EX2.JT.2.0: The Kzinti Phaser-Matrix

Concept: The Kzintis, frustrated by their inability to duplicate the Hydran gatling phaser, poured tremendous energy into trying.  A minor research project into phaser harmonics bore strange and unexpected fruit in the creation of the matrix phaser, where small phasers were able to combine and increase their amplitude and mimic larger phasers.  The weapon had the happy side-effect of restoring the hard-to-mizia quality to Kzinti ships. 

Destruction: Each element of the Phaser matrix is destroyed on a "phaser" hit.  It would take three hits to destroy an entire matrix.  Phaser matrix elements burn out more randomly than other phasers.  The same phaser matrix cannot be damaged twice in succession within the same volley.

Arming: Each element of a phaser matrix arms for 1/2 point of power.  The normal phaser capacitor rules apply to phaser matrices.

Firing: No element of a phaser matrix may fire more than once per turn or within 8 impulses of that element's previous firing..  No single matrix may fire more than once per impulse unless engaging a target using X-Aegis.  Example: when engaging a ship (SC4-2), a phaser matrix could fire a single element or an element combination at that ship each impulse.  It would require 3 successive impulses to entirely expend its facing matrices as P-3's.  When facing a unit that can be engaged using X-aegis (SC5+),such as  a PF or seeking weapon, each phaser matrix may fire once per step allowed by X-aegis.  Assuming X1-aegis, each matrix could fire as a P-3 on each of the first two aegis steps and then fire one last time on the following impulse.  Or fire as a P-1 on one aegis step and a P-3 on the other.  Or fire as a simple P-5 on either aegis step.

Combining elements: When firing a phaser-matrix on the same aegis step at the same target, the firing player may choose to fire two or three elements in concert to produce the effect of increasingly more powerful phasers.  A phaser matrix may only fire at a single target on any single aegis step.  It may not fire multiple elements at the same or different targets during the same step.  It could fire one P-3 element (or an element combination) per aegis step however.  When engaging targets through X-aegis, the phaser matrix my fire P-1 or P-5 combinations and valid target on any available aegis step

Damage: Damage from a phaser matrix is variable based on the number of elements combined.  
Damage (one element): Each element by itself does damage equal to a phaser-3.
Damage (two elements): Two elements combined do damage equal to a phaser-1.
Damage (three elements): Three elements combined do damage equal to a phaser-5.

Balance: