Questions for Steve re: "Stealth" systems

[Knightsfyre001]

Hey Steve:

As you may know, I'm working on a Starfleet Intelligence Scoutship (now officially a Nova-variant, not a Steamrunner), and a couple of questions have cropped up looking over Spacedock.

First, if a crew installs a Communications filter (say, to make the crew look like Pakleds) while in Romulan space, can they just call up that same filter at any future point, like any other computer subroutine? Or is a filter a one-time deal, requiring the Comm systems to be reconfigured each and every time the crew wants to dress up as Pakleds for Hallowe'en, or when invited to the annual Romulan Star Empire Masquerade Ball?

Second, maybe I'm just missing something, but I can't find anything in SDOCK about what sort of penalties to Sensor Tests should be imposed on vessels by the use of Hull Holoemitter projections? All that I can find is that a ship using a holographic disguise can't use systems like Communications, transporters, etc. without dispelling the illusion. But if the ship is perfectly still, reduced power signature and all, and is trying to appear to be a disabled vessel of the same size, how hard is it for an enemy ship to "see" the truth?

Any suggestions?

[Steve Long]

First, if a crew installs a Communications filter (say, to make the crew look like Pakleds) while in Romulan space, can they just call up that same filter at any future point, like any other computer subroutine? Or is a filter a one-time deal, requiring the Comm systems to be reconfigured each and every time the crew wants to dress up as Pakleds for Hallowe'en, or when invited to the annual Romulan Star Empire Masquerade Ball?

To prevent potential rules abuse, you probably shouldn't let the crew call up a successful filter automatically -- after all, they're tricky things. However, if a crew has successfully used a particular filter before, you could provide them with a bonus (say, +2 to the Test Result) to create and use it again.

Second, maybe I'm just missing something, but I can't find anything in SDOCK about what sort of penalties to Sensor Tests should be imposed on vessels by the use of Hull Holoemitter projections? All that I can find is that a ship using a holographic disguise can't use systems like Communications, transporters, etc. without dispelling the illusion. But if the ship is perfectly still, reduced power signature and all, and is trying to appear to be a disabled vessel of the same size, how hard is it for an enemy ship to "see" the truth?

As the rules note on page 63, the hull holoemitter is designed to fool sensors as well as the naked eye. It's not a question of penalties; the sensors can't "see through" the "illusion" at all. However, if you think something about a particular hologram is likely to make the PCs suspicious, you could allow a pretty tough Sensors Test -- TN 12 or higher, probably -- to "see through" the disguise.

Steve Long
HERO System Line Developer

[Knightsfyre001]

As the rules note on page 63, the hull holoemitter is designed to fool sensors as well as the naked eye. It's not a question of penalties; the sensors can't "see through" the "illusion" at all. However, if you think something about a particular hologram is likely to make the PCs suspicious, you could allow a pretty tough Sensors Test -- TN 12 or higher, probably -- to "see through" the disguise.

That's what I was looking for -- something to help with the "just in case" scenario...

Thanks Steve!