New Ships Systems & Weapons:

New Ships Systems & Weapons:

Klingon Systems:
DISRUPTOR EXTENDED-RANGE FIRE ATTENTUATION CONTROL SYSTEM (DERFACS): An innovation to come out of House H’JoQ’s Mek’leth RD&E house during the latter half of the Twenty-Third century to tackle to problem of disruptor inaccuracy over long distances. The DERFACS system compensates and refines each disruptor charge to allow for maximum effect at the range the weapon is being fired at. A practical upshot of the DERFACS system is an exception increase in range, something which Klingon commanders have learned to appreciate against more powerful enemies when a shot at long distance, if somewhat reduced, might make the difference.

Game mechanics: a ship with DERFACS installed will allow for a ships disruptor range to be extended by one range increment. For example, a ship with 4/4/4/0/0 disruptors will become 4/4/4/3/0. Also for DERFACS to work, The ship must be actively scanning with sensors and Lock On must be achieved for DERFACS to function properly.


Romulan Systems:
ENVELOPING PLASMA TORPEDO (EPT): A nasty variation of the Plasma torpedo system developed by the Romulan Navy during the latter half of the Twenty-Third century and much feared by other Alpha Quadrant powers. As opposed to the normal Plasma torpedo, the EPT draws twice as much power as the normal salvo, but envelops the target before detonating, distributing damage across all shield grids, severely damaging enemy shield capacity, if not destroying it outright. The EPT salvo is usually used by Romulan commanders in first strike scenarios or in coup de grasse maneuvers simply because the weapon draw so much power, and as such takes time to arm.

Game Mechanics: much as the normal PT for the Romulans, but the engineering staff will need to divert power from other systems in order to fire the weapon, due to the massive amounts of power the EPT needs in order to fire, as well as needing two rounds to arm. The EPT, while it is superior in its damage capacity, is inherently unstable and MUST be fired in the round it finishes arming or it will detonate in it’s firing chamber (full damage applied to ships weapons track). Also, a general scan roll of 15 will detect the massive energy spike as the weapon prepares to fire. As an upside, the salvo doubles it’s damage rating, usually more than sufficent to pulverize most vessels shield systems and cause internal damage.


Various ideas being worked on. Comments are welcome

space issues are still up in the air because I'm still mulling over them

Those sound pretty nice actually. Not sure on the mechanics of them though either..

Coda doesn't really deal with power useage, but perhaps you could inflict some sort of temporary 'damage' to ships systems.. efectivelly because of the power drain ships systems do not operate correctly for a number of game rounds.. something like 'inflict 6 points of system damage accross any systems you wish to draw power from for 2 combat turns. If any system is taken completelly offline a system Engineering roll is needed to restart the system' The effect of such a reduction would reduce shields, lower manouverability or remove weapon potency, depending on your choice.. making the ship slightly a sitting duck :D Cost 5 points for a normal edge I'd say.

As for the DEFARCS system.. hmm it's quite powerful, but then it's not THAT powerful.. it could just be a 5 point edge as usual.. more of a nasty surprise if players think they are out of range :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BouncyCaitian

New Ships Systems & Weapons:
Romulan Systems:
ENVELOPING PLASMA TORPEDO (EPT): A nasty variation of the Plasma torpedo system developed by the Romulan Navy during the latter half of the Twenty-Third century and much feared by other Alpha Quadrant powers.

Various ideas being worked on. Comments are welcome

---

I see someone has been looking at the SFB rules :rolleyes: :D

Now as far as the Enveloping function, I've always played it as a setting of any Plasma, akin to setting ship Phasers to a stun setting. While the Torp does less raw damage it does that damage over all shield facings (alas I do not know how CODA deals with that rule, Viva La Spacedock :D). So if there is a weak or down shield, you cannot get a direct shot at, you 'Envelope' the target with damage in order to get some of it into the ship.

With the DERFACS, it sounds like a good compliment to Starfleet's ACB Phasers (again, no idea if this has been addressed in CODA)

ACB is in Starships, but it's a different kind of thing, since it allows firing at warp speeds, it does not increase phaser range.. so a ship still has to be within 'range' much liuke a atched transporter beam has to be within regular transporter range.. it does not mean it's a subspace transporter!

an ACB could be placed round a phaser beam to increase it's effective range, to retain particle cohesion at extreme distances, but then that also would have a limited range.. I mean how far can you project a forcefield!! The Transporter uses an ACB and has an effective range of about 40,000 KM, which is also 'medium' range' for phasers! an ACB I would say, definatelly, could be adapted to allow for exotic conditions, such as wierd nebula's or energy dampening fields, which nulify the Phaser effects (as per a sceince or sensors roll to define how to counter it).. which would be that much harder to do without it!

Personally, I think the DERFACS is too powerful as it stands. Being able to fire disruptors at long range is a major advantage (a 33% increase in range), and with no appreciable downside (lowering the penetration at long range isn't enough, IMO), it's too much for a single Edge.

