Updated DSII/CENTURION Text (now with examples!)
From: Alexander Williams <thantos@a...>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997 00:07:48 -0400
Subject: Updated DSII/CENTURION Text (now with examples!)
Just in case anyone liked the last one ...
===
The first attached is HTML, the second is straight text.
--
[ Alexander Williams {thantos@alf.dec.com/zander@photobooks.com} ]
[ Alexandrvs Vrai, Prefect 8,000,000th Experimental Strike Legion ]
[ BELLATORES INQVIETI --- Restless Warriors ]
====================================================================
"If not me, who? If not now, when? If not this, what?"
"In nomine malas portas, convoco Hasturam Nefas."
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<HEAD>
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<TITLE>Centurion to Dirtside II Conversion Notes</TITLE>
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<BODY>
<H1><CITE>Centurion</CITE> to <CITE>Dirtside II</CITE> Conversion
Notes</H1>
<H2>or How to Take Over a Galaxy on 4mil Credits a Day</H2>
<ADDRESS>Alexander Williams</ADDRESS>
<P>
<P><HR><P>
<H1>Table of Contents</H1>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC1" HREF="centurion.html#SEC1">Introduction</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC2" HREF="centurion.html#SEC2">Vehicles</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC3" HREF="centurion.html#SEC3">Size</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC4" HREF="centurion.html#SEC4">Power Systems</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC5" HREF="centurion.html#SEC5">Weapons</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC6" HREF="centurion.html#SEC6">Projectile Weaponry</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC7" HREF="centurion.html#SEC7">MDC Equivalency Table</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC8" HREF="centurion.html#SEC8">Gauss Cannon Equivalency
Table</A>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC9" HREF="centurion.html#SEC9">Missiles</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC10" HREF="centurion.html#SEC10">Missile Equivalency
Table</A>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC11" HREF="centurion.html#SEC11">Lasers</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC12" HREF="centurion.html#SEC12">Laser Equivalancy
Table</A>
</UL>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC13" HREF="centurion.html#SEC13">Defenses</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC14" HREF="centurion.html#SEC14">Anti-Missile
Weaponry</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC15" HREF="centurion.html#SEC15">Vulcan Anti-Missile
System Equivalency Table</A>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC16" HREF="centurion.html#SEC16">Armour</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC17" HREF="centurion.html#SEC17">Shields</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC18" HREF="centurion.html#SEC18">Shield Rating
Equivalency Table</A>
</UL>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC19" HREF="centurion.html#SEC19">Movement</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC20" HREF="centurion.html#SEC20">Vehicles in Closing</A>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC21" HREF="centurion.html#SEC21">Infantry</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC22" HREF="centurion.html#SEC22">New Rules</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC23" HREF="centurion.html#SEC23">Grav Shields</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC24" HREF="centurion.html#SEC24">Grav Shield Rating Cost
Table</A>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC25" HREF="centurion.html#SEC25">Grav Movement
(Updated)</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC26" HREF="centurion.html#SEC26">Grav Drive Difference
Table</A>
</UL>
</UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC27" HREF="centurion.html#SEC27">Examples</A>
<UL>
<LI><A NAME="TOC28" HREF="centurion.html#SEC28">TOG Trajan</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC29" HREF="centurion.html#SEC29">RL Wolverine</A>
<LI><A NAME="TOC30" HREF="centurion.html#SEC30">CW Scorpion</A>
</UL>
</UL>
<P><HR><P>
<H1><A NAME="SEC1" HREF="centurion.html#TOC1">Introduction</A></H1>
<P>
One of the more popular wargames of the past few years is CENT,
originally produced by FASA, but licensed to Nightshift Games, along
with the rest of the Renegade Legions wargame line, to languish in
near-obscurity while a dedicated fanbase scurries about and continues
enjoying not only the game but the setting even moreso. Many of its
fans (myself included) are afficinados of obscure wargames in general,
and have a certain affinity for the clean simplicity and excellent
integration of the DSII mechanics. It seemed inevitable, then, that
someone would compile a guide to reproducing the Renegade Legion
universe in DSII.
