Federation Commander

Kang · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject: Web caster question

Web casters can't be used as a Web Snare.

1) Why? Surely the Web Caster is similar to a Web Generator - and then some?

2) Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to use a Web Caster to stop seeking weapons as effectively as a Snare? ['cos it is pretty impressive, the Snare]
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TJolley · Lieutenant Commander Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 284

No idea.., but the WEB seems to be superior when facing seeking races..haven't figured out a good way to coutner them yet. Though Casters can be really nasty too, and you do have the option of using them as direct fire weapons

mjwest · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject:

The reason that web casters cannot work as snares is because, in SFB (where this rule originated), snares *were* web casters. Just really weak ones. (A web caster can use up to five points of energy. A snare could use only a single point of energy.)

However, in FC, the snares have changed, and they operate differently than web casters. I have been trying to get that specific rule changed so that web casters *can* work as snares, but I just haven't had the chance to have that discussion with the Steves. It will be one of the items worked on for the Rev 5 rules.
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Federation Commander Answer Guy

Kang · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject:

That's great - it would make a lot of sense, I think. Thanks, Mike!
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pinecone · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:32 am Post subject:

Would not the BVP of Caster ships change if they could use snares?

mjwest · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:56 am Post subject:

Possibly, but probably not. While useful, the snare function would be the web use for that turn, preventing it from casting a web or using a web fist.
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Federation Commander Answer Guy

storeylf · Fleet Captain Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 1897

Mmm, I came to the forum to ask Web caster questions following my first tholian game tonight, spotted this thread and got more confused.

My question was going to be,

5M1a - web casters can function as web generators.

5M3 - web generators can act as web snares. Each tholian ship has 2 web generators, one on each side. Each can be used once a turn to stop seekers.

(NB quoting tholian attcak, rather than rule book, assuming that TA is the more accurate and fuller rules).

Q. Do ALL tholian ships (inc neo?) have 2 generators in addition to any other web devices shown on the SSD (5M3 certanly reads that way), that can't be destroyed? I noticed that the tholian patrol corvette didn't have any web generators marked, so assume that the 2 generators talked about here are in addition to any on the SSD.

Q. What side does a Web Caster acting as a web generator cover, when used in snare function? or does it get to be used twice?

This thread howver, indicates that the second question is irrelevant, but where is the rule that casters can't be used in snare mode, can they still be used for the other generator mode (web laying)?

pinecone · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:12 am Post subject:

The rule speifically says that you can't use snares.

DOn't feel bad, I missed that one at first too.

mjwest · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:51 am Post subject:

The last sentence of (4Q1c) says, "Web Casters cannot function as Web Snares." An unfortunate, but understandable, statement.

As for your questions ...

storeylf · Fleet Captain Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 1897

Kang · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject:

By reviving this thread, can I please respectfully petition that the Snare function be given to the Web Caster?

Ok, the Web Caster is already a great, flexible weapon. But there's ships like the DPW, for instance, which, while having the benefit of an excellent weapons fit including the Web Caster, it is without the seeking weapons protection that the Snare offers.

Surely the Snare function should be available to WC-fitted ships? The Web Caster is a far more advanced weapon than the humble Web generator, and that can do it, so really, why not?

Did it ever get passed up to the Steves? Now's the time to do it, with the approach of Rev. 5, as was mentioned in an earlier posting by Mike......
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mjwest · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

I apologize for not updating on this a while ago.

I did present the idea to Steve and, after consideration by he and Petrick, they decided to not make this change.

So, a web caster may not operate as a snare, and is not going to be able to operate as a snare.

Sorry.
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Federation Commander Answer Guy

Kang · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:56 am Post subject:

Ok, fair enough. Thanks for the update Smile

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