AI Hex measurement (shooting)

[Beaky Brigade]

So it turns out I've never played a hex based tabletop game before, and the rulebook seems to assume you know what you are doing. Movement seems straightforward but I'm wondering about measuring shooting distances.

Measuring straight ahead or in a 60 degree direction seems intuitive but what if the target is somewhere in between? Do I choose the shortest route to the target hopping via hexes?

Trying this out it appears that you can get the same value for distance even if you pick a slightly different route, so I'm guessing this is an intuitive part of hex games Am I right?

[Gorthaur]

I believe you choose the shortest possible route so long as it doesn't leave the ships firing arc. I haven't had a chance to play it very much though so i'm going off what seems like common sense.

[Fajita Fan]

Shortest route, yes. In Battletech we* actually walk our fingers down the map.

 

*well I do at least, my friend just casually glances at the table, crunches the numbers in his head, then proceeds to slaughter me.

[Dosjetka]

Yeah, I put my finger on my "hex path" all the way to my target, counting the number of hexes out loud. And I always go with the shortest route which stays in the Firing Arc. :tu:

[Beaky Brigade]

Thanks for the help guys. I got my first game in with a friend, and as always was soundly thrashed :D