Maybe something like Weapons Reliability is lowered by two steps (1 full letter grade), or the overcharge required by the DERFACS causes one point of damage to the ship's weapons track when used at long range (or, the first time it's used at long range in an encounter) would help balance the advantage.

Perhaps use the Transfer Power Manuver with DERFACS, but instead of extra penetration, extend the range?

If you make that part of the Edge's effect, I say that would work fine.

Klingon Systems:
EDGE: DISRUPTOR EXTENDED-RANGE FIRE ATTENTUATION CONTROL SYSTEM (DERFACS): An innovation to come out of House H’JoQ’s Mek’leth RD&E house during the latter half of the Twenty-Third century to tackle to problem of disruptor inaccuracy over long distances. The DERFACS system compensates and refines each disruptor charge to allow for maximum effect at the range the weapon is being fired at. A practical upshot of the DERFACS system is an exception increase in range, something which Klingon commanders have learned to appreciate against more powerful enemies when a shot at long distance, if somewhat reduced, might make the difference.

Game mechanics: a ship with DERFACS installed will allow for a ships disruptor range to be extended by one range increment. For example, a ship with 4/4/4/0/0 disruptors will become 4/4/4/3/0. Also for DERFACS to work, The ship must be actively scanning with sensors and Lock On must be achieved for DERFACS to function properly. Also, the ships enginerring staff must make a successful Power Transfer manuver from reserves or the ships Redundant Power Grid (see ESOM) to draw the extra power needed for the DERFACS to fire at extended range.


Romulan Systems:
ENVELOPING PLASMA TORPEDO (EPT): A nasty variation of the Plasma torpedo system developed by the Romulan Navy during the latter half of the Twenty-Third century and much feared by other Alpha Quadrant powers. As opposed to the normal Plasma torpedo, the EPT draws twice as much power as the normal salvo, but envelops the target before detonating, distributing damage across all shield grids, severely damaging enemy shield capacity, if not destroying it outright. The EPT salvo is usually used by Romulan commanders in first strike scenarios or in coup de grasse maneuvers simply because the weapon draw so much power, and as such takes time to arm.

Game Mechanics: much as the normal PT for the Romulans, but the engineering staff will need to divert power from other systems in order to fire the weapon, due to the massive amounts of power the EPT needs in order to fire, as well as needing two rounds to arm. The EPT, while it is superior in its damage capacity, is inherently unstable and MUST be fired in the round it finishes arming or it will detonate in it’s firing chamber (full damage applied to ships weapons track first, the subsidary damage to the ships power systems). Also, a general scan roll of 15 will detect the massive energy spike as the weapon prepares to fire. The ship will need to draw from reserves normally set aside for the ships cloaking system and manuvering, with the cloak being unable to power up during this time and the manuvering systems reduced by 2 ranks. To combat this, many larger vessels equipped with EPT capacity have Redundant Powergrids and higher grade systems installed to alleviate the power draw somewhat.

As an upside, the salvo doubles it’s damage rating, usually more than sufficent to pulverize most vessels shield systems and cause severe internal damage.

New Ships Systems & Weapons:

Klingon Systems:
EDGE: DISRUPTOR EXTENDED-RANGE FIRE ATTENTUATION CONTROL SYSTEM (DERFACS): An innovation to come out of House H’JoQ’s Mek’leth RD&E house during the latter half of the twenty-third century to tackle to problem of disruptor inaccuracy over long distances. The DERFACS system compensates and refines each disruptor charge to allow for maximum effect at the range the weapon is being fired at. A practical upshot of the DERFACS system is an exception increase in range, something which Klingon commanders have learned to appreciate against more powerful enemies when a shot at long distance, if somewhat reduced, might make the difference.

Game mechanics: a ship with DERFACS installed will allow for a ships disruptor range to be extended by one range increment. For example, a ship with 4/4/4/0/0 disruptors will become 4/4/4/3/0. Also for DERFACS to work, The ship must be actively scanning with sensors and Lock On must be achieved for DERFACS to function properly. Also, the ships engineering staff must make a successful Power Transfer maneuver from reserves or the ships Redundant Power Grid (see ESOM) to draw the extra power needed for the DERFACS to fire at extended range.


Romulan Systems:
ENVELOPING PLASMA TORPEDO (EPT): A nasty variation of the Plasma torpedo system developed by the Romulan Navy during the latter half of the twenty-third century and much feared by other Alpha Quadrant powers. As opposed to the normal Plasma torpedo, the EPT draws twice as much power as the normal salvo, but envelops the target before detonating, distributing damage across all shield grids, severely damaging enemy shield capacity, if not destroying it outright. The EPT salvo is usually used by Roman commanders in first strike scenarios or in coup de grasse maneuvers simply because the weapon draw so much power, and as such takes time to arm.

