Dog Fight Rules

[kellvyn]

The dogfight rules in LTS are very elegant. I'd like to put together some kind of flowchart, but I have a preliminary question. In the "Dog Fights" section of the core rules, we find: "Regardless of the player taking the turn, the winner of a pilot check (+craft's M bonus) has the respective options." What does "winning a pilot check (+craft's M bonus)" mean?

It seems like it could mean something like "rolling higher than the enemy pilot but not higher than your pilot's DX+PILOT+M," since the "Pilot" skill involves DX. If this is right, how do I know the DX of the enemy pilot if I'm playing solo? (While we're at it: If I'm playing solo, how do I know how many dice the enemy pilot would roll?)

I was also wondering if it meant passing 3/DX+PILOT+M. In the context of a solo game, that makes sense, although then the language in the "Resolving Maneuver" section would need clarification because we'd lose the idea of a roll resulting in a tie. In the context of a multiplayer game, I'm not sure if the "passing 3/DX+PILOT+M" option makes sense.


Thanks!

[mister frau blucher]

Hello Kellvyn,

First, welcome to the boards! I am glad you are asking questions!

Secondly - I have been writing fantasy lately, and am now beginning to write a LTS adventure. I will be refamiliarizing myself with the craft construction and dogfight rules in the next week or so.

At this time, I do not have the answer to this or your questions in the other threads. But I told George (our resident space-genius) about your questions and he will swing by later today or tomorrow and square it away.

Sorry I am not of more immediate help. In the near future I will be back up to speed on LTS. So for now I will keep my mouth shut and have you think me a fool rather than speak and confirm it.

Welcome again, and ask all the questions you wish!

Bret

[kellvyn]

Thanks!

One of my (sub)questions above is a more specific version of a more general question that you may be able to answer: If I need to win a check against an enemy, how do I decide the number dice will the enemy roll? For example, according to the LAW rules, a mage "casts a direct spell by winning IQ against his target." Suppose my mage wants to attack an enemy with Magic Fist. The LAW rules say "A mage casts a spell by passing 3/IQ (see Magic Tables). He casts a direct spell by winning IQ against his target." I pass my 3/IQ check and then I need to win an IQ check against my enemy. I'm the attacker, so I choose the number of dice I roll. Say I choose 2 dice. How many dice does the enemy roll? This question comes up in other places; e.g., in grappling, where one of my characters may need to win an ST check against an enemy with whom he's grappling.

[mister frau blucher]

In general, assume a 3 dice check by your opponent. Exceptions will be noted in the specific combat of an adventure. If you are not playing through a programmed adventure, still assume a 3 dice check. If you feel an opponent would opt for more - say like a 16 IQ mage or 16 ST warrior, make it a 4 dice check. Otherwise, use the 3 dice default.

But note that magical strikes do not require you to win a check like other direct spells do. See the note under Kinetic Spells in LAW.

Hope this helps, Kellvyn!

Bret

[vladtaltos]

May 3, 2012 17:19:15 GMT -5 kellvyn said:

Regardless of the player taking the turn, the winner of a pilot check (+craft's M bonus) has the respective options." What does "winning a pilot check (+craft's M bonus)" mean?

It seems like it could mean something like "rolling higher than the enemy pilot but not higher than your pilot's DX+PILOT+M," since the "Pilot" skill involves DX. If this is right, how do I know the DX of the enemy pilot if I'm playing solo? (While we're at it: If I'm playing solo, how do I know how many dice the enemy pilot would roll?)


Thanks!

You're correct. That's what it means. Winning a pilot check means rolling higher than the enemy pilot but under your DX + Pilot +M.

The DX of the enemy pilot is listed in the adventure booklet at the paragraph where you have the dogfight. For example, in Repel Boarders Starboard the DX of the Alien Pilot is found at paragraph#3, the paragraph where you're instructed to have the dogfight. Unless otherwise noted, you'd roll 3d6.

Hope this helps!

[kellvyn]

Thanks for the clarification!

Looks like I should have started with RBS instead of SOS. In SOS, the first dogfight (paragraph 002) doesn't list a DX or Pilot level for the alien pilot. I'll just make up a DX & Pilot for it.

[dare2go]

Vladtaltos,

Thank you very much for clarifying what winning a maneuver means. You are exactly correct. For solitaire purposes, always assume that the enemy rolls three dice, unless otherwise stated.

BTW, the corrected SOS PDF is up on the website, with the pilot stats listed. Also, the new SOS PDF also includes the board that should have been included at inception.

Very sorry about the confusion!

[badpixie]

I think the modified 'forward firing in first turn on 3 /DX' rule is pretty lethal for the PCs, who generally face two opponents. Even with armor 4 (and sometimes you have armor 2) your cargo/ shuttle will be knocked out (on a 6/ 4), effectively ending the adventure. Far too easy to lose.