All,
Bob and I have discussed this at length, and both of us have witnessed munchkin gamers fielding fleets of ONLY Nova Cannon ships. My gaming group in Norfolk has a table limit of one NC ship per 500 points, and at home I play no more than two per 750. I have played this for years against many opponents (my primary fleet is Imperials) and have found it very balanced.
Today Bob and I made the circuit of various gaming shops in the Greater Atlanta area (Hobby Lobby, Treefort and Tower Games). This issue came up yet again, and in particular we witnessed a game where a single player fielded a 1500-point fleet with six Nova Cannon! Even with crappy dice rolls, this fleet was crippling a cruiser a turn at maximum range before teh two fleest even closed close enough to engage each other.
We have not yet run this by Ray. However, here's the line-item proposal for the 2010 FAQ:
No more than two Nova Cannon-equipped vessels may be taken for every 750 points or portion thereof in the fleet.
Let the screaming, hate and gnashing of teeth commence...
- Nate