I have read something that I don't think can be right but I can't find an exception.

On page 4 of the Rules Reference in the section on Defense Tokens one bullet point reads: " If the defender’s speed is “0,” it cannot spend defense tokens. "

On page 6 of the Rules Reference in the section on Engagement we find: " An engaged squadron cannot move. " Which essentially means they have speed 0 while engaged.

This would essentially mean that a unique squadron that is engaged (and therefore at speed 0) cannot use Defense Tokens.

Surely this is wrong, but I can't find anything in print to argue against this supposition. Hopefully one of you can tell me where it says that a speed 0 unique squadron can still use its Defense Tokens.

A squadron’s speed value indicates the farthest

distance band that the squadron can move into.

The value of speed on the squadron card is static; it is not set to 0. When it is engaged, it simply cannot move, not that its speed value is set to any particular value.

Another way of thinking of it, is that since squadrons don't have a speed dial, their speed can never be set to anything.

On page 11 of the Rules Reference this is stated under SPEED: “ A squadron’s speed value indicates the farthest distance band that the squadron can move into. ” This can be interpreted to mean that the distance a squadron moves is its speed.

On page 12 of the Rules Reference a bullet point of the Squadron Movement says: “ When a squadron moves, it can choose to remain in its current position and is still considered to have moved. ” But that says nothing about Speed.

Again I think that the spirit of the rules is that a unique squadron can, and should be able to, use defense tokens even if it remains perfectly still on the table. But since I am seriously contemplating organizing a store tournament I want to be sure I have my ducks in a row in regards to the rules.

Unless there is definitive evidence to the contrary I will rule that a unique squadron can use defense tokens even if it does not move.

And thanks for the input. Hopefully this will be clarified somewhat in a future FAQ revision.

Moving has nothing to do with what speed you are at.

A Ship, due to overlaps, could not end up moving; but that does not do anything to change what Speed it is actually set at.

That a squadron can't move while engaged does not mean thier speed is O. It just means they can't move.

Moving has nothing to do with what speed you are at.

A Ship, due to overlaps, could not end up moving; but that does not do anything to change what Speed it is actually set at.

I think this is a critical aspect of the argument. A ship can not move due to its Speed being temporarily 0 due to a potential overlap, yet it is still able to use defense tokens. Thus, the inability to move is not inherently an instance of "Speed 0," rather it is a matter of the Speed of that game piece actually -being- 0. A ship can set its Speed through the use of the maneuver commands, and can indeed be set to 0. A squadron has a Speed value written on its card and cannot be changed.

Simply put, the Speed value of a ship or squadron has nothing to do with its (in)ability to move. It simply dictates the magnitude of its movement.

Squads do not have an adjustable speed setting. For rules purposes always consider a squadrons speed to be the value printed on the card. This is regardless of how the squad has actually moved.

Thematically think of it this way, when two squads are engaged with each other they do not come to a complete stop is space and fire at each other. Rather, they are engaged in a high speed dog fight in the relative area of the game pieces.

As for ships at speed 0. Frankly the rule seems more able discouraging people from stopping than any thematic justification. The rule makes for a more interesting game.

The speed dial 0 only applies to ships. Squadrons do not have a speed dial. So a named squadron can use there defensive tokens regardless if they can move or not.