BFG:R Vote 7: 2 Hit Escorts

[ThaneAquilon]

honestly the reason I suggest to play it as is at first is because adding hits to an escort is unprecedented, and I simply don't know what that kind of boost that is worth. It's more than an escort now, but how much more? It doesn't do more damage, so...But on the other hand a mark of nurgle is like 25 points. I'd playtest it and figure it out from there. the other thing we could do, at least with the cheaper escorts is make it a merchant-like upgrade. Hellebore would be standardly 2 hits, but the kraken (or jackal or aconite or whatever) could pay a premium to have a reinforced superstructure on a vessel of that size.

[afterimagedan]

Smotherman, for a 2 hit Kraken, 45degree turn, 1 shield, 2 turrets, 6+/5+, 20cm movement, 6wbs, the smotherman puts them at 46 pts. I propose we try 45 points and see how it goes. Also, that mark of nurgle for 25pts seems pretty extreme.

[ThaneAquilon]

I would also be willing to play (against, talos is the nid player, I think) 45pts. Yeah I agree that it's a touch expensive, bu t aside from the merchant, it's the only way I can think of to add hits that could be used as a parallel.

[Bessemer]

Personally I'm all for 2 hit escorts

As I said in a previous post, I have played with these, and don't find them overpowering. They are expensive models to field in any case, and a lucky shot takes them out in one. Not to mention still being vulnerable to H&R attacks! Although an extra 5pts would be in order. what about adding the Grunt to this list? Just for sheer manpower about as opposed to size.

I'm for the Defender being on the list, but what is the opinion on the altered profile (5WB's, 1 torp was it?)?
would prefer 4WB, 2 torps myself.

[afterimagedan]

I think of the Kraken with these stats to a SM Nova or Gladius. The Kraken has 6+/5+ instead of 6+, is slower, has 45 degree turns instead of 90 degree, only front-firing guns, YET, has 2 hits and is better armed. Seems reasonably balanced out to me. Kraken at 40-45 makes sense.

[Talos]

With two hits the current profile is much more of a slugger than the castellan. I see the roles a bit differently than some other players:

-Castellan: Long-range second row combatant. Best served sitting back and snipping with its long range batteries and torpedoes, preferably beside a custodian.

-Defender: With two hits and shorter range batteries its clear the defender is just rarin' for a chance to offer point blank protection and firepower to support the explorers.

Personally I would rather see the defender with two hits, 4WB @30cm and 1 STR torpedo, at 45 points like protector. What does the Smotherman say about a 2 hit defender?

Agreed with kraken cost testing. 45pts sounds about right.

@Bessemer Do you still use faq 2010 4+insta-kills on 2 hit escorts from hit and runs? If so that helps out with the whole A-Boats being garbage thread we had a while back.

[ThaneAquilon]

I would prefer 2 str torps simply because of the tau torpedos disapearing thing. If you want to use it to deny are, good luck. It makes the ship really fail in the Tau doctrine of longer range. I get that it protects the explorer and is supposed to be the brawler there, but it should eb able to support the fleet until it's engaged, and it's not like the explorer is hurting for protection from AC.

[Talos]

Fair point; most tau ships do have longer ranges, but I would hardly say the GW list is hurting for torpedoes without the defender's contribution. Considering that it's quite expensive, it will see play in limited numbers of small squadrons, which only flesh out torpedoes so much, regardless of individual output. Also, while I agree the defender needs a boost we have to keep it distinct from the castellan, which has to remain unqiue and viable as well, despite only having 1 hit and costing about the same.

[afterimagedan]

I mostly favor the 2 torpedo option. Also, can you guys move this to the Tau thread? Third, are you guys ready for the vote to go up about allowing for 2 hit escorts?

Here are the rules changes we should vote on:
-4 maximum 2 hit escorts per escort squadron.
-A critical hit to 2 hit escorts causes a hit.

Ready for the vote? Any changes to this?

[Bessemer]

@Talos- No, we run a successful H&R does 1 hit. AB's garbage? When I use them I single out 1 target and throw as many against it as possible, seems to work for me. I kind of get the impression that's how there supposed to work. will look for that thread.

Just wondering, in real-word naval terms, what would come after Frigates and Destroyers? Corvettes? just seems fair to give 2-hit Escorts a name of their own.

[ThaneAquilon]

I am indeed ready to vote.

Also if we're using more BFG:R rules, changing the names can lead to losing special rules regarding S.O.s

[Talos]

@Bessemer Escorts do's and don'ts, last few pages.

Agreed with Thane on that, could be a form of sub-class, sort of like how Grand Cruisers and Heavy Cruiser and such are still cruisers, we could turn multi-hit escorts into Corvettes (Escort).

[afterimagedan]

@Bessemer Escorts do's and don'ts, last few pages.

Agreed with Thane on that, could be a form of sub-class, sort of like how Grand Cruisers and Heavy Cruiser and such are still cruisers, we could turn multi-hit escorts into Corvettes (Escort).

Why change the name? We put the number of hits in there so you know. BFG:R, from what I remember, are called Frigates. Either way, the name doesn't matter at this point.

[afterimagedan]

Poll is open.

[horizon]

I rather name all 2 hit vessels then give some an upgrade. Feels rule boggy. (Remember: kiss).