The Swede's Unearthed Arcana

[thescreamingswede]

Like I've mentioned in my thread "The Swede's House Rules", my group experimented with various rule changes in order to enhance our game play to match more of what we saw on screen. I intend to post some of the more radical rules here. Some were abandoned, some are still occasionally used even though we may have come up with a more streamlined and less complex rule.

theSwede's Unearthed Arcana Installment One

One of the things we looked at to increase the effectiveness of shields was a rethink of how they worked in game. Now I've already stated before in "The Swede's House Rule 1. Shields" all six shields were powered up at the same time to the level set by the amount of power put into them, but one of the other things we tried was based on a different interpretation of the shield rules.

The basic information for shields for any ship is listed as such in the Technical Read Out list:

Shield Type: XXX
Shield Point Ratio: X/X
Maximum Power: X(X)

Under normal circumstances Maximum Power is interpreted to mean the maximum shield strength for deflecting or absorbing damage, but if read in a certain way, Maximum Power could be interpreted as to the maximum level of power that can be put into the shield system as a whole, not the maximum amount of shield protection. If interpreted this way, the Enterprise Mk-I's readout...

Shield Type: FSP
Shield Point Ratio: 1/4
Maximum Power: 16


...would therefore set a maximum shield protection of 64 points, given that if you put 16 power into the shield grid and getting 4 shield points per power point. That's a considerable amount of shield power and would certainly extend any engagements even at close range.

But as seen on several occasions the ships seem to receive damage, sometimes superficial, sometimes critical, even though the shields haven't fully been dropped. This must therefore mean that there is some threshold limit the shield adheres to that is occasionally exceeded by the incoming fire. Also, shields seem to suffer damage themselves and get weaker even though they are still powered, effectively rendering part of the ship vulnerable to additional damage and an immanent collapse of that part of the shield grid. So we created this alternate rule that we've used on numerous occasions.

ALTERNATE SHIELD RULE 1A

Powering Up Shields
1. Maximum Power refers to the maximum amount of power that can be put into the shield system, not the maximum amount of protection provided.
2. When shields are powered up, all the shield facings are powered to the same level based on the amount of power put into the system times the Shield Point Ratio.
3. Shields DO NOT recharge during the repower phase of the turn. Shields can only be re-energized during the Power Allotment Phase.
4. Shield power can be redistributed from one facing to another in order to bolster a weakened facing however the maximum power a shield facing can have cannot exceed its normal maximum level of protection. The facing or facings that power is drawn from MUST be adjacent to the weakened shield facing and are now weaker and more susceptible to damage.

Damage Thresholds
5. When damage from a particular weapon exceeds 25% of a shields setting, subtract that number from the total damage of that weapon and apply the remainder to the ship as normal using the appropriate Damage Chart. The maximum damage from the weapon will still reduce the maximum shield protection by its full amount however. Round all fractions down. Once a shield reaches 3 points it no longer has a damage threshold and simply reduced the amount of damage of a weapon directly from its maximum.

For example:
Enterprise Class vessel has a SPR of 1/4 and a Maximum power of 16 points into the grid. This will provide 64 points of shield protection for any particular arc. A Klingon D-10G hits with its KP-4 torpedo which does 18 points of damage. Since 18 points exceeds the threshold of the shield (25% of 64 is 16), the shield will absorb 16 points of damage and allow 2 points through. The shield however is dropped by the full 18 points for this turn, leaving the new maximum shield level at 46 (64-18=46).

6. Multiple weapons fired at the same time in the same turn at the same facing will stack in the sense that each successive shot works on the amount of reduced protection the shield system can provide.

For example:
In our above example the Enterprise class has taken 2 points of damage from the KP-4, but under Order of Weapons Fire Rule, the torpedo would have had to be shot after all beam weapons were fired, so here is an alternate to that scenario.

The Klingon D-10G fired four of its KD-13 disruptors first at a range of 50,000km (5 hexes) each powered to 3 with a bonus damage of +3 for a total of 6 points each. The first shot does 6 points of damage. Not enough to breach the threshold (25% x 64 = 16) but reduces the Enterprise cruiser's number 1 shield to 58. The second shot does 6 points of damage as well but still isn't enough to breach the threshold (25% x 56 = 14) but reduces the shield another 6 points to 52. The third shot at 6 points still won't breach the threshold (25% x 52 = 13) but again pushes the maximum protection to 46. The fourth disruptor still won't breach the threshold (25% x 46 = 11.5, rounded down to 11) but pushes the shield to 40 points. Enter the KP-4. The torpedo hits the reduced shield with much more impact. The threshold for damage is now 10 (25% x 40 = 10) meaning that 8 points of damage will penetrate the shield but still reduce it down to 22 points.

7. A shield will remain at its reduced level until:
7.1 The shield is re-energized during the Power Allotment Phase.
7.2 Power from an adjacent facing is overlapped or transferred to the weakened facing.

