Editing Raiders of the Rim:StarshipRules

These are homebrew rules for Star Wars starships in Raiders of the Rim, based on Starblazer, Fate of the Stars, Tachyon Squadron, and other sources.


== '''Starship Design''' ==

Ships have 4 basic Skills plus Scale. The basic Skills (attributes, whatever) are Drives, Systems, Guns and Shields. Respectively, these allow you to speed, box clever, shoot and defend better the more points you have. Each basic Skill category also gets a series of Stunts, representing special features and advanced systems.

Ships also have two Stress tracks: Hull and Systems. These are both x the ship's Scale, so a Tie Fighter with Scale 1 has 1 box in each of its Stress tracks. A Star Destroyer with Scale 6 would have 6 boxes in each. Ships Scale 6 or above also gain an additional Extreme consequences box at +8.

When building a ship, players get 1 basic Skill point per point of Scale, and 1 point for Stunts or further Skills enhancement. So, with a Scale 3 light freighter or yacht, you get 3 basic Skill points to enhance the ship's starting Mediocre +0 level in the 4 basic Skills. You get an additional 3 points for Stunts or to further enhance the basic Skills. (Note that a typical ship design is unarmed and unshielded at Skill 0 - you need Skill points in Guns and Shields to arm up.) Those are starting levels, and a ship can of course be upgraded as much as the players' Resources allow - although the ship's Scale can't be changed.

The following is a selection of Stunts for the four basic Skill areas for ships. GMs or players can always come up with similar Stunts based on these principles.

'''Drives'''
*Fast ship - +2 Drives bonus for sublight tests involving speed, especially when Closing to Engage
*Advanced hyperdrive - reduces transit time in hyperspace, halves jump fuel consumption, maximizes 1 dice in jump rolls
*Maneuverability - (Scale 3 maximum) +2 in Pilot vs Pilot contests, or other tests of Pilot maneuvering skills

'''Systems'''
*Advanced astrogation - reduces calculation time for jump to lightspeed, calculation becomes a half turn action rather than a full turn, +2 for jump rolls
*Enhanced sensor suite - +2 in Systems vs Systems tests for detection; +1 zone range for detection
*Stealth suite - +2 in Systems vs Systems tests for escape and evasion or passing undetected
*Stasis pods - 10x base passenger capacity in stasis pods
*Passenger deck - double base passenger capacity
*Mining systems - tractors, fusioncutters and nets for detaching and catching minerals in space
*Enhanced hold - double base cargo capacity, special environmental fittings for handling exotics
*Shuttle/dropship - Scale 2 subsidiary ship
*Enhanced database - maximize 1 dice on any Knowledge or Investigation roll on board
*Enhanced engineering - maximize 1 dice on any Engineering roll on board

'''Guns'''
*Proton torpedoes - missile weapon (1 shot per Scale point only)
*Tractor beam - Guns vs Drives/opposing Pilot contest against target to capture it (only your Scale or below)
*Hyperdrive inhibitor - Guns vs Drives/opposing Pilot contest against target to prevent its escape to hyperspace, effect  persists for number of rounds equal to shifts generated.
*Decoys - +2 in defensive moves in conflicts (1 shot per Scale point only)
*Point defense - (Scale 4 minimum) +2 Guns attack on small craft inside deflector shields
*Ram - ship hardened with offensive ram, Pilot vs Pilot contest in same zone, no Shields protection, rammer talks half damage
*Exotic weapon - unusual technology, doubling repair time for inflicted damage
*Super weapon - (Scale 6 minimum) devastating WMD

'''Shields'''
*Angle the deflector shields - +2 to Shields for 1 exchange with  Engineering roll vs. +2 Fair
*Hardened - +1 Stress box for both Hull and Systems
*Shunt shield power - +2 to Shields for 1 exchange in one quadrant with Engineering roll vs. +2 Fair, -1 in other quadrants
*Shield tuning - +2 to Shields continuously against any specific environmental threat (e.g. radiation, asteroids) with Engineering roll vs. +2 Fair

== '''Scale''' ==

A ship can attack or defend against another ship one level of Scale above or below it without special benefits or penalties. After that, each level of Scale confers an extra +2 for Guns and Shields, and most other offensive and defensive rolls. This represents the far superior power and toughness of a larger ship. The same applies in reverse for defensive evasion moves. A ship two levels or more of Scale below its opponent gains a +2 for Evade or other Pilot contests for each level of Scale difference beyond 1.

