[ds2, sg2] robotic aliens... [x-post]

I am sure that some of this has been discussed previously, but it is worth
bringing up again.

One way is to have a simple flow chart of list of priorities for each unit.
Different units may have different Priorities assigned BEFORE the game starts.
In SG2 a unit's priorities may be changed by a successful communications
action from command. In DS2, it could be changed each turn, but marked at the
start of the turn.

I would suggest a short list for each unit. A typical example of a combat unit
would be Goal Priorities: Primary: Secure location 42x76 Secondary: Clear
enemy units within 36mu of primary goal Tertiary: Hold road 398 Survival
Priority: 2

Survival Priority is rated 1-3 (1 high, 3 low).
It shifts the Quality Die Type when the unit makes Confidence Checks or
Reaction Tests. SP1 shifts the quality die up 1, SP2 shifts the quality die up
2, and SP3 shifts the die type up 3. It also indicates if a unit will make use
of surrounding cover (SP1 units do not unless under a suppression marker at
the beginning of a turn). A SP3 unit will remove 1 suppression counter at the
END of its turn (it has a low survival priority, so is less concerned with
taking casualties). SP1 and 2 units remove suppression markers as normal. In
DS2, SP3 infantry units do not receive 'under fire' markers unless an element
of the unit is damaged (like vehicles) and do not use the terrain for
protection unless they start the turn with an 'under fire' marker. SP3 units'
confidence never falls below Shaken.

In SG2, detached elements may have Priorities set at time of detachment. I.e.
a communications detachment would be provided a different set of priorities
than the main unit.

A sniper might have a Priority List of: Goal Priorities: Primary: Target unit
X Secondary: Remain Undetected Tertiary: Return to unit Q if detected Survival
Priority: 1

A command unit might have a Priority list of: Goal Priorities: Primary:
Provide Priorities to units Secondary: Reactivate Units to accomplish task
Tertiary: Coordinate Resources (artillery, etc.) Survival Priority: 1

Most robotic infantry units may be assumed to be Power Armor. Robotic Infantry
Units that start at SP3 are usually expendable, so are treated as normal units
(rely on numbers rather than armor).

Robotic units usually start a battle at: Confidence Level: CO Motivation: High
Fatigue Level: Fresh Although specific scenarios may provide for a different
set of levels. Example: A forward robotic unit is running low on power, so it
starts as Tired or Exhausted. The attack is a feint, so motivation is Medium.
The Dalaks know that Dr.Who is advising the other side, so Confidence is
Steady.

Robotic units are usually not effected by terror attacks (including biochem
and nuclear). Robotic Units' confidence never falls below Broken (SP3 units'
confidence never falls below Shaken).

The quality of the robotic units may vary based on what the unit was designed
to do, experience (if the units have learning capability), knowledge of the
opponent, etc. I would suggest that units that start at SP3, be no better than
Regular (perhaps should be Green); these units are expendable, so quality is
not a high priority in design.

I would also suggest seeing Beth's Dalak rules at
http://members.nbci.com/gzg_l/xeno/daleks.html

-----
Brian Bell bkb@beol.net
-----

> -----Original Message-----
[snip]

> Yeap I guess it's what makes the difference between a new race

G'day Brian,

> It also indicates if a unit will make use of surrounding

OK I'm confused!! Why don't units with a high survival rating (SP1) use cover?

> Most robotic infantry units may be assumed to be

Why? OK there's a bit of devils advocate here, but wee little bots may be more
like line in what they can do. I'd also say that "miltia", "line" or
"PA" could actually represent different kinds/quality of construction of

the bots.

> The Dalaks know that

Manic you mean;)

> Robotic units are usually not effected by terror attacks

Out of interest, what terror attacks would effect a robotic unit?

Some nice ideas there Brian.

Have fun

Beth

> At 2000.11.28 +1100 09:27, you wrote:

[Bri] Oops. That should read "SP3 units do not use
terrain for cover unless under suppression (or 'under fire' marker) at the
beginning of a turn". I had originally had 1 as low, and changed it but missed
that instance.

> >Most robotic infantry units may be assumed to be
or
> "PA" could actually represent different kinds/quality of construction

[Bri] I was thinking that robotic units would be more
difficult to mission-kill. PA increases a number of
aspects of them without having to fiddle write a rule for each. I was going
for simple. All three, of course, could be used if desired.

> >The Dalaks know that

[Bri] I do not know, but wanted to leave this open to those
with more imagination. Dalaks might panic if confronted by an army of Time
Lords (after all, look what just one of them has done). But Dalaks are not
true robots, so that is not necessarily a good example. Perhaps an enemy with
a weapon the robots could not counter (biological spray that eats the robots
processing chips)? I did not view it as true terror, but an enemy that would
cause the robots to
jump beyond thier hide-bound programming, use seldom-
used logic routines, or rely on some random factor. This could have the same
effect. Example: Generic Robot A is confronted with a Magalioian. Command
checks the history and discovers that the Robots have never defeated the
Magalioians. Command sends out a new subroutine that causes the robots to
place a higher priority on avoiding the Magalioians until it can generate a
likely action to defeat them. This could have the same effect as terror.

> Some nice ideas there Brian.

G'day Brian,

> Dalaks might panic if confronted

No they probably break into hysterical laughter as the Time Lords spent more
time attacking each other and trying to execute the Doctor than chasing the
Daleks;)

> Perhaps an enemy with a

Or one of those Star Trek situations where the captain convinces the robot its
just broken its primary order so it gets overload and blows up?;)

Have fun

Beth