One thing that the example about LOS is not doing: the 'x' in the center of the base doesn't extend to the corners. So, it may be more intuitive than you think once you have a properly proportioned ship.

GAThraawn is mistaken.

The range examples and rules clearly state that you measure from closest point to closest point. This cannot be done "in the same measure" as drawing a line from yellow point to yellow point.

Also, if you look at the range-zones (reddish fields) in the examples on page 19 and 20, they are clearly not centered on the yellow dots, but extend from the edges of the base. (The central part of the line between short and medium range is straight, not curved.)

As for the rules justification, it is reasonably simple. Rotate the small ship in this thread's example illustration ninety degrees (have it face the larger ship). If its own hull zones could block los (that is, if we do as you suggest and measure it all at once), the small ship will be *too close to shoot at the larger ship*.

This would be bad.

The LOS, firing arc and yellow dot mechanic rules are not realy that intuitive in certain cases The following situation should be a valid attack from the ship on the right side as attacker targetting the one on the left side. Involved zones have a yellow dot each. notice where you have to measure what. (sorry for the blue line beeing so short).

This begs the question: why can't the smaller ship in the example fire from any of its 4 Hull zones?

Granted it only gets to fire from 2 zones.

But it is starting to look like Rules As Written permit a ship to fire its port batteries at a ship on its starboard side. Which just means I am missing something fundamental: But what am I missing?

The LOS, firing arc and yellow dot mechanic rules are not realy that intuitive in certain cases The following situation should be a valid attack from the ship on the right side as attacker targetting the one on the left side. Involved zones have a yellow dot each. notice where you have to measure what. (sorry for the blue line beeing so short).

This begs the question: why can't the smaller ship in the example fire from any of its 4 Hull zones?

Granted it only gets to fire from 2 zones.

But it is starting to look like Rules As Written permit a ship to fire its port batteries at a ship on its starboard side. Which just means I am missing something fundamental: But what am I missing?

Firing arc - your port side won't have arc to a starboard target

The LOS, firing arc and yellow dot mechanic rules are not realy that intuitive in certain cases The following situation should be a valid attack from the ship on the right side as attacker targetting the one on the left side. Involved zones have a yellow dot each. notice where you have to measure what. (sorry for the blue line beeing so short).

This begs the question: why can't the smaller ship in the example fire from any of its 4 Hull zones?

Granted it only gets to fire from 2 zones.

But it is starting to look like Rules As Written permit a ship to fire its port batteries at a ship on its starboard side. Which just means I am missing something fundamental: But what am I missing?

I think we are missing something. I suspect that you use te yellow dot for Los and firing arcs. Otherwise yu could also have the freedom to target whichever side of the ship that you want.

Learning to Play , page8, Attack During this step, the ship can perform up to two attacks. An attack originates from one hull zone, and the target must be inside that hull zone’s firing arc

Amazing what you notice at 6 pm, that you didn't notice at 4 am

Thanks to What for pointing me in the right direction.

Edit: In MadTulip's example, the smaller ship has LOS from 3 of 4 Hull Zones.

The LOS, firing arc and yellow dot mechanic rules are not realy that intuitive in certain cases The following situation should be a valid attack from the ship on the right side as attacker targetting the one on the left side. Involved zones have a yellow dot each. notice where you have to measure what. (sorry for the blue line beeing so short).

This begs the question: why can't the smaller ship in the example fire from any of its 4 Hull zones?

Granted it only gets to fire from 2 zones.

But it is starting to look like Rules As Written permit a ship to fire its port batteries at a ship on its starboard side. Which just means I am missing something fundamental: But what am I missing?

I think we are missing something. I suspect that you use te yellow dot for Los and firing arcs. Otherwise yu could also have the freedom to target whichever side of the ship that you want.

The defender's firing arcs do block LoS. according to the rules it is only the firing ship whose firing arcs don't block LoS.

Regardless of line of sight the target must still be in the fireing arc to shoot,

The rules clearly state this and to think otherwise is kinda well, bantha poodoo

Yeah, I read the Learn to play set very early: I knew the Firing Arc bit had to be in there. I simply could not find it.

At least one good thing came out of my case of poodoo brain. MadTulip's insight r/e the ability of small ships to get in close and really open up.

In his example diagram, the smaller ship can fire weapons from any of 3 hull zones. The larger vessel can only return fire from 1 -- and that fire can only impact the smaller ship's facing side.

Take-Aways: CR-90's should be really entertaining to run. And get some sleep before reading the rules -- very carefully.