Spacecraft Design in B5

[pasuuli]

I'm interested in knowing what it's like designing spacecraft in B5. Is it just a matter of filling a hull with stuff and rating it for playability? Or is it more of a templated approach, where ship classes are more like a "person" that you "develop" the stats for? Or is it something else entirely? And how does it compare or contrast with other RPG ship design rules?

Just looking for a 10,000-foot view here.

 

[Myrm]

Its a sequential build process.

It starts with a design dealt with at an abstract level and the costs for that, then the costs of a shipyard are calculated.

Then you get to the nuts and bolts and start with hull types and modifications of that, which give you X amount of 'space' to play with. Then you add core systems like engines and control, then you add luxury systems (weapons etc) then you can possibly add weird stuff - each add takes up cash and possibly spaces on board.

Total it all up and run the design through what are effectively a set of equation generators as you are going and you get the in game stats.

You dont end up drawing a map up from the design process though you could take the design process and use it to create a deck plan.

 

[pasuuli]

I understand. And that's exactly what I wanted to know, too. Thank you.

OK, one more question, then. Which book should I get if I wanted to build custom ships?

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

It's called the Ship Builder's Manual. Ships of the Galaxy has tons of ships pre-made, and is a good companion to the Builder's Guide.

The books published after the Builder's Manual tend to have specific components, and all of them conform with the system set up in the Builder's Manual. For example, the Bounty Hunter book has what it costs to install a cell for captured prisoners listed by size and cost.

On a side note, I dig this part of the game as well. My PCs will be designing their own ship in just a few sessions. I happen to think a custom starship is one of the best parts of a sci-fi RPG. Good luck with yours!

 

[pasuuli]

Duh :roll: I should do some preliminary research before I bother folks with dumb questions. Thank you, though!

 

[Shadow Queen]

dont worry about it,

 

[lastbesthope]

Duh :roll: I should do some preliminary research before I bother folks with dumb questions. Thank you, though!

There are no dumb questions, only dumb people :lol:

But they're usually too dumb to ask the dumb questions.

LBH

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

dont worry about it,

Second. Don't worry about it. Happy to help.

 

[pasuuli]

You guys rock! Thanks for making this an inviting forum. I look forward to testing the geeky innards of B5.

 

[lastbesthope]

You guys rock! Thanks for making this an inviting forum. I look forward to testing the geeky innards of B5.

Be careful Geek 17 is missing :lol:

LBH

 

[pasuuli]

You guys rock! Thanks for making this an inviting forum. I look forward to testing the geeky innards of B5.

Be careful Geek 17 is missing :lol:

LBH

Hm, the elevators never stop there...

 

[pasuuli]

So, as for my background, I've played a lot of Traveller, so when I see ship designs, I'm used to thinking in volume as well as capability.

On B5 fan sites, I generally see length estimates, very nice ship profiles, sometimes mass estimates, and occasionally mention of weapons and performance. Not having any game effect, volume doesn't matter.

 

[pasuuli]

Here's a related thought: can B5's ship design system be used to design Starship Troopers ships?

 

[lastbesthope]

Here's a related thought: can B5's ship design system be used to design Starship Troopers ships?

If you want to, you're the GM after all, the 'First One' of your game.

LBH

 

[Mick]

What it come down to is they need a set of rules to cover this, the ones that have come out have been a bad joke

 

[pasuuli]

What it come down to is they need a set of rules to cover this, the ones that have come out have been a bad joke

That's kind of my angle, more or less. By leveraging a current system, Mongoose reaps more benefits for less effort.

 

[Mick]

What it come down to is they need a set of rules to cover this, the ones that have come out have been a bad joke

That's kind of my angle, more or less. By leveraging a current system, Mongoose reaps more benefits for less effort.

have try D20 mecha, but you need to remake all ships in the books to be of any use, what need is full setup of new books that work.

you should be able to build any ship from the most basic to first one tech

 

[pasuuli]

What it come down to is they need a set of rules to cover this, the ones that have come out have been a bad joke

That's kind of my angle, more or less. By leveraging a current system, Mongoose reaps more benefits for less effort.

have try D20 mecha, but you need to remake all ships in the books to be of any use, what need is full setup of new books that work.

you should be able to build any ship from the most basic to first one tech

Agreed. Handling a tech spread elegantly can be a challenge.

 

[pasuuli]

Hang on then. Doesn't B5's shipbuilding system currently allow design at different technologies? Early Earthforce tech here, Centauri tech there, etc?

 

[Mick]

Hang on then. Doesn't B5's shipbuilding system currently allow design at different technologies? Early Earthforce tech here, Centauri tech there, etc?

only in the most basic way, you can not build most of the craft in the ships books and on the hold has the feel of something that was not play tested like the weapon to armor rules in combat (the order system is first class in combat but how did they mess up armour to weapon rules?) and it was in the most case what kill off the game I was in.