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Thread: The strength of pulse phasers in Coda (Don?)

  1. #16
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    Aha! Okay; I got it, thanks In fact I had taken quite the same approach; I wanted top of the line systems, and thus took pulse phasers and quantum torps without looking a lot through the rest. Seems like I was right, for the firepower is the maximum I could afford with the base rules.

    But maybe two torps launchers were too much. Hell, even the Defiant only has one. I'm thinking of switching a torp launcher for another pulse phaser array - the ship has taken quite a beating in our last ep, and will need some time refitting at DS9 - rearranging tactical systems on the prototype could be the decided schedule. That would up the penetration from 4/4/4 to 5/5/4 while lowering torps from 5 to 4.

    Hmmm... That may be the way.

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  2. #17
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    pulse hasers

    yes pulse phasers in canon has a lot of concentrated firepower but on the other hand a type 12 phaser or even a type 10 has a much greater coverage because they are in arrays. pulse phasers have a narrow degree of fire

  3. #18
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    Yup. That covers it in the rules, ie you buy "coverage" for your ship (no firing arcs et al.). But therefore I'm wondering - how can we maximize the coverage in Coda? I mean, if the Defiant wants to pound a ship to ashes, she has to face it so that the pulse phasers may unleash hell. That's a disadvantage - a maneuver is required. We don't have a way (yet) to recreate that in Coda.

    Huh... Or I could write a corresponding maneuver. Yes. I'll do just that.

    EDIT: ...and I did it. You can review the maneuver called "Maximize Coverage" at
    http://forum.trek-rpg.net/showthread...&threadid=6056

    Comments welcome!
    Last edited by KillerWhale; 11-12-2002 at 02:39 AM.

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  4. #19
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    Weapon Coverage

    IIRC, it was explained to me by Don or Doug (I can't remember who, specifically) that the "number" of beam systems was a closer representation of weapon "coverage" than of weapon quantity.

    So, I went with the idea that 1 beam weapon "system" in Coda represents a full arc (720 degree sphere) of weapon coverage. I used this philosophy because the combat system is deliberately abstract, in the fact that the ship's facing is entirely ignored. The only important aspects to deal with (besides the skills of the crew) are "maneuvers" and "range."

    (On a side note, since most torpedo systems are technically "full arc" weapons {where the weapon launches from doesn't matter, since the missile homes in on its target}, I consider each system to be an individual launcher.)

    Now, to represent limited firing arcs (or, similarly, significant arc shadows), the Design Defect: Beam Weapon flaw works perfectly in that it reduces the weapon's penetration by one, across the board, simulating reduced coverage.
    Davy Jones

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  5. #20
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    Okay! Thanks a lot for the clarification!! I have quite the same understanding of the system... But I feel it fails to model accurately the tremendous firepower of the Defiant (hence my additional maneuvers).

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  6. #21
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    Defiant

    There have been a few discussions already concerning the "undergunned" nature of the Defiant. The unfortunate problem with the "tough little ship" is that since it was a significant part of the show, some of its capabilities are beyond the ability to fit it within a balanced ship-design system.

    As a Size 5 heavy escort, there's only so much one can stuff into the hull. Given that the Defiant has ablative armor, pulse phasers and Q-torps (in addition to being very, very fast), TPTB had to sacrifice somewhere, while still maintaining her feel as she appeared on screen.

    If I was forced to change the Defiant as presented in the NG, I'd probably drop one pulse phaser array and the additional tractor beam (7 space), and install a second Q-torp (7 space). That'd make your beam penetration 5/5/4/0/0 and your torpedo penetration 5/5/5/5/5. (Note, however, that this is only from a designer's point of view, without consulting on-screen sources to support his changes.)
    Davy Jones

    "Frightened? My dear, you are looking at a man who has laughed in the face of death, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe! I was petrified."
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  7. #22
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    The Defiant is bit tougher in the new Starships book by virtue of the the new systems and reworking of quantum torpedo launchers.

  8. #23
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    Originally posted by Don Mappin
    The Defiant is bit tougher in the new Starships book by virtue of the the new systems and reworking of quantum torpedo launchers.
    Don's making me drool again!

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    Davy Jones

    "Frightened? My dear, you are looking at a man who has laughed in the face of death, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe! I was petrified."
    -- The Wizard of Oz

  9. #24
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    Originally posted by Don Mappin
    The Defiant is bit tougher in the new Starships book by virtue of the the new systems and reworking of quantum torpedo launchers.
    More crunchy starship goodness from the new book! Please?
    tmutant

    Founder of the Evil Gamemasters Support Group. No, Really.

  10. #25
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    I am really looking forward to the Starships book. I'll really have fun once I get my starship combat transparencies printed up.
    "Retreat?! Hell, we just got here!", annonymous American Marine, WWI

    "Gravity is a harsh mistress....", The Tick

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