BravoStork
Mongoose
Having read through the rulebook and more than a few of the articles on this forum, I decided to take a crack at possible adjustments to the rules. Specifically, the shield penetration rule.
On a game play level, this is not a bad mechanic, but possibly too powerful in its execution. On a purely canon level (both from a TOS viewpoint as well as a SFB/FC viewpoint) this rule just does not fit quite right. I think I understand what the designers were trying to accomplish, and I think they were really close. But I think they sacrificed reality for the sake of speed in the game. I do not mean that as a criticism, but games in general are a compromise of those two elements. I just think we need to shift the scale a bit back toward the realist side of things.
So here is my thought:
On a roll of a “6”, the weapon damages the shield normally, but an additional 1 point of “feedback” damage is inflicted on the hull. This would represent the energy of the weapon briefly overloading the shields and causing the energy to cascade throughout systems and damaging them. This is something we have seen both in the shows, but in a few of the stories from SFB. That energy’s got to go somewhere…
Taking this a step further, perhaps weapons with the Devastating trait will inflict an additional point of damage per +1 of the trait? This would reflect the incredible power of the weapon in question.
Pros:
1) A little more realistic, at least in my opinion.
2) Ships, especially little ships (FF, DD, etc) are more survivable, if only by just a bit more.
3) Large ships are not subject to one-shot kills from (absurdly) lucky rolls.
Cons:
1) Games will probably last longer. Not sure how much longer, but testing will help tell.
2) Phasers become far more destructive due in part to sheer numbers. Increasing the odds of feedback damage through increased number of shots fired.
Personally I will be testing this idea myself within the next week or two. I have a large number of Klingons finished and I am currently working on a few of my Starfleet ships. I currently plan on testing this at least on the cruiser to cruiser scale, but FF to F5 and DN to C8 is not out of the question.
On a game play level, this is not a bad mechanic, but possibly too powerful in its execution. On a purely canon level (both from a TOS viewpoint as well as a SFB/FC viewpoint) this rule just does not fit quite right. I think I understand what the designers were trying to accomplish, and I think they were really close. But I think they sacrificed reality for the sake of speed in the game. I do not mean that as a criticism, but games in general are a compromise of those two elements. I just think we need to shift the scale a bit back toward the realist side of things.
So here is my thought:
On a roll of a “6”, the weapon damages the shield normally, but an additional 1 point of “feedback” damage is inflicted on the hull. This would represent the energy of the weapon briefly overloading the shields and causing the energy to cascade throughout systems and damaging them. This is something we have seen both in the shows, but in a few of the stories from SFB. That energy’s got to go somewhere…
Taking this a step further, perhaps weapons with the Devastating trait will inflict an additional point of damage per +1 of the trait? This would reflect the incredible power of the weapon in question.
Pros:
1) A little more realistic, at least in my opinion.
2) Ships, especially little ships (FF, DD, etc) are more survivable, if only by just a bit more.
3) Large ships are not subject to one-shot kills from (absurdly) lucky rolls.
Cons:
1) Games will probably last longer. Not sure how much longer, but testing will help tell.
2) Phasers become far more destructive due in part to sheer numbers. Increasing the odds of feedback damage through increased number of shots fired.
Personally I will be testing this idea myself within the next week or two. I have a large number of Klingons finished and I am currently working on a few of my Starfleet ships. I currently plan on testing this at least on the cruiser to cruiser scale, but FF to F5 and DN to C8 is not out of the question.
Ah well, twas a good idea whilst it lasted inside by head.