</P>
<P>
This is that guide. We'll start with CENT, the futuristic game of
ground combat, in which grav tanks provide the force and infantry
provide the backbone of a tremendous military machine that spans the
galaxy.
</P>
<P>
[Note: From time to time, suggestions about how to handle things in
<CITE>Stargrunt II</CITE>, Ground Zero Games' squad-level
infantry-combat
game, will be pointed out. That *would* have been the province of the
never-released <CITE>Phalanx</CITE> in the Renegade Legion line; for
those
that want to get into man-to-man combat (or, at least, squad-to-squad)
<CITE>Stargrunt II</CITE> would make an excellent investment.]
</P>
<H1><A NAME="SEC2" HREF="centurion.html#TOC2">Vehicles</A></H1>
<P>
The first thing to note is the dichotomy of vision exemplified between
the basic CENT and DSII. In CENT,
the system is geared to generate wide diversity because it only has the
single setting to deal with, while in DSII the generic
system has, by necessity, to do a very many things well and so must
simplify things a lot. The conversion between the two will not be
perfect, but it sure will be a whole lot of fun!
</P>
<H2><A NAME="SEC3" HREF="centurion.html#TOC3">Size</A></H2>
<P>
Next, let's look at the comparitive sizes of vehicles in
CENT and DSII. In CENT, there are
two basic classes of vehicle, grav and non-grav, while in <CITE>Dirtside
II</CITE> there are several, all but one non-grav (leaving VTOL aside
for the
nonce). Non-grav vehicles in CENT are considered 'the usual
size,' as it were while grav vehicles are generally depicted as *much*
larger, in both volume and surface area, yet are no harder to hit. This
can be represented in DSII by making grav vehicles SIZE
from 3 - 7, requiring (at least) STEALTH 2 to make the effective
signature less. For those using the optional rule that FIRER SYSTEMS
DOWN - TARGET deactivates active STEALTH, these two points cannot be
removed. Handwave it as the inherent ECM of the system that is on
highly-redundant backup.
</P>
<P>
One of the advantages this gives the DSII designer in
emulating CENT is that gravs are now much more able to carry
heavy ordinance in the form of missiles, large gang-fired guns and the
like. Given the withering firepower that most CENT gravs
lay down, this makes the recreation ring with much more versimilitude.
Given the space requirements of infantry in DSII, the
larger frames give the MICV gravs the ability to carry infantry that
they should have.
</P>
<H2><A NAME="SEC4" HREF="centurion.html#TOC4">Power Systems</A></H2>
<P>
All gravs use FGP for power. Most non-gravs in CENT use
HMT, with the appropriate limitations. If you want to simulate low-tech
outposts or TOG auxillia, you may want to create some with CFEs.
</P>
<H2><A NAME="SEC5" HREF="centurion.html#TOC5">Weapons</A></H2>
<P>
Now that we've got the size of vehicles scaled, let's look at weapon
selection. In CENT, there are a fairly limited number of
weapon choices because the system mimics the setting, one in which
near-constant war has 'worn the edges off' the technology, leaving just
what seems to work the best.
</P>
<H3><A NAME="SEC6" HREF="centurion.html#TOC6">Projectile
Weaponry</A></H3>
<P>
MDCs come in an 8, 10 and 12 ratings and scale pretty cleanly to MDCs in
DSII in sizes 1, 3 and 5. What in CENT are
called Gauss Cannons (massive slugs accelerated down railgun tracks) (in
bores ranging from 25mm - 200mm are handled well by 25 and 50mm Gauss
Cannons to HKP/3, 100 and 150mm to HKP/4, and the all-powerful 200mm
Gauss Cannon equates to the HKP/5.