Game Mechanics: much as the normal PT for the Romulans, but the engineering staff will need to divert power from other systems in order to fire the weapon, due to the massive amounts of power the EPT needs in order to fire, as well as needing two rounds to arm. The EPT, while it is superior in its damage capacity, is inherently unstable and MUST be fired in the round it finishes arming or it will detonate in it’s firing chamber (full damage applied to ships weapons track first, the subsidary damage to the ships power systems). Also, a general scan roll of 15 will detect the massive energy spike as the weapon prepares to fire. The ship will need to draw from reserves normally set aside for the ships cloaking system and manuevering, with the cloak being unable to power up during this time and the maneuvering systems reduced by 2 ranks. To combat this, many larger vessels equipped with EPT capacity have Redundant Power Grids and higher grade systems installed to alleviate the power draw somewhat.

As an upside, the salvo doubles it’s damage rating, usually more than sufficient to pulverize most vessels shield systems and cause severe internal damage.

PSEUDO-PLASMA TORPEDOES (PPT): To further confound enemy forces, the Romulan Empire has created decoy drone units, that when energized, simulate the power signature and visual appearance of a fully armed and active plasma torpedo when fired. Enemy units will often spend previous time to maneuver and expend munitions against the incoming ‘torpedo’, setting up the enemy vessel for a devastating salvo when the Romulan vessel unleashes its actual salvo of torpedoes. Used to great effect against the Dominions forces during the Dominion War

Game Mechanics: PPT’s can be fired from normal torpedo launchers on any Romulan vessel. Due to the nature of the device in question, with further refinements constantly being incorporated to further the deception, it is exceptionally difficult to determine if an incoming torpedo is real or a PPT, particularly during the heat of combat, as many vessels are too busy getting out of the way of the incoming salvo to bother scanning the incoming weapon. A tactical officer will need to have familiarity with Romulan tactics and technology (GM’s discretion) and then will need to make a sensor roll at TN 22+ to discover the deception. The player or commander PC till need to think of this themselves before they can make the roll. ;)

Not sure what the point of the PPT is in game because it's a fire and forget device in Coda.. there is no time delay for missile weapons? I suppose it might be useful as purelly a second guessing game. I.e. making your Federation counterpoint do a manouvuer to avoid that torpedo, rather than fire, so you save resources.

If it was a PEPT, that would make more sense :)

The EPT to me seems a little light.. given the potential benefits... I still think the temporary power drain (reduce 8 system tracks for 2 rounds) is a better way to go. Either way secondary effects, such as not being able to maintain a cloak, good manouvuering or Warp drive are neccessary to simulate that. Perhaps raise the odds, and say they can't have shields either!

it occured to me if you did lower your shields during this attack, not only would it be somewhere to draw power from, but that an attacking ship might take that opportunity to close to destroy you.. especially if you masked the power build up as a reactor overload.. just when they thought you'd finished them off.... BANG - OUCH! :D

Romulan Systems:
ENVELOPING PLASMA TORPEDO (EPT): A nasty variation of the Plasma torpedo system developed by the Romulan Navy during the latter half of the twenty-third century and much feared by other Alpha Quadrant powers. As opposed to the normal Plasma torpedo, the EPT draws twice as much power as the normal salvo, but envelops the target before detonating, distributing damage across all shield grids, severely damaging enemy shield capacity, if not destroying it outright. The EPT salvo is usually used by Roman commanders in first strike scenarios or in coup de grasse maneuvers simply because the weapon draw so much power, and as such takes time to arm.

Game Mechanics: much as the normal PT for the Romulans, but the engineering staff will need to divert power from other systems in order to fire the weapon, due to the massive amounts of power the EPT needs in order to fire, as well as needing two rounds to arm. The EPT, while it is superior in its damage capacity, is inherently unstable and MUST be fired in the round it finishes arming or it will detonate in it’s firing chamber (full damage applied to ships weapons track first, the subsidary damage to the ships power systems). Also, a general scan roll of 15 will detect the massive energy spike as the weapon prepares to fire. The ship will need to draw from reserves normally set aside for the ships cloaking system and manuevering, with the cloak being unable to power up during this time and the maneuvering systems reduced by 2 ranks. To combat this, many larger vessels equipped with EPT capacity have Redundant Power Grids and higher grade systems installed to alleviate the power draw somewhat.

As an upside, the salvo doubles it’s damage rating, usually more than sufficient to pulverize most vessels shield systems and cause severe internal damage.

