Interception

Weapon/Defense Archive: Defences: Interception

[AFHAWKS] -[Area Defense System] - [Artificial Intelligence Defense] - [Defense Drone Pack] -[Interceptors] -[MRIMS] -[Missile DefSys] -[Patriot ADAF] -[Programmable PDS Modes] -[Rapier ADAF] -[Salvo Missile Interception Mode]



ANTI–FIGHTER SALVO MISSILES (or AFHAWKS)

[BIF, GZG-LISTers] (24-Dec-00) WotW #5

The Anti–Fighter Salvo Missile, or AFHAWK is a small, fast missile salvo that is fired from the standard Salvo Missile Launcher (Fleet Book 1, page 9). The light warheads have no effect against ships, but is effective against fighters, missiles and plasma bolts.

The use of AFHAWKS must be selected during Phase 1) WRITE ORDERS, and requires a functional fire control system. The AFHAWKS fire during Phase 7) POINT DEFENCE FIRE, and can be used either for point defence or area defence. The AFHAWKS missiles have a range of 6 mu, and are treated as having 6-arcs (regardless of the arcs of the launcher), OR they have a range of 9 mu, and are restricted to targeting missiles, fighters, or plasma bolts covered by the arc of fire of the launcher.

The effect of AFHAWKS is the same as that of a Sa'Vas'Ku Interceptor Pod; against fighters or salvo missiles each Anti- Fighter Missile Salvo kills 1D6 members of the target group/salvo (half that if the fighters are Heavy Fighters), against plasma bolts a roll of 4 or 5 reduces the bolt strength by 1, while a 6 reduces it by 2, finally, against MT Missiles each AFHAWKS salvo kills 1 MT Missile.

AFHAWK-B

[Bif's prefered variant] This version is less effective against missiles, but packs a great punch against fighters. Against Salvo Missiles, the AFHAWK-B's only kill 1D6/2 (round up), but they still automatically kill MT Missiles. Against Fighters, the AFHAWK-B's will kill 1D6, even if the fighters are heavy fighters.

[Bif's prefered optional rule] AFHAWKS do not have to be selected during written orders, but an AF-salvo can not be fired from a launcher if that launcher has already fired other missile types during missile phase.

Each AFHAWK salvo requires 1 MASS of magazine space and cost 3 points. A rack-launched version of the Anti-Fighter Missile Salvo is possible, carrying a single AFHAWKS. Each AFHAWKS rack requires 2 MASS, and costs 6 points.

ICONS:     AFHAWKS  (in magazine)     AFHAWKS Rack  (in rack)



Comments/Analysis:

[WotW] Weapon stats reflect WotW discussion.
[Charles] I prefer Bif's rule on not needing to 'pre- select' the use of AFHAWKS, but prefer the effects to be the same as Interceptor Pods. I'd treat the range and arc restriction as:
If used as point defence (launching ship only, range 6mu) then can intercept in any arc.
If used as area defence (defending other ship within 9 mu) then ship being defended must be within launcher arcs.



AREA DEFENSE SYSTEM (ADS)

[Brian K Bell] (GZG-L 19-June 2001)

This is weapon designed to engage fighter groups, missiles, or plasma bolts at a longer than usual range. Unlike a normal PDS system, it can attack fighters that are not attacking a ship, should they be in range.

The Area Defence System can attack fighter groups, missiles, and plasma bolts out to a range of 12 mu, at this range they are attacked as if by a single PDS. At a range of 0–6mu, the target is attacked as if by two PDS. The Area Defence System is fired during Phase 7) POINT DEFENCE FIRE. However, the Area Defence System may only attack targets within its arc of fire.

The Area Defence System that covers 3 fire arcs requires 2 MASS, while one that covers all 6 arcs requires 3 MASS. The points cost is 3 points per MASS.

ICONS:    ADS 3-arc  (3-arc)     ADS 6-arc  (6-arc)



Comments/Analysis:

[Noam] Any anti-ship capabilities?
[Charles] I'm guessing that its anti-ship capabilities are similar to that of a PDS; roll 2D6 for a range of 0–6mu, 1D6 for 6–12mu, any dice that rolls a 6 inflicts 1 damage point, ignoring screens.



ATIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DEFENSE (AID)

[Alan Brain] (GZG-L 19-Dec 2002)

MASS: 2
COST: 4 pts per mass

Effect: You can roll the dice for PDS and B-1s in defence mode, THEN (and after seeing how many missiles home in with an SM salvo) allocate them to targets. Good for not wasting shots on understrength fighter squads too.



DEFENSE DRONE PACK

[Brian K Bell] (GZG-L 19-June 2001)

The Defence Drone Pack is a one-shot defensive system that launches a group of combat drones to screen the ship from enemy fighter groups, missiles, plasma bolts, etc. The Defence Drones act as screening fighters until they are destroyed (but may not break off from screening to attack). If they are attacked by fighters, it counts as the fighter group attacking the ship, so Point Defence Systems (etc.) on board the ship may attack the fighter group that is attacking the Defense Drones.

The Defense Drones must be launched in either Phase 3) MOVE FIGHTER GROUPS, or Phase 6) ALLOCATE ORDNANCE AND FIGHTER ATTACKS. Defence Drones attack as regular, multirole, fighters.

Each Defence Drone Pack requires 4 MASS, and costs 21 points. It carries a group of six defence drones.

ICON:    Defence Drone



Comments/Analysis:

[Charles] Does the Defence Drones use Combat Endurance Factor (like fighters)?, the description seems to imply not. The points cost is a bit strange, I'd make the points cost 20 per pack, perhaps increasing the MASS to 5.



INTERCEPTOR ARRAYS (EARTH ALLIANCE)

[Sean Penn's B5 Conversion] (Sam's website)

This weapon is found in the Genre: Babylon 5 section.



