Plasma Toprs/Bolts and energy bleed

[zap123]

Just trying to clarify my understanding. Do I have this correct?

Plasma Torps:

A Plasma Torpedo-F has 2 AD and a range of 16. Does energy bleed mean that from ranges 0-8 it does 2 AD, 8-12 1 AD and from 12-16 range it has 0 AD ?

Similarly a Plasma Torpedo-G does 3 AD for 0-8, 2 AD for 8-12 and 0 AD from 12-16?

Plasma Bolt:

The rules say it has the same traits (Dev +1, Energy Bleed, Multihit D6, Reload, Seeking). The first para however states it is not a seeking weapon (<pendant mode> so it doesn't really have the same traits </pendant>). AD are halved and range is "limited to" 10 inches. So to the question, are the Energy Bleed calculations performed on the original 16" range, or the 10" limited to range?

Eg. Plasma-S for simplicity firing a bolt. AD is halved to 2. Does it do 2AD to 8" and 1AD from 8-10"; or does it do 2AD 0-5" and 1AD 5-10"?

 

[andypalmer]

If it matches the parent games, the damage reduction due to range is based on the range brackets of the plasma in seeking-mode, so I would think it would be 2AD to 8" and 1AD from 8-10".

 

[Iain McGhee]

Plasma Torpedoes: You're correct, -1AD at range 8-12, -3AD at range 12-16.

Plasma Bolts: You don't halve the AD, you halve the hits caused. Your Plasma-S would do 4AD up to 5", 3AD from 5"-7.5" and 1AD from 7.5" to 10".

Remember that bolts are direct fire weapons, so you roll AD and it can bypass shields on a natural 6. You also get a -1 to hit over half range.

 

[Iron Domokun]

<pedant mode>"pendant" in the OP should be "pedant"</pedant mode>

So it loses AD faster and does half as much damage? Makes it a much less attractive option (not that it was all that attractive anyway...) although I suppose if your opponent's fleet has used up all their SAs on Intensify Defensive Fire!, you can always just bolt your plasma and blow raspberries at him.

 

[katadder]

think its mainly a hangover from FC as you would bolt if not likely to catch the opponent with plasma. here thats very unlikely as nobody can outrun plasma, all they can hope for is to be facing away etc

 

[Kirksfolly]

I've very limited experience of the game to date but I was looking at perhaps using bolts where an opponent has reserved a well prepared mass of phasers covering the expected arc of torpedo attack. Not an ideal use of plasma but perhaps a better option under such circumstances? I'll have to have a test drive and see... :roll:

 

[zap123]

Yeah, if Bleed really is worked out on the 10" range the only time you'd bother is if you had to take an early turn shot at something with a full complement of phasers.

 

[Rambler]

The other thing to remember you can fire a bolt at a cloaked target where you can not fire a seeking plasma at cloaked target.

 

[AdmiralGrafSpee]

Yeah, if Bleed really is worked out on the 10" range the only time you'd bother is if you had to take an early turn shot at something with a full complement of phasers.

... and if that shot was going to take them out so they couldn't use the phasers on you!

 

[Sgt_G]

If that's the way it works, I'd rather they change it to Range 8 and drop the Energy Bleed.