Point Defence (Gunner)

[George Kelln]

Spaceship A is being attacked by 5x missiles from Spaceship B.
Spaceship C is tasked to guard Spaceship A and is located between Spaceships A & B.

Can Spaceship C uses it 2x turret-mounted dual lasers as Point Defence to attempt to destroy the missiles as the fly by?

 

[Geir]

Yes, but...
Spaceship C needs to be running Point Defence/1 (for Close range between defending ships) or /2 software (Short range) - a Highguard option on p. 75 of the updated edition. Not cheap, MCr8 or 12 respectively and 12 or 15 bandwidth required.

 

[George Kelln]

Yes, but...
Spaceship C needs to be running Point Defence/1 (for Close range between defending ships) or /2 software (Short range) - a Highguard option on p. 75 of the updated edition. Not cheap, MCr8 or 12 respectively and 12 or 15 bandwidth required.

Geir - thanks!

 

[Condottiere]

I think it depends on which books you have access to.

There's also the five percent tonnage close escort rule; and for some reason, I imagine you could intercept the missiles with the fighter screen midflight.

 

[DickTurpin]

I would rule that Ship C could use Electronic Warfare actions against the missiles anytime between launch and impact. Without the Point Defense software ship C would have to maneuver so that the missiles pass within Adjacent range (less than 1 km) to take the point defense action against them. To make things interesting for the defenders, there might be a chance that some or all of the missiles get confused and switch targets to ship C as it moves to interpose itself between them and Ship A. If that does happen then it still counts as "defending" ship A, I suppose.

 

[Geir]

Five percent tonnage close escort rule??

Adjacent range is technically not mentioned in the Pont Defence/X software, so I suppose an interpretation could lead to allowing a ship within Adjacent range to apply point defence to its neighbor, perhaps with the possible issues Dick Turpin mentioned. After posting the comment on needing the software, I did go looking through a few books looking for a definitive rule on Adjacent-range point defence, but couldn't find one. But there are many books...

The wording of the Point Defence software description (basically: 'it's really complicated calculations') would imply that it isn't possible. However, in principle, there is little practical difference between firing from a turret on an outrigger versus firing from a fighter hovering near its mothership like a remora.

 

[Technetium 98]

I think it depends on which books you have access to.

There's also the five percent tonnage close escort rule; and for some reason, I imagine you could intercept the missiles with the fighter screen midflight.

At least in MGT2, it still requires Point Defense software, as far as I'm aware. The old High Guard has identical stats for that software.
And you can intercept missiles mid-flight without PD software by using a fighter screen, but the book does specify that you need to be deliberately positioning fighters to do so - space is big, and missiles are small.

Five percent tonnage close escort rule??

Traveller Companion, p161.

A vessel may also be protected from missile or small craft attack by close escorts. A close escort acts as a ‘goalkeeper’ for the target ship, firing at missiles and small craft as they fly past...

A vessel cannot have more than 10% of its tonnage as close escorts. This tonnage can be made up of small craft or starships, or any mix of both.

It's 10%, not 5%, but I think that's what they're referring to.

 

[Geir]

Traveller Companion, p161.

It's 10%, not 5%, but I think that's what they're referring to.

Yeah, that's likely it. Serves me right for using 'Adjacent' as the search term. For consistency, I suppose the close escort rule should be assumed to cover Adjacent range.

 

[Condottiere]

Also, you can make a run for it, which if it doesn't create enough space time between you and the missile(s), you do increase the fifty percent chance it could wander off, and increase the potential engagement time.