PSEUDO-PLASMA TORPEDOES (PPT): To further confound enemy forces, the Romulan Empire has created decoy drone units, that when energized, simulate the power signature and visual appearance of a fully armed and active plasma torpedo when fired. Enemy units will often spend previous time to maneuver and expend munitions against the incoming ‘torpedo’, setting up the enemy vessel for a devastating salvo when the Romulan vessel unleashes its actual salvo of torpedoes. Used to great effect against the Dominions forces during the Dominion War

Game Mechanics: PPT’s can be fired from normal torpedo launchers on any Romulan vessel. Due to the nature of the device in question, with further refinements constantly being incorporated to further the deception, it is exceptionally difficult to determine if an incoming torpedo is real or a PPT, particularly during the heat of combat, as many vessels are too busy getting out of the way of the incoming salvo to bother scanning the incoming weapon. A tactical officer will need to have familiarity with Romulan tactics and technology (GM’s discretion) and then will need to make a sensor roll at TN 22+ to discover the deception. The player or commander PC till need to think of this themselves before they can make the roll.

To avoid an Incoming PT, EPT, or PPT, a ships helmsman will need to make a Hard About Manuver at TN exceeding what the opposing ships FCO has made to Lock On his/her vessel.

[Ed Note: this rule was made in homage to the TOS Episode: Balance of Terror. most of the Rules above are improvised ports over From the StarFleet Battles Rules set. Comments are welcome.]

THOLIAN SYSTEMS:
‘PHASERS’: Given the as yet to be determined nature of the Tholians and the area of space they inhabit, there has been some speculation as to why they would develop a phaser device for their ships. After analysis of the wreckage of a Tholian scout by Starfleet RD&E, it has been determined that the designation phaser for the Tholians primary energy weapon is something of a misnomer, but the appellation has stuck. As to how the ‘phaser’ device works is still something of a mystery, as the device was of such an alien nature, and had anti-tamper devices built in to destroy the technology. What has been observed is that the weapon functions in a similar fashion to a phaser, but also seems to have the ability to fire through lain Tholian ‘Web’ energy shields. Attempts to replicate this effect have consistently failed across the Alpha Quadrant and most Admiralties have looked to other avenues to defeat Tholian defenses.

Game Mechanics: Treat Tholian ‘phaser’ devices the same as Phasers for purposes of construction, damage calculation, and space. Also, they can fire through laid Tholian Web.


THE THOLIAN WEB DEVICE

First encountered the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701) in 2268 during a rescue mission of it’s sister vessel, the U.S.S. Defiant (NCC-1704), The Tholian Web Device is one of the most unusual and problematic weapon systems ever encountered. The Web, in essence, is a form of projected, self-sustaining energy field (to a limited extent) that can be cast into space independent of any form of shield projection grid. Depending on how the shield is configured, it can be used as a form of tractor beam and defensive grid. Having the appearance of a geometric sphere composed of triangular sections of golden energy, the sphere is actually quite resilient to damage, and when a full sphere is completed, little less than a full attack fleet has any hope of actually penetrating the Web.

To make matters worse, the Tholian War of 2353-2360 introduced new permutations of the Web Device that proved to be an utter nightmare to the Federation and Klingon Admiralties . While web generation could previously have been accomplished via attaching two or more Tholian vessels together then beginning web generation, the newer versions required no form of anchor point to cast a web grid into space, the end result being that a web sphere or web wall could be constructed in relatively short order, trapping enemy units, or dividing fleets.

WEB GENERATORS:
The most common version of the Tholian Web Device, use of the device requires at least two Tholian vessels momentarily docking and forming an anchorpoint for the web to begin generation. This typically will be done when building a ‘web base’ (a starbase surrounded by cast web), border defenses, or capturing a disabled vessel.

Game Mechanics: Tholian Web is treated much like a starship in regards to resistance and the ability to take damage. Casting Tholian Web requires at least two Tholian scout vessels to begin lay web, each ship generating/recharging about (Size x Generators) points per turn to be added to the shields structure.
Typical ‘small’ web spheres generated by scout vessels have a Protection/Threshold of 14/3 and a Structure of 100 as do web wall ‘sections’. Larger versions may have Protection/Threshold of 15/4 (possibly higher) with 200-500 points of Structure (As noted, these are typically used for base defense and attacking with anything less than a full fleet is pure suicide). Size and composition are left to the GM’s imagination.


WEB CASTERS:
A rarer, more recent, and much nastier version of the Web Device is the Web Caster. Introduced during the Tholian War, the Caster, instead of firing out a single strand of web, fires a self-sustaining area of web covering a considerable area out from it’s target point (some 3,000 km to a side at maximum power). Often used by Tholian commanders to erect defensive web quickly, the offensive capacity of using web cannot be over looked for breaking up fleet formations and crippling enemy vessels as they plow into the cast web (treat as ramming an enemy vessel with Size = Tholian Ships Size x Generators).

Game Mechanics: Cast Web segments at initial casting have a Protection/Threshold of 15/4, Structure 50 at point blank range; Protection/Threshold 14/3, Structure 50 at Close Range; and Protection/Threshold 13/3, Structure 40 at medium range. They can be recharged by Tholian vessels as normal.

Entertaining uses of Cast Web: Stopping drones and plasma torpedoes, stopping direct-fire weapons, locating cloaked ships, isolating vessels for later capture/disposal, cutting off tractor beams, stopping crippled vessels from escaping, blocking effects of natural phenomena.


