Hardpoints

Strengthened, open places upon the deck of a ship, providing space for ship’s weapons. Hardpoints are fitted along the port or starboard sides of the ship, enabling fire to be directed outward. Weapons placed on hardpoints can be shifted towards different hex faces, using a system of pulleys connected to rings set into the deck.   Each facing allows a 30-degree arc of fire in the direction the artillerist crew desires.

Placed weapons are measured against their hardpoint cost, as shown on the table. Though any ballista or catapult may be placed on any hardpoint, the total hardpoint cost for all weapons that are placed cannot exceed the tonnage of the ship. Therefore, an 70-ton vessel could not mount four light catapults, but it could mount three light catapults and a light ballista (total 68). The same vessel could also mount four heavy ballistas (total 60).

There is no rule for the dispersal of weapons between forward, aft or amidships, nor between port and starboard.

Hardpoints located on the port side cannot be used to fire missiles across the deck towards starboard, and vice versa.

See Naval Combat