Project Black Swans

[Anakin]

Some other threads awoke some good old memories, so I dug up some old notes among my SW RPG papers.
Perhaps this thread belongs in the Adventure section, but since it mainly revolves around a specific craft I chose to place it here.

I got this idea many years ago and used in a campaign of many adventures, as the main "mission". The Alliance had put together a squadron of highly modified X-wings, dubbed the Black Swans. I know people in this galaxy probably don't have a clue what a swan is, but it sounds cool enough for me

As always when adventures concern "super ships", we are off course talking about some kind of stealth craft. The adventure parts are very free for the GM to make up. I can't remember much of the Black Swan adventures. Just that the players searched for a long time before they found them. The base plot is that the players are working as special ops for the Alliance, and gets this extremely secret mission; the Black Swans have, off course, been stolen by a powerful criminal organization. This organization is probably intending to sell them to the Empire. The Alliance can't let that happen, since these X-wings are packed with military secrets. The mission is: Find them, bring as many back as possible (if any) and destroy the rest.

These X-wings have been stripped from all unnecessary electronics to minimize the energy emissions. To reduce some weight and electronics, the shields have been removed and the wings are fixed in x-mode. The sensors have been re tuned to work on less common frequencies, making them less effective but also less visible. All cables have been fitted with a thick layer of shielding material. The laser cannons have been replaced by a weaker model, that looks bigger because of the heavy layers of shielding material. The engines are fitted with a powerful cooling system and a sophisticated device known as Ion Trail Disperser. Many metal components have been replaced by super tough plastics, ceramics and light weight metal, for making the craft less visible, but also to compensate for the engines loss of power. In the end the engineers managed to actually make the hull a bit stronger than the original. Finally the fighters where painted with a signal deflecting material known as "Black Chrome", which also gave them their nick name. The black chrome actually makes them difficult to see in dark surroundings, even for the bare eye.

Stats:
Craft: Incom T-65S X-wing
Type: Stealth fighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 12.9 meters
Skill: Starfighter piloting: X-wing
Crew: 1
Crew skill: Unknown
shields 3D, Astrogation 3D
Cargo capacity: 100 kg
Consumables: 1 week
Cost: Too much
Hyperdrive multiplier: x1
Nav Computer: Uses astromech droid programmed with 10 jumps
Maneuverability: 2D+2
Space: 8
Atmosphere: 365; 1050 kmh
Hull: 4D+1
Shields: -

Sensors:
Passive: 15/0D
Scan: 40/1D
Search: 60/1D+2
Focus: 2/2D+1

Weapons:
4 lasercannons (Fire linked)
Fire arc: Front
Skill: Starship gunnery
Fire control: 1D (analog system)
Space range: 1-3/10/20
Atmosphere range: 100-300/1/2 km
Damage: 5D

Dual protontorpedoe launcher
Fire arc: Front
Skill: Starship gunnery
Fire control: 1D+1 (analog system)
Space range: 1/3/7
Atmosphere range: 30-100/300/700 km
Damage: 9D

Scram jet:
Adds +3 to speed for three rounds, but also adds 2D to enemies sensor rolls and fire control. Can only be used once, and must then be replaced.

Stealth systems:
Shielding materials and Black Chrome
Adds 2D+2 to difficulty for sensors to detect ship, on ranges greater than 50 units.

"Silent sensors"
Adds 1D to difficulty for sensors to detect ship, on ranges greater than 25 units.

Ion Trail Dispersers
Adds 2D to difficulty for sensors to detect ship, on ranges greater than 10 units, but reduces speed by 3 and maneuver by 1D when turned on.
_________________
If you fall seven times, get up eight times.

[jmanski]

Interesting. It is powerful but not overly so due some of your balancing mechanics.

I like some of what you've done.... some of that just might show up in some of my stuff.....
_________________
Blasted rules. Why can't they just be perfect?

[CRMcNeill]

Looks right for Ships and Equipment to me.

Speaking of good old memories, this is based on a long lost stat write up by Urban Lundquist (aka Wing Commander Luna) on the AOL SW-RPG mailing list. His website had some awesome stat write ups for some very useful vessels, including something very much like this little gem (which I am pretty much just writing from memory).

