I'm sure this has been covered a long time ago, and I probably even read about it, but if I did i have forgotten. Basically, I am trying to figure out the value of boosting into range 1 for the extra die vs just firing at range 2 with target lock or focus.

Also if someone has the math handy for attacking at range 2 with target lock + focus vs boosting into range 1 with just target lock OR focus, that would be great as well.

2F vs 3

Same average number of hits.

3 has more potential and more crits, but less defense.

3F vs 4

3F has slightly higher average, 2.25 vs 2, but the other aspects of the above still stand.

For TL+F vs +1F

Boosting has better average hits by .5 and .325 respectively.

Unless you plan on killing them before they shoot, I'd probably stick with the focus just out of the laws of "if I don't need it, I can use it to survive." But that is coming from a interceptor pilot, not sure what you are boosting into range 1.

Focus = 0.75 expected damage.

Non Focus = 0.5 expected damage

Therefore focus increases efficiency by 50%

2/3F = 1.5-2.25

3/4 = 1.5-2

Therefore the mathematically correct answer is to focus not boost.

HOWEVER ~

3/4 would have higher variance which is good vs ships with poor mitigation (ie. low agility)

TL;DR

vs shuttles/Bwings/Falcons = Boost

vs Everything else = Focus

I was mostly just considering from the perspective of pure offensive potential. Obviously defense is a worthy consideration if you are in their arc as well, but I have been wanting to confirm if boosting into range 1 was really worth losing the modifier on your shot. Looking at the numbers, I guess it is, mostly for the max damage potential (rolling all natural hits happens often enough to be worth considering). But as I expected the accuracy does not increase significantly.

Thanks guys

In part, it does depend on the defence dice as well

When the game first came out, I calculated a lot of the stats

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/856660/all-the-stats-expected-damage

Enjoy