Regarding missiles -- according to the example in the Rulebook, even though "missile" fighters fire missiles, it still basically acts as a "direct fire" weapon. In other words, if the target is in range of a missile fighter squadron during the attack phase, then the attack order is resolved immediately when the fighters' init band comes up, as opposed to actually launching a missile and placing a new missile salvo icon on the playing field. Thus, the only time the missile counter would be in play would be to represent a battlecruiser salvo. Is that correct?

Oh, and another question -- once launched, missiles are basically like any other unit in the game, right? They do not have limited range, right? In other words, they'll keep moving until they either hit or are shot down.

Finally...I noticed that the missile counters seem to have a firing arc. How does that work? I had thought they only resolve an attack if they actually move into their target.

Your assessment of the missile fighters firing "direct fire" weapons is correct. Only the Hammerhead (out of currently available vessels) makes use of the Missile Salvo counter. The difference is that the missile fighters are firing a small number of smaller, dumber missiles with less fuel. The Hammerhead is unloading a veritible swarm of big missiles with plenty of fuel...enough that the cluster itself can actually be targetted.

Missiles have limited fuel, just not limited within the context of the game scenario. They have more than enough "go" to keep seeking targets until the end of a normal game. They're a "normal vessel" in most senses, save that they don't require any orders, don't attack, exist only to ram into something, and are immune to the extra round of autofire when they're about to hit a target.

And if you look again, you'll see that the missiles have a turn arc on them (white), but I don't think they have a fire arc (red, with the 'splodey symbol).

Thanks for the confirmation! I think I just got confused by seeing the arc label and then the visual arc sweep on the missile base. You're right, there is no explosion indicator.

BTW, for the remote detonation of missiles by the battlecruiser -- is this an all or nothing action (i.e. detonate ALL active salvos or none) or can the player decide which salvo to detonate?

The hammerhead can designate as many or as few missile salvoes as desired to detonate with a single special order, though technically (this is kinda tough to track at the time) it can only send detonate orders to missile salvos it fired, not to other hammerheads' salvos.

Cool! Ok, I have yet another question.

For the Hammerhead missile salvos...do I need to declare a target when I fire one off? Can I switch targets after it is fired?

As far as movement...Do they have to move in a straight line towards their target, or can they maneuver around? Can they just sit in a spot for a turn?

This kind of comes down to how smart or dumb the salvos are, I guess. If really dumb, I figure they'd need to be preprogrammed with a target before launch and then basically head in the shortest distance towards their target.

On the very smart side, they'd act as another small craft, with the ability to be launched ahead of time "just in case" and hold position until ordered to attack a specific target, and then possibly maneuver with some tactical consideration of their surroundings (i.e. avoiding other hostile ships that may shoot them down, etc.).

How do you see them working?

The examples and reports from other users seem to treat them more as intelligent small craft than dumb fires, but I just wanted to be sure.

Thanks!

As per the rules, they function as a small craft more than "dumb" missiles. They can move like any other vessel can move, including not moving at all if they "chose" to.

Thank you. I think that's it for now. First battle is happening tonight!