Darkwing-Class Strategic Reconnaissance Starship

Craft: Modified Baudo-class Star Yacht
Affiliation: Alliance
Era: Rebellion
Type: High-Speed Stealth Reconnaissance Vessel
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 32 meters
Skill: Space Transports: Darkwing
Crew: 3 (1 Pilot, 1 Systems Operator, 1 Sensor Operator)
Crew Skill:
Space Transports 4D
Starship Shields 4D
Sensors 5D
Communication 5D
Cargo Capacity: 1 metric ton
Consumables: 1 week
Cost: 1,200,000 credits (4,X. Not Available For Sale)
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x1
Hyperdrive Backup: x8
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 1D
Space: 16
Atmosphere: 664; 1,920 kmh
Hull: 2D
Shields: 1D
Sensors:
Passive: 100/3D
Scan: 250/4D
Search: 400/5D
Focus: 20/7D
Weapons:
Minelayer
Fire Arc: Rear
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: As per weapon. See below.
Range: N/A
Ammo: 6
Capsule:
This weapons is almost never used as a true minelayer. Its true purpose is to dispense ordnance that is designed to facilitate the Darkwing's escape from hazardous situations. It normally carries a mix of two different weapons; Static Bombs (which immediately reduce the effectiveness of all sensors in the area by 8D, with the penalty decreasing by 1D per round) and Trac-Charges (which detonate into a shower of tractor beam reflective particles, reducing the strength of a Tractor Beam locked onto the Darkwing by 8D, with the penalty decreasing by 1D per round). It can also be used to deploy smart decoy drones.
Self-Destruct System
Damage: 9D
Range: Full damage to the Darkwing, 1/2 damage to anything in the same Space Unit, or within 100 meters.
Stealth Systems:
Arakyd Nightshadow Anti-Sensor Treatment
Effect: +2D to Sensors and Fire Control Difficulty
Fabritech Vanish 3 Military Sensor Masking System
Effect: +3D to Sensors and Fire Control Difficulty
Note: This system functions similar to shields, in that the available dice may be redistributed between fire arcs. In normal mode, the sensor mask provides 3D protection in all directions, but the ship's Systems Operator may use Starship Shields to move energy from one arc to another.
Intelstar Passive Jamming System
Effect:
+2D to Sensors and Fire Control Difficulty if distance is greater than 50 units
+1D if distance is less than 50 but greater than 25
FreiTek Ion Drive Baffling System
Effect:+2D to Sensors and Fire Control Difficulty, but cuts Space to 8 while in use.
FreiTek Fire Control Jamming System
Effect:-2D from enemy Fire Control, but reduces combined Stealth bonus by -4D when used.


Capsule:
Developed concurrently with the Alliance's R-Wing Stealth Strike Starfighter, the Darkwing Strategic Reconnaissance Starship is the fastest starship in existence. Able to outrun even the fastest imperial TIEs with ease, the Darkwing is designed to make extremely high velocity runs through well defended star systems, or to loiter with near invisibility for long-term surveillance. Even their existence is highly classified by Alliance Command, and only half a dozen are existence. In spite of the highly dangerous nature of their assigned missions, not one has been lost to enemy action, despite some close calls.

The Darkwing is based on the Baudo-Class Staryacht. Alliance Starfighter development procurred a handful of these high-speed craft and stripped the interiors, installing massively upgraded sensors and an array of stealth equipment (which is the ship's sole defense, as the modifications stripped the Baudo's stock laser cannon). In addition to upgraded engines, the ship is also fitted with a hydrogen ion ram-thruster that boosts the ship to incredible sublight velocities. All of the yacht's luxury facilities have been stripped away, leaving a cockpit and a cramped cabin space for the crew. The entire remainder of the ship's volume is filled with massive engines, fuel cells, and electronics for the sensors and stealth equipment. A final, and more ominous feature is the inclusion of a self-destruct array. A series of explosive packages are scattered throught the ship's hull, and are tied into a single detonator in the cockpit. The primary detonator is electronic, but there is a manual backup in case the electronic detonator is disabled by ion cannon fire or combat damage.

All Darkwings are part of the 1st. Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, attached directly to Alliance Starfighter command. Darkwings are never deployed at the request of Starfighter Command or the various Sector Commands; all of their mission orders ultimately originate with Alliance Intelligence or Fleet Intel. Darkwings are always deployed alone, with a modified YT-1300 Light Freighter providing in-flight replenishment, as well as providing transportation for the Darkwing's ground crew.

Like the R-Wing, Darkwing crewmembers are highly disciplined. Their mission and the secrecy of the craft itself are paramount. Darkwing crews are under strict orders to ignore assistance requests from other Alliance units in favor of their mission, and have been even known to ignore SOS signals from ejected Alliance pilots because their orders did not permit them to break radio silence. This level of dedication is very important, because the crews have standing orders to avoid capture of themselves or their vessel at all costs, up to and including commiting suicide by detonating the Darkwing's self-destruct system. So far, no Darkwing has faced emminent capture, but no one doubts the dedication of their crews should it become necessary.

Due to the design's success, a combat variant has been suggested, pulling the sensor packages and replacing them with an array of warhead launchers. The proposed D-Wing Class Stealth Starbomber has a working prototype, but it is doubtful that it will enter mass production, due to high costs.

Author's Note: In homage to the amazing SR-71 Blackbird, still the fastest (unclassified) aircraft on record. The idea for the Static Bomb was pulled from Timothy Zahn's non-SW SciFi Conqueror series, and the Trac-Reflective particle idea was pulled from The Last Command, where it was mentioned that the Alliance had used it several times to great success.

I pretty much wrote this up on the fly and tried to keep it balanced, but some of the tech is so over-the-top that the only way to keep it balanced was to make it extremely expensive and so rare that its practically unique.
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"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]

Interesting... How many exist?
_________________
Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Anakin]

Urban Lundquist?
Sounds like a Swede. Where is he from?
_________________
If you fall seven times, get up eight times.