WEB SNARE: From accounts of various ship commanders, this appears to a modification made to Web Generators aboard the Tholian fleet, but not particularly widespread as of this time. Appearing to be a modification to somewhat mimic the effects of the Web Caster, this variation generates a small area of cast web around the Tholian vessel that acts as a second layer of shields for the vessel.

Game Mechanics: Web Snare shields on older vessels tend to be somewhat on the weak side with a Protection/Threshold of 13/2 and a Structure of Size x Generators. Once the shield drops from overload (structure gone due to damage), it takes two turns to redirect power to reactivate the Web Generator.

Hmm nasty and powerful things!

Now all we need is a way to fire those things.. Hmm impact damage from that structure.. Nice :D

Bump. Am working on the Andromedan (Kelvan) ship systems at the moment for perusal.

ANDROMEDAN SYSTEMS:

POWER ABSORPTION PANELS:
The Andromedan Invasion vessels appear to defy conventional starship construction philosophy by eschewing shielding technology and using what appears to be an advanced form of energized hull plating. But upon further observation, initial reports have proven incorrect as to the nature of the technology. Further observation indicates that the ships use some form of power absorption and distribution technology far in advance of any of the Alpha Quadrant powers have or can readily match. The technology has been noted as being capable of absorbing directed energy fire from most of the Alpha Quadrant powers, as well as absorbing raw kinetic impacts from debris and asteroids, converting it to power that can be utilized by the vessel and rerouting large amounts of power to ships systems within femto-seconds. As to how it does this is open to debate, as no pieces of Andromedan ship’s technology has ever been captured intact in sufficient condition to allow analysis.

Game Mechanics: Functionally speaking, the purchasing, installation, and space costs of Andromedan defensive systems will go off of Table 1.19 on page 22 of Starships or Table 9.13 Deflector Shield Costs on page 143 of the Narrators Guide. However there are special rules which should be taken into consideration given the alien nature of the systems in question

The Power Absorption Panels (afterward PAP) have two modes: The default state will be “Powersave” mode, where the panels will function mechanically as regular shield systems, with a foot note that the panels appear to also function as a form of navigation deflector as well. The ship also is treated as having a Monotanium Hull, due to the PAP’s absorption of all ambient energy falling upon the ship. Please note: due to the nature of the panels, attempting to transport personnel over to a so equipped vessel is ill-advised.

The secondary and far more dangerous state “Active” occurs after the Kelvan vessel has made a Power Transfer maneuver from reserves to bring them into full combat mode. At this point, femto-second power transfer conduits between the PAP’s and a distributed network of high capacitance batteries in the vessel to store the collected energy. Mechanically speaking, any salvo that is equal or less than the ships Threshold will be absorbed by the panels and stored within the capacitors for usage by the ship.

Capacitance Systems storage for the vessel are equal to Ships Size x 10 in ‘points’. Secondary Capacitance modules on vessels can be purchased for 10 x Ships Size and need to be stored in the main hanger bay. Andromedan capacitors are exceptionally bulky and are normally designed into the ships frame, thus this is not a normal configuration for an Andromedan vessel.

If the Ship’s Capacitor-PAP system is in danger of overloading (read: getting full of power), The Andromedan ship can elect to dump energy out from the panels into open space. This serves to bleed power from the over-taxed panels, and adds a +5 difficulty to target the vessel due to the amount of hard radiation being dumped into the void. The downside is that the ship cannot absorb any energy during the dumping process and needs a turn to re-adjust. Treat any incoming salvo as a normal combat hit and resolve normally.

If the ship reaches overload point and the capacitors detonate, treat as a ship having initated self destruct, but add the total capacitance storage of the vessel x2 to the total damage given. Large Andromedan vessels tend to go up like a small nova when overloaded…

Notably, the PAP seems to have a problem with Klingon derived disruptor systems (treat Threshold as half vs Klingon disruptors).


SPACEFOLD SYSTEM: To make matters worse, The Andromedan have perfected a form of in-system Warpspace fold where in the ship in question can fold itself (or other ships) at will over a distance of several AU’s if necessary or as little as a few kilometers. The tactical applications of this ability should not be underestimated by any means.

Mechanics: This secondary drive system requires Three Power from the ships capacitors to function or two turns of power transfer from the warp drive to gain sufficent charges to work. While navigation for Andromedan vessels remains relatively normal when using the fold system (treat a Space Fold as a maneuver of going to warp), using it on an enemy vessel is a more dicey maneuver and is generally used to break up ship formations. As to where the ship ends up in system is left to the GM’s imagination. Space issues, I’m still up in the air about, as large vessels tend to have several of these devices aboard for satellite ship retrieval.


