking an adjacent ship at effectively point-blank range.

What am I missing?

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

Surely that I missed something myself. I feel I didn't understand how the rules for targeting seekers worked...

Marc

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

Re: Another way at the escort trait

madpax wrote:

But, the thing that is annoying me more than that is that I wonder who would want to command a small escort ship knowing that it will be the first to be killed whatever you do if he uses it as he should do...

Marc

There's a never ending supply of plucky Redshirts lined up for their first opportunity at command!  wink
E

  • Registered: 2005-12-28
  • Posts: 195

Re: Another way at the escort trait

madpax wrote:

But, the thing that is annoying me more than that is that I wonder who would want to command a small escort ship knowing that it will be the first to be killed whatever you do if he uses it as he should do...

Marc

The ship's combat stations are networked escape pods that the crew operate in during combat situations. The ship takes a hit or six and flies apart.   wink

  • Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: Another way at the escort trait

I to have thought that Escort seems a bit difficult to use effectively for its cost.  I simply allow Escorts to transfer there ECM rating to adjacent ships.  An adjacent ship can only benefit from one Escort transfer at a time, and you leave that Escort with reduced ECM.  Not sure if that helps or perhaps your looking for something else.