The article 'Sensor Operations' in JTAS no. 4 gives some more detailed rules on detecting other ships in space. Thanks to the author and to Mongoose for this, as it is something I have been looking for more information on for a while.
I do, however, have a lot of questions about the new rules, mostly just checking I have understood them correctly. As I'm running Drinax, I have in mind the Travellers using the TL15 advanced sensors of the Harrier.
1. The Harrier's sensor package has a base range of distant. Does this mean that the Travellers can now 'scan for life signs', using NAS, up to the distant range band? And they can also scan for life signs at Very Distant (at DM -1) and Far (at DM -2)?
2. If the answer to at least the first of those questions is yes, then here's what I imagine happening: the Harrier jumps into a system and initially does a passive scan (optical, thermal and NAS). It makes an Electronics (sensors) check with no DM (-2 for passive scan; +2 for advanced sensors). If successful, the Harrier detects that there are signs of life up to distant range away, and possibly beyond. Then, having made contact, the Harrier makes another scan to get more information. This will now be at DM -2 overall, if still just using passive scanners. The Effect of this check would then give further details as to number and types of lifeform. The Harrier can continue to scan, and every 1D rounds make a new Sensors check, with the Effect of each roll cumulating. Have I got that right?
3. If the Harrier uses its densitometer (an active scanner), then any other ship with a densitometer will automatically detect it if it is in range. So, if the other ship has improved sensors and is in long range, or it has advanced sensors and is in very long range, the Harrier will be automatically detected -- even with its Superior Stealth coating. Have I got that right?
4. Assuming I am correct with no.3, are there any circumstances in which the Harrier would use its radar or lidar, given that now it can use its densitometer at the same range, presumably get better information, and with less chance of being detected in return as fewer ships have densitometers?
5. Do sensors improve with TL, even if they still remain the same package? For example, a Gazelle-class Close Escort has military-grade sensors. It therefore has radar, lidar, jammers and EMCOM available but not densitometers or NAS. It is, however, a TL15 ship. Does that mean its sensors operate at the same base range as advanced sensors - ie, distant instead of long?
6. Finally, under this new system, no stat is given with the Sensors checks. Is that intentional -- ie, only the skill level is applied as a DM, not INT?
That will do for now. Apologies for the long post. I think I would like to introduce these new rules into the game, as they seem to be less hand-wavy than what I have been doing at present, but it will have some big implications for game play, I think.
Thanks,
Dan.
I do, however, have a lot of questions about the new rules, mostly just checking I have understood them correctly. As I'm running Drinax, I have in mind the Travellers using the TL15 advanced sensors of the Harrier.
1. The Harrier's sensor package has a base range of distant. Does this mean that the Travellers can now 'scan for life signs', using NAS, up to the distant range band? And they can also scan for life signs at Very Distant (at DM -1) and Far (at DM -2)?
2. If the answer to at least the first of those questions is yes, then here's what I imagine happening: the Harrier jumps into a system and initially does a passive scan (optical, thermal and NAS). It makes an Electronics (sensors) check with no DM (-2 for passive scan; +2 for advanced sensors). If successful, the Harrier detects that there are signs of life up to distant range away, and possibly beyond. Then, having made contact, the Harrier makes another scan to get more information. This will now be at DM -2 overall, if still just using passive scanners. The Effect of this check would then give further details as to number and types of lifeform. The Harrier can continue to scan, and every 1D rounds make a new Sensors check, with the Effect of each roll cumulating. Have I got that right?
3. If the Harrier uses its densitometer (an active scanner), then any other ship with a densitometer will automatically detect it if it is in range. So, if the other ship has improved sensors and is in long range, or it has advanced sensors and is in very long range, the Harrier will be automatically detected -- even with its Superior Stealth coating. Have I got that right?
4. Assuming I am correct with no.3, are there any circumstances in which the Harrier would use its radar or lidar, given that now it can use its densitometer at the same range, presumably get better information, and with less chance of being detected in return as fewer ships have densitometers?
5. Do sensors improve with TL, even if they still remain the same package? For example, a Gazelle-class Close Escort has military-grade sensors. It therefore has radar, lidar, jammers and EMCOM available but not densitometers or NAS. It is, however, a TL15 ship. Does that mean its sensors operate at the same base range as advanced sensors - ie, distant instead of long?
6. Finally, under this new system, no stat is given with the Sensors checks. Is that intentional -- ie, only the skill level is applied as a DM, not INT?
That will do for now. Apologies for the long post. I think I would like to introduce these new rules into the game, as they seem to be less hand-wavy than what I have been doing at present, but it will have some big implications for game play, I think.
Thanks,
Dan.