8. Multiple vessels firing on the same ship into the same shield facing will be based on the order of initiative with each successive vessel working with the last shield level from the previous vessel.

For example:

A L-42A fires it's KP-6 at the weakened facing of the Enterprise class. The shield has already been reduced to 22 points from the D-10G's fire. The KP-6 does 20 points of damage, exceeding the reduced threshold by 15 points (25% x 22 = 5.5 rounded down to 5) and drops the shield to 2 points.



Conclusion

While this particular ruleset greatly enhanced the feel of the game and really strung out the level of play, there were a few setbacks.

The first was the constant recalculation of damage vs threshold level. While we felt it was far more realistic in comparison to what was seen on screen it slowed play considerably, especially when we got to bigger and more powerful vessels like the L-24, Z-1 and Excelsior battleships. They carry a considerable array of firepower and therefore required much more math in order to successfully apply damage appropriately, though it did give a new meaning to "withering barrage".

Smaller or more primitive vessels stood very little chance against heavily shielded opponents. This was really noticeable when ships like the Orion Wanderer or the Lightning tried to take on a much larger cruiser like a later model D-10 or a Chandley that have higher Maximum Points and better Shield Point Ratios. It also didn't seem to lend itself well to anything in the TNG line, though we never actually played that far in the timeline. Additionally, the Excelsior became even much more difficult to beat since it was capable of generating 80 shield points and had an initial threshold rating of 20 (25% x 80 = 20), though in some circumstances it might have been right in line with what we were trying to achieve considering the Enterprise D wasn't even concerned about raising shields above the minimum amount when faced with a laser armed opponent.

Also, the 25% was based of of the 1/4 ratio and should probably been adjusted for each different SPR available. This would have meant further mathematical calculations for each ship.

[trynda1701]

Interesting variant, thescreamingswede

Looking forward to more in this thread. And although it might have been used before somewhere else, love the D&D reference to Unearthed Arcana!

[thescreamingswede]

Dec 13, 2020 9:45:22 GMT -7 trynda1701 said:

Interesting variant, thescreamingswede

Looking forward to more in this thread. And although it might have been used before somewhere else, love the D&D reference to Unearthed Arcana!

Some of the stuff was "pretty out there" when we came up with it in the 80's and 90's thus the D&D reference.

I am working with a lot of those "out there" rules to develop an newer version of Star Trek tabletop play using larger scale 3D printed ships a buddy and I are working on. The root will be based on FASA stats, but the game play will hopefully be different and also not based on Hexed movement, opting for a more freestyle movement system using tape measures and simple, easy to make templates. It's been a work in progress for a long time, but now that I have printers making templates will hopefully be easier than hacking them out of cheap cardboard, which over time get lost, damaged, wet (yeah, beer is usually consumed during test plays and my buddy is notoriously clumsy).

Eventually those rules, and a complete rules set file, will be available here for anyone interested.

[drkanukie]

I was reminded of the article in FAR & AWAY #1 pg 40-42 ARTICLE by Stewart Robertson (4/1990) about this lack of shields and inability to move the article is here as a PDF. The game needs fixing otherwise it become just pivoting with a couple of full raised shields and this isn't how combat works in ST as there should be a lot more moving.

[trynda1701]

Dec 13, 2020 15:08:25 GMT -7 drkanukie said:

I was reminded of the article in FAR & AWAY #1 pg 40-42 ARTICLE by Stewart Robertson (4/1990) about this lack of shields and inability to move the article is here as a PDF. The game needs fixing otherwise it become just pivoting with a couple of full raised shields and this isn't how combat works in ST as there should be a lot more moving.

Yeah, low CE ships with 1/1 ratio shields really can't fight well. The various variant rules posted over the years, such as the article you link to, plus Swedes' and other House Rules here on the forum and elsewhere help mitigate that for the FASA game.

[thescreamingswede]

Another from the vault, this is my take on a FASA version of a Star Fleet Battles weapon: The Romulan Mauler.

A set piece to be sure, the Mauler was a focal point to a Federation Intelligence mission. Much like the plasma weapon and cloaking device plotlines, the Mauler was going to be another Romulan attempt at a one strike super weapon. After mulling over the SFB rules, I finally decided to work out the Mauler as a plausible game piece; working out all the detials and construction data in order to make it work in multiple designs later on. I think I had posted these once before, but I tinkered with the formula and construction since then in order to better reflect this oddball of a weapon.


Mauler Construction / Rules

INTRODUCTION

The Mauler is a huge, foreboding weapons system that takes up the bulk of the ship. In fact, it IS the ship. As a space-borne weapon of mass destruction it is designed to do a lot of damage all at once and is indiscriminate of target.