Comments are welcom as usual

Will be adding uses for store power for the Andros and how much power can be dumped at any one time. D'oh! just need general feed back at this point

I like the shields system, it sounds pretty good. Can we have an example ship, to show how the mechanic works in practice, as I am a little confused on how much damage the ship takes, if it's hit.

The Folding drive also sounds inreaguing. Is this the ships actual drive system.. I.e. can it go very far (you've only listed a couple of AU) or does it have to use regular warp drive for that (albeit very fast, since they are very advanced, something akin to Quantum Slipstream).

Example ship is coming after some adjustments to the basic rules set.

I'm not sure what BC has in mind, but the Displacement device was the primary form of interstellar travel.

Hmm...they changed the fluff a bit in the newer edition. I seem to remeber during Operation Unity tha the Andros used Transwarp Conduits to send ships form the Lesser Magellanic Cloud to the milky way. Tho How they got from andromeda to the Lesser Magellanic, The DisDev makes a bit more sense, becuases thats a very long time to run any set of warp engines. *rereads SFB booK*

ANDROMEDAN SYSTEMS:

POWER ABSORPTION PANELS:
The Andromedan Invasion vessels appear to defy conventional starship
construction philosophy by eschewing shielding technology and using
what appears to be an advanced form of energized hull plating. But
upon further observation, initial reports have proven incorrect as to
the nature of the technology. Further observation indicates that the
ships use some form of power absorption and distribution technology
far in advance of any of the Alpha Quadrant powers have or can readily
match. The technology has been noted as being capable of absorbing
directed energy fire from most of the Alpha Quadrant powers, as well
as absorbing raw kinetic impacts from debris and asteroids, converting
it to power that can be utilized by the vessel and rerouting large
amounts of power to ships systems within femto-seconds. As to how it
does this is open to debate, as no pieces of Andromedan ship's
technology has ever been captured intact in sufficient condition to
allow analysis.


Game Mechanics: Firstly, The PAP system costs size x2 for space

The Power Absorption Panels (afterward PAP) have two modes: The
default state will be "Powersave" mode, where the panels will function
mechanically as regular shield systems, with a foot note that the
panels appear to also function as a form of navigation deflector as
well. The ship also is treated as having a Monotanium Hull, due to the
PAP's absorption of all ambient energy falling upon the ship. Please
note: due to the nature of the panels, attempting to transport
personnel over to a so equipped vessel is ill-advised. In "powersave"
mode, the ship's Protection/Threshold rating is 5/Size. So a size 4
vessel would have a P/T of 5/4

The secondary and far more dangerous state "Active" occurs after the
Andromedan vessel has made a Power Transfer maneuver from reserves to
bring them into full combat mode. At this point, femto-second power
transfer conduits between the PAP's and a distributed network of high
capacitance batteries in the vessel to store the collected energy. The
efficiency of the absorption system is relative to the vessels size
and a ships Protection/Threshold rating is equal to 5/Sizex2. So a
size 4 vessel would have a P/T of 5/8.

Protection/Threshold for Andromedan ships works somewhat differently
and deserves a bit of explanation. Protection functions as normal for
actually hitting the target, but the Threshold represents how many
points a ship can take in a single salvo and absorb it safely and
channel it to the Capacitance systems. Any bleed over from this
indicates a hit and damage is applied normally from the difference
(say a Andromedan ship takes 9 points, and the PAP is a 5/6, then
three points are applied and damned rolls proceed normally)

Capacitance Systems storage for the vessel are equal to Ship's Size x
10 in 'points'. Secondary Capacitance modules on vessels can be
purchased as a separate module for 10xShips Size and need to be stored
in the main hanger bay. For example, a size 6 module would have 60
points of storage and would take the same space as a size 6 ship in
the mothership's main hanger. Andromedan capacitors are exceptionally
bulky and are normally designed into the ships frame, thus this is not
a normal configuration for an Andromedan vessel.

If the Ship's Capacitor-PAP system is in danger of overloading (read:
getting full of power), The Andromedan ship can elect to dump energy
out from the panels into open space. This serves to bleed power from
the over-taxed panels, and adds a +5 difficulty to target the vessel
due to the amount of hard radiation being dumped into the void. The
downside is that the ship cannot absorb any energy during the dumping
process and needs a turn to re-adjust. Treat any incoming salvo as a
normal combat hit and resolve normally.

If the ship reaches overload point and the capacitors detonate, treat
as a ship having initated self destruct, but add the total capacitance
storage of the vessel x2 to the total damage given. Large Andromedan
vessels tend to go up like a small nova when overloaded…

Notably, the PAP seems to have a problem with Klingon derived
disruptor systems (treat Threshold as half vs Klingon disruptors).

DISPLACEMENT DEVICE: To make matters worse, The Andromedan have
perfected a form of in-system Warpspace fold where in the ship in
question can fold itself (or other ships) at will over a distance of
several AU's if necessary or as little as a few kilometers. The
tactical applications of this ability should not be underestimated by
any means. (Note: This is only what has been observed by the Alpha
Quadrant powers so far. The truth is far scarier).

