Question about Reload

[Nretnimoc]

I havent played very many games and so I have not had much chance to see how it plays out but my question is with regards to the "fairness" of the reload trait/reload special order.

Take Klingons or any other faction that is Disruptor heavy. This is effectively their main bang weapon. Aside from Plasma Torps of course for a few other disruptors but my point being is more from a Federation Point of view.

Turn: Klingon Overcharges Disruptors and blazes away
Federation Over charges Photons and blazes away

Next Turn:
Klingon Over chargers Disruptors and blazes away (or, still uses their primary weapon and an additional special order)

Federation: orders reload and is hamstrung in order to get Photons back.


Next Turn: Klingon Still blazing away with those disruptors
Federation has Photons back however in all likely hood has been completely out moved by the Klingons and has no realistic chance over ever firing them again.


*This seems like it would be the scenario for Small Games. On Larger ones I dont know how much it would factor in but I feel that forcing Torpedo using fleets to have to burn a turn of special orders (when you only get one) to reload a weapon system seems bit broken.

I do not know how they were used or handled in SFB or any other game. Im not advocating anything in particular, certainly not trying to say they should be fired every round, but the fact that one is forced to use their one special order a turn to get them back seems a bit harsh.

 

[katadder]

if you get to blaze away with overloaded photons the klingons are probably wrecked.
photons are much more powerful when in range than disrupters.

this is also the fact that it requires more energy and multiple turns to charge up photons/plasma in the SFU and thats what it represents.

 

[storeylf]

I don't think the game works very well at the very small game.

But in large games I think feds look fine.

As above, overload photons hurt a lot. But they are hard to achieve, and if you get range 6 you are going to get outmoanouvered next couple of turns. I imagine something more like:

turn 1
range 15, phorons blaze away. disrupters blaze away

turn 2
Fed reverses 4, disrupters blaze away.

turn 3
Fed is now reloaded and the klingon is still in front of him. Should be more interesting.

 

[billclo]

WARNING, Segue into some SFB background:

Comparison of Disruptors vs Photons, energy cost to arm versus damage dealt.
Standard non-overloaded, range 8.
Disruptor requires 2 points of energy, inflicts 3 points of damage. 4 of 6 chances to hit on a D6.
Photon requires 2 points of energy for 2 turns. Inflicts 8 points of damage, 3 of 6 chances to hit.

Overloaded, range 8.
Disruptor requires 4 points of energy, inflicts 6 points of damage @ range 8, up to 10 at point-blank range.
Photon requires 4 additional energy on top of the 2 over 2 turns to arm, inflicts 16 points of damage. Because of the lower to hit odds, the Fed needs to get closer to get better hit odds (typically range 3-4 to get the odds up to 4 out of 6 chances, sometimes range 2 to get 5 of 6).

This deliberately overlooks the variable overload feature of Photons; including them greatly complicates the issue. Not needed for ACTA:SF anyways.

Anyways, if the Fed can get close and hit you with 3 or 4 overloaded torps + some phasers, in SFB, assuming a cruiser-sized target, you're either crippled or dead. Then the Fed has to run away to get some breathing room to recharge his Photons.

 

[Da Boss]

indeed

ACTA is not at its best with small ship engagements - and single ship its has major issues.

 

[tneva82]

turn 1
range 15, phorons blaze away. disrupters blaze away

turn 2
Fed reverses 4, disrupters blaze away.

turn 3
Fed is now reloaded and the klingon is still in front of him. Should be more interesting.

Yeh. That looks sensible(Assuming ships reaches each other on turn 1). Fire up photon's straight away.

Reversing has issue of no-turning but depending on distances might be viable option.

Either way be aware you will be struggling to get overload target to photon's(but if you do klingon is in trouble). Shortish range + limited fire arc vs very agile ship=not easy to achieve.

 

[gord314]

If it doesn't look like you will get another photon shot in, don't reload your photon torpedoes right away. Recharge your shields or just move into a better position.