Designed by the Romulans, the Mauler was an experimental beam weapon that has seen very limited use. Due to the size of the weapon itself and the taxing nature of it on the space frame and computer systems used to arm, aim, and fire it the Romulans have pretty much abandoned its production.


CONSTRUCTION RULES
During construction, ALL fractions round down.

The Mauler is made up of two parts, the unit itself and the capacitors needed to power it.

The Mauler unit itself weighs 40% of the maximum allowable weight for the class of ship it is going to be "installed" in. Half the weight represents the unit itself; the other half represents the superstructure weight. For Example:

A class VI vessel's Mauler would weigh 32,000 tons (80,000 x 40%). 16,000 tons for the Mauler itself, and 16,000 tons for superstructure, which equals 10 (16,000 / 1,500 = 10.6666, rounded down to 10).

The Capacitors to power the Mauler must equal a minimum of 25% of the Mauler unit ONLY. DO NOT INCLUDE THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WEIGHT CALCULATED EARLIER! Each capacitor weighs 500 tons and will add 0.1 superstructure. For example:

Our class VI Mauler unit weighs 16,000 tons, as stated above. We have to add 4,000 tons of capacitors minimum (16,000 x 25%) to meet the specified requirement. Each capacitor weighs 500 tons, so we wind up with 8 capacitors. At 0.1 superstructure each, we add 0.8 superstructure to the total.

Each capacitor is capable of storing 3 points of power. That gives us 24 points of power spread over the 8 capacitors.

You can add more capacitors if desired so long as there is tonnage still available and/or you do not outstrip the WDF of the operating computer.

Ah yes, the WDF. Base the WDF off of the MAXIMUM possible damage that the unit can do in one shot. Do NOT include all power supplies, just the capacitors. See the rules section regarding the use of warp engines and impulse drives to power the Mauler.

Use the formula below to calculate WDF.

Each chance to hit is 100% on every hex. Multiply the damage each range (x2 for hex one, normal damage for hexes 2 to 5, and half damage for hexes 6 thru 10) by a factor of 10. Add them all together and then divide this total by 168. This should give you the approximate WDF.

For example:
Mauler’s maximum power output from capacitors is 24.
Step One: Add all the potential damage by range.

Hex 1 = 48 points of damage (total damage: 1 hex x 24 damage doubled = 48)
Hexes 2 thru 5 will be 24 each (total damage: 4 hexes x 24 damage singled = 96. Plus 48 = 144)
Hexes 6 thru 10 will be 12 each (total damage: 5 hexes x 24 damage divided by 2 = 60. Plus 144 = 204)

Step Two: Multiply this by a To Hit factor of 10 (since all hits are automatic). 204 x 10 = 2040.

Step Three: Divide this number by 168. 2040/168 = 12.1

Step Four: This step is optional since it only applies to vessels equipped with a Cloaking Device. Multiply the WDF by 1.5 to achieve the final WDF result for a ship that is equipped with a Cloaking Device. So our Class VI with a Cloaking Device will have a Mauler WDF of 18.2.



RULES

Powering the Mauler:

Maulers were designed to utilize batteries for power. For this application the capacitors included in the construction phase will act as the battery bank for the Mauler. Charging the capacitors is done during the Power Allotment Phase of each turn, just like any other weapon system. The capacitors do not produce power, only store it, therefore it is necessary to charge the capacitors before firing the Mauler. Depending on the amount of power available from the engines of the ship this may take several turns. The capacitors store this power from turn to turn however they do suffer power leakage. The capacitors lose 5% of the total power per subsequent turn after initial charging, requiring the Mauler vessel to spend power points in order to keep the capacitors full. If not topped up, the Mauler will fire with the reduced amount of power available to it. The capacitors are considered full on all phases of the first turn they are charged. They only start to lose power after the first turn.

The capacitors are charged all at once regardless of how much power is put into them. While each capacitor has a maximum storage capacity of three power points, they are all considered charged, even if the current point allotment is 1. This does not affect the power of a shot, however damage to the capacitors may result in a catastrophic failure. See Damage to the Mauler for further clarification.

The warp engines and impulse drives of a vessel may also be used to power the Mauler, however any direct feed from the engines causes feedback damage to the power supply. This will be half the amount of power put into the system. So if you wanted to use an RIF-3 impulse engine for a 28 point shot, the Mauler feedback will immediately cause 14 points of damage directly to the impulse drive. This may also result in an overpowering of the Mauler. See rules below regarding overpowering the Mauler.

Firing Arcs:

The Mauler has a very limited but specialized firing arc and it is restricted to the front of the vessel.
One hex wide for four hexes,
Three hexes wide for the next five to eight hexes,
Five hexes wide for the nineth and tenth hexes.