</P>
<H4><A NAME="SEC7" HREF="centurion.html#TOC7">MDC Equivalency
Table</A></H4>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>MDC 8</STRONG>
<DD>
MDC/1
<DT><STRONG>MDC 10</STRONG>
<DD>
MDC/3
<DT><STRONG>MDC 12</STRONG>
<DD>
MDC/5
</DL>
<H4><A NAME="SEC8" HREF="centurion.html#TOC8">Gauss Cannon Equivalency
Table</A></H4>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>25mm, 50mm</STRONG>
<DD>
HKP/3
<DT><STRONG>100mm, 150mm</STRONG>
<DD>
HKP/4
<DT><STRONG>200mm</STRONG>
<DD>
HKP/5
</DL>
<H3><A NAME="SEC9" HREF="centurion.html#TOC9">Missiles</A></H3>
<P>
There are two distinct types of missile in CENT, which is a good thing
as there are two distinct types of missile in <CITE>Dirtside II</CITE>,
making
a match simple. SMLMs become GMS/Ls while TVLMs are GMS/H (representing
their superior penetration). A problem rears when you consider that
missile packs in CENT are of limited capacity, while in DSII the racks
are assumed to house suffiCENT armament to last out a typical battle
(and, let's be honest, who ends up running out of missiles in a game
with the average engagement between units running to two turns?). One
way to address the problem is to give the DSII vehicle one GMS/L or /H,
as appropriate, for every 12 missiles carried. Thus, two TVLG(12) packs
becomes 2xGMS/H and, unless you're carrying an entire grav packed with
them, you're unlikely to ever see more than a 2xGMS/L.
</P>
<H4><A NAME="SEC10" HREF="centurion.html#TOC10">Missile Equivalency
Table</A></H4>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>SMLM</STRONG>
<DD>
GMS/L
<DT><STRONG>TVLG</STRONG>
<DD>
GMS/H
<DT><STRONG>12 Missiles</STRONG>
<DD>
1xGMS
</DL>
<H3><A NAME="SEC11" HREF="centurion.html#TOC11">Lasers</A></H3>
<P>
One of the laser weapons in wide use in the CENT system
appears to be the Anti-Personel Laser, found on nearly every grav in
existance. Typically, this is *not* an externally mounted fixture but
within its own turret, so the basic APSW will cost 2 spaces and 4pts
from the vehicle (odds are there's already a much larger weapon in the
turret; if not, the APSW requires 3 spaces). The other major use of
lasers in CENT is as a laser painting/targeting system,
allowing weapons to penetrate grav shields (about which more will be
said later). This costs a basic 50 points and can be used for all the
usual purposes of a DSII spotting laser as well as
CENT-specific purposes.
</P>
<P>
For vehicular damage, there are a spread of lasers available. The
match-up between CENT lasers and DSII HELs is
as follows:
</P>
<H4><A NAME="SEC12" HREF="centurion.html#TOC12">Laser Equivalancy
Table</A></H4>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>1.5/1</STRONG>
<DD>
HEL/1
<DT><STRONG>1.5/3, 1.4/4</STRONG>
<DD>
HEL/2
<DT><STRONG>1.5/5, 1.5/6</STRONG>
<DD>
HEL/3
<DT><STRONG>3/6, 5/6</STRONG>
<DD>
HEL/4
<DT><STRONG>7.5/6</STRONG>
<DD>
HEL/5
</DL>
<H2><A NAME="SEC13" HREF="centurion.html#TOC13">Defenses</A></H2>
<H3><A NAME="SEC14" HREF="centurion.html#TOC14">Anti-Missile
Weaponry</A></H3>
<P>
The Vulcan anti-missile system is invaliable on the CENT
battlefield. In CENT, this is an auto-firing Phalanx-type
system intended to gun down incoming missiles and is found on a goodly
number of gravs and other vehicles. Vulcan-1 generally is covered by a
PDS/BASIC in DSII, a Vulcan-2 or -3 by an PDS/ENHANCED and
a Vulcan-4 by a PDS/SUPERIOR. ADS doesn't appear in the basic
CENT rules.
