Firebolt question

[CrookedWookie]

Can someone clarify for me the rule on swapping Firebolts for other models of Starfury? If I understand the book right you can buy them on their own (2 per wing) or swap them at a 4-1 ratio?

I'm just not quite clear on what this means in terms of them being carried; can you not put them on anything other than, say, an Omega (1 flight) or a Poseidon (6 flights)? Or can ships not carry them at all?

I'm just surprised that the rules aren't a little more clear on carrying the new fighter into battle, since none of the carriers (or other Crusade ships) are apparently designed for them. Is there a Firebolt carrier in the works?

Thanks!

 

[Frohike]

You may field two wings for one patrol point.

or

Upgrade four existing Aurora/Tbolt wings carried by ships for one patrol point.

Eg all the flights carried by an Omega could be upgraded for one patrol point.

 

[CrookedWookie]

Ok, I think just the wording of the rule confused me.
So if I understand right, in the case of the Omega, for instance...

You could replace the four flights of T-bolts with 2 flights of F-bolts, and then pay 1 Patrol point to buy a second flight of F-bolts to round out the Omega's complement?

 

[Lord David the Denied]

No, you pay 1 patrol point and upgrade four flights of Aurora or Thunderbolt Starfuries to Firebolts. The four flights don't have to be on the same ship, it could be four seperate Hermes' fighter compliments, for instance.

 

[CrookedWookie]

See, I think now I'm kind of confused again.

First off, that seems like a bit of a nonsensical rule. If the Firebolts cost twice as much as the Thunderbolts, why can you upgrade FOUR flights of Thunderbolts to ONE flight of Firebolts?

 

[tneva82]

See, I think now I'm kind of confused again.

First off, that seems like a bit of a nonsensical rule. If the Firebolts cost twice as much as the Thunderbolts, why can you upgrade FOUR flights of Thunderbolts to ONE flight of Firebolts?

You replace(with 1 patrol points) 4 flights of thunderbolts to four flights of firebolts. Where you got that one flight of firebolt?

Ie: You have 4 thunderbolts. You decide to spend patrol point to upgrade. Suddenly you have 4 firebolts.

If you have 8 'bolts then you need to spend 2 points to get 8 firebolts. 1 point and you have 4 thunderbolts and 4 firebolts.

 

[CrookedWookie]

Ok, so an upgraded Omega would cost 1 Battle, for the ship, and 1 Patrol, to replace the 4 flights with Firebolts?

So if I'm understanding right you could spend 6 Patrol points (or the equivilent thereof) to upgrade the fighter complement of a Poseidon to Firebolts, if you had such a crazy inkling.

 

[tneva82]

Ok, so an upgraded Omega would cost 1 Battle, for the ship, and 1 Patrol, to replace the 4 flights with Firebolts?

Correct.

So if I'm understanding right you could spend 6 Patrol points (or the equivilent thereof) to upgrade the fighter complement of a Poseidon to Firebolts, if you had such a crazy inkling.

Correct also. 6 patrol points=24 flights upgraded so poseidon would have one heck of a fighter compliment.

 

[CrookedWookie]

I guess I'm just kind of surprised that since most Starfuries are 4 flights per wing and Firebolts are 2 flights per wing that there isn't some simple 2/1 swap you can do.

 

[Lord David the Denied]

It's the same rule as the Centauri Rutarian, the original "supplementary cost" fighter. You can get two for a patrol point, or part-exchange four other fighters for four Rutarians and pay a patrol point. You lose raw numbers but you get more of the advanced fighters.

It's a trade-off, my friend, only you can decide if it's worth it.

 

[Triggy]

I guess I'm just kind of surprised that since most Starfuries are 4 flights per wing and Firebolts are 2 flights per wing that there isn't some simple 2/1 swap you can do.

The ruling is based upon ships not deliberately going into battles whilst low on fighters. To maintain a full complement of fighters, paying the Patrol PL FAP for the upgrade is just about the only way to do it.

 

[Pennybags]

What about in a campaign. If I purchase a Poseidon and replace 8 of it fighters with Firebolts (so 1 War and 2 Patrol). I take this Poseidon into battle and lose all of it fighters but the Poseidon survives.

A few scenarios now. I send the Poseidon back to command for full repairs. Do the fighters get replaced for free or do they have to be purchased? I know they were replaced last edition but I don't see it mentioned in campaign rules now. If they are free do I get Auroras, Thunderbolts or Firebolts?

What if I want to let the carrier trait replace all its fighters at two per turn it will take a while but I'm patient. Does it regenerate Auroras, Thunderbolts or Firebolts? And if it regenerates Firebolts does it only regenerate 8 of them or can I generate all 24 as Firebolts?

The last scenario is that I purchase new fighters for the Poseidon. I assume I pay normal price 1 patrol for 2 Firebolts or 1 patrol for 4 Auroras or Thunderbolts. Anyone have a clue?

 

[Lord David the Denied]

Last I heard you replace fighters at the cost for an independant wing, so yeah, 2 Firebolts or 4 Auroras or Thunderbolts.

 

[Gunnvaldr]

Ok, so an upgraded Omega would cost 1 Battle, for the ship, and 1 Patrol, to replace the 4 flights with Firebolts?

So if I'm understanding right you could spend 6 Patrol points (or the equivilent thereof) to upgrade the fighter complement of a Poseidon to Firebolts, if you had such a crazy inkling.

I fully condone this crazy inkling, like i said in a old post, Firebolts r' sexy and a Posidon full of 'em is just mean

 

[scorpioni]

I guess I'm just kind of surprised that since most Starfuries are 4 flights per wing and Firebolts are 2 flights per wing that there isn't some simple 2/1 swap you can do.

If you would swap like you mention, you'd have a poseidon (or any other ship with flights) with half its hangars empty.. not a very realistic sight now is it

 

[locarno24]

Essentially, firebolts are 1/2 a patrol point each total cost.

If you but them outright, that's what they cost you.

If replacing starfuries with them, you've already got a fighter worth 1/4 of a patrol point, so only need to spend 1 point per 4 upgrades.