Shadow GEG (pre 2e)

[Alexb83]

You rate it higher than the VHC? I'd say the fact that it takes crits would make it worse. It may be tougher, but that can put it out of the game in turn 1, whereas a VHC will keep on working 'til it dies.

 

[Sulfurdown]

Part of my suggestion for using a GEG versus AA, was to keep some separation of feel between the Vorlons and the Shadows. If they all have the same defenses they start losing what makes them stand out. And also trying to keep up some balance with the maneuverability

 

[katadder]

the other problem of course with the GEG is making it balance at all levels. shadow ships currently take damage differantly to any other race, and they also dont take crits so in these cases a GEG would be too powerful. in fact the only way to get a crit on shadows is with precise weapons.

 

[Sulfurdown]

the other problem of course with the GEG is making it balance at all levels. shadow ships currently take damage differantly to any other race, and they also dont take crits so in these cases a GEG would be too powerful. in fact the only way to get a crit on shadows is with precise weapons.

The 'crit' that would ignore a GEG on the Shadows would be that roll of a precise 6, they take substantially less crits then other races but still take crits. In counterpoint they also don't benefit from bulkhead hits so no matter what the damage dice are, they will always do at least one point of damage so on weapon systems with more dice it's easier to overwhelm them.

EDIT: By 'balance at all levels' are you asking about adding the GEG to all Shadow ships or balancing it's impact across all levels?

 

[katadder]

both, like you said one damage does nothing, some people are asking for like GEG12s. now you would need to roll at least 3 hits to get past that, as you cant get crits to ignore the GEG. then the shadow ship has huge self repair.
this makes it very powerful for shadows. and also means smaller ships cant touch them. hell a WS probably couldnt even dent one apart from occasionally with the beam rolling a 6 (with precise for a crit).
GEGs on shadows whcih dont take crits are over the top. hell alot of fleets facing drakh are resorting to crit fishing.

 

[Sulfurdown]

I first guessed at a GEG 12 but after crunching some numbers including the high hull and self repair, I'd agree that a 12 is too high, especially with the lack of crit effects. I think Burger was right about it being more sound around the 6 mark.

 

[katadder]

still it effectively removes 1 dice worth of damage per turn from a shadow ship unless the enemy has precise. the shadow ships would then need their damage scores lowering to take into account the damage multiplier they have. and possibly even lower their SR too.

 

[Sulfurdown]

Quite possibly.

My two interests in adding another defense was the tendancy of the Shadows to be overwhelmed since they did not get the lower end ships that the Vorlons get or the AntiFighter-flare that the Vorlons and other Ancients get (new can of worms, not gonna touch that one) and the disparity between the Vorlon Heavy Cruiser and Shadow Ship (Fast H6D250SR4d6 vs Slow H5D300SR5d6/AA) which are almost impossible to balance due to how completely different they are.

 

[katadder]

well if you get a shadowship behind the VHC its dead as it will never turn to get you. even though it has more damage/SR and AA.
thats one of shadows greatest strengths, their SM, or double speed when needed.