Combat & Fire Sequence
Declare, roll BS, dodge, shields, armour, damage, destruction.
The Rule
1. Declare Weapon/Weapon Systems. 2. Declare Targets. 3. Roll BS. 4. Resolve Dodge. 5. Resolve Shields. 6. Roll AC. 7. Apply HP Damage. 8. Resolve Destruction.
Explanation
Attacks may be allocated among any targets you have attacks for. For each successful hit the target rolls Dodge; each successful Dodge cancels one hit, and Critical Hits cannot be Dodged. Remaining hits are applied to Shields, removing 1 SH each unless modified by weapon effects. Weapon type effects are then applied before AC is rolled and HP damage assigned.
Example
A Pulse Laser — Ion, 9", Dmg 2, 4 Attacks may target up to four separate units within 9", in any combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shields stop Criticals?
Criticals cannot be Dodged, but they still affect Shields.
Can attacks be split?
Yes — allocate attacks among any legal targets in range.
Designer Commentary
One declaration step, one allocation step — split fire is a first-class tactic, not an exception.