</P>
<H4><A NAME="SEC15" HREF="centurion.html#TOC15">Vulcan Anti-Missile
System Equivalency Table</A></H4>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>Vulcan-1</STRONG>
<DD>
PDS/BASIC
<DT><STRONG>Vulcan-2, Vulcan-3</STRONG>
<DD>
PDS/ENHANCED
<DT><STRONG>Vulcan-4</STRONG>
<DD>
PDS/SUPERIOR
</DL>
<H3><A NAME="SEC16" HREF="centurion.html#TOC16">Armour</A></H3>
<P>
There are no special rules for Armour except to note that gravs
typically are heavily armoured beheamoths. Don't skimp on the armour;
remember that a goodly number of these monsters are oversized and able
to carry oversized armour because of it. The heaviest gravs, with
ARMOUR/7, will be difficult to damage, even with good shots from HKP/5s.
Some gravs also have ABLATIVE armour; this, along with grav shielding
(see section <A HREF="centurion.html#SEC17">Shields</A>), reduces the
use of lasers as the 'heavy punch' of
grav tanks.
</P>
<H3><A NAME="SEC17" HREF="centurion.html#TOC17">Shields</A></H3>
<P>
All grav vehicles in the CENT universe have grav shields
which deflect light-weight projectiles, energy-based attacks (including
targeting lasers) and scramble the warheads of incoming missiles, making
most weapons that don't hurl large hunks of something at relatively high
speeds ineffective. The actual mechanics of grav shielding are treated
in another part of this article (see section <A
HREF="centurion.html#SEC23">Grav Shields</A>).
</P>
<P>
To convert to the new Shield rules, note that there are ten possible
values for Shields in CENT and 5 possible die types; this
works out well. Divide the (average) Shield rating by 2, rounded up,
and take that as the die, starting at the d4, to use.
</P>
<H4><A NAME="SEC18" HREF="centurion.html#TOC18">Shield Rating
Equivalency Table</A></H4>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>Shield 1, Shield 2</STRONG>
<DD>
d4
<DT><STRONG>Shield 3, Shield 4</STRONG>
<DD>
d6
<DT><STRONG>Shield 5, Shield 6</STRONG>
<DD>
d8
<DT><STRONG>Shield 7, Shield 8</STRONG>
<DD>
d10
<DT><STRONG>Shield 9, Shield 10</STRONG>
<DD>
d12
</DL>
<H2><A NAME="SEC19" HREF="centurion.html#TOC19">Movement</A></H2>
<P>
Grav vehicle movement rules already exist in DSII; however, they don't
match the behavioural characteristics seen in CENT's depiction. To
really match the performance envelope of grav vehicles in the source
material, DSII gravs need to buy VTOL movement instead of Grav. More
information on how gravs move in DSII can be found in See section <A
HREF="centurion.html#SEC25">Grav Movement (Updated)</A>.
</P>
<P>
Conventional movement vehicles should buy the form of movement in DSII
that fits their deployment; in CENT, you simply bought a certain number
of MP to be spent every Turn.
</P>
<H2><A NAME="SEC20" HREF="centurion.html#TOC20">Vehicles in
Closing</A></H2>
<P>
Keep in mind, oft times, design compromises will have to be made to fit
the design into DSII. One of the main changes to occur is that, because
of the lack of weapon-specific hits, multiple mounts can be dropped
unless absolutely necessary for concept. Occasionally, less important
weapons will be dropped altogether (often missiles). Think of this as
the effect of streamlining the system for more efficency.
</P>
<H1><A NAME="SEC21" HREF="centurion.html#TOC21">Infantry</A></H1>
<H1><A NAME="SEC22" HREF="centurion.html#TOC22">New Rules</A></H1>
<H2><A NAME="SEC23" HREF="centurion.html#TOC23">Grav Shields</A></H2>
<P>
In CENT, grav shields allow your vehicle to be impervious to
the effects of missiles, lasers and MDCs ... as long as they don't hit
while the shield has flickered off! Gauss cannons (and probably SLAM
packs but must definitely not DFFGs) ignore grav shields completely as
their rounds are too heavy and too fast-moving to be deflected.