Ships of Scale 5 or above gain a -2 penalty per additional point of Scale to any tests or contests involving maneuvers or speed, no matter how high their Drives rating. This is to reflect their cumbersome, momentum-heavy nature. Of course, most space navies don't bother to build in all the extra drive muscle needed to propel heavy units at high speed, and a tight turning circle is never an option.

Ships of Scale 6 or above gain an extra +8 Extreme consequences box.

== '''Ship Skills and Crew Skills''' ==

Following the option in Fate Space Toolkit, Crew Skills modify Ship Skills. If a crew member has a relevant Skill at a higher level than the ship Skill, they add a +1 benefit to that Skill. So, a crew member with Shoot +4 can add a +1 bonus to a ship's +2 Guns Skill, a crew member with Engineering +4 can add a +1 bonus to relevant Systems Skills. There are no additional teamwork benefits.

The exception is Pilot. The Pilot Skill always trumps Ship Skills (inc. Drives) for almost any test or contest beyond a straight flat-out contest of speed vs. speed, although it does not remove the effects of penalties. 

Even if player crew members have lower Skills than Ship Skills, they can still invoke Aspects, burn Fate points, and otherwise boost the Ship Skill rolls. Therefore, it's always useful to have them participate, even if the Ship Skill is higher. 

To actually use their Skill, a crew member has to be at an appropriate station in the ship. A pilot can't use their Pilot Skill unless they're actually in the cockpit or on the command deck; a gunner can't use their Shoot Skill if there is no turret to shoot from, etc. However, actions undertaken within the ship, such as Engineering rolls, take the crew Skills.

== '''Starship Navigation''' ==

Aside from the special cases detailed below, many of the skills and especially stunts of starship construction don't apply when it comes to ship navigation. This is assumed to proceed relatively smoothly, except when the GM rules otherwise and requires rolls.

The rules for starship navigation are based on Fate's Zone system, and are inexact when it comes to speed and distance. 

*Same Zone: Point-blank range, docking distance, deflector shield perimeter for snub fighter attacks
*1 Zone distance: Close beam weapon range, near visual observation range
*2 Zones distance: Long beam weapon range, same orbit
*3 Zones distance: Extreme detection range, interlunar distances
*4 Zones distance: Interplanetary distances

Closing the distance between two friendly vessels seeking to rendezvous doesn't require a test. Pursuits follow usual Fate rules. As soon as ships are within 2 Zones of each other, they can initiate an engagement.


'''Asteroid Fields
'''

An asteroid field adds +1 to +2 to a ship's chances of evading detection while in the field, but periodic Pilot rolls need to be made to avoid damage to the ship. The difficulty of these rolls and the resultant damage are up to the GM. Miners may also elect to scour through asteroid fields for their riches. All kinds of exotic asteroid fields abound in the galaxy, including ones haunted by or composed of living beings, radioactive or electromagnetic fields, etc.


'''Hyperspace Jumps
'''

A hyperspace jump requires a starship to be at least 2 zones distant from a planet's surface, or any object as large as a small planetoid. Calculations for the jump to lightspeed, made with the ship's Drives skill modified by Computing, take at least one round of calculations, although with the Advanced Astrogation stunt, this becomes a subsidiary action in a round.

These hyperspace jump range calculations are based on the canonical 6 weeks of hyperspace travel from the Galactic Rim to the Core Worlds along one of the major hyperspace lanes. 

A standard hyperspace jump can cover roughly 1 parsec (3.26 ly) per point of Difficulty. The relevant roll is dictated by the ship's Drives rating, and other factors. So, a 1-parsec jump requires a +1 success, a 2-parsec jump a +2 success, and so on. This total can be influenced by external environmental factors. For instance, a hyperspace lane typically lowers the Difficulty (increases the range) of a jump by 1, or  even 2, while a miscalculated jump or local environmental interference may raise the Difficulty by 1 or far more.

After each jump, a starship needs to stop and recalibrate its hyperdrive, and make the calculations for the next jump, at the new Difficulty. Consequences of a hard failure can include flying into the heart of a star, or other equally unpleasant outcomes.