Mechanics: This secondary drive system requires Three Power from the
ships capacitors to function or two turns of power transfer from the
warp drive to gain sufficent charges to work. While navigation for
Andromedan vessels remains relatively normal when using the fold
system (treat a Space Fold as a maneuver of going to warp), using it
on an enemy vessel is a more dicey maneuver and is generally used to
break up ship formations. As to where the ship ends up in system is
left to the GM's imagination.

The Displacement Device can be used by three seperate starships in close proximity in system to 'Fold' space during a turn. For reasons that have yet to be determined, anything exceeding this tends to distort space horribly and a breach of subspace into real space is a very real possability. As such, typical tactics by the Andromedans involve DisDev Deployment of sattilite vessels by the Mothership carrier then one or two vessels using the devices as needed, withe the mothership using it's own for retrieval.

space issues, I'm still up in the air about. comments are welcome

ANDROMEDAN SYSTEMS:

POWER ABSORPTION PANELS:
The Andromedan Invasion vessels appear to defy conventional starship construction philosophy by eschewing shielding technology and using what appears to be an advanced form of energized hull plating. But upon further observation, initial reports have proven incorrect as to the nature of the technology. Further observation indicates that the ships use some form of power absorption and distribution technology far in advance of any of the Alpha Quadrant powers have or can readily match. The technology has been noted as being capable of absorbing directed energy fire from most of the Alpha Quadrant powers, as well as absorbing raw kinetic impacts from debris and asteroids, converting it to power that can be utilized by the vessel and rerouting large amounts of power to ships systems within femto-seconds. As to how it does this is open to debate, as no pieces of Andromedan ship’s technology has ever been captured intact in sufficient condition to allow analysis.


Game Mechanics: Firstly, The PAP system costs size x2 for space

The Power Absorption Panels (afterward PAP) have two modes: The default state will be “Powersave” mode, where the panels will function mechanically as regular shield systems, with a foot note that the panels appear to also function as a form of navigation deflector as well. The ship also is treated as having a Monotanium Hull, due to the PAP’s absorption of all ambient energy falling upon the ship. Please note: due to the nature of the panels, attempting to transport personnel over to a so equipped vessel is ill-advised. In “powersave” mode, the ship’s Protection/Threshold rating is 5/Size. So a size 4 vessel would have a P/T of 5/4

The secondary and far more dangerous state “Active” occurs after the Andromedan vessel has made a Power Transfer maneuver from reserves to bring them into full combat mode. At this point, femto-second power transfer conduits between the PAP’s and a distributed network of high capacitance batteries in the vessel to store the collected energy. The efficiency of the absorption system is relative to the vessels size and a ships Protection/Threshold rating is equal to 5/Sizex2. So a size 4 vessel would have a P/T of 5/8.

Protection/Threshold for Andromedan ships works somewhat differently and deserves a bit of explanation. Protection functions as normal for actually hitting the target, but the Threshold represents how many points a ship can take in a single salvo and absorb it safely and channel it to the Capacitance systems. Any bleed over from this indicates a hit and damage is applied normally from the difference (say a Andromedan ship takes 9 points, and the PAP is a 5/6, then three points are applied and damned rolls proceed normally)

Capacitance Systems storage for the vessel are equal to Ship’s Size x 10 in ‘points’. Secondary Capacitance modules on vessels can be purchased as a separate module for 10xShips Size and need to be stored in the main hanger bay. For example, a size 6 module would have 60 points of storage and would take the same space as a size 6 ship in the mothership’s main hanger. Andromedan capacitors are exceptionally bulky and are normally designed into the ships frame, thus this is not a normal configuration for an Andromedan vessel.

If the Ship’s Capacitor-PAP system is in danger of overloading (read: getting full of power), The Andromedan ship can elect to dump energy out from the panels into open space. This serves to bleed power from the over-taxed panels, and adds a +5 difficulty to target the vessel due to the amount of hard radiation being dumped into the void. The downside is that the ship cannot absorb any energy during the dumping process and needs a turn to re-adjust. Treat any incoming salvo as a normal combat hit and resolve normally.

If the ship reaches overload point and the capacitors detonate, treat as a ship having initated self destruct, but add the total capacitance storage of the vessel x2 to the total damage given. Large Andromedan vessels tend to go up like a small nova when overloaded…

Notably, the PAP seems to have a problem with Klingon derived disruptor systems (treat Threshold as half vs Klingon disruptors).

DISPLACEMENT DEVICE: To make matters worse, The Andromedan have perfected a form of in-system Warpspace fold where in the ship in question can fold itself (or other ships) at will over a distance of several AU’s if necessary or as little as a few kilometers. The tactical applications of this ability should not be underestimated by any means. (Note: This is only what has been observed by the Alpha Quadrant powers so far. The truth is far scarier).

