Newbie System Overhaul Question

Hi ... another professional ability question. On page 71 under System Overhaul the book states that a system's maximum limit can be increased by 1.5 with a successful TN 15 test against the appropriate engineering skill. I have 2 questions. First, how long does the increase last. Two, how long does such an overhaul take?

It's permanent, IIRC. I would assume the time to do it would be whatever is appropriate for the series plot. Want it done for the ep ("we've reconfigured the quantum whatsinator to fire green jello, imobilizing out opponent, or doing an extra point of damage if you flip the yellow switch back and forth on the helm console...",) to a few eps ("we're upgrading multiple components to build a slipstream drive...")

It's a powerful ability if it is permanent but I would also assume that it is. The method of controlling its use will have to be the amount of time necessary to do the overhaul. Of course, if you're in the middle of overhauling the shields and you get attacked, you've got serious problems!

Thanks for the response.

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Originally Posted by Captain Quirk

First, how long does the increase last. Two, how long does such an overhaul take?

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Based on conversations with Jesse Heinig (the last Trek line developer for Decipher), the increase lasts for the remainder of the current episode. As for the time taken, I would leave that up to Narrator's discretion depending on the extensiveness of the overhaul. A good rule of thumb could be to treat the overhaul as one block of damage (which takes 1.5 hours to repair) and use the Time Mod. column on the Degree of Success table (NG Table 6.12, page 81) to modify this result based on how well the roll is made by.

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Originally Posted by Doug Burke

Based on conversations with Jesse Heinig (the last Trek line developer for Decipher), the increase lasts for the remainder of the current episode. As for the time taken, I would leave that up to Narrator's discretion depending on the extensiveness of the overhaul. A good rule of thumb could be to treat the overhaul as one block of damage (which takes 1.5 hours to repair) and use the Time Mod. column on the Degreeof Success table (NG Table 6.12, page 81) to modify this result based on how well the roll is made by.

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So, this is to get the "push the systems beyond their limit" thing, then.

I would, personaly, allow an upgrade on this one that allows you to permanently allow an upgrade...but doing it on a permanent basis should mean a lot of work; a permanent upgrade shold take, say, 1.5 weeks as a base time in a starbase or construction facility, with an extended test having a TN150, maybe? If the upgrade is attempted out of harbor, make the base test 1.5 months, with an extended test TN150. (Figure you can only put a third to half of any engineering shift on the project in space, so that should limit the chance of immediate success [if you add bonuses for the number of crewmen involved in the work.] )

Just spitballing...

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Originally Posted by black campbellq

So, this is to get the "push the systems beyond their limit" thing, then.

I would, personaly, allow an upgrade on this one that allows you to permanently allow an upgrade...but doing it on a permanent basis should mean a lot of work; a permanent upgrade shold take, say, 1.5 weeks as a base time in a starbase or construction facility, with an extended test having a TN150, maybe? If the upgrade is attempted out of harbor, make the base test 1.5 months, with an extended test TN150. (Figure you can only put a third to half of any engineering shift on the project in space, so that should limit the chance of immediate success [if you add bonuses for the number of crewmen involved in the work.] )

Just spitballing...

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Permanent upgrades of this nature would be covered under Starship Advancement, as outlined in Starships...

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Originally Posted by black campbellq

It's permanent, IIRC.

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Sorry, it's for the episode only. Permanent improvements require the use of the appropriate Trait or expenditure of Starship experience ("Starships").

The final decision is, of course, up to your Narrator, but this rule is to simulate the technobabble of doing some amazing feat during the climax of the adventure that we, strangely, never see on screen again. :)

Yes, I wrote it. :)

I figured that permanent improvements were too good to be true. I'm wondering though if it would be fair to allow the improvements to be made to devices other than starships. For example, could the engineer modify a hand phaser to increase its range or damage by 1.5? What about modifying a ground craft of some type? Tricorders and so on?

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Originally Posted by Captain Quirk

I figured that permanent improvements were too good to be true. I'm wondering though if it would be fair to allow the improvements to be made to devices other than starships. For example, could the engineer modify a hand phaser to increase its range or damage by 1.5? What about modifying a ground craft of some type? Tricorders and so on?

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I've allowed similar feats in my game in the past (turning a tricorder into a sonic-based disruptor, for example), but again, these only lasted for the episode.

It's entirelly in the spirit of the show to have a wonder of the week device which transcends the lasw of Trek, but rarelly do these things last more than a show. I guess you could rationalise that as the fact that the device is unstable, experimental and needs a full diagnostic and controll software written for it.. and THIS is what a paid for upgrade is, those types of upgrades go funny after a few weeks - or more importantly as part of a story ark:

For example the Fairhaven holodeck sim on Voyager ran for more time than was normally recomended, so it began breaking down.. Or Geordi La Forges new deep subspace sensors attracted an unwanted alien abduction! - I guess rather than seeing it as an unreasonable mechanic, see it as an oportunity for story telling.. just don't tell your players that :D