why do beholders self distruct if their target is within the range of a currently active beholder?

So that a 'destructive' player doesn't crowd the map with drones, which would then force ships to be bounced to empty hexes. i.e. it would end up as a wall.

This would be an abuse of the rules, but no doubt would happen. i.e. it has the potential to make the game look very silly.

So the simplest is to disallow, which nicely means it's simple to clear out beholder fields as they can't smother the map with beholders.

Jonathan

would it be possible to check the overlap/redundency of fields instead of simply drone placement? I understand if not, I've just had several cases where I fired beholders to the edge of another beholder's field and had the beholder die because I was off by a hex or two. I understand if not, but, as always, it's worth asking.

Given the current workload, no. Ask again in about 6 months!