</P>
<P>
In DSII, vehicles with grav shielding have an overall rating of a given
die type, -1 on its roll when attacked from the rear or bottom (but not
sides). This die adds another die when defense rolls are made; if the
grav is in cover, then <EM>three</EM> dice are rolled to compare to the
attacker's. Grav shielding, especially powerful grav shielding, makes
your vehicle nearly impervious to most fire.
</P>
<P>
Because of the game effect of shields, they are considerably expensive.
Each level of shield adds 50% to the overall cost of your vehicle.
Eg. a shield rating of d6 would double the cost of your grav tank, while
a d12 would add 250% or multiply the cost by 3.5x, weapons included.
The costs involved in equiping a force with grav shielding can add up
quickly.
</P>
<H3><A NAME="SEC24" HREF="centurion.html#TOC24">Grav Shield Rating Cost
Table</A></H3>
<DL COMPACT>
<DT><STRONG>d4</STRONG>
<DD>
50%
<DT><STRONG>d6</STRONG>
<DD>
100%
<DT><STRONG>d8</STRONG>
<DD>
150%
<DT><STRONG>d10</STRONG>
<DD>
200%
<DT><STRONG>d12</STRONG>
<DD>
250%
</DL>
<H2><A NAME="SEC25" HREF="centurion.html#TOC25">Grav Movement
(Updated)</A></H2>
<P>
Grav vehicles in DSII buy VTOL movement, but do not act entirely like
VTOLs in every way. The differences are due, in large part, to the
design of gravs as seen in CENT and certain additional deployment
possibilities. Gravs have entirely taken over the helicopter and VTOL
support role in the <CITE>Renegade Legion</CITE> universe because of
this
additional flexibility.
</P>
<P>
The major differences can be summed up as follows:
</P>
<H3><A NAME="SEC26" HREF="centurion.html#TOC26">Grav Drive Difference
Table</A></H3>
<UL>
<LI>
The grav vehicle uses the 'grav' movement chart for both terrain and
inches moved when in 'Low Mode,' not the VTOL chart. When in 'Hi Mode,'
they have 30in of movement while in 'Low Mode' they receive only
15in.
<LI>
Like VTOLs, gravs may execute 'pop-up attacks' (See DSII, pg 32)
<LI>
When deployed as a 'drop' the grav has a velocity of 90in/Turn
which must be burned off at 30in/Turn (the speed of grav/VTOL
gunships). Until the grav is moving at less than 31in/Turn, the
maximum deflection of motion they can execute is 45deg, from the
beginning of movement to the end, to either side of the beginning axis
of motion.
</UL>
<H1><A NAME="SEC27" HREF="centurion.html#TOC27">Examples</A></H1>
<H2><A NAME="SEC28" HREF="centurion.html#TOC28">TOG Trajan</A></H2>
<PRE>
Componant Spaces Cost
SIZE 7, 35 VSP 35 -
Armour 6, Abl, 63Add 98
FGP 58.8
VTOL 490
Frame cost: 646.8
HKP/5, FF 25 50
BASIC FC - 10
HEL/5, FT 10 60
APSW, FT 8 4
GMS/H, ENH 4 45
PDF/SUPERIOR 0 60
STEALTH/2 - 280
TARG LASER - 50
Frame+Equip - 1205.8
SHIELDS d12/Lv5 - 4220.3
</PRE>
<P>
Notes: Notice that this version of the Trajan has lost the redundant
laser and missiles, mainly to fit in the frame. It also has Ablative
armour, as a half-step between the original Trajan and the Ferrox Rex.