Mechanics: This secondary drive system requires Three Power from the ships capacitors to function or two turns of power transfer from the warp drive to gain sufficent charges to work. While navigation for Andromedan vessels remains relatively normal when using the fold system (treat a Space Fold as a maneuver of going to warp), using it on an enemy vessel is a more dicey maneuver and is generally used to break up ship formations. As to where the ship ends up in system is left to the GM’s imagination. Space issues, I’m still up in the air about, as large vessels tend to have several of these devices aboard for satellite ship retrieval .

DOCKING BERTH LINKS: These linkages are central parts of the Andromedan Mothership’s and Satellite vessels maintenance network while the Mothership transports the smaller vessels from place to place. A combination of power transference systems and material movment systems, the link hooks into the the ship’s PAP to syphon off power from incoming fire to charge the ships systems as well as provide additional storage for the mothership before deployment..

Mechanics: Treat as a Ship Separation Edge (1 pt) for each vessel the ship is designed to dock, and one point on the satellite vessel in question.

Sounds good so far, I like the tweaks you're making.. wonder where you're getting them from :D *whistles*

Ahem....credit to Tobian for assistance in the refining of the rules. Was posting this while configuring routers and answering calls. Forgot to credit him

Hehe I wasn't looking for a plug :) Glad to help out!

I like these systems a lot :)

Just a question - or maybe an idea - for the PAP: I don't see any way for the ship to channel and reinvest the stored power from the capacitors to the regular systems... Is this possible? I think it could make the system even more deadly to be able to syphon enemy fire to repair your own damaged systems!

This will be coming shortly.....as soon as I find time

Ship Maneuvers With Andromedans:
OVERLOADED WEAPONS: Given the nature of Andromedan tactical systems, there has never been any reason for them to be particularly energy efficient. However, they are exceptionally robust and are actually rated for far more power than they normally run at. A particularly nasty surprise for Alpha Quadrant fleets has been the Andromedan habit of taking the enemies salvo then redirecting the acquired power into ‘overcharging’ the ships tractor-repulsor and phaser arrays far past what is normally expected into a devastating salvo capable of make short work a ship’s shields. While terrifying, this does not appear to be a tactic that can be used continuously.

Game Mechanics: Overloading a ships weapons array is quite expensive, requiring two extra power from the ships PAP/Batteries per weapons mount until the weapons are discharged (as only so much can be bled from the system into the weapons capacitors). For example, a ship with x5 T-R mounts will cost 10 points to overcharge. As a result, the weapon systems total damage will be adjusted by +2 (IE: T-R beam Array of 5/5/5/0/0 will become 7/7/7/0/0/).

There are, however, problems with using this tactic. Firstly, the ships ‘Monotanium Hull’ edge disappears as the sheer amount of power being channeled cannot be hidden to even the average sensor scan. Secondly, if by some stroke of luck, an enemy vessel manages to score a hit on a weapon system, the overload will cause a chain reaction and detonation of the weapon system, causing damaged equal to the weapons base damage to the hull, and the loss of a weapon mount.


Due to the Nature of Andromedan Vessels, all Systems Operations: Power Management, Transporter Operations (Deflecting Transport Beams, Transporting Through Shields (ESO pg. 38)) are at –5 normal TN.


still rattling around the rechanneling of excess power into ships systems. will sleep on it. suggestions are welcome

Very cool so far. :) And very frightening. I like it - too bad my players are in the middle of the DW, I would have like throwing these enemies at'em :D

Well, remember, there's always afterwards :eek:

More to come. Now that I have a bit to time to play with. Some new Tholian and Andromedan ships are in the pipeline

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KillerWhale

I like these systems a lot :)

Just a question - or maybe an idea - for the PAP: I don't see any way for the ship to channel and reinvest the stored power from the capacitors to the regular systems... Is this possible? I think it could make the system even more deadly to be able to syphon enemy fire to repair your own damaged systems!

---

POWER TANSFER: Power maybe transfered at normal rates from the panels to ships systems or if needed, 3 power may be allocated to individual systems each for them to repair a x2 normal speed. this can only be done with two systems at a time (the ship while robust, can only do so much)

DUMPING PANELS: if in an emergency, an Andromedan Ship needs to bleed power fast, it can dump up to 2x Size Rating from it’s panels into space. This provides a benefit of +5 to any TN of the opposing forces Targeting and Lock On Rolls as the sheer amount of radiation being pumped out overloads any scanning unit within the first two range increments. However, Beyond that, the radiation dump is a massive signal flair to anyone using a scanner, and reduces TNs related to scanning by –5. Also, it takes full turn for the panels to reset to normal operations after the power is dumped.

In play test, these didn't seem too unreasonable for the players that I have. The Andros were meant to be TOUGH to fight and give even experienced captainsa run for they money. Comments are welcome.

[Ed: half-days at work are helping my imagination. I'll have another andro ship out here tonight hopefully]