Topic: Starmada Unity Conversion Notes
So, the one thing I noticed in Unity was that there wasn't a straight up set of conversion notes/rules as there have been in previous editions. My first crack at this will be Admiralty to Unity. (Because what I normally do is convert older ships to the new version as a way to get a feel for the ship design process.) I'm also going to look at X to Unity and Nova to Unity as well down the line.
For the most part, the notes in X.1 actually allow for a pretty seamless conversion to Unity. Things that I feel could be added are:
Weapon Traits
Double Damage - Double original DMG value
Halves Shields - this is tricky; right now I'm inclined to look at the setting as a whole, then apply Pr1 or Pr2 as seems appropriate (ie a setting where Shield ratings are typically high would warrant a Pr2, or if the Halves Shields weapons are on larger ships, they'd get Pr2, smaller ships would get a Pr1
Increased Hits - Use the C.3 Multi-Weapon Mount rule based on the original ACC value; 6+ = 1 mount, 5+ = 2 mounts, 4+ = 3 mounts, 3+ =4 mounts, 2+ = 5 mounts
Increased Impact - as a fudge, using same process as Increased Hits
Range-Based ROF/DMG - as a simple fudge I'm using Scatter as with Range-Based IMP; if IMP is greater than 1 I'm increasing ROF bu the old IMP value
Variable ROF/IMP/DMG - Change Variable to Volatile and 1/2 number of mounts
Starship Traits
Boarding Pods and Teleporters - Like the Nova conversion, just ignore; now a part of Marines.
Cloaking Device - This I've found does not convert well at all, on a math basis. AE cloak was a flat 10% of space units, while in Unity it doesn't hit 10% until around Hull Size 18, below that it's more than 10%, and after that it decreases. So a small ship with a cloak (like some of the Boer ships from Hammer and Claw) loses a disproportional amount of space in a straight conversion. My solution would be to give either: 2 levels of Stealth or 1 level of Stealth and 1 level of Countermeasures to simulate the cloaking instead. (not the best, but all my other attempts to keep a cloak on a small ship pretty much resulted in gutting the ship until it didn't resemble the original anymore.)
Point Defense - This one bothered me. I'm settling on Anti-Fighter Batteries as it's the best fit (basically they are countermeasures for fighters in AE, and normal countermeasures don't affect fighters).
Regeneration - Would function the same as other versions, there's just no cost for it yet.
Screens - I'm still experimenting with right now. My first attempt is to turn them into Unity Directional Screens. A work in progress at the moment. Might try Directional Shields. Right now more of a "convert the rest of the ship and use remaining hull space for it" fix.
Always open to thoughts, suggestions. Nothing I say should be considered official unless Dan says it is.
EDIT:
I completely forgot about converting Seeker Flights to Unity Seeker weapons.
Range/MA - Subtract 3 from Flight Speed (dunno, little to go on at the moment)
ROF - Flight Size
ACC - Flight Attack
IMP - 1 or IMP trait of flight
DMG - 1 or DMG trait of flight
Traits - as per weapon traits