SHIP MODIFICATION RULES
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SHIP MODIFICATION RULES
(S7.0) SHIP MODIFICATION RULES
Revised 4 April 02
Like everything on this web site, this is copyright (c) 2002 Amarillo Design Bureau Inc. and cannot be reposted anywhere. Don’t even ask for permission.
These rules can be used by players in free campaigns to make minor modifications to ships.
Disclaimer: Any group wanting to use these rules in its campaign must agree to use them by a 2/3 majority vote. Any modified ship must be approved by the campaign (either a popular vote or by a committee for that purpose) three days prior to being used.
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(S7.1) BASIC CONCEPT OF THE SYSTEM
This system works with official published ships; it cannot create a ship from scratch. Certain ships cannot be modified.
You replace a box with something else. That something else must be within the limits of (7.2) or (7.3) below, whichever the players have chosen to use. Adjust the ship’s BPV by deducting the cost of the removed system (S7.4) and adding the cost of the installed system. In the case of additional boxes added under (7.34), add 3 BPV to the ship for each added box, plus the cost of the item installed in the box. This system calculates the new BPV; in some campaign formats, economic points must be spent for ship modifications even if they do not change the BPV.
Note that certain existing rules (e.g., the cost of cloaks, legendary officers, or crew quality) apply to the base cost of the ship AFTER any of these modifications are made.
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(S7.2) THE STANDARD (HISTORICAL) SYSTEM
(S7.21) MAXIMUM CHANGE: The maximum number of SSD boxes which can be replaced with something else: two boxes on size-4 units, four boxes on size-3 units, six boxes on size-2 units.
(S7.22) WEAPONS can only replace weapons. You cannot install a weapon in a box containing a non-weapon. See Annex #8B, and if the listed system requires two spaces it can only be added to the ship by replacing two adjacent weapon systems.
(S7.221) If the removed system required two spaces, the ship can only add one weapon in its place. (Changing one two-box weapon to two one-box weapons, or two one-box weapons to one two-box weapon, counts as changing two boxes.)
(S7.222) Some weapons are restricted from use on some hulls, e.g., no size class four non-X ship hull can carry a plasma-S torpedo. See (Annex #8B) and (S7.4).
(S7.223) Certain weapons (disruptors, photon torpedoes, plasma torpedoes, hellbores) cannot replace phasers. Others (fusion beams, drone racks, plasma racks) can.
(S7.324) Maulers cannot be added. They require rebuilding the entire ship. SSDs have been published for non-historical maulers to cover this need.
(S7.225) A weapon will have the same firing arcs as the weapon it replaces. As the data in (S7.4) has the "base cost" of the weapon with a 120-degree (or less) firing arc, players will need to calculate the arc-adjusted cost of the weapon which is being installed vs the arc-adjusted cost of the weapon removed. Certain weapons have restrictions; Plasma-R, hellbores, and photons are limited to 120 degrees. Any weapon replacing a drone rack will have a 120 degree arc unless an expanded arc is purchased; a drone rack or ADD replacing any other weapon will have a 360 degree arc.
(S7.226)
(S7.227)
(S7.228) Special Cases: Kzinti CF cannot have normal drone racks in its wings. Modular ships cannot be modified but the modules themselves can be. Ships subject to shock cannot be modified.
(S7.229) Any historical refit can be installed for its published cost (even if earlier than available) and is not counted within the limitations of these rules.
(S7.23) TECHNOLOGY: Ships cannot use weapons or technology the owning race is not authorized to use. Remember Feds can only put Gatlings on true carriers and designated carrier escorts with aegis.
(S7.23y) X-Technology cannot be added to a non-X ship. The same rule applies to adding General War technology to Early Years ships.
(S7.23x) Technology from other galaxies (Omega, Magellanic, Pinwheel) or simulators cannot be used.
(S7.24) ADDITIONS: Boxes cannot be added to the SSD.
(S7.24x) Boxes cannot be removed from a ship to reduce its BPV.
(S7.25) OTHER RESTRICTIONS
(S7.251) Security Boxes cannot be removed from a Klingon ship or converted into anything else. They can be added to Klingon ships.
(S7.252) Probes cannot be replaced.
(S7.253) Excess damage, Sensor, scanner, and damage control boxes cannot be removed or converted into something else. They can be added within the overall limit.
(S7.254) Mech-links can be added to one or two tractor beams. These can be for PFs or heavy fighters, but a given mech link can only handle one such unit or the other.
(S7.26) SHUTTLES: Fighters cannot replace admin shuttles. On non-carriers where a box is added to an existing shuttle bay, that box must also be an admin shuttle or admin shuttle variant (MSS, MLS, GAS), or it can be used as the second box for an HTS or HAS. On TRUE carriers, the added box may be a fighter box. Ships which carry one or two fighters as part of their normal operations, but are not otherwise carriers (WYN Black Shark) cannot add additional fighters under this rule. Drogues can replace admin shuttles or fighters under their rules.
