My store likes to try new things and this week we used the following rule for fun and testing: we all knew about the rule before arriving, so we had time to build our squads accordingly.

Rule: When shooting at a target and the line of fire passes through a friendly ship add 1 defensive die (Maximum) to the target.

We played a fun group game with this rule in play at my store. At first I didn't think I would like it, but after playing it really makes it a very different game and requires much more skill for maneuving which is a good thing. It makes turrets not as powerful and also helps balance out swarms.

Try it an see what you think?

Interesting idea...if I did it I think I'd want an exception against Biggs though.

I'm having an intense feeling of deja vu. I swear I've seen a post like this before, and I think it was here, but it would have had to be a long time ago.

Anyway--I've tried it, and I'm not a fan. Both sides are maneuvering to get clear shots for friendly ships and obstructed ones for enemy ships, which typically means (a) both sides in a scrum get an extra defense die, or (b) nobody gets it. On both of the occasions where I tried it, it didn't change the outcome but it made the game much slower.

Well we found it makes ships survive longer and require more strategy when moving,but really makes it much more realistic

We will be trying it again and yes it does make biggs much better. But since you maneuvering to get clear shots it also makethe squadron with biggs not have as much firepower so its basically a wash

Don't like it much myself.

I assume your squads were much more about flankers and one on ones?

Some of them. But most were unique seeing some use of ships not seen in games very much. Overall, a completely different feel as yes some ships could shoot 360, but you could fly between them and their mates and get some cover too.

Really not that much of a difference, but can be crucial in some points of the game. Helps balance bumping strategy too.