Destroyed ships and grappling

[Greg Smith]

We had an interesting situation last night when a galliot grappling a frigate was destroyed, we we not sure when the grapple lines were released.

The galliot wasn't destroyed on the turn it initiated the grapple, it was several turns later. The result on the damage table was run adrift then explode.

Are the grapple lines released when the ship is reduced to 0 damage? Are they released when the ship explodes? We discussed it and decided that the grapple lines would stay in place. Also it was more fun, although the game ended before the explosion.

However that raises the issue of what happens when a grappling ship doesn't explode. Is the grappled ship trapped onto to a drifting hulk?

 

[godsgopher]

One would assume the crew would be able to cut loose from a dead hulk given enough time. However could they do it before the dead ships fusion core's blew? (Grabs dice and begins to roll) Man I hate low crew scores!

 

[MongooseMatt]

Dead ships don't grapple (actually, that is a good name for a supplement...).

Once a ship is dead, assume all lines are cut.

 

[starbreaker]

Dead ships don't grapple (actually, that is a good name for a supplement...).

Once a ship is dead, assume all lines are cut.

That should apply in both directions, of course. Whether the grappler or grappled is wrecked, the connection should break immediately.

 

[LimeyDragon]

I have a new situation to add to that.. Say you had been trying to capture the ship at the time it was destroyed. Does A: your troops come back to your ship before the result (adrift/explosion), B: they die with the ship.

 

[Rick]

They die with the ship - another one for you: if you board another ship just before your own ship blows up - you don't get taken off when it does!

 

[Costello]

The grapple lines use an electromagnet to attach to the other ship. If the magnet doesn't get power from the ship, the magnet fails and the ship is released.
That's the way we've figured it, anyway.