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Ouch. Harsh. Sorry, I didn't get the memo that said we weren't allow to disagree / have an alternate opinion. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/wink.gifQuote:
Originally posted by Dan Gurden:
To which I say "Fine"
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Don
trekrpg@trekrpg.net
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Oh, FYI, calguard66 and I are having a nice little talk on just this issue in another thread if you’d like to join us.Quote:
Originally posted by Erik Filean:
I don't think that either Dan's nor my strategic operations overlays are incompatible with LUGTrek design. YMMV. That's your game and your decision, not my problem.
We don’t mind a few dissenting opinions. Really. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif
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Don
trekrpg@trekrpg.net
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[This message has been edited by Don (edited 03-27-2001).]
I like the overlays that have been presented above. They are well thought out and seem to work for the respective games.
However, I do have to say that, personally, I think the Strategic Operations Officer should be more an Academy package rather than overlay. They are after all either from Tactical, separate from Security (see "The Wounded" O'Brian was the Rutleges Tac. Officer) or Operations personel.
Yes, it could also be done either as an Academy package or an advanced training program. In fact, I think any of the three (Academy specialty, Academy special training, or later advanced training) is valid.Quote:
Originally posted by Phantom:
I like the overlays that have been presented above. They are well thought out and seem to work for the respective games.
However, I do have to say that, personally, I think the Strategic Operations Officer should be more an Academy package rather than overlay. They are after all either from Tactical, separate from Security (see "The Wounded" O'Brian was the Rutleges Tac. Officer) or Operations personel.
I have to disagree with this package. Not every job in Starfleet has it's own package. Strat Ops Officer is a position, a job, not a unique branch... as shown by the fact that Worf took it.
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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain
Well said.Quote:
Originally posted by calguard66:
I have to disagree with this package. Not every job in Starfleet has it's own package. Strat Ops Officer is a position, a job, not a unique branch... as shown by the fact that Worf took it.
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Don
trekrpg@trekrpg.net
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I think it should be advanced training, with a minimum rank of Lt (SG). It isn't the sort of job you give to a new Ensign, even as an assistant.
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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain
I like the looks of both overlays. I can't see why both couldn't be used, one for each branch to show subtle differences.
Maybe Academy packages would be in order as well as the overlays, or just make a custom package at the Academy. (the books say you CAN do that !)
One thing I love about these boards is the original work submitted to compliment/enhance the game...I dare say that had all the books/boxed sets been released we'd have a LOT more overlays, packages et al that are being submitted now by fans...seeing as that won't happen (short of the excellent works submitted by Steve Long & Don Mappin and all the fan-based submissions...apologies for missing anyone !), why not use your imagination & creativity !?!
Personally I've created a few non-trek (or any other sci-fi genre) species, and when I do I include Early Life, Training packages, Overlays etc...
It works for me, and no doubt, many others...and I, for one, hope the original submissions keep on coming ! ...along with the basically canon things like Spacedock, SRMs, DSW et al of course ! http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif
I don't have anything against new templates, anything that makes your life easier is cool; that said in my own experiance Strategic Operations Officers in my own game came up from other areas of the fleet and gain that position based on their experience and knowledge.
In the case of Worf, he started out Red Shirt (Command Branch) first season of Trek, changed departments, then changed back with his new assignment.
That a StOpsO would be Command Branch seems pretty logical; Tactical/Security Officers aren't even required to have Starship Tactics to do their jobs, and Command Branch (mostly Admirals wouldn't you say?) are the ones who dictate Strategic Operation Policy.
How you get to the role of StOpsO would of course be fraught with so many possible routes that I wouldn't dare to say *THIS IS HOW*...but a few things I would suggest for consideration would be:
Having gained the rank of Lt.Commander (showing you have some experiance in the fleet)
Having the prerequisites to at least attend the Strategic Operations School in the Player's Guide, even if you haven't actually attended.