Damage:

Damage from the mauler also varies due to range.
0 - 1 hexes = double damage
2 - 5 hexes = power in equals damage
6 - 10 hexes = half damage (round fractions down)




To Hit:

The reason the Mauler is considered a weapon of mass destruction is that every target within the "cone" of the firing arc is hit simultaneously. Therefore the Mauler has no to hit, no firing chart. The amount of damage scored on the target ship is adjusted by the range from the mauler ship to its target.....There is no die roll. The weapon automatically hits its target and scores the amount of damage indicated.

Overpowering the Mauler:

Overpowering the Mauler beyond its capacitor limit by using additional power sources will also outstrip the WDF capacity of the computer system. This could cause a catastrophic failure of the computer system. To calculate this, use the aforementioned formula for calculating the WDF of the Mauler and add in the additional power. If this new WDF total exceeds the WDF capacity of the control computer, roll Percentile. Each point over the maximum WDF of the computer adds a 3% chance of failure. This only applies if the overpowered shot of the Mauler goes beyond the WDF capacity of the computer. If there is still room above the original WDF calculation of the Mauler and the capacity of the computer, there is no need to roll.

For example: If the WDF of the computer is 80 and the overpowered shot of the Mauler generates a new WDF calculation of 90, then that overage of 10 WDF will result in a 30% chance of computer failure. (I have additional rules we used for computer failures, but feel free to make up your own. theSwede)


Damaging the Mauler

The Mauler is so massive that it cannot be destroyed unless the ship itself is destroyed. A weapon hit on the ship will damage the power converters however (if the player chooses to use the Mauler as the target of the weapon hit, otherwise ignore any further rules), thus decreasing the available power. **NOTE** Capacitors CANNOT be repaired in space.

If the capacitors are not charged, then nothing further will happen. If a charged capacitor is hit it will explode with the energy it contains (to a minimum of 1). When this happens, roll again on the corresponding Damage Location Table and apply the amount as if it were a normal weapon hit. If another Weapon Hit is the result then it automatically goes to the next capacitor. If charged, it will explode too. This damage will also be applied to the Damage Location Table. Subsequent Weapon Hits will continue until the total amount of power allotted to the Mauler is spent or all the capacitors have been damaged.

Erosion Over Time
The discharge of the Mauler is instantaneous and quite dramatic. It is also very hard on the vessel. Over time, continual firing of the Mauler will eventually wear the components out and cause damage to the space frame. Under normal game conditions, this isn’t really an issue, but for RPG and campaign style games this is something the GM can take into account with longer Repair and Refit cycles for the ship or some other effects.


SAMPLE MAULER VESSEL

Here is an example of a small Mauler vessel.

Romulan Mauler Experimental Model, Type 2

Superstructure: 17
Damage Chart: C

Mass: 79,830mt
Control Computer: R4M
Cloaking Device: RCC
Power to Arm: 15
Crew: 108*
Passengers: 0
Shuttlecraft: 1

Total Power Available: 30
Movement Point Ratio: 2/1
Warp Engine Type: RWD-2
Number: 1
Power Available: 18
Stress Charts: O/O
Cruising Speed: Warp 7
Emergency Speed: Warp 8
Impulse Drive Type: RID-3
Power Available: 12

Beam Weapon Type One: MAULER
Number: 1
Firing Arcs: Fwd
Firing Chart: N/A
Maximum Power: 24
Damage Modifiers: See Chart

Beam Weapon Type Two: RB-2
Number: 2 in 1 bank
Firing Arcs: Aft
Firing Chart: K
Maximum Power: 2
Damage Modifiers: None

Deflector Shield Type: RSE
Shield Point Ratio: ½
Maximum Shield Power: 8

D: 78.3
WDF: 19.4

[thescreamingswede]

Just wanted to update everyone who read the last post for the Mauler. I forgot one crucial part of information when I was editing the post. I have highligted the missing information (call this an eratta notice).

Thanks.

theSwede.

[bazbaziah]

Your Mauler is quite similar to what I created for my Andromedan Terminator many years ago except I had a range of 8 max. and used a to hit chart (can't remember which one OTTOMH). I also allowed warp and impulse.power to be shunted in on firing but this caused a point for point damage to the engines on firing it.

Jim

[thescreamingswede]

Nov 16, 2023 11:51:21 GMT -7 bazbaziah said:

Your Mauler is quite similar to what I created for my Andromedan Terminator many years ago except I had a range of 8 max. and used a to hit chart (can't remember which one OTTOMH). I also allowed warp and impulse.power to be shunted in on firing but this caused a point for point damage to the engines on firing it.

