Hardpoints and Modular Ships

[k0k0pelli]

For modular hulls it states

Calculate Firmpoints or Hardpoints separately for the main hull and any module but the total cannot exceed the total number that would be allowed for a non-modular ship.

If you have a 100ton ship with 30tons that are modular do you have:

• a single hardpoint (100 ton ship) or
• three firmpoints (2 on the main, 70t hull and 1 on the 30 ton module)

I always assumed the former but the latter is more a more literal interpretation even though a 100t ship cannot have firmpoints. I assume the limitation is to avoid people spamming small breakaway fighters from a larger hull (the infamous breakaway missile platform as an example)

 

[Condottiere]

I go with the school of thought that you can trade in a hardpoint for three firmpoints.

It's a pity that the turret is limited to one, and that the fixed point soaks up the rest, in light of the new half tonne point defence lasers, or that those are limited to hardpoints only.

Even distribution is somewhat foggy, since you could easily have three ten tonne modules, each hosting a separate firmpoint, or if you completely follow the rules, two ten tonnes, one holding the turret, and the other two fixed firmpoints.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

It's a 100 Dt ship, it has a single hardpoint. Place it in the module or not as you wish, but stand by your decision.

 

[phavoc]

For modular hulls it states

If you have a 100ton ship with 30tons that are modular do you have:

• a single hardpoint (100 ton ship) or
• three firmpoints (2 on the main, 70t hull and 1 on the 30 ton module)

I always assumed the former but the latter is more a more literal interpretation even though a 100t ship cannot have firmpoints. I assume the limitation is to avoid people spamming small breakaway fighters from a larger hull (the infamous breakaway missile platform as an example)

Ah, welcome to the wonderful world of the rule-breaking Gazelle class close escort! It's a 300 ton ship with a 100 ton drop tank and 4 hard points. It's an original error and was passed along version to version. In this case the 4th hardpoint should be attached to the module itself and go away if the module goes away.

The logical problem here is that you could have, for example, 2 50 ton modules and one has a hard point with a triple turret and one does not. But if you can have one, why not both? This is where you have to start doing a lot of logical hops, skips and jumps to try and justify it. Best advice is to not do it.

Stick with the idea that the ship has 1 hardpoint, and it goes with the ship and not the modules. Or else go with your interpretation of the firmpoint rule and split them according to percentages between module and ship. Or else just skip modules all together.

 

[AndrewW]

Ah, welcome to the wonderful world of the rule-breaking Gazelle class close escort! It's a 300 ton ship with a 100 ton drop tank and 4 hard points. It's an original error and was passed along version to version. In this case the 4th hardpoint should be attached to the module itself and go away if the module goes away.

The 2nd edition High Guard Gazelle is a 400 ton ship not including the drop tank.

 

[k0k0pelli]

Thank you everyone for your answers. I will just put a hardpoint on the main hull for this particular case.

 

[phavoc]

The 2nd edition High Guard Gazelle is a 400 ton ship not including the drop tank.

Well, only took about 50yrs to correct...

 

[Condottiere]

Drop tanks would at least be around ten percent of volume, so would have a definite impact on potential misjump, so can they get far enough away in time?