Beginner needs

[Alexb83]

To answer the question of differences between 1e and 2e a bit more:

In 1e, beams are less destructive, partly because of the different mechanism and partly because they have fewer dice - for example, a Sharlin's main beam is 2AD. In 2e, the mechanism allows a greater chance of re-rolls to score more hits, and the Sharlin's main beam is 8AD.

In 1e, fighters are more destructive because they have precise weapons, so are more likely to score criticals. In 2e, they don't.

Which means if you want scary fighters, stick with 1e; if you want scary beams, get 2e.

1st Ed Sharlins had a 6AD neutron laser front and rear.

My summation would be: both versions have real issues. What we could do with (from a player support PoV) is a complete re-balance of all the ships and fighters for 1st ed, IMO, and ignore the 2e changes.

 

[Burger]

The SFOS Sharlin had 6 dice, the original had 2.

 

[H]

To answer the question of differences between 1e and 2e a bit more:

In 1e, beams are less destructive, partly because of the different mechanism and partly because they have fewer dice - for example, a Sharlin's main beam is 2AD. In 2e, the mechanism allows a greater chance of re-rolls to score more hits, and the Sharlin's main beam is 8AD.

In 1e, fighters are more destructive because they have precise weapons, so are more likely to score criticals. In 2e, they don't.

Which means if you want scary fighters, stick with 1e; if you want scary beams, get 2e.

1st Ed Sharlins had a 6AD neutron laser front and rear.

My summation would be: both versions have real issues. What we could do with (from a player support PoV) is a complete re-balance of all the ships and fighters for 1st ed, IMO, and ignore the 2e changes.

case for the defence your honour.

the 1st, 1st edition sharlin, had 2AD, it was round about SFOSish i think that it got a mild upgrade of many dice

 

[Alexb83]

I defer to your ancient wisdom, then - I didn't start playing until c. SFOS

 

[Iain McGhee]

All true, but if it's the revised box set (which is more than likely) then the ship stats and SFOS rules changes are already in it. That's the set I picked up originally, and the counter sheet is the same as the seperate SFOS one. To get 1st edition revised ACTA complete you would need to get SFOS to get the full ship lists and extra rules (inc. the expanded campaigns) and Armageddon for the final 1st edition changes and additional ship lists. Might be worth taking a look to see if you could get the 2nd edition books (may even get them cheap as the game's not going to be supported for much longer. Officially anyway). Although some players have as many problems with this version as they had with the original, I think it's a big improvement. And if you manage to dig up any local players they'll probably use this version.

 

[Target]

Tell him to use the tourney pack, it was the best balanced for 1st ed.