I am playing scenario 606.0 and in the third battle hex (0703) I encounter a problem. The situation is as follows:

Kzinti:
BTS 12(6)&diams/6(3)&diams
BC 8/4
2CVE 8-10(3)/4-5(1)

The BTS is the flagship.
Total attack factors: 28 (ships) + 9 (fighters) = 37

Lyran:
CC 9/5
3CA 24/12
CW 7/4
CW 7/4

The CC is the flagship.
Total attack factors: 47 (ships)

Kzinti dr = 2, 25% => CDR = 9
Lyran dr = 5 - 1 (scout shift) = 4, 30% => CDR = 14

During damage allocation, the Kzinti cripple the BTS (12 points) and destroy 2 fighter factors from the BTS (2 points).

The problem is with the Lyran. How should the damage allocation be handled (assuming rule 308.2 is in effect)? Is it possible to cripple a CW and get 2 plus points (even when the Kzinti retreat in STEP 7)?

No. Crippling a CW would leave 2 points left over, which would then be 'at least half as much as the lowest defense factor' (4, the crippled CW). [Highly paraphrasing, no rules with me.]

You could cripple a CA for 8 points, leaving one point left over, which isn't half of the 4 defense on the crippled CA.

Also keep in mind, that even if the Kzinti retreat, the Lyrans will still have to fight another round against the BATS if they wish to destroy it. Even at minimum BIR, the nine factors of the BATS+fighters should cause a point of damage that would have the plus points added to it in resolution. Of course, the crippled ship could be held out of combat, and the Lyrans may get away with 2 plus points after the second round.

James,

Thank you for your quick reply. Your explanation sounds very logical and I will apply this from now on.

Glad to be of help. The actual rule is (302.61) "When the remaining number of unresolved Damage Points is less than half of the smallest defense factor of the remaining units in the Battle Force, these Damage Points may be ignored."

Which of course means they can be ignored if they are less than half the smallest defense factor. (But of course, will still cause plus points.)

Another option is that if there were also a DD in the Lyran force they could cripple it for 5 points, generating one "minus point" that would be subtracted from damage taken next round. In bigger battles, this is a popular thing to do, as it helps keep the enemy from using directed damage on valuable targets (as the minus points are subtracted from the damage done before directed damage is used (308.22)).

Also, the Kzinti could resolve their damage better. The version you have will generate an extra minus point because a third fighter point will have nowhere to go (308.23). Instead, they could take three points on the CVE's fighters, 3 fighters from the BATS and two SIDS steps on the BATS (308.86) - note there is errata that BATS take SIDS at 8/4 instead of the 9/4.5 of SB). The Kzinti may still retreat, but the BATS they're leaving behind is still a 12-4(3), and will do more damage than the crippled 6(3). Lesson 1 as the Kzinti: fighters are replaced for free--absorb damage on them every chance you get!