Line of Sight question - Micronauts: The Game

[saxophone]

This question is in regards to Micronauts: The Game.

In rule 6.1.2, first bullet, a larger vessel (enemy or friendly) blocks line of sight.

Third bullet says a ship may draw a line of sight past an enemy ship smaller than itself.

So what happens in the case where an enemy ship is the same size as the ship trying to trace LOS? This isn't covered by either by the first of third bullets.

[8ball]

I've been thinking bout buying these rules--if I can get them for the intro/sale price.

That's a good question. Suppose the firing ship is a destroyer, the target is a battleship, and there is a light cruiser between them. What then? My guess is that if the CL is closer to the destoyer, it blocks line of sight, but if it is closer to the BB it does not.

I can't help but wonder how often ships actually blocked each other's LOS in WWII surface actions. Even at night the ranges were in the thousands of yards, thus making th blind spot beyond a potentially blocking ship very small.

[saxophone]

8ball, in the case you bring up, the rules are clear. A larger vessel blocks the line of sight of a smaller firing vessel. The rules do not take into account if a ship is closer to the firer or the target. Entirely realistic? Probably not. I'm sure the intent was to keep things simple. So be it.

But, if you look at my original post, there's a hole in the rules that fails to say whether or not a vessel of equal size blocks line of sight. I'm hoping the the rules author or a playtester can step in and fill in the gap.

[nuts4ships]

So what happens in the case where an enemy ship is the same size as the ship trying to trace LOS?

Saxophone,


The intent of the rule was to restrict firing past friendly ships, to avoid friendly fire. Ships captains would not allow it, but gamers don't seem to mind at all firing over the head of their fellow ships. It Does not affect enemy ships.

Remember the scale 1"=1kyds. The “logicâ€￾ is that the ships are WAY too big for the ground (sea) scale (otherwise the Iowa would be 5kyds long!), and not all firing occurs at the instant where movement stops for a turn. Remember also the turn is 6 minutes in time scale. So it’s possible to fire past an enemy ship during the course of the turn.

Hope this is helpful.

[jb]

So what happens in the case where an enemy ship is the same size as the ship trying to trace LOS?

Saxophone,


The intent of the rule was to restrict firing past friendly ships, to avoid friendly fire. Ships captains would not allow it, but gamers don't seem to mind at all firing over the head of their fellow ships. It Does not affect enemy ships.

Remember the scale 1"=1kyds. The “logicâ€￾ is that the ships are WAY too big for the ground (sea) scale (otherwise the Iowa would be 5kyds long!), and not all firing occurs at the instant where movement stops for a turn. Remember also the turn is 6 minutes in time scale. So it’s possible to fire past an enemy ship during the course of the turn.

Hope this is helpful.

I don't play the game in question, but the one I do play takes measurement from fore funnel to fore funnel. If there is any friendly obstruction (within a certain range) in this LOS then a shot may not be made. As pointed out the ship models are way oversize for any rules,but taking this measurement from a miniscule point to another keeps it somewhat in perspective regarding LOS, LOF, and fraticide.

[saxophone]

Your replies are well meaning, and I appreciate them.

Russ, please re-read my original question. Do you see the hole in the rules I'm pointing out to you? The rules say you can't shoot past a larger enemy vessel. You can shoot past a smaller enemy vessel. But can you shoot past an enemy vessel of the same size? The rules don't say.

I'm looking for an official ruling here. And it's probably something that needs to go in errata or at least an FAQ.

Thanks.

[nuts4ships]

Sax,

I see exactly what you are addressing. The answer to your question is; Yes, you can draw line of sight past a an enemy ship the same size class or smaller, just not one that is larger.

Thanks for pointing out this area of vagueness in the rules.

[saxophone]

Thanks, Russ.