Jim

Funny you mention the Andromedans. I have a fleet of Andromedan ships I used for an "In the Milky Way" empire bent on taking over the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, much like the Dominion in the Next Generation/DS9 era. I built up the equipment based off of the SFB Andromedans as well, like the Tractor/Repulsor beams, the Energy Absorption systems, and the shunt drive (or whatever they called it in SFB, it's been that long). That stuff will also be put out in this volume, eventually.

theSwede

[bazbaziah]

Nov 16, 2023 18:14:09 GMT -7 thescreamingswede said:

Nov 16, 2023 11:51:21 GMT -7 bazbaziah said:

Your Mauler is quite similar to what I created for my Andromedan Terminator many years ago except I had a range of 8 max. and used a to hit chart (can't remember which one OTTOMH). I also allowed warp and impulse.power to be shunted in on firing but this caused a point for point damage to the engines on firing it.

Jim

Funny you mention the Andromedans. I have a fleet of Andromedan ships I used for an "In the Milky Way" empire bent on taking over the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, much like the Dominion in the Next Generation/DS9 era. I built up the equipment based off of the SFB Andromedans as well, like the Tractor/Repulsor beams, the Energy Absorption systems, and the shunt drive (or whatever they called it in SFB, it's been that long). That stuff will also be put out in this volume, eventually.

theSwede

It will be interesting to see what you came up with. I had a full campaign worked out with a good number of missions and a written timeline of the history.
I still have most.of it but the main campaign notes and special rules have long since disappeared into memory.

Jim

[trynda1701]

Nov 15, 2023 15:41:12 GMT -7 thescreamingswede said:

Just wanted to update everyone who read the last post for the Mauler. I forgot one crucial part of information when I was editing the post. I have highligted the missing information (call this an eratta notice).

Thanks.

theSwede.

Interesting new weapon transfered over from SFB, thescreamingswede . Did you create any other Empires version? I'm not sure whether in the SFB continuity they did their own versions, or they are 'conjecturel' designs. I know that ADB have done minis in the past and now on Shapeways for at least the Federation and Klingon versions.

Nov 16, 2023 18:14:09 GMT -7 thescreamingswede said:

Nov 16, 2023 11:51:21 GMT -7 bazbaziah said:

Your Mauler is quite similar to what I created for my Andromedan Terminator many years ago except I had a range of 8 max. and used a to hit chart (can't remember which one OTTOMH). I also allowed warp and impulse.power to be shunted in on firing but this caused a point for point damage to the engines on firing it.

Jim

Funny you mention the Andromedans. I have a fleet of Andromedan ships I used for an "In the Milky Way" empire bent on taking over the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, much like the Dominion in the Next Generation/DS9 era. I built up the equipment based off of the SFB Andromedans as well, like the Tractor/Repulsor beams, the Energy Absorption systems, and the shunt drive (or whatever they called it in SFB, it's been that long). That stuff will also be put out in this volume, eventually.

theSwede

Also looking forward to see what you've come up with for the Andromedans. The displacement device is I beleive the name you're looking for the 'shunt drive'.


Did you transfer the newer 'Temporal Elevator' system as well? And if you did, can you explain what it actually does?

I used to have some off the SFB current version supplements, but got rid off them years ago. Might still have just the Cadet Training Manual and the Tactics Manual left, for basic reference to the game system. But I can't remember what or how the Elevator was supposed to be used for!

[thescreamingswede]

BORE SITE FIRING ARC

INTRODUCTION

My group of players grew more seasoned and more knowledgable as years went on, so I learned early that I needed to throw them curveballs, mixed with sliders, change ups, and fastballs with the occasional breaking ball tossed in for good measure (Wheee! Baseball metaphors) Several of the antagonists I created for my group therefore had to be "out of the box but really well thought out" when it came to introducing advanced technology. Too strong a weapon had the potential to make the players balk and not want to play. Worse, the cheeseheads would view it as a way to gain god like technology for only the cost of men and material (as I have said before, I had guys who made better Orions, or Klingons, or Romulans, than they ever did Starfleet officers. It was always a case of 23rd century technology in the hands of 18th century thinking).

So anytime a weapon that had tremendous potential as a superweapon came around, there always had to be a drawback big enough to deter my players from simply trying to find a way to exploit it for their means. The Bore Sight Firing Arc (BORSIFA) was one of the ways I limited these weapons.

RULES

The Bore Sight Firing Arc is pretty straight forward, literally. An area effect weapon of limited width, the bore sight allows a heavy concentration of energy into a broad but focused beam that can automatically strike anything in its very limited path, however there is no way to aim such a weapon except by moving the bow (or stern, the Bore Sight Firing Arc is not available to the Port or Starboard firing arcs) to directly face the target. Against large, slow moving objects like asteroids, planetoids, and planets, this isn't all that difficult, but against swift moving smaller objects like fighters, cutters, and other ships in space, it's damn near impossible. It can be done, but doing so puts the targeting vessel in a compromised defensive position.

The diagram below illustrates the Bore Sight Firing Arc. The black line represents the only viable row of hexes a Bore Sight weapon has. The red line is an illegal path.