(S7.27) NON-SSD ITEMS
(S7.271) Aegis can only be installed on carrier escorts (and carrier escorts can only be deployed as part of a carrier group). The Klingon D5 and B10 are exceptions; limited aegis cannot be added to any D5 hull that does not include aegis in its original form, and full aegis cannot be installed on any D5 that is not a carrier escort, nor can it be installed on any B10.
(S7.272) Firing arcs of existing weapons can be expanded by 60 degrees for a cost equal to 1/3 of the base cost of the weapon. Arcs cannot be improved more than 60 degrees. Mauler arcs cannot be expanded.
(S7.273) The turn mode cannot be changed.
(S7.274) Seeking weapon control can be increased to double the sensor rating for a cost of XXXXXX. It cannot be further increased.
(S7.275) Breakdown ratings cannot be changed. One extra HET bonus can be purchased for 10 points.
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(S7.S) THE SEMI-HISTORICAL) SYSTEM
(S7.S1) Maximum number of SSD boxes which can be replaced with something else: Same as Historical.
(S7.S2) Weapons can only replace weapons. Same as historical.
(S7.S3) Ships cannot use weapons or technology the owning race is not authorized to use. Same as historical.
(S7.S4) Boxes cannot be added to the SSD or removed from it. Same as historical rules.
(S7.S5) Other restrictions. Same as historical.
(S7.S6) Fighters can replace admin shuttles. Doing so counts as a changed box.
(S7.S7) NON-SSD ITEMS
(S7.S71) Limited Aegis can be installed on any ship.
(S7.S73) The turn mode can be improved by one level for a cost equal to 15% of the ship’s BPV before any modifications.
All other rules same as historical.
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(S7.3) THE NON-HISTORICAL SYSTEM
(S7.31) Maximum number of SSD boxes which can be replaced with something else: four boxes on size-4 units, eight boxes on size-3 units, twelve boxes on size-2 units. See Annex #8B, and if the listed system requires two spaces it can only be added to the ship by replacing two adjacent weapon systems, or by "adding a box" in the appropriate location. If the removed system required two spaces, the ship can put two weapons in its place, but this is considered to use one of the "added" boxes.
(S7.32) Weapons can replace non-weapons, but only one on a size-4 hull, two on a size-3 hull, four on a size-2 hull.
(S7.321) If the removed system required two spaces, the ship can only add one weapon in its place. (Changing one two-box weapon to two one-box weapons, or two one-box weapons to one two-box weapon, counts as changing two boxes.)
(S7.322) All restrictions on what ship can carry what weapon are ignored.
(S7.223) All restrictions on what weapon can replace which weapon are ignored.
(S7.324) Maulers cannot be added to a ship. They require rebuilding the entire ship. SSDs have been published for non-historical maulers to cover this need.
(S7.325) A weapon will have the same firing arcs as the weapon it replaces. As the data in (S7.4) has the "base cost" of the weapon with a 120-degree (or less) firing arc, players will need to calculate the arc-adjusted cost of the weapon which is being installed vs the arc-adjusted cost of the weapon removed.
(S7.328) Special Cases: Kzinti CF cannot have normal drone racks in its wings, period. Modular ships can be modified and the modules themselves can be. Ships subject to shock can be modified but boxes and weapons cannot be added.
(S7.329) Other exceptions and allowances.
(S7.3291) Type-F drone racks can replace one or two admin shuttles for the costs given in (S7.4).
(S7.3292) Any type-A drone rack or ADD can be replaced by a Type-B, C, E, or G drone rack or ADD without counting against the limit of boxes than can be modified. Drone racks can be replaced with plasma racks but only if two racks are replaced, one plasma rack being LS and the other RS.
(S7.33) Ships can use any weapons or technology except for Andromedan PA panels and displacement devices, which are just too darn weird.
(S7.33y) Any ship can be given some X-Technology systems, but no more than three systems on a size class four ship, four systems on a size class three ship and five systems on a size class two ship may be upgraded. In this context, "system" means all of a particular system type, e.g., all phasers on the ship, all torpedoes on the ship, all transporters on the ship, etc. Each such system counts as one of the allowed "changed boxes" under the overall limits. The same rules apply to adding General War technology to Early Years ships. X-Technology cannot be added to Early Years ships.
(S7.33x) Technology from other galaxies (Omega, Magellanic, Triangulum, Pinwheel) or simulators can be used if a 2/3 majority of the campaign members vote to use it. Technology from unauthorized products can never be used.
(S7.34) ADDITIONS: Boxes can be added to the SSD, but only two boxes on size-4, three on size-3, and five on size-2. These count against the limit of the number of boxes that can be changed. Adding a box to a ship costs 3 BPV for the structure. No more than one added box on a size-4, two on a size-3, or three on a size-2 hull can be used for weapons.
