When do sandcasters and screen "react"?

[arcador]

Edit: about the sequence around rolling for attack and rolling for damage.

It might be a Referee preference since it's not specifically noted in the rules.

Basically the earlier the reaction, the less efficient they are, overall.

Example:

If sandcasters react when the enemy rolls for attack, then if the attack misses, the sand goes to waste.
If sandcasters react when the enemy hits, then each sand will most likely affect the damage.
If sandcasters react when the enemy hits and roll for damage (which I admit, is rather cheesy), then it's a highly optimized use.

Similar case for screens. However, no matter when we activate screens, their effect of "angle screens" comes into play after the armour absorbs the damage.

I am a fan of the - after hit - before damage. Assumption - attacks in space combat take some time, so there is reaction time (a few seconds) between knowing the hit is in and receiving the full force of the blow, which isn't instantaneous.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

I think a reaction is intended to be declared before any dice are rolled:

Just as in other forms of combat, those on board a spacecraft can perform reactions in response to the enemy they are fighting.

A Traveller who is about to be attacked can react, either dodging a shot or parrying a blow.

Some reactions, such as Dodge and PD, apply a DM to the attack roll; presumably the reaction must be declared before the dice are rolled.

That you deduct screens after armour is, I believe, a technical detail to make nuke missile salvoes work.


Of course it weakens the reaction considerably that you might have to waste them on missed attacks...