Dogfight rules

[Tupper]

I'm a bit confused by the dogfighting rules.

1. If initiating a dogfight is a substantial action, how does a fighter pilot actually attack? Isn't their action used by the dogfighting (unless they didn't initiate the dogfight).

2. If the bonus/penalty to hit lasts until the end of the round, then winning a dogfight against someone with higher initiative seems a bit pointless. They will have already attacked before it kicks in.

3. The dogfighting described in space combat alludes to dogfight rolls being resolved at the start of the round, rather than on a pilot's initiative... is this how things are supposed to work in vehicle combat? It's alluded that space dogfights are just using standard vehicle combat.

[AnotherDilbert]

I'm a bit confused by the dogfighting rules.

We all are...

1. If initiating a dogfight is a substantial action, how does a fighter pilot actually attack? Isn't their action used by the dogfighting (unless they didn't initiate the dogfight).

Dogfighting starts automatically as soon as you are close enough, there is no action to initiate.

2. If the bonus/penalty to hit lasts until the end of the round, then winning a dogfight against someone with higher initiative seems a bit pointless. They will have already attacked before it kicks in.

I assume both roll at the same time, at the beginning of the round.

3. The dogfighting described in space combat alludes to dogfight rolls being resolved at the start of the round, rather than on a pilot's initiative... is this how things are supposed to work in vehicle combat? It's alluded that space dogfights are just using standard vehicle combat.

I assume so.

A spacecraft dogfight is somewhere between spacecraft combat and vehicle combat, somewhat undefined.

[Tupper]

Great answers. Thanks a bunch. I feel a bit less foolish for being confused by the rules!

[ShawnDriscoll]

The moment aggro starts on either side, is when a dog fight begins. Ambushes help one side at first.

[arcador]

I remember reading on a few spots that one of the ships can escape the dogfight.

However, how is that possible, and when to your interpretations? Is it really possible if the enemy is faster? Also, I assume, at best, if possible at all, it will give 1 round (6 min) before the enemy catches on.

[Condottiere]

You escape by outrunning everyone else. Or everything.