How does this card function if the target has no shields? I'm assuming I'm wrong when I translate that as 2 hull damage (1 to either side of the targeted zone), plus the damage from the attack, thereby turning 1 crit into 3 face down damage cards?

No, that's right.

You deal 1 damage to each adjacent hull zone.

That means 1 damage on shields, or 1 hull damage, if its unprotected by shields.

Damage is damage.

You're looking at a Black Hit/Crit die.

Which would be "Critical Effect: Assault Concussion Missiles" - Dealing 1 damage to each adjacent arc immediately. If those are unprotected by Shields, that's 2 Hull Damage (and thus, 2 face-down damage cards).

Then you take that Hit/Crit die, say its 2 Damage Points (One Hit + One Crit symbol), and deal that to the Target Zone... If that is Unprotected by Shields, that's 2 more Face Down cards for a Total of 4... If they Braced, then you halve that 2 Damage to 1, and deal 1 damage Card, for a Total of Three...

And remember, The ACM Damage due to the Critical itself is un-Redirectable, and Un-Braceable.

1 minute ago, Drasnighta said:

No, that's right.

You deal 1 damage to each adjacent hull zone.

That means 1 damage on shields, or 1 hull damage, if its unprotected by shields.

Damage is damage.

Nice! I thought so but I'd rather be safe.

Some up question:.

If shooting ACMs at the unarmed station in the Station Assault scenario would the ACM crit give you no benefit as there are no adjacent hull zones?

And what of APTs? Can a station take a face up damage card or would this extra damage be negated or just classed as a face down damage card instead?

A station cannot suffer crit effects.

1 hour ago, Ginkapo said:

A station cannot suffer crit effects.

Even without that, a station has only 1 hull zone so no adjacent targets.

But as you said, no crits to stations.