BFG FAQ 2010 General Rules Questions

[Zelnik]

In a campaign, how much do you pay for your commander? from what i have been able to read, you get him for free.

[Vaaish]

You don't pay for him and you only get one. The commander in campaigns is supposed to represent you and gains renown (experience) to move up in ranks. Since he's always assigned to the flag ship you designated, it means in games over 750 points you have to bring that ship with you since there aren't provisions to purchase additional fleet commanders. Choose wisely if you want him to show up in lower point games.

[lastspartacus]

Heres a question Im foggy on.  Do you have to completely end movement before you can initiate a boarding action?
As in, if i touch bases with a ship, but havn't finished my min movement, am i not allowed to stop to board?

[horizon]

As long as you have passed your minimum movement requirement (eg half the distance with most ships) you may stop at any point.
When on AAF you must do full distance and cannot stop to board.

[Vaaish]

As long as you end in base contact and declare you are attempting boarding before you move you can do this. The only restrictions on movement would be that you move at least the minimum speed for the ship and that you move the total distance rolled if you are on AAF.

That means it's rather more risky to attempt boarding when on AAF.

[lastspartacus]

Something that was never made clear to me:

Do blast markers and crippling and other speed reducers effect your minimum distance?  Or are you expected if your starting speed is 20cm to have to move 10cm even if you are crippled and running through blast markers?

[Dark Depths]

Something that was never made clear to me:

Do blast markers and crippling and other speed reducers effect your minimum distance?  Or are you expected if your starting speed is 20cm to have to move 10cm even if you are crippled and running through blast markers?

I've always read it as you have to move your min distance BEFORE any modifiers take place, so the actual distance one could move under optimal conditions, considering the current physical state of the ship.  So if it was crippled, you'd have to take into account the -5cm penalty, but if it was just a blast marker, it makes no difference.

[fracas]

this was never clear to me either
but as i play it, it is the maximum you can move that turn, taking into blast marker, crippling, etc, the halved

[Don Gusto]

As long as you end in base contact and declare you are attempting boarding before you move you can do this.

Since when is boarding declared before movement?
Page 34 under "Moving in for Boarding":
If a vessel is going to attempt a boarding action it must be declared in the movement phase when contact is made.

Something that was never made clear to me:

Do blast markers and crippling and other speed reducers effect your minimum distance?  Or are you expected if your starting speed is 20cm to have to move 10cm even if you are crippled and running through blast markers?

The last sentence on page 16 under "Minimum Move Distance" explains it:
Ships who are unable to move half their speed (due to damage, blast markers etc.) must move the maximum possible distance instead.

[Vaaish]

My mistake, we just always declare it when we start the move rather than when contact is made. It really makes no difference when it's declared in course of the ships movement so long as the ship ends in base contact.

[lastspartacus]

Ok, so the letter of the law is 'yes, always move at least half if able.'

I dont agree with that, doesnt make sense.  But at least i know how it is

[horizon]

With all the inertia going on in space it does make sense.

[Plaxor]

and it forces interesting tactics to be used, if things were able to stay still it would be much too safe.

[lastspartacus]

They would be a defense, for one.  But I'm not saying things should be still, the movement mechanic is one of my favorite things about BFG.

I'm only saying that minimum move should be half of current potential speed.

[lastspartacus]

Has it ever been confirmed or allowed to go fully to the left to actual firepower on the chart?  Should!  I wouldnt be opposed to adding another column on the right, but thatd mean more intense revisions.