DISADVANTAGES

HOLD STILL
Any vessel firing a bore sight arc weapon must hold position long enough for the weapon to charge and fire. Therefore the ship must be stopped the movement phase prior to firing. The Bore Sight Firing Arc weapon will automatically hit its target, but anyone targeting the firing vessel will gain a bonus of -1 to their To-Hit when targeting the ship.


QUICKDRAWING
If the ship moved on a movement phase and chose to fire the bore sight arc weapon in the subsequent fire phase, then the weapon and only that weapon will suffer a -1 To-Hit penalty for each movement point used in the movement phase, meaning that it will no longer automatically hit the intended target. For example; if the firing vessel is moving at speed 3 and only used one movement point in the second movement phase, then the Bore Sight Arc Weapon will suffer a minus 1 (-1) penalty, meaning the shot will need a roll of nine (9) to hit instead of being automatic. This effect holds through the entire range of the weapon and does not degrade like standard weapons do.


INDESCRIMINANT OF TARGET
Any vessel or other object caught in the Bore Sight Firing Arc will be hit regardless if it is friend, foe, or other.


DAMAGE
This is an arbitrary number based on the weapon. Generally in my uses the beam either lost a percentage of power the further out it went or the targets took a percentage of the damage based on the range. How you do it is up to you.

[thescreamingswede]

ADVANCED COMBAT MANEUVERS

We actually still use these, so they are less Unearthed Arcana and more House Rules, but they were pretty out there and are not everyone's cup of tea. I guess it all depends on what analogy you use to describe ship to ship combat; aerial dogfighting or old sea going vessel combat.

INVERSION (half roll)
This involves the vessel rolling 180 degrees, bringing the port side over to the starboard side and vice versa. While a simple maneuver, the player must remember that while inverted, shields 1 (fwd/port), 6 (aft/port) and 3 (fwd/stbd), 4 (aft/stbd), are also inverted; 1 with 3, 6 with 4. (Numbers 2 (fwd) and 5 (aft) do not change). Port and Starboard firing arcs are also reversed.
Movement Cost: free if only one hex traveled, otherwise +1MP. May be done at Warp Speed.
Crew Skill Roll: None

Benefits: Can be of great tactical value if damage to one side of the vessel pertains to shielding or weapons and there is not enough time to change course to bring a protected or armed side to bear. Since orientation of vessels in space is irrelevant, an inverted ship may remain so for as long as desired.

Disadvantages: The limits of human comprehension in a three-dimensional environment can lead to lethal mistakes when planning tactical options while inverted. The biggest error comes when allotting power to tactical systems, when the disorientation of being “upside down” can lead to powering the wrong weapons or defensive systems. Re-inverting back to the original combat plane can solve this problem, however.



IMMELMAN TURN/SPLIT S
Used since the dawn of flight, the Immelman Turn/Split S allows the vessel to change direction while still moving forward. In game terms, this action allows the vessel to change heading 180 degrees around in the same hex and continue moving forward in the new facing. While an invaluable maneuver during combat, it is also one of the more complex moves, requiring tremendous amounts of power. The move will put the vessel either above (Immelmann) or below (Split S) the plane of combat, causing a shift of the targeting sensors requiring time to correct. When done with conventional atmospheric craft the momentum of each maneuver is considered. The Immelmann Turn will slow the craft down whereas the Split S will cause the craft to speed up. In space either maneuver will have no effect on movement however if two vessels or more occupy the hex performing either move could result in a possible collision (see Advanced Collision Rules).

Movement Cost: 3MP or equivalent reserve power to generate 3MP at vessel’s MPR with the vessel remaining in the hex facing the opposite direction. Vessel may continue in new direction if any MP remain during that phase. Maneuver may not be performed at Warp Speed.
Crew Skill Roll: Base Crew Efficiency to avoid damage.

Benefits: Allows vessel to reverse direction quickly while still moving forward.

Disadvantages: The maneuver is tricky and power taxing. It can cause damage to a vessel if not done correctly. The rapid change in orientation also puts the vessel awkwardly out of sync with the plane of combat requiring the targeting sensors to be recalibrated. Weapons therefore cannot be fired immediately after performing an Immelmann or Split S maneuver.


DRIFT TURN
A highly advanced maneuver, a Drift Turn utilizes the ship’s mass and momentum to effectively sideslip while changing facing. Once a vessel has performed a conventional turn it can use its momentum to continue sideways for an additional hex while applying lateral power to turn the vessel another facing in the direction of the original turn. While not a power-hungry maneuver, it does require a considerable amount of skill from the helmsman in order to time the application of the lateral power to make the turn and not stall the drift.

Movement Cost: +1MP. Move can be done at Warp Speed but will automatically cause base evasive action damage with additional damage as per the Stress Charts. There is no penalty for performing the move at sub-light speed.
Crew Skill Roll: Base Efficiency - 20%

Benefits: It can be used to bring a firing arc to bear on a target that may not have been available under conventional means. If correctly performed the Drift Turn will also open other advanced movement options.