</P>
<H2><A NAME="SEC29" HREF="centurion.html#TOC29">RL Wolverine</A></H2>
<PRE>
Componant Spaces Cost
SIZE 3, 15 VSP 15 -
Armour 3, 9Add 24
FGP 14.4
VTOL 120
Frame cost: 158.4
HKP/3, FT 6 30
BASIC FC 6
GMS/H, ENH 2 45
APSW, FT 0 4
STEALTH/2 - 120
TARG LASER - 50
Frame+Equip - 413.4
SHIELDS d6/Lvl2 - 826.8
</PRE>
<P>
Notes: A fairly simple conversion; the HKP is dropped a level to have a
chance of fitting in the chassis with the GMS/H.
</P>
<H2><A NAME="SEC30" HREF="centurion.html#TOC30">CW Scorpion</A></H2>
<PRE>
Componant Spaces Cost
SIZE 4, 20 VSP 20 -
Armour 4, 16Add 36
FGP 21.6
VTOL 180
Frame cost: 237.6
HEL/3, FT 11 36
BASIC FC 6
GMS/L, ENH 9 30
GMS/H, BAS 5 30
PDS/ENHANCED 2 45
APSW, FT 0 4
STEALTH/2 - 160
TARG LASER - 50
Frame+Equip - 598.6
SHIELDS d8/Lvl3 - 1496.5
</PRE>
<P>
Notes: Again, the laser cannon has been stripped down fairly extensively
to fit the other accoutrements into the frame. It now makes more sense
for the Scorpion to depend more on its GMS complement than the laser.
</P>
<P><HR><P>
This document was generated on 13 September 1997 using the
<A HREF="http://wwwcn.cern.ch/dci/texi2html/">texi2html</A>
translator version 1.51.</P>
</BODY>
</HTML>
Centurion to Dirtside II Conversion Notes
or How to Take Over a Galaxy on 4mil Credits a Day
Alexander Williams
_________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
* Introduction
* Vehicles
+ Size
+ Power Systems
+ Weapons
o Projectile Weaponry
# MDC Equivalency Table
# Gauss Cannon Equivalency Table
o Missiles
# Missile Equivalency Table
o Lasers
# Laser Equivalancy Table
+ Defenses
o Anti-Missile Weaponry
# Vulcan Anti-Missile System Equivalency Table
o Armour
o Shields
# Shield Rating Equivalency Table
+ Movement
+ Vehicles in Closing
* Infantry
* New Rules
+ Grav Shields
o Grav Shield Rating Cost Table
+ Grav Movement (Updated)
o Grav Drive Difference Table
* Examples
+ TOG Trajan
+ RL Wolverine
+ CW Scorpion
_________________________________________________________________
Introduction
One of the more popular wargames of the past few years is CENT,
originally produced by FASA, but licensed to Nightshift Games, along
with the rest of the Renegade Legions wargame line, to languish in
near-obscurity while a dedicated fanbase scurries about and continues
enjoying not only the game but the setting even moreso. Many of its
fans (myself included) are afficinados of obscure wargames in
general,
and have a certain affinity for the clean simplicity and excellent
integration of the DSII mechanics. It seemed inevitable, then, that
someone would compile a guide to reproducing the Renegade Legion
universe in DSII.
This is that guide. We'll start with CENT, the futuristic game of
ground combat, in which grav tanks provide the force and infantry
provide the backbone of a tremendous military machine that spans the
galaxy.
[Note: From time to time, suggestions about how to handle things in
Stargrunt II, Ground Zero Games' squad-level infantry-combat game,
will be pointed out. That *would* have been the province of the
never-released Phalanx in the Renegade Legion line; for those that
want to get into man-to-man combat (or, at least, squad-to-squad)
Stargrunt II would make an excellent investment.]
Vehicles
The first thing to note is the dichotomy of vision exemplified
between
the basic CENT and DSII. In CENT, the system is geared to generate
wide diversity because it only has the single setting to deal with,
while in DSII the generic system has, by necessity, to do a very many
things well and so must simplify things a lot. The conversion between
the two will not be perfect, but it sure will be a whole lot of fun!
