• Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 359

Topic: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

During a recent discussion with my group, the subject of spinal mounts came up. While discussing it, I thought...... Why not a lighter or heavier version of the standard spinal mount?

You would use the range for the current hull points of your ship, but adjust the damage accordingly. For example, I have a hull nine ship with a "light spinal mount" with Hull damage 3, at .33 times the cost of the full unit....... or a heavy version, as in a Hull 6 ship wanting a 9 damage spinal mount at 1.5 times the cost.

For my larger ships, I would actually prefer the light versions in small groups.... as my above 9 hull ship, I would order 3 of the light units, and have them set as a Light Spinal Mount Cluster.... basically, yes, I get to roll 3 die to hit, but my overall damage is reduced... as it is unlikely that they all would hit. And with the heavier version, you would be spending a lot of SU's, just to concentrate all of your punch into one die to hit.... and that die at 5+ accuracy.

Does anyone else here have any ideas?

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Nahuris wrote:

During a recent discussion with my group, the subject of spinal mounts came up. While discussing it, I thought...... Why not a lighter or heavier version of the standard spinal mount?

Not a bad idea-- and one that is relatively easy to implement...

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2005-03-30
  • Posts: 272

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

What if you just decided on a SU cost per die of Spinal Mount damage for a given range and made the system a fixed (rather than percentage) SU weapon?  That would be more in keeping with other weapons, which vary in performance according to the SU spent on them, not the size of the hull they're on.  That way you could vary the strength of the spinal mount as much as you want.

Maybe next edition...  smile

Rich

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 359

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

I was wondering if we wanted to explore this option a bit further..... I do know that a friend was designing up some B5 style ships (home designs), and instead of making a bunch of one arc beam weapons, he opted to go with several light spinal mounts.... the end result was that he had the equivelent of 4 weapon banks... with the light spinals being that fourth, but it wasin the rules and very effective. In the final design, he used a Hull of 8, and 4 spinals that did 2 damage each......

Now the only disadvantage is that we have to manually make each control sheet for these ships as that way, the hit table comes out correct, as you end up adding Q hits.

John

  • Registered: 2006-03-23
  • Posts: 241

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

For a game that allows such great customization of ships and the designing of weapons like Starmada X does, I was surprised that the spinal mount (and battlesats, fighters, marine squads, drones) are such a "here you go" type. I think it would be cool to be able to adjust all of the stats to suit the mileu's needs. If I want a spinal mount that hits on a 3+ and has a PEN of 2, what do I do? Just like I think I should be able to have a figher that is speed 15 has an ROF of 3 and hits on a 3+ or a battlesat that is speed 10, or a drone speed 6 but a DMG of 3, etc..

  • Registered: 2022-11-15
  • Posts: 1,424

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Sounds like ideas for "Starmada XX" to me...
:-)

"Less fattening, more armor-crunching flavor!"

"...20% less cheese than the average Wargame!"

"Available in short-play or the new extra custom version!"

..yeah, it's Sunday. I'm headed for the coffee maker now.....

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 359

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Or we could call it Starmada X, the Warmaster's Edition........ LOL


John

  • Registered: 2022-11-15
  • Posts: 1,424

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Nahuris wrote:

Or we could call it Starmada X, the Warmaster's Edition........ LOL
John

I always liked 'Starmada XX'...

:-)

  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 811

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

I prefer the Starmada XXX edition.

mmmm wiggly bits...

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

jimbeau wrote:

I prefer the Starmada XXX edition.

mmmm wiggly bits...

I am now HORRIBLY disturbed.

(Thinking of wiggly bits along with the picture of the mega-pillbug...)

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2022-11-16
  • Posts: 516

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

cricket wrote:
jimbeau wrote:

I prefer the Starmada XXX edition.
mmmm wiggly bits...

I am now HORRIBLY disturbed.
(Thinking of wiggly bits along with the picture of the mega-pillbug...)

We've always known that.

  • Registered: 2006-08-07
  • Posts: 161

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

jimbeau wrote:

I prefer the Starmada XXX edition.

mmmm wiggly bits...

Well, great. Now I'll have to write up Mekton Zeta: The fanservice suppliment.

  • Registered: 2006-01-17
  • Posts: 359

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Ok.... now we are in a new area of game development.......LOL

John

  • Registered: 2006-08-07
  • Posts: 161

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Nahuris wrote:

Ok.... now we are in a new area of game development.......LOL

John

Nah, we're just bringing into scifi what has already been covered in fantasy  RPG books. smile

  • Registered: 2022-11-15
  • Posts: 1,424

Re: Light / Heavy Spinal Mounts?

Nahuris wrote:

Ok.... now we are in a new area of game development.......LOL

Well, if we get into software development, I *really* don't want to see the peripherals.....