Disadvantages: Failing to time the application of lateral power will cause the drift to stall, forcing the vessel to change the additional facing without the extra hex of movement. This may cause an unshielded or unarmed firing arc to come to bear on a target. This will also stall all forward movement and prevent the vessel from performing further advanced movement options.


ROCKFORD
One of the advanced movement options available after a successful Drift Turn, the Rockford uses the ship’s momentum to swing itself 180 degrees around and continue in either reverse (if the ship was moving forward) or forward (if the ship was moving in reverse). One of the most advanced maneuvers on this list, the Rockford is also one of the most complex, requiring expert timing from both the helmsman and the engineering team. It requires the helmsman to apply enough lateral power to prevent the ship from over rotating while the engineering team needs to time the reversal of power (from forward to reverse or vice versa) from the engines to avoid tearing the ship apart with counter thrust.

Movement Cost: 3MP. Move can be done at Warp Speed but will automatically cause base evasive action damage with additional damage as per the Stress Charts. See Disadvantages for additional effects due to failure. An Engineering Control Roll failure will cause damage at sub-light speed.
Crew Skill Roll: Base Efficiency -30% for Helm Control Roll, Base Efficiency – 30% for Engineering Control roll.

Benefits: When performed correctly the Rockford will allow a ship to change direction completely and continue moving in its original direction but with its new facing. Several tactical applications are possible. Additionally, a vessel retreating can reverse its direction quickly in order to escape.

Disadvantages: There are several, all of which are severe.
Failure of the Helm Control Roll could result in several outcomes depending on the Margin of Failure.
01 – 10: The ship will not rotate fast enough to bring it the extra 60 degrees needed to bring it all the way around, causing the ship to keep its facing and slide one hex in the same direction it was heading.
11 – 20: The ship will over rotate and spin an additional hex-side past the intended facing, continuing to slide in its current direction.
21 – 30: The ship will rotate one hex facing but stall, stopping the vessel in the initial hex and stalling all further movement.
30 – 40: The ship will over rotate one hex facing but stall, stopping the vessel in the initial hex and stalling all further movement.
41 – 50: The ship will stall the drift and fail to rotate far enough to change facing, coming to a complete stop.
51 – Up: The ship will tumble out of control in the last direction it was traveling at one hex per phase but with a randomly determined facing until a successful Helm Control Roll is made at a -20%. The vessel will not be able to fire during this time.

Failure of the Engineering Control Roll could result in several outcomes depending on the Margin of Failure.
01 – 05: Apply normal damage as per the Stress Charts if at warp. No penalty at sub-light speed.
06 – 15: Take one hit to the Maneuver Power Grid and apply an additional -1 damage to all engines and Superstructure even at sub-light speed.
16 – 25: Take two hits to the Maneuver Power Grid and apply an additional -2 damage to all engines and Superstructure.
26 – 35: Take three hits to the Maneuver Power Grid and double the damage from the Stress Charts if at warp. Apply a minimum of -3 points of damage to all engines and Superstructure regardless of speed.
36 – 50: Take four hits to the Maneuver Power Grid, triple damage from the Stress Charts if at warp. Apply a minimum of -4 points of damage to all engines and Superstructure regardless of speed.
51+: Maneuver Power Grid inoperative. Quadruple damage from the Stress Charts if at warp. Apply a minimum of -5 points of damage to all engines and Superstructure regardless of speed.


PIVOT AND ADVANCE
Under the normal rules a starship must advance forward one hex before turning, however this advanced movement option has the helmsman forcing the bow of the vessel over before advancing forward (or backwards). A rather simple move, it does require the helmsman to time the application of lateral power to push the bow over before moving forward.

Movement Cost: 1MP. Move can be performed at warp speed however the chance of failure is higher.
Crew Skill Roll: Base Efficiency +10% at sub-light speed. -30% at warp.

Benefits: Allows a vessel with an obstructed flight path a chance to avoid collision or to outmaneuver another vessel.

Disadvantages: Failure of the skill attempt will result in a normal turn (advance, then turn), potentially fouling the captain’s tactical plan.

FEINT TO PORT/STARBOARD
A Feint is an exaggerated form of a juke, a commonly performed maneuver by atmospheric craft in order to avoid incoming fire or to make a subtle adjustment in aim in order to hit a target. This is done by gently swinging the tail of the atmospheric craft over one way or the other while the nose remains relatively stable. At the starship level, the helmsman applies lateral power from the rear, forcing the stern of the ship to swing to port or starboard while the ship slides over in the opposite direction. It is similar in action to a sideslip, except instead of advancing forward the bow of the ship will now face in the opposite direction of the sideslip. For example, if the sideslip is to the starboard (right), the bow of the ship will turn to port (left). While a simple maneuver, it does require extra power and skill to be performed correctly.