MEDIUM RANGE INTERCEPTOR MISSILE SYSTEM (MRIMS)

[Thomas Barclay] (GZG-L 19-June 2001)

The Medium Range Interceptor Missile System is a missile based fighter and missile defence system, similar to the AFHAWKS.

A MRIMS has a range of 12 mu and covers 3 fire arcs. It can attack any fighter group, missile, or missile salvo within that range and arc, regardless of whether they are attacking the carrying ship or not. It is fired during Phase 7) POINT DEFENCE FIRE, and each MRIMS has the effect of 3 Point Defence Systems all of which must be fired at the same target. Each MRIMS can only be used once per scenario, and it crossed off once used.

A MRIMS requires 1 MASS, and costs 4 points.

ICON:    MRIMS




MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM

[Japan -Nathan Pettigrew](FT-List '99 or '98)

This is a highly modified version of the Point Defence System (Fleet Book 1, page 12), that is designed to be more effective against missiles, but at the cost of reduced effectiveness against fighters.

The Missile Defence System can be used to protect nearby ships within 3mu if it is used with an Area Defence Fire Control. The effects of a Missile Defence System are as follows:

Each Missile Defence System requires 1 MASS and cost 3 points.

ICON:     MDS



Comments/Analysis:

[Noam] Balance is on strategic rather than levels.
[Charles] I would prefer to give it 'normal' area- defence ranges (protects a ship within 6mu), and just treat it as a PDS with a +1 bonus on its die roll against Missiles (all types), and as above vs. fighters and plasma bolts. The MASS requirement and points cost may need adjusting.



PATRIOT ADAF MISSILE SYSTEM

[Paul Wellman] (Sam Penn's Website)

The Patriot ADAF Missile System (PAMS) is a single-shot, missile-based anti-fighter or missile weapon.

The Patriot ADAF Missile System has a 12mu range and may engage any fighter group or missile salvo within this range. The system does not require a fire control system to operate. Only one fighter group may be fired on with each PAMS, though if desired several may be fired at the same group in the same turn.

A PAMS destroys 1D6+1 fighters or missiles in a group, though only half this number (round up) of heavy fighters are destroyed. Once fired, the PAMS is depleted, and the symbol is crossed off the ship record diagram. A PAMS can also engage MT missiles at a range of 12mu, destroying a single missile on a roll of 5 or 6.

The Patriot ADAF Missile System requires 2 MASS and costs 8 points.

ICON:    Patriot



Comments/Analysis:

[Noam] Paul also developed a Rapier ADAF Missile System, which is effectively identical to the KV Scattergun.
[Oerjan] Effectively identical to Sa'Vasku Interceptor Pods or BIF's AFHAWKS. The latter really should supercede.



PROGRAMMABLE PDS MODES

[Noam Izenberg] (NIFT- Midbar Ghostworks)

This allows for a Point Defence System to be operated in one of three modes;

When in any modes other than "Standard", the PDS only destroys MT Missiles on a roll of 5 or 6.

A Programmable PDS requires 1 MASS. If the mode of the PDS can be chosen prior to a scenario, and are likely to effect the combat, the point value for a Programmable PDS becomes 5 points per MASS.

ICON:     Programmable PDS  (cross out mode not used)



Comments/Analysis:

[Noam] Programmable PDS modes can have a severe impact on one-off scenarios.



RAPIER ADAF MISSILE SYSTEM

[Paul Wellman] (Sam Penn's Website)

The Rapier ADAF Missile System (RAMS) is a single-shot, missile-based point defence weapon.

The Rapier ADAF Missile System has a 6mu range and may engage any fighter group or missile salvo within this range. The system does not require a fire control system to operate. Only one fighter group may be fired on with each Rapier, though if desired several may be fired at the same group in the same turn.

A Rapier destroys 1D6 fighters or missiles in a group, though only half this number (round down) of heavy fighters are destroyed. Once fired, the Rapier is depleted, and the symbol is crossed off the ship record diagram. A Rapier can also engage MT missiles at a range of 6mu, destroying a single missile on a roll of 5 or 6.

The Rapier ADAF Missile System requires 1 MASS and costs 5 points.

ICON:    Rapier



Comments/Analysis:

[Noam] This is effectively identical to the KV Scattergun.
[Charles] Except that it cannot be fired at ships, and has no chance of causing collateral damage when used as an area defence. I suggest it just be given the same statistics as a Scattergun.



SALVO MISSILE INTERCEPTION MODE

[Beth Fulton] (GZG-L June-July 2001)

This option allows for Salvo Missile Launches to be designated against fighter groups, MT Missiles, or even other salvos. The Missile Salvo counter is placed as usual, and the missiles attack the nearest eligable target fighter group, missile or missile salvo). Fighters and MT Missiles can avoid the missile attack by burning an endurance factor to make a secondary move (if available). Fighters may also attempt to destroy the intercepting missile salvo with weapons fire, see the section 'INTERCEPTION OF MISSILE BY FIGHTERS' on page 6 of Fleet Book 1. A ship with a functioning area defence system (PDS plus ADFC, AFHAWKS, Area Defence System, etc.) may attempt to defend the target of the intercepting salvo as well, if desired.

If the interception salvo is not avoided, then roll 1D6 (if the salvo is attacking a fighter group, and the group engaged the missiles as noted above, or a ship used area defence, subtract the number of missiles destroyed from this roll). This gives the number of missiles on target, each will destroy 1 fighter or missile.



Comments/Analysis:

[Charles] Can a Missile Salvo be used to intercept a Plasma Bolt in this way?




Small WDA Title - Weapon/Defence Archive main page
NIFT - NIFT Home Page
New Israel FlagNew Israel Homepage

Last Update April 24, 2003, NRI