Missile launch question

[unclejoe]

This came up in our games tonight. Can you launch missiles into a hex already containing missiles of the same type?

The rules state "Multiple missiles of the same type can be deployed in the same hex". Does that include missiles from different ships?

For example, if I have 2 DDs, can one fire 2 missiles and then the 2nd add 2 more to the stack? That seems intuitive and and allows for coordinating firepower (which I like), but the rules aren't 100% clear.

Given that missiles can move completely independently, I think this is the correct way to play it but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

[kashre]

I am pretty sure that's how it works. The only reference that even kind of refers to this situation is this from the faq:

Q. Can ASGMs ignore enemy fighters during movement and therefore move through them without attacking? (It would seem so because they aren't the "target" of ASGM missiles.)

A. Correct. In the core rules there are no interactions between ASGMs OR Bombardment missiles, and fighters. They are free to occupy the same hex and pass right through each other. A future fleet book will provide options for using interceptors to shoot down missiles.

"no interaction between ASGMs" seems to indicate there can be any number in the same hex from any source without it effecting anything. Except the ship they all hit eventually

That's how we play it anyway.

[TheDreadnought]

Technically, the rules state you have to deploy missiles into an unoccupied hex. But really, there would be nothing wrong with playing it as you describe.

[warchariot]

Jul 6, 2010 8:22:33 GMT -5 TheDreadnought said:

Technically, the rules state you have to deploy missiles into an unoccupied hex. But really, there would be nothing wrong with playing it as you describe.

And we have played it with this technical part in place. the rule says, "...in an empty hex adjacent to the ship that fired it." Therefore, so as not to violate this rule, we don't allowed missiles in any occupied hex. Not even with fighters. The question Kasher quoted is asking about during movement, not the launch phase.

So, this does allow the enemy, or your friends, to block missile launches with all kinds of stuff.

I also think this opens a whole can of worms if it changes. For example, fighters launch into empty hexes, so can they launch into hexes with ASGMs?

[unclejoe]

Yeah, but as I listed above, it also states that missiles of the same type can be deployed in the same hex.

And honestly, if FIghters being in a hex can stop missiles, I'd likely not use missiles all that much. You can't stop a direct fire weapon from firing, you shouldnt be able to stop missiles from firing IMO. They already have ways of being KO'ed or 'deflected'. Preventing their launch starts to seriously degrade their usefulness.

But that's just me.

[warchariot]

But the rule says empty hex, so can other rules be ignored? I'm saying if you do it for this then other things will come up which are about the same. If the rule changes fine, but I think it has to change or you can't launch into anything but an empty hex.

Remember, we play with missile armed ships, and it's not an issue.

[unclejoe]

It also says that Fighters and missiles 'dont interact' so we always ignored them for launch purposes. /shrug

Also, what happens if you have 2 stacks of missiles that end up in the same hex on the same facing? Wouldnt they combine? Since every missile can move independently, it would just be a convenience.

For the record, the way we play it currently:

Missiles must be launched into an adjacent hex that is either empty or only contains Fighters (since they dont interact) or missiles of the same type (since they can be deployed together). That keeps the book-keeping and hassle to a minimum IMO.

[TheDreadnought]

Jul 6, 2010 10:28:02 GMT -5 unclejoe said:

For the record, the way we play it currently:

Missiles must be launched into an adjacent hex that is either empty or only contains Fighters (since they dont interact) or missiles of the same type (since they can be deployed together). That keeps the book-keeping and hassle to a minimum IMO.

Which isn't exactly what the rules say but adheres to the spirit.