A hyperspace jump takes an unpredictable but limited amount of time - usually around 3 hours per parsec - and a lot of fuel. Typically, each point of Difficulty burns 10% of the ship's fuel supply.

== '''Starship Combat''' ==


These are the specialized rules for starship combat.


'''Detection
'''

Starships have to detect each other to enter combat. Detection is a Systems vs Systems contest, modified by crew Engineering or Computing Skills, advanced sensor suites, asteroid fields, stealth suites, etc. Unless a ship has a definite reason, orders, etc. to continue scanning, it cannot keep trying to detect until it finds a target; the first failure is definitive. However, once detected, a target is tagged, and cannot evade unless it can change the situation (e.g. fly into an asteroid field) to allow a fresh test.


'''Closing to engage
'''

Once detected, ships need to move to within engagement range to start a combat. If a ship wants to avoid combat, it can do a series of Pilot vs Pilot contests as per a typical chase. The pursuer may also be a torpedo as well as another starship. Typically, closing within 2 zones of the target is enough to allow an engagement to begin.


'''Engagement
'''

On entering an engagement, the combatants each make a Pilot roll, taking up a full turn. The result is their position on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder].

The [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder] determines the combatants' relative tactical positions and firing sequence. This also applies to torpedoes as well as manned craft. The [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder] is also closely tied to the possible actions for each combatant in each turn.

At the end of each turn, combatants move 1 level down the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder], unless the turn's outcome determines otherwise. 

Once a ship has exited the bottom of the engagement ladder, it has moved out of engagement range. Combatants are then assumed to be 2 zones apart, and if an aggressor wants to re-initiate combat, it has to close to engage as before, with the same Pilot vs Pilot tests.


'''Engagement Actions
'''

The following are some of the standard engagement actions available to combatants. Others may be available depending on Guns and Systems types, and other factors.

Actions basically take half or all of each turn; 2 half actions can both be done in a single turn. 

Attack and defensive actions require a roll of the relevant Skill to succeed, with crew Skill modifying ship Skill. For the majority of actions, the skill is Pilot. For pure gunnery actions (e.g. Snap shot), the crew Skill is Shoot (modifying Guns). Crew manning turrets and other installations cannot do Pilot actions, but can do other actions separately. As said, PC characters can also boost rolls by using Fate points or invoking advantages above the level of Guns or Shields.

Some full turn actions are essentially two actions combined, e.g. Desperate attack, which combines Pilot and Guns.

A full turn action is assumed to take effect in the second half of the exchange. 

Shields are essentially always-on armour, although vulnerable to smaller ships getting inside them. Ships can also elect to use maneuvering to make their defend actions.

For each type of action, the relevant crew member or Skill type to execute is indicated. Where an action has a maximum Scale, that is also indicated.


[[Attack Actions]]

*Desperate attack (Pilot/Guns, full turn, max 3 Scale): Spend a Fate point to climb 2 levels on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder], then attack a ship at or below your new level. 
*On their tail (Pilot/Guns, full turn): Position yourself in the level directly above your target on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder]. Attack your target with a +2 bonus to your Guns roll, increasing by +1 each turn.
*Targeted attack (Guns, full turn): Target and degrade Drives, Guns, Shields or Systems, by 1 point per shift. Success with style allows removal of 1 stunt per attack.
*Inside their shields (Pilot/Guns, full turn): Insert yourself behind the Shields of a target of Scale 4 or above in the same level on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder], and attack with Shields damage reduction ignored.
*Snap shot (Guns, half turn): Attack a ship at your level or below on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder].
*Return fire (Guns, second half, Scale 3 or above): Return fire against an attacking ship above you on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder] at -2 on Guns, if you are Scale 3 or above.
*Target lock (Guns, full turn): Lock onto any target on your level or below on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder]. Attack your target with a +2 bonus to your Guns roll, increasing by +1 each turn.
*Special weapon (Guns, full turn): Fire any installed special weapon (tractor beam, hyperdrive inhibitor, etc.) at target at the same level or below you on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder]. 
*Grapple and board (Pilot, second half): Initiate a Pilot vs. Pilot or Drives contest against target on same level of [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder] and equal or lower Drives. If aggressor wins, they can grapple and board the target.


