"Smoke Screens" in Space

[CRMcNeill]

An alternate thought on this (and one more in line with traditional smoke screens) would be to allow ships to dump some sort of reactive mass (maybe radioactive waste or something along those lines) into the exhaust / thrust section of their drive, which is then ejected as a persistent cloud of particulate matter, throwing off radiation, electromagnetic interference and such. It's not hugely realistic from a real-Sci Fi perspective, but it's more plausible in a Space Opera setting, what with the close ranges at which ship combat occurs in the SWU.
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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

[CRMcNeill]

A few more thoughts on this...

I'm liking more and more the idea of creating a "mini-nebula" by dumping some sort of heavy reactant into the ship's main thruster exhaust.

-I'm thinking that the effect should be roughly equal to Jamming, say +10 to Difficulty to Identify in the first round, and +10 to Difficulty to Identify and Detect in following rounds, as the gas cloud will obscure the generating ship's exact location once it has been started.

-For maximum effectiveness, a ship needs two consecutive Loop maneuvers (one per round for two rounds), so that the "smoke" is dispersed as broadly as possible. This limits its use to small, nimble craft (corvettes and frigates) that have the agility to pull off such tight maneuvers.

-The gas cloud should persist for one minute (12 rounds) at full effectiveness (+10 to Difficulty) then drop to half effectiveness (+5) for 6 rounds as it disperses.

-Should count as Full Concealment (-4D to Gunnery) for ships within the cloud, dropping to -2D as the cloud disperses.

-Ships can maneuver to interpose the screen between themselves and the enemy, receiving the Cover and Sensor bonuses on a successful Piloting roll at +5 Difficulty for Frigates and +10 for Destroyers.
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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

[KageRyu]

I can not remember which right now, but on one of the many official books for D6 Star Wars I had there was a type of grenade for Ground Combat that spread an Anti-Blaster Aerosol. Most of my books are packed away so I cannot check, but I want to say it was in the Corporate Sector book.

I know, how is this relevant right?
I think it would be simple enough to adapt the rules for a missile launcher or bomb rack to say it drops a space sized version of this...or a sensor Jamming Aerosol, etc... Without having to write a whole set of new rules or guidelines.

As I recall, the Damage Die Code of the grenade version was it's saturation, and dissipated 1D every turn, and added to defense rolls of anyone shot at in or through the cloud. An anti-Sensor version could simply add to detection difficulty.
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"There's a set way to gain new Force Points and it represents a very nice system, where you're rewarded for heroism, not for being a poor conductor to electricity." ~Jachra

[CRMcNeill]

[KageRyu]

[CRMcNeill]

Good catch. Cracken's Rebel Field Guide, page 70. Unfortunately, the description basically just says that it reduces blaster damage by 1D for 12 rounds, 6 on a windy day, with no rules for dispersion. There is also the fact that it isn't exactly portable; a bottle .3 meters high x .3 meters in diameter only protects about 3 square meters, and only for a minute. I recall theorizing something a bit more detailed this in combination with a smoke grenade that would actually provide both concealment and a degree of protection for troops crossing free-fire zones, but what is described here is pretty anemic, relatively speaking.
_________________
"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

[KageRyu]

[garhkal]

[CRMcNeill]

[garhkal]

[CRMcNeill]

[CRMcNeill]

Static Cloud Generator

This device creates a temporary zone of sensor interference in space in the form of a persistent cloud of charged particles. The cloud is generated by injecting a blend of exotic chemicals (including spin-sealed tibanna gas, high-grade hyperbarides and heavy fissionables) into the thrust ports of a ship's engines. When expelled, the resulting cloud wreaks havoc with any sensor systems that attempt to scan into or through it.

Effect: Can be used in two modes, Pulse or Cloud.

In Pulse Mode, the generating ship simply flies along its course, generating a series of smaller static clouds. This is considered a free action for the generating ship, and the resulting patches of static provide a +10 modifier to Sensor Difficulty. Unfortunately, the smaller patches disperse relatively quickly (effect lasts six rounds)

In Cloud Mode, the generating ship engages in a maneuver specifically designed to generate a single, large cloud that provides a +20 modifier to Sensor Difficulty. The required maneuver is Difficult and takes a full round to complete, but the resulting cloud lasts much longer than Pulse Mode (12 rounds instead of 6). On a failed Piloting roll, it generates a basic Pulse Mode effect. Because of the Difficulty of the maneuver, Static Generators are generally mounted on smaller, more maneuverable vessels (corvettes, frigates, etc) who have the necessary agility to complete it.

Ammo: Most generators have a limited supply of the chemical fuel needed to generate a static cloud, and can generate a total of 6 uses. Larger vessels can carry more charges, but are only rarely equipped with static generators, instead depending on their escort vessels to provide static fields as needed.
_________________
"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

[CRMcNeill]

Another idea that occurred to me recently (I've been watching YouTube videos on WW2 naval battles) is the idea of "star shells" in space. Seeing as how the concept of smoke screens in space are intended to more closely parallel WW2 naval action, I figured I'd post the new idea here, too.

Short version: I'm picturing an Iluminator Missile, designed to detonate in close proximity to a target (or just as suspected target). The warhead doesn't do any direct damage, but it does give off an EM pulse that highlights anything nearby on ship sensors. The game effect would be something along the lines of "On a successful hit, any ship within range receives a +1D bonus to Sensors and Fire Control against the affected ship. This bonus lasts for one round, but ships can keep up a barrage of Illuminator Missiles and maintain the bonus over multiple rounds."
_________________
"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

[Whill]

So this Illuminator Missile system would have a high fire control itself since its use would mean that other ships need help hitting a target, right? Its downsides would be high expense, limited supply?
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[Mamatried]

CHAFF?

We use these today on military airplanes to "prevent sensor readings"
and radar disruption