ACTA - Star Fleet Tractor Beams as drone defense.

[Drummer]

Does one need to use the Engage Tractor Beam special action to use tractors in regards to drone defense? The example paragraph called "Defensive Fire" on page 18 in the rulebook doesn't say, while other uses of tractor beam are very clear about declaring this special action (which has left me wondering about the drone defense paragraph and how it's worded without it).

 

[Iain McGhee]

No. The only criteria is that you use them after any other drone defence measure.

 

[scoutdad]

Confirming Iain's response.

Using a tractor bean to defed against drones doesn't require a special action.
Do remember however; that each tractor beam can only be used once per turn.

so a unit with Tracotr Beam two, can only attempt to stop two drones... no more. Or it could use both beams against a single beam to improve the odds.

 

[Myrm]

Thirded!

Engage Tractor Beam is for locking onto an enemy ship - which in SFU terms could get into a tractor auction and burn energy - high energy expenditure is one of the things that Special Actions cover.

Defensive use of tractors is under a separate rules section and is unrelated, so does not need the Special Action declared (it being cheap compared to a tractor auction)....so it just a 'do it' activity.

Note that If I Remember Correctly any tractor beam can only be used once in a turn, so use it for tractoring, or defensively and it cannot be used for the other

 

[Drummer]

Thanks everyone! We were playing it right after all.