(S7.34x) Boxes can be removed to reduce BPV, but are within the overall limit on boxes changed.
(S7.35) OTHER RESTRICTIONS
(S7.351) Security Boxes can be removed from a Klingon ship or changed into something else. They can be removed from Klingon ships ONLY if the Klingons purchase the "no mutiny" status, which costs 10% of the base BPV. Security stations can be added to any ship including non-Klingon ships (see the bonuses for boarding party combat).
(S7.352) Probes can be replaced by a weapon with FA firing arcs.
(S7.353) Excess damage, Sensor, scanner, and damage control boxes cannot be removed or converted into something else. They can be added within the overall limit.
(S7.354) Mech-links can be added to up to six tractor beams. These can be for PFs or heavy fighters, but a given mech link can only handle one such unit or the other.
(S7.36) SHUTTLES: Fighters can replace admin shuttles.
(S7.37) NON-SSD ITEMS: These are in addition to all of the changes available under (S7.27).
(S7.371) Full Aegis can be installed on any ship for a cost of XXXX.
(S7.372) Firing arcs of existing phasers can be expanded to 360 degrees for a cost equal to the base cost of the phaser. Mauler arcs cannot be expanded.
(S7.373) The turn mode can be improved by two levels for a cost equal to 25% of the ship’s BPV before any modifications.
(S7.374) Seeking weapon control can be increased to double the sensor rating for a cost of XXXXXX. It cannot be further increased. A ship can obtain the expanded drone availability ratings of Kzinti or drone bombardment ships for xxxx.
(S7.375) Breakdown ratings cannot be improved by one for a cost of 10 points. One extra HET bonus can be purchased for 10 points or a second one (up to a max of three) for 15 points.
(S7.379) Things impossible to add under the historical system are available under the non-historical system:
(S7.391) Nimble
(S7.392) Cloak
(S7.393) True Carrier Status
(S7.394) Stealth
(S7.395) removing shock restrictions
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(S7.4) CHART SHOWING COSTS OF STUFF
See the Tome of Ancient Wisdom (Volume I rulebook from 1983) and or the various charts for option mounts and HDW options for a guide. We’ll do a real chart later.
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John, the main point was that two races (or countries in our case) can come to the same solution or output via very different technologies/means.
But I agree that I'm probably arguing too fine a point.
Y'know, maybe I've been going to school too long but if you're gonna quote someone, add a link or text for me to read up on.
It's simply an essay issue.
"changing space size by time period"
"I would even suggest that the R-Torp in the War Eagle is larger than the one in the Regalhawk"
This way lies madness.
That's because I'za just a carrazy mad for insane details.
Quote:- Pl-S and Pl-G both require two spaces for Orion and HDW option mounts
This can easily be explained by the bracing needed to Mount the weapon. Ships designed to permanently be reconfigured for Plasma Mounts can do it more effectively (space wise). Even if the (Insert whoever) has no intention of ever changing the mounts. It has to remain an operational necessity simply because they may not have replacement parts for whatever weapon is handy. It is more likely that the Plasma based races would be likelier to have spare parts. But the commonality of the design over known space mitigates this to some extent.
Kenneth,
I have no problem with that description as long as the Pl-G and Pl-S are 1.2 or 1.25 spaces.
If, however, a Pl-G is only one space, that means it is the same size as a photon. In such case, a one space weapon is pretty much a one space weapon. A photon is a pretty violent weapon all on its own. I am much less willing to buy that explanation at that point.
(Note that my ability to buy an explanation doesn't mean it isn't the explanation. I just won't like it.)
I see Mikes point. Would we want to see a captured Fed CA with four G-Torps in place of the Photons? That would be pretty kick butt.
(Sure two-S-Torps should fit as well but remember four Gs put out eight F's in shotgun mode onto four targets.)
Loren,
We already know what fits in place of a Federation CA's four photons: 2xPl-S and 1xPl-F.
On the other hand, we also know that each Pl-S can be replaced by 2xPhoton. Each Pl-F can be replaced by a drone rack. (This does not apply to Kestrals. Those are converted as would the base Klingon ships.)
Of course, this is all from the Fed/Rom Anarchist article. Which need to be taken with a grain of salt anyway, since they are completely "non-reflexive". And "non-transitive".
I think the Ship Modification Rules should be nick named "The Willie Wonka Rules" because no matter what they'er gonna be wonkey.
I used to really, REALLY want these rules published but now... well, I feel different. With SO many ships now available and XP available I lost the desire.
Not that I'm against them, just I'm thinking I don't care much about them any more.
So I won't stick my nose in the work being done here any more. One should care about where one stick his nose in.
Good luck guys.