If you haven't attended, being an *expert* through some other mechanism on the Strategic Arena you will be serving that position in.
A tour at the Strategic Planning Council at Starfleet Command would be a plus before being sent out as a Field Strategic Coordinator. (See Price of Freedom, I believe those fellows work for Admiral Venahil who's also the Honcho over Starfleet Security, Rapid Response Teams, and Starfleet Intelligence.)
Non-Standard avenues of entry would probably include Star Fleet Intelligence Officers, particularly analysts -- and even better if they were Command Branch in regular fleet first and then did a tour somewhere in S.I. using one of the packages in The First Line.
And example might be:
Race: Federation Member Race (Yes, yes I know Worf wasn't but he is an exception more than a standard I would think.)
Childhood: Any, but unlikely one of the "dubious" ones.
Academy: If you aren't going Command Branch, then that Advanced Tactical Program might be a winner.
Cadet Cruise:
First Tour: Suit Yourself
Second Tour: Star Fleet Intelligence
Third Tour: Star Fleet Command -- SPC after attending Strategic Operations School
4th Tour: Posting as Strategic Ops Officer.
This path would get your character a Security Clearance, which you will probably need since you are handling really sensitive information like FLEET deployments, you'll pick up Admin for Fleet Operations, You'll have some Tactical Training and skills, You'll have Strategic Operations. You'll have some Espionage -- and you'll have some experiance on how to deal with S.I. and the way they present their data for you to assimilate into your duty planning.
Is this the best way? Probably not.
Is this the only way? Certainly not.
Is this an internally realistic way? Well, I think so at least.
Flame as you like, Peace. =)
One random thought I had concerning the specialized Overlays issue. The ones that appeared on the Price of Freedom sourcebook were published before someone 'invented' the 'Advanced Training Packages', am I right?
So, is it so out of this world to think that those overlays are actually academic specializations for certain officers? Structural and Theoretical engineers, as an advanced training for Engineers (standard Eng template), JAG Officers for Command, Strat Ops Advanced training for Command and Security/Tactical officers, Diplomat advanced training for almost everyone... well, if you follow my train of thought, it would be more intelligent to strip down those overlays and transform them into Advanced Training packages, maybe with a longer duration (say, half a year).
What do you think?
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Chakotay: You didn't poison my coffee, did you?
Janeway: Not any more than I usually do.
"The Voyager Conspiracy", Voyager
Well... there's some nuance...Quote:
I have to disagree with this package. Not every job in Starfleet has it's own package. Strat Ops Officer is a position, a job, not a unique branch... as shown by the fact that Worf took it.
Pilot is a position, not a branch. Still i think that Starfleet will train PILOT, not Operation Officer that will finally Pilot a ship. Training more specialize personnel improve competence...
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Im french so I can pronounce Jean-Luc Picard
I'd have to agree with the good old doctor. These extra overlays can simply be explained away byt the more uptodate rules in the Players handbook for advanced academy training.Quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Jonas Bashir:
One random thought I had concerning the specialized Overlays issue. The ones that appeared on the Price of Freedom sourcebook were published before someone 'invented' the 'Advanced Training Packages', am I right?
So, is it so out of this world to think that those overlays are actually academic specializations for certain officers? Structural and Theoretical engineers, as an advanced training for Engineers (standard Eng template), JAG Officers for Command, Strat Ops Advanced training for Command and Security/Tactical officers, Diplomat advanced training for almost everyone... well, if you follow my train of thought, it would be more intelligent to strip down those overlays and transform them into Advanced Training packages, maybe with a longer duration (say, half a year).
What do you think?
As for all these highly specialist positions, why not swap out a core skill or two and call it another name but the same overlay with such and such modifiers/adjustments.
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'...The Borg have stopped at deck 10...'
'...Deflector Control, no vital systems...'
Not a vital system! What the heck do you think stops the ship going 'poof' every time it goes to warp?
- ST:First Contact; Lt Hawk