[CODA] New starship flaws
Hi all!
I made up two new ship flaws that I wanted to share. Feel free to criticize! :)
Intricate System
One system aboard the ship is particularly complex, because space was limited for example, or because it’s very complicated.
EFFECT: All repair attempts on this particular system suffer +4 to the TN. This flaw can be taken multiple times, for the same system and for other ones.
Limited Coordination
The ship has a limited crew, especially in the Command branch; The ship’s capabilities are limited.
EFFECT: The ship cannot execute any Tier III maneuvers.
Great kid, now don’t get cocky…
K.W. don’t go Sally Fields on us (“You like me, you really, really like me…”). :D
Seriously though; with my flaw, I’d put it into a two-tier format:
Level 1: A part is the prototype. Be it the: computer, weapon system, sensors, or what ever; if it brakes the ship’s replicators can’t reproduce it 100%, the ‘cloned’ part will always be flawed (much like photocopying). So, if this part bakes, and is un-repairable; then the ship must go to a starbase or shipyards (and that facility must be ‘advanced’, no ‘shade tree’ mechanics/engineering).
Level 2: The ship is the prototype. This is your basic Excelsior/Defiant story; the ship has that ‘new ship smell’ because it is a new ship, and truly ‘one of a kind’, until all tests are completed and results are approved. The problems with the flaw are two fold:
1) The ship requires a ‘security clearance’ in order to be on it, let alone use it (so constant checking and cross-checking by the computer to make sure those accounted for are accountable :D)
2) If the ship brakes-down, the whole thing has to be towed to an ‘advanced’ starbase/shipyards for repair. This rule applies even if the ship is only partially damaged (well…except for the towing; of it can move at warp, then Starfleet will let it ‘limp in’)
This will be easier when they actually put out the Starship book, and assigning points to Flaws and Advantages.
Oh, well...more thoughts?
My thinking...or lack thereof:)
Well K.W., I was thinking this for the latter version:
The points gained from having the Flaw (when the ‘point system’ is established…and who ‘buy’s a flaw anyway? “Yes, I’d like ‘faulty Warp Core’ with a side of ‘fragile ODN conduits’.”:)) would fairly high.
From these points one could/should (with emphasis on the latter) buy such things as: Enhanced System, Hardened System, Unique System, or so on. ‘System’s being emphasized as; well the ship is basically a test-bed for systems (Warp Drives, Computers, Sensors, Etc.). Now this doesn’t mean ‘Nimble’ or ‘Ablative Armor’ couldn’t be bought, but ‘Battle Tested’ and the like should not (anything that requires a given length of time…this ship’s literally ‘fresh off the line’, so no physical tests of the design has occurred…no ‘simulations’ even Holodeck-styled one don’t count).
The ultimate thing about the type B version of ‘Prototype’ is no other ship of that ship design may be built until the ‘Flaw’ is bought off (through game-play, natch.). This way, if a flaw (beside ‘Prototype’) does occur, it can be corrected (bought off) before ‘mass production’…one hopes. (Another note: Ver. B ‘Prototype’ must be bought last, because if another flaw occurs [again, through game play], the ship can’t be mass-produced, not until all the ‘kinks’ are worked-out.).
(BTW: thanks Matt for the encouragement. As to the ‘Experimental Tech’ skill [which doesn’t exist] I say; apply a ‘whatever works’ principle: if the tech in question is based on something, then base it difficult of repair on that skill, with additional difficulty [“What the hell is that…” “I think it a noble-gas condense”])
Now, moving on to a new Edge (yeah, yeah I know that not what this board's about, but I had too throw this out there:D):
Guardian: The ship is part of a close fleet, maybe a long-term task fleet, maybe a ship with unique circumstances (like being a prototype, with a chaperone). That said, the ship always has a ‘swim buddy’ not that far away (about 4-6 hours away by warp). If the ship gets into great problems, the other ship maybe able to render assistance (say 1 in 6 chances). The ‘other ship’s’ size is 3 less than the ship with the advantage, down to a minimum of 2 (a shuttle pod isn’t much help, but a Runabout can be…).
If more points are spent on this edge, then the other ship’s size may be increased (Max. of size of ‘edged ship’ plus one), and/or increased probability of assistance (Max. 3 in 6 chances of help.).
Thoughts?
