most games of this type have very complex rules for things like missile hits and damage
There are three levels of rules. I should say, there are three levels of technology. Level 1 technology is the old stuff they started with in 1985. Level 2 got added in the early 90s, and level 3 is the newest stuff. Generally, beginners play level 1 because there's less combinations of tech and weapons, and tournaments play level 2. Level 3 is intended for gamers who have been playing a long time and want to try something new.
As far as combat, its easy:
1. Move
2. Declare Targets
3. Shoot/Hack At Target
To resolve whether a shot hits, you figure out a target number (starts at 4, has modifiers for attacker's movement speed, target's movement speed, distance, and intervening terrain), roll 2D6 against it, if you get the number or higher, you hit. There 8 possible hit locations; to determine hit location, roll 2D6 and look at chart. To resolve damage, each weapon does a set amount of damage, so the target simply marks off X damage to the hit location.
The only place I see any difficulty is the target number modifier, and typically it's something like 4 + 1 (attacker walked) + 1 (target moved 3 to 5 hexes) + 2 (medium range) + 1 (one intervening hex has light woods) = 9.
I think the advanced rules also have overheating which causes your targeting systems to work less efficiently, so if you're running hot you add another +1 to your to hit number.
There's no "defender tries to dodge" or anything like that, unlike Warhammer where there's the Hit Roll, the Wound Roll, the Armor Save Roll, the Invulnerability Roll, and some other roll too...
