From: chadtaylor <chadtaylor@d...>
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1998 21:50:32 -0400
Subject: Some House rules for comment (SFB universe)
Since I have picked up the Fleet Book I'm considering rewriting my Star Trek rules (based on the SFB version of the universe). I wanted to present a few systems here for comment. While I'm not a big fan of the ST universe, I have a decent model collection and it is an easy way to introduce people to the game. ********************************************************************* The first option uses screens in place of ST shields. Since most ships in SFB had stronger forward shielding than in other areas I have been using the following rule. Point Screen Allows an additional screen level through one arc only. Mass: 1 (or 2% of ship MASS if greater) Cost: MASS X 3 This is Vs the 5% cost of a normal screen. I've considered going down to 1%, but that seems too efficient. ********************************************************************* The second option, the one I favor now, is dropping the use of screens for shields. Instead, a modified Hull armour rule will be used to model shields. Effects from weapons and re-rolls are as per normal Hull Armour. General Shield Works and costs the same as the normal Hull Armour rules. The exception is that damage control parties can repair General Shield points. This bonus should probably cost an extra point per mass, but if the General Shield isn't used against the normal Hull Armour rules (universe specific) then there shouldn't be a problem. Point Shielding Mass: 1 mass per 3 boxes of shielding/defense Cost: Mass X 10 Each box of shielding will absorb damage through only one arc. When the ship is designed the player must state through which arcs each box provides protection. One method is to place the boxes at the top, corners, sides or bottom (depending) of the ship display. The boxes being marked off as the ship takes damage through the represented arc. As with General Shields, Point Shielding can be repaired by damage control parties. Point Shielding is damaged (marked off) prior to General Shielding being damaged. ********************************************************************* The idea with the second option (less so with the first) is to add the tactical challenge of not just moving your ships to keep your weapons in arc and your opponents weapons in arc but also to maneuver so as to keep arcs that have lost their shielding away from an opponent while attempting to maneuver into an opponents like arc. The two may not always be the same. Point Shielding (hull armour variant) is easily changed to a Hull Point Armour variant for those who want to experiment with ships designed to with stand damage better from one direction. I'm considering something like this for the Kra'Vak. The Point Shielding (Hull Armour variant) should probably have a limit on the amount of shielding placed in one arc, something like any one arc cannot be twice as strong as an arc beside it perhaps. Before I make any decision I wanted to see what others might have to say. Option two is where I'm going to go, but I had been using the first for awhile and thought I would include it also. Just a few thoughts at the moment Chad