• Registered: 2013-02-08
  • Posts: 40

Topic: SFU Variant

I am doing my own version of the SFU conversions for my own use, but want some advice. I own the Nova editions of Starmada and Klingon Armada and very much like the systems and the work done. I want just a little more.

One of the strengths of SFB is the roll of years. A Y175 ship is far different from a Y160 ship. The advancement of tech is fun in campaign games.

Here is what I've done do far, for Feds only (others to be worked on after this).

*Eras: These are based on SFB's refits. Each era provide additional weapons or upgrade other systems.
* Weapons: I use Starmada Nova SFU values for these, though possibly not drones (see below).
*Thrust: Thrust is based on the Starmada Nova conversion of the ship.

Now here is what i am thinking to make this work:

1. Drones need to be remade for the refit level to represent faster/heavier drones. Most wepons in SFU do not get better over the years, but drone make a marked improvement. Should the conversion in the Nova SFU be the medium-speed eras version, with a less powerful for the slow era and a more powerful version for the fast era?

2. Shields use the standard Starmada shield rules, not the shields as armor rules from Starmada Nova SFU. I figure they should be 4-6 before the CAR refit, 3-6 after (and it would be directional).

3. I was thinking of reducing the thrust by one overall, then adding +1 thrust for the APR upgrade, and one more for the AWR upgrade, based on the fact more power is available for speed and shooting.

Anyways, these are first ideas. Any thoughts?

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Re: SFU Variant

I played Star Fleet Battles from the days of the original rules + the three expansion books, thru the Captions Edition, etc.
:idea: Here are some ideas I have for your conversions.
Gives Drones the Slow option for the early years and weak, regular speed for middle times, and Fast with strong for the later drones.
Give ships permanant directional shields with the front one being one stronger, the other front ones being the level paid-for, the the three rear ones being one less.  Refitted ships could get one level stronger.  take for example, the Federation CA.  When you design it, pay for shields that are 4+.  Then let the front shield #1 be 3+, shield # 2 & #6 will be 4+  and the three rear ones will be 5+.    When this Fed CA takes a shield hit, its shields then become 4+ in front, 5+ for #2 & #5, and 6+ for the three rear ones.
For SFB ships I made, I gave the Phaser 1s range=18, with Sct, or U could use Dfs.  The Photon Torps had range 15, slow, Dx3.
For Klingon ships, the Disruptors had range 18, Dx2 and their phaser2s had range 12 witn Sct or Dfs.  The Phaser 3s were range6 with Sct or Dfs.
I hope this helps.
Cheers

  • Registered: 2013-02-08
  • Posts: 40

Re: SFU Variant

I think we may be talking different games. Are you talking Admiralty edition. Cuz I am talking Nova Edition.

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Re: SFU Variant

I was refering to changing SFB ships the Nova Edition also.  My suggestion for shields was to make a change from the way that SNE shields are usually done.  What I referred to, when talking about the Fed CA was to build it as a standard SNE ship with 4+ shields.  Then to make it more like a SFB ship, tread the shield strength from what is shield #1 in SFB as being shield strength 3+, the #2 & #6 shield as being strenght 4+, and the rear ones as being strength 5+.  It would be a SNE ship slightly altered to a SFB format.  I am sure that this shield-change would not change the the ships CR.

  • Registered: 2013-02-08
  • Posts: 40

Re: SFU Variant

I am not sure about your shield rules, as they may slow things down a bit. I'm just going to go with the regular Starmada Nova shields and use Directional Defenses.

However, you did remind me that the Disruptors need an upgrade, the B-Refit would extend reach in Starmada. Probably before the B-Refit I would reduce the range of the disruptor to range 15 (6 overloaded), and then use the range 18/9 disruptor for the B-Refit.

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 740

Re: SFU Variant

That is a good idea on disruptors.  As I recall, many Klingon ships had DERFACS added for that upgrade(?)
If you make any bases, let the Phaser4s shoot out to either 24 or even 30. 
:idea: For Orion ships and Nimble ships, try Stealth 2 or even Stealth 2 to simulate that.
For Scouts, give them ECM because their special sensors could be used to make them harder to hit.  Also ECM in S:NE can be used as ECCM, much the same was as special sensors in SFB.
Cheers