Movement Cost: 1MP. Move can be performed at warp but counts as an evasive action and suffers damage under those rules. This maneuver cannot be performed in reverse. A pivot and advance are the preferred option.
Crew Skill Roll: Base Efficiency.

Benefits: Added flexibility in gaining fire angles against enemy targets.

Disadvantages: Improperly timed application of lateral power will result in one of two outcomes. The ship will sideslip but fail to turn (move like a normal sideslip) or the ship will turn but fail to sideslip (move as a normal turn). The chances are 50/50.

BOW DROP
A bow drop is a highly advanced maneuver that is performed only in reverse. It is the reverse of a feint where instead of applying lateral power from the rear, the helmsman forces the bow over from the front while moving laterally in reverse. The ship performs a reverse sideslip moving laterally, however instead of continuing in a straight line after, the helmsman swings the bow of the ship into the direction of the sideslip (to port if moving left, starboard if moving right). In conjunction with an expert engineering crew this maneuver can be complimented with a shunt of power forward, propelling the vessel forward in the new direction with minimal stress damage to the engines and superstructure.

Movement cost: 1MP. This move cannot be done at warp speed.
Crew Skill Roll: Helm: Base Efficiency -10%. No engineering roll is required if the vessel continues in reverse. If the vessel is to reverse direction and move forward, see the engineering roll chart for a Rockford.

Benefits: Like the Feint or Drift Turn, the Bow Drop has the potential to bring an arc to bear that would not have been possible under standard movement guidelines. Additionally, it is possible to quickly reverse direction on a new heading without having to stop all vessel motion.

Disadvantages: Like the Rockford, switching from backwards to forwards movement requires a fair amount of timing and skill on the part of the helm and engineering teams. Losing control or causing irreparable harm to the ships propulsion system is a probability.

[schoon]

I like the Immelman - nice.

[trynda1701]

Dec 7, 2023 12:50:37 GMT -7 schoon said:

I like the Immelman - nice.

It's the "Rockford" one I love. I know it was seen elsewhere, but James Garner would have loved this! Brilliant!


Btw swede, it's spelt incorrectly as "Rockfort" on your diagram.

[trynda1701]

thescreamingswede

Sorry, meant to say, these are all cool extra manoeuvres. Plus, the Bore Sight Weapon as well. It probably appeared earlier (in anime?) but the first time I saw the concept in gaming was as something called a Wave Gun in Full Thrust 2nd Edition, where it was known unofficially as the BFG. I'll let the audience work it out!

As you say, if you keep to the 2D abstraction of a game mat, a lot of space combat games tend to go with sea going combat analogy. The first departure I saw was Full Thrusts' take on Vector Movement, where you could have a vessel heading in one direction, while pointing in another, rather than the standard move, turn in place, move forward 'cinematic' Movement. Babylon 5, of course, showed Vector movements, especially with the Starfury fighters!


But your House Rules sort of take the concept of 3D without the complexity of some games like Ad Astras "Attack Vector: Tactical" or "Squadron Strike", which I haven't played, but I believe are supposedly VERY complex to give you true 3D Movement and Firing from different levels. And of course, how do you portray the minis at different heights and orientations!

Now, if you want to have that in your games, then, of course, more power to those players!


Your ideas are sound, with listed benefits AND disadvantages, so things such as rolling the ship is easy to portray for firing opposite side weapons or use those shields. Just don't forget you've rolled next Power Allocation phase!

I seem to remember one magazine, either "Stardate" magazine or another ("Challenge" magazine had a few FASA RPG or STSTCS articles I think), having extra STSTCS rules, and one of those was an explanation for the Cochrane Deceleration Manuever (from "Whom God's Destroy" in TOS), something like trading remaining MPs not used to put Emergency power to the Shields or something. Did such an article inspire you to come up with these manoeuvers, or where they something that just evolved from your games naturally?

[trynda1701]

Nov 17, 2023 11:45:39 GMT -7 bazbaziah said:

Nov 16, 2023 18:14:09 GMT -7 thescreamingswede said:

Funny you mention the Andromedans. I have a fleet of Andromedan ships I used for an "In the Milky Way" empire bent on taking over the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, much like the Dominion in the Next Generation/DS9 era. I built up the equipment based off of the SFB Andromedans as well, like the Tractor/Repulsor beams, the Energy Absorption systems, and the shunt drive (or whatever they called it in SFB, it's been that long). That stuff will also be put out in this volume, eventually.

theSwede

It will be interesting to see what you came up with. I had a full campaign worked out with a good number of missions and a written timeline of the history.
I still have most.of it but the main campaign notes and special rules have long since disappeared into memory.

Jim

Would love to see you post what you still have left, Jim.


Mark