The Escort trait is such a simple and obvious addition that it just has to be included! The perfect way to simulate centauri guardian arrays from B5Wars among other things. Kudos!
For Jammer maybe make it a penalty like fighter screens rather than completely blocking line of sight. Maybe Jammer would block line of sight if using Target Acquisition Gear. Just a couple of thoughts.
Cheers,
Erik

I believe that was me.  :geek: Have to admit I was a little too excited to see the rules in the new edition!
I was and have been a proponent for "things other than stuff that goes *pew*pew*pew*" having a game impact. I would rather not have a piece of equipment called a Probe that is really just another weapon than have it just to put on the design.

I Think every game gets exceptionally dull when it is all about simply smashing away at opponents.

I did like the scouts/escorts, though I did feel they were a bit over-priced for the in-game effect, and I like having "terrain" and other fiddly bits because they spice up the game to me. Everyone has different ideas about how they want their game to be though and that's why Starmada is kind of the perfect balance of gameplay flexibility. Go more point-shoot-'splode if that is fun, or build bigger more complicated ships and games if that is your thing, without the game getting too bogged down by encyclopedic rules.
Cheers,
Erik

I would think that this would be instead of the rules for Expendable weapons, correct? Do you think a tweak could be made to the current Expendable rules so both could exist in the same universe? I am specifically thinking of things like Salvo missile launchers vs Salvo missile racks in Full Thrust and Starfire's fixed versus external ordinaance launchers. The advantage of the racks is that you can shoot them all at once but they are limited in number by the hull size (*surface area) while "internal" launchers my be slower firing but have larger magazine space. Just thinking out loud as usual.
Erik

I would like to see something that takes the deep space combat of Starmada and brings it to the orbital interface. Starmada: High Orbitals    Include rules for ground defenses/facilities , orbiting bases and defensive satellites (I know these can be done now but thinking some non-ship specific improvements)  interface assaults (shuttles and other landing methods), pinpoint ortillery strikes, general planetary bombardment, ground-based ships/fighter launch & landing. You know, that kind of stuff. Maybe tie it in with a Quantum Legions or something along those lines.
Just my 2 cents,
Erik

My initial thought after doing a quick scan through of the rulebook is this is exactly what I personally have wanted...A true fusion of the best parts of previous iterations with some tweaking here and there and a sprinkling of new things. I feel like Unity takesvan excellent step back to being more UNIVERSAL. I felt like Nova was tailored to SFU gameplay in some ways. For me, I spend far far FAR more time tinkering with ship design and conversion than actual gameplay and Unity looks like it will be more enjoyable for me in that respect.

I plan on spending the afternoon pretending to take pictures of my kid hunting for Easter eggs while really reading through the PDF rules on my phone. I'm sure my wife won't notice

Cheers,
Erik
PS Yay  probes! 

As far as the 2300 AD setting goes the classic line regarding how the space combat is handled is that it is like "hide and seek with bazookas". Detect, identify, engage with missiles looking for a quick kill or at the very least to weaken the enemy, and then close and hose with beams/submunition detonation lasers. It's kind of an interesting cross between submarine combat and ironclad era gun duels.
Erik

Kafer Battle Fleet
The Kafer fleets have two basic purposes; defeat enemy fleets and deliver ground forces to a target world. To that end, just about all Kafer warships have been designed to go head to head with enemy ships while carrying a troop contingent. Kafers do not normally provide escort to rear -area transports and cargo vessels, though these types are usually armed and more rugged than comparable human vessels. Kafer system defense is typically handled by a combination of ground based fighters, liberal use of sentinal mines and ships too damaged to be part of their respective fleets. However, in Kafer "home" systems it is not unusual to encounter concentrations of warships preparing for battle even if they are not technically tasked with defending a system.

[attachment=0]Kafer Ships.pdf[/attachment]

Some fleets without written abstracts...

[attachment=0]Friehafen Ships.pdf[/attachment]
[attachment=1]Azanian Ships.pdf[/attachment]
[attachment=2]Arabian Ships.pdf[/attachment]

Texan Fleet
The small Texan fleet is largely defensive in nature protecting core and colonial assets. Texas's interstellar warships are limited to a handful of destroyers and frigates, but their most potent capability lies in its ground based fighters. Relative to its size, Texas has built up the largest fighter force of any Terran nation. Composed initially of purchased and later license built, American fighters, Texas has now developed and produced an excellent domestic design. The Javelina interceptor has even garnered some attention from potential buyers looking for a solid but economical colonial defense fighter.
[attachment=0]Texan Ships.pdf[/attachment]

Russian Fleet
The Russians have no extra-solar colonies as of yet, however, they have been ramping up for a colonial effort somewhere along the French arm. Because of this, their meagre space forces have seen a recent surge. To back up the older, second hand French frigates and handful of auxiliary cruisers, the Russians have ordered new construction frigates from France and have begun deployment of their own home-grown frigate and destroyer types. While these vessels are at least a generation behind the current cutting edge, they represent a huge leap forward in capability for Russia.
[attachment=0]Russian Ships.pdf[/attachment]

Japanese Fleet
The Japanese is a mix of modern, heavy combat units and mostly older escort type vessels. Through its close ties with France, Japan has in the past been able to secure licensing agreements to build their own versions of French warships. More recently, the Japanese have been expanding their fleet, mostly through domestically designed craft. With a small merchant fleet and colonies within areas they can count on French protection, the Japanese have localized their fleet into a few, strong squadrons.

[attachment=0]Japanese Ships.pdf[/attachment]

Manchurian Battle Fleet
The Manchurian fleet is built around the concept of commerce warfare. Most offensive units are intended to avoid contact with enemy fleet elements while striking at vulnerable merchant and auxiliary shipping. In addition, Manchuria maintains a small but potent fleet of main combatants mostly in defense if their core holdings. Colonial defense is limited at best with a handful of patrol craft supported by planet- based fighters.

[attachment=0]Manchurian Ships.pdf[/attachment]