[Bren]

[CRMcNeill]

[Anakin]

[dhawk]

Just to give an example, here's a set of stats I provided Treefrog for the Legacy of the Force sourcebook. He already had them made, but may have incorporated a few ideas from this set:

Incom StealthX Starfighter

Craft: Incom StealthX
Type: Reconnaissance and escort starfighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 12 meters
Skill: Starfighter Piloting: X-Wing
Crew: 1
Crew Skill: All appropriate skills at 6D
Passengers: None
Cargo Capacity: 35 kilograms
Consumables: 3 days
Cost: Not available for sale
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x1
Nav Computer: Astromech droid programmed with 10 jumps
Maneuverability: 4D
Space: 10
Atmosphere: 415; 1,200 km/h
Hull: 4D+2
Shields: 1D (back-up generators replaced with Sensor Negators)
Sensors:
Passive: 30/0D
Scan: 60/1D
Search: 90/2D
Focus: 4/4D
Weapons:
4 Heavy Laser Cannons (fire-linked)
Fire Arc: Front
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 4D
Space Range: 1-3/12/25
Atmosphere Range: 100-300/1.2/2.5 km
Damage: 7D
2 Proton Torpedo Launchers (4 heavy torpedoes each)
Fire Arc: Front
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 4D
Space Range: 1/3/7 for heavy proton torpedoes, 1/2/3 for Glop Bombs, 1/2/3 for bunker-buster bombs
Atmosphere Range: 100/300/700 m for heavy proton torpedoes, 50-100 for Glop Bombs, 50-100/200/300 for bunker buster bombs
Damage: 10D for heavy proton torpedoes, (14D if loaded with "shadow bombs"), *Special for Glop Bombs, 12D for bunker-buster bombs
*Special: Glop Bomb damage: releases quick-hardening foam upon detonation; encases the target within 50-100 m radius, Strength of 10D to resist, starfighter scale.

Other Equipment:
Sensor Negators: Replacing the stronger shield generators of the venerable XJ3, the StealthX fills this space with sensor negators for increased stealth capabilities. When activated, the sensor negators add 2D to an enemy sensor operator’s difficulty to detect and identify the StealthX. It should be noted that this component is built into the craft, and cannot be equipped on other starfighters.

Gravitic Modulator: This piece of equipment (which replaces one of the original XJ3 frame’s proton torpedo launchers) is designed as countermeasure to mass sensors such as crystal field grav-traps by sending a reduced mass signature (or inflating it) of the overall weight of the StealthX in space. This requires the pilot to make a successful Sensors roll vs. the opponent’s sensors roll + the difficulty modifier based on starship scaling.

Mass Signature Alteration Difficulty Starship Scale:
Very Easy Starfighter to Walker
Easy Starfighter to Space Transports (<30 m long)
Moderate Starfighter to Space Transports (>30 m long)
Difficult Starfighter to Capital (<300 m long)
Very Difficult Starfighter to Capital (>300 m long)
Heroic Starfighter to Capital (>600 m long)

Success means that the enemy pilot or sensor operator is reading the StealthX at that starship scale, beginning at maximum sensor range. Should the StealthX move closer to the enemy’s sensors by one range category (ex. Maximum to long-range, or long-range to medium-range), the pilot of the StealthX must re-roll at one increased difficulty level. The Gravitic Modulator has no effect on Focus sensors, and the StealthX’s size will be readily apparent should an enemy be in range and attempt to use them to detect it.

Fusial Engine Modification: The StealthX’s Incom 4J4 fusial thrust engines have been retooled to burn a special isotope of tibanna gas, designated TibannaX. The added benefit of this type of fuel is that upon a millisecond after fusion, the efflux turns dark, further reducing the already diminished sensor signature of the fighter. This benefit adds a -2 penalty to an enemy’s Sensors roll to detect the StealthX. This benefit is immediately revoked should the StealthX cease using TibannaX. Additionally, due to its rarity and expense to produce, only the Galactic Alliance (and the New Jedi Order subsequently) have authorization and access to TibannaX.

Reduced Visual Signature: The StealthX’s frame is composed of a matte-black fiberplast material with a star-flecked designed imbedded in it. The additional use of photon absorbers and thermal dissipation renders the StealthX nearly invisible to the naked eye when against a starfield. This adds a -2D penalty to an enemy’s Starship Gunnery roll when attempting to target a StealthX. This effect is negated should the fighter suffer moderate or heavy damage to its hull.

Credits: Stats altered from the T-65XJ X-Wing, Power of the Jedi sourcebook, page 59 (converted using D6-D20 conversion rules). D20 rules are copyrighted by Wizards of the Coast Inc.. Star Wars is copyrighted by Lucasfilm Ltd.

[Anakin]

[CRMcNeill]

[CRMcNeill]

[Anakin]

[CRMcNeill]

[Anakin]