Topic: PPD Suggested rules

[Mutilator]

Sifting through the PPD thread here are the four proposed ideas that I see on the PPD. If I missed someones suggestion please add it to the mix. Sound off on the option you would like to see in cycle one.

1. The lead ship could only carry 2 PPD's as its limit while the other 2 ships may carry a single PPD totaling a maximum of 4 PPD's or the lead ship may carry all 4 PPD's and the other's would not have any.

2. PPD deployment is a configuration choice not so much numbers. It should be scaled by the size of the commanding ship, but not restricted to that ship. This would allow for more imaginative fleet formations for the ISC. For example:

If the largest ship in the fleet is of CL(CM) class, then one PPD is allowed for a fleet of three.
If the largest ship in the fleet is of CA class, then two PPD's are allowed for a fleet of three.
If the largest ship in the fleet is of CC class, then three PPD's are allowed for a fleet of three.
If the largest ship in the fleet is of DN(BB) class, then four PPD's are allowed for a fleet of three.

3. 4 PPD limit on a 3 ship fleet no restriction on what ship(s) have the PPDs

4. PPD's as deployed on the 'Lead' ship (no limit) plus an additional ISC ship that carried only 1 PPD

[Green]

No dog in the fight ... so no strong position on the rule.

But what are (if any) the SFB rules on PPD numbers in a 3-ship fleet?

[KHH Jakle]

That would be rule #4, which was the original PBR rule for it

[Kroma BaSyl]

That would be rule #4, which was the original PBR rule for it

Right, didn't they refer to it as the "Gunline" or something?

[KHH Jakle]

That would be rule #4, which was the original PBR rule for it

Right, didn't they refer to it as the "Gunline" or something?

The Gunline was actually the forward portion of the Echelon Formation, made up of FF's, DD's - maybe anchored in the center by a CL (in a large fleet).  The PPD's were usually reserved for the Flag ship and perhaps (if the formation was large enough) for one or two other large ships directly in front of the Flag ship.

The idea was, the gunline had the straight plasma armament, that is scary enough to tackle head on.  Meanwhile the long range PPD would be firing through the gunline at any approaching ships. 

The actuall PPD deployment limit is: Whatever the Flagship carries, plus an extra PPD for every 3 ships in the fleet, so: +1 for 3 ships, +2 for 6, +3 for 9, +4 for 12.

So for a full fleet formation, you'd expect to have the 4 PPD's of the DN and the rear of the echelon, then two CA's directly to it's left and right front with the other 4 PPD's (2 each).  That's 8 - all usually zero'd in on a single target.

[FPF-DieHard]

4. PPD's as deployed on the 'Lead' ship (no limit) plus an additional ISC ship that carried only 1 PPD

This option has the best combination of simplicity and balance.   

[Corbomite]

I believe you are interpreting the rule incorrectly. It states:


(E11.17) FLEET LIMIT: ISC doctine and the availability of PPD's limited how many could be deployed in a given area at a given time. For purposes of ISC ships in a patrol scenario, the maximum number of PPD's is calculated as follows:  The flagship (the largest ship present) with whatever PPD's it has (a maximum of four), plus one PPD for every group of three ships in addition to the command ship (counting a maximum of one fractional group). This yields a maximum of eight PPD's in a standard 11-ship fleet. There is also an overall limit of nine PPD's for any given fleet (assuming a larger fleet is authorized in that scenario). PPD's on bases do not count for the purposes of this limit. Each flotilla of PF's, whether casual or formal, counts as one "ship" for this equation. Fighters do not count at all.



To me this says you must have at least four ships to have five PPD's. The fractional group only comes into play at the end when you have one or two ships left over and you can count them as a partial group. I thought this was a bit tight for our purposes (i.e. if they choose a Dred with no PPD, they can't have any) and designed my rule in this spirit (#2), but less restrictive on placement. Echelons were designed to rip ships apart I know, but that is only because in SFB history the ISC end up getting stomped by the Andromedans. We need something that is fair to the other races that we are playing (that traditionally lost to the ISC in SFB due to the makeup of the universe) and so I limited the number of PPD's by size as well in my formula.

[Dfly]

"The flagship (the largest ship present) with whatever PPD's it has (a maximum of four), plus one PPD for every group of three ships in addition to the command ship (counting a maximum of one fractional group). "
perhaps I am wrong, but in my math, take 3 ships, one being a command ship.  remove the command ship, this leaves 2 ships.  you are allowed to count a maximum of 1 fractional group, in this case being the 2 remaining ships.  therefore you would be allowed one extra ppd.

[Corbomite]

Except that I read it as that we never fullfill the original condition, i.e. needing at least one group of three after the command ship before counting any fractional groups. That is up to interpretation of course. In any case I still think five PPD's for three ships is excessive for our uses.

Also, as I explained, another slight adjustment was made for play balance in our format. Look at the ISC Tourney Cruiser for a better idea of where I'm coming from as a base here.

[Mutilator]

My read on it is 4 PPD is the maximum for three ships.

I think if we keep it simple we use 4 PPD max for any three ships period.

[Mutilator]

If there are no other options I recommend we set the vote.

FSD votes for option #3

[Kroma BaSyl]

GDA votes 2. Corbo's logic convinced me.

[Payne]

Not to speak for Ronin, but I believe SoV has no problem with #3. 

[KBF-Butcher]

I said before i dont give a dam with the ppd rule as i think its not make any difference but...

Phaser suggested he would like the PPD rule tweaked further (see option 1) ,and some posted they dont have a problem ,then though  phaser was accused for it from Jakle and Corbomite then all u guys agreed with Corbomite's option.

Now u all vote for an option that theoratically is a little  better for the isc race (might give acouple of  more options)  (see option 3)  relative with as it first was and phaser option as well.

I ll stop posting  i m about to have a brain damage or something

 

[Mutilator]

Butcher we are just looking to get the majority rule on it. Please have ISC cast a vote or abstain. The other thread was for the discussion. Please lets keep the development of the league going in this thread. Thanks

[[ISC]Phaser]

ISC votes for:
option #3 . 4 PPD limit on a 3 ship fleet no restriction on what ship(s) have the PPDs

[Dfly]

TSC has no problems with option 3, and votes it.

[Kroma BaSyl]

I said before i dont give a dam with the ppd rule as i think its not make any difference but...

Phaser suggested he would like the PPD rule tweaked further (see option 1) ,and some posted they dont have a problem ,then though  phaser was accused for it from Jakle and Corbomite then all u guys agreed with Corbomite's option.

Now u all vote for an option that theoratically is a little  better for the isc race (might give acouple of  more options)  (see option 3)  relative with as it first was and phaser option as well.

I ll stop posting  i m about to have a brain damage or something

 

LOL, thanks for pointing that out. I meant 2. hehehehe, I edited my vote above.

[FPF-Bach]

The FPF supports Option 2.

[Mutilator]

Vote update:

Option 1 ~ 0

Option 2 ~ 2 GDA FPF

Option 3 ~ 4 FSD SOV TSC ISC

Option 4 ~ 0


If KHH and 9th could sound off we can have this hot issue resolved for cycle one at least