[[Non-Attack Actions]]

*Create an advantage or overcome (Any appropriate Skill, either half of turn): As standard Fate Core actions.
*Push (Pilot, second half): Initiate a Pilot vs. Pilot or Drives contest. If aggressor wins, they push defender down the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder].
*Evade (Pilot, half turn): Maneuver to dodge incoming fire; Defend with Pilot vs. Guns (or Drives vs. Guns).
*Repair (Engineering, second half): Overcome action with Engineering vs. Fair (+2) to clear one stress or consequence box. The number of shifts in the resulting roll equals the maximum value of the stress or consequences box that can be cleared. 
*Pickup (Pilot, full turn): Pick up a stranded pilot, jettisoned cargo canister, asteroid ore chunk, etc. Target Difficulty is determined by the GM.
*Launch (Systems, second half): Overcome action with Systems, modified by Engineering. Launch fighters, shuttles or other subsidiary craft. These enter the engagement at the same level on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder].
*Shake off a tail (Pilot, full turn): Initiate a Pilot vs. Pilot or Drives contest. If successful, both reposition in next turn.
*Reposition (Pilot, either half of turn): Overcome action with Pilot. Position your ship at or below new result on [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder]. Do not degrade.
*Point defense (Guns, second half, Scale 4 or above): +2 attack against any ship inside shields.
*Fire decoys (Guns, either half, Scale 3 or above): Overcome action with Guns vs. Fair +2; once only per gunner/turret. Penalty to opponent's next attack equal to number of shifts in successful roll.
*Full defense (Pilot, full turn, max 3 Scale): +2 defend against any attacks and other opponent actions, no other actions allowed.
*Jump to lightspeed (Drives, modified by Pilot/Computing/Engineering, full turn): Calculate and initiate hyperspace jump. Overcome action with Drives vs. Fair +2. Requires no tail and at least 2 levels of separation on [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder]. Can be cut to half a turn with Advanced Astrogation.



'''Damage'''

Starships have two Stress tracks, one for Hull, the other for Systems. Each ship also has the usual Mild, Moderate and Serious Consequence boxes, with the usual 2, 4 and 6 shift values, plus an additional +8 Extreme consequences box if the ship is Scale 6 or above. The attacker decides which Stress track is targeted for each attack. The special Targeted Attack Action also allows even more specific targeting. Shields reduce the amount of damage done by the Shields value (but see below).

Each Consequence box filled for Systems does a corresponding amount of damage to Systems stunts. Each Consequence box filled for the Hull has potentially damaging or fatal effects as follows:

*+4: Hull breach, cargo compartment; cargo lost, no injuries.
*+3: Hull breach, crew compartment; 1 crew takes 1 roll damage.
*+2  Hull breach, crew compartment; all crew take 1 roll damage
*+1: Life support failure; crew have to reach escape pods or survive on suit air
*0:  Radiation leak; all crew take 1 roll radiation damage/round until fixed
*-1: Loss of control; ship maneuvers/repositions at random until helm repaired
*-2: Catastrophic outage; ship dead in space, no drives or internal power
*-3: Catastrophic failure; ship explodes, crew have time to reach escape pods
*-4: Catastrophic detonation; ship explodes, no chance of escape


'''Shields'''

Shields usually absorb damage equal to their rating. However, a torpedo, snub pilot, or other threat may be able to penetrate within shield radius. If so, Shields provide no protection against that damage.


'''Torpedoes'''

Torpedoes are small (Scale 0) guided missiles, usually with +3 Pilot and +3 Drives, with the Fast Ship and Maneuverability stunt. They home in on a target designated at launch, and aim to reach the same zone as the target. Once in the same zone, they explode. Damage depends on the payload, but is a standard +6.

Torpedoes can be fired both outside and inside an engagement. If fired or entering an engagement, they have to reach the same level on the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder] to successfully detonate. If fired during an engagement, they can perform the "Inside their shields" attack. If their target is destroyed or shakes them off before they detonate, they explode, doing damage to all ships, friendly or hostile, at the same level in the [https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Raiders_of_the_Rim:Engagement_Ladder engagement ladder].

In its terminal guidance phase, a torpedo can perform the "Inside their shields" action, if it succeeds in a Pilot vs Systems roll against the target.