EMP Damage

[CRMcNeill]

I've been putting some thought into how to handle EMP damage for some of the ordinance I'm working on, particularly for defense suppression ordnance for starfighters.

Essentially what I'm thinking is to treat EMP damage just like Ion damage, except that any penalties are permanent. However, as per the description of EMP weaponry in the Imperial Sourcebook, any active shields would completely block the EMP effect.

Thoughts?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[garhkal]

I would say based on my RL training in regards to electronics repair, comms gear and EMPS;
Yes for perm damage
NO for shields blocking
BUT people can make EMP blocks. Which would in essence GIVE a ship's electronics some shielding (say 1-2d)...
_________________
Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[CRMcNeill]

The only detailed description of EMP effects in the SWU is in the Custom Ordnance chapter of the ImpSB says the following:

"This blast, however, can be reflected back on the firer, causing the attacking vessel to "blink out" and become a desolate, powerless hulk."

My thinking is that, in order to avoid creating a weapon that is too powerful, there should be an obvious weakness. Since EMP is energy, and we have only sci-fi hand wave explanations as to what shields are and how they function, I think energy shields of all types should not only be (at minimum) extremely effective against EMP, but should have a chance of reflecting the pulse back at the shooter (on a Wild Dice result, perhaps). That would limit EMP weaponry to use against unshielded targets, or require it to be used in combination with other weaponry to penetrate shields.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[garhkal]

I disagree. Knowing how EMP's work IRL their biggest issue us unlike an Ion cannon, they don't discriminate.. So they shut down all electronics, including your own. That's their down side.. Giving shields the power to reflect them back would make no one (well anyone with a lick of intelligence) ever bother using EMP weapons.
_________________
Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[CRMcNeill]

[Error]

Regarding the stuff in the books:

I think that if you're going to make EMP warheads (or bombs, grenades, whatever) very powerful, then yes, some sort of common shielding should be effective against them. Or else everyone in the SWU would just use EMP's constantly against their enemies to the exclusion of other weapons.

If you make them not "very" powerful, but powerful enough to do some localized damage (like a hand-held EMP), then I think shields would be less powerful in such a situation and penetrable by the EMP. It's a trade-off...powerful but neutralized by shields...less powerful but will penetrate shields.

Also, EMP's definitely cause permanent damage. That is something to consider. Also, I imagine an EMP big enough to wipe out an area 1km in diameter would likely weigh a lot. Like over 10 kg. And it would be bulky.

As far as warheads and warships go, I think a successful hit of a single EMP warhead in the right spot should render most capital ships useless until they are towed away and repaired, but this is only if its shields are inoperative or have been depleted.
_________________
The only words of explanation you need for any concept in the entire Star Wars universe are the words Science Fiction and Space Opera.