Re: A better system for combat
Most wargames introduce Opportunity fire either by the defender interrupting movement with an announcement or deferring opportunity fire until the defender is done moving. If a computer generated combat were to interrupt movement, we would have to specify parameters such as what targets to fire at and at what range. It could get complicated.
I would suggest eliminating the range darting issues by having all fire at the end of both players movement and conducted simultaneously. That would allow range advantage to only be countered by a mobility advantaged. An enemy with longer range and greater mobility should always win unless you can push him into some barrier (which there should not be in space, but that is another issue).
As others have suggest, the quick solution is to eliminate the ordinal advantage with one of the following: Randomized Side Order (can be race or component factors or 50/50, either would be an improvement), Defender always goes first or has a higher chance of going first(but that might stagnate the game), Attacker always goes first or has a higher chance.
How about giving computer controled ships a higher initiative factor because they respond quicker. Of course, one good Null Space hit on the computer and they should stop firing unless one of the other crew components still exists (Life Support, Crew Quarter, or Bridge).
Alternating ships would be a rather major engine change and to use the same engine for tactical mode he would need to mark moved versus unmoved somehow. It would be better than alternating entire players sides.
Simultaneous plotting and fire would be a full rewrite and not something that could be done quickly, I would think.
I am Last in a current PBW game and I only win at warp points if I overwhelm them or if my enemy cannot hit because of to hit modifiers. I have to defend one off the warp points and intercept anyone coming through (unless they lure back through the warp point, then I am burned). My main advesary knows he wins at warp points if we have equal forces. I will not start any more games until initiative issue is fixed.
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