Size
Next, let's look at the comparitive sizes of vehicles in CENT and
DSII. In CENT, there are two basic classes of vehicle, grav and
non-grav, while in Dirtside II there are several, all but one
non-grav
(leaving VTOL aside for the nonce). Non-grav vehicles in CENT are
considered 'the usual size,' as it were while grav vehicles are
generally depicted as *much* larger, in both volume and surface area,
yet are no harder to hit. This can be represented in DSII by making
grav vehicles SIZE from 3 - 7, requiring (at least) STEALTH 2 to make
the effective signature less. For those using the optional rule that
FIRER SYSTEMS DOWN - TARGET deactivates active STEALTH, these two
points cannot be removed. Handwave it as the inherent ECM of the
system that is on highly-redundant backup.
One of the advantages this gives the DSII designer in emulating CENT
is that gravs are now much more able to carry heavy ordinance in the
form of missiles, large gang-fired guns and the like. Given the
withering firepower that most CENT gravs lay down, this makes the
recreation ring with much more versimilitude. Given the space
requirements of infantry in DSII, the larger frames give the MICV
gravs the ability to carry infantry that they should have.
Power Systems
All gravs use FGP for power. Most non-gravs in CENT use HMT, with the
appropriate limitations. If you want to simulate low-tech outposts or
TOG auxillia, you may want to create some with CFEs.
Weapons
Now that we've got the size of vehicles scaled, let's look at weapon
selection. In CENT, there are a fairly limited number of weapon
choices because the system mimics the setting, one in which
near-constant war has 'worn the edges off' the technology, leaving
just what seems to work the best.
Projectile Weaponry
MDCs come in an 8, 10 and 12 ratings and scale pretty cleanly to MDCs
in DSII in sizes 1, 3 and 5. What in CENT are called Gauss Cannons
(massive slugs accelerated down railgun tracks) (in bores ranging
from
25mm - 200mm are handled well by 25 and 50mm Gauss Cannons to HKP/3,
100 and 150mm to HKP/4, and the all-powerful 200mm Gauss Cannon
equates to the HKP/5.
MDC Equivalency Table
MDC 8
MDC/1
MDC 10
MDC/3
MDC 12
MDC/5
Gauss Cannon Equivalency Table
25mm, 50mm
HKP/3
100mm, 150mm
HKP/4
200mm
HKP/5
Missiles
There are two distinct types of missile in CENT, which is a good
thing
as there are two distinct types of missile in Dirtside II, making a
match simple. SMLMs become GMS/Ls while TVLMs are GMS/H (representing
their superior penetration). A problem rears when you consider that
missile packs in CENT are of limited capacity, while in DSII the
racks
are assumed to house suffiCENT armament to last out a typical battle
(and, let's be honest, who ends up running out of missiles in a game
with the average engagement between units running to two turns?). One
way to address the problem is to give the DSII vehicle one GMS/L or
/H, as appropriate, for every 12 missiles carried. Thus, two TVLG(12)
packs becomes 2xGMS/H and, unless you're carrying an entire grav
packed with them, you're unlikely to ever see more than a 2xGMS/L.
Missile Equivalency Table
SMLM
GMS/L
TVLG
GMS/H
12 Missiles
1xGMS
Lasers
One of the laser weapons in wide use in the CENT system appears to be
the Anti-Personel Laser, found on nearly every grav in existance.
Typically, this is *not* an externally mounted fixture but within its
own turret, so the basic APSW will cost 2 spaces and 4pts from the
vehicle (odds are there's already a much larger weapon in the turret;
if not, the APSW requires 3 spaces). The other major use of lasers in
CENT is as a laser painting/targeting system, allowing weapons to
penetrate grav shields (about which more will be said later). This
costs a basic 50 points and can be used for all the usual purposes of
a DSII spotting laser as well as CENT-specific purposes.
For vehicular damage, there are a spread of lasers available. The
match-up between CENT lasers and DSII HELs is as follows:
Laser Equivalancy Table
1.5/1
HEL/1
1.5/3, 1.4/4
HEL/2
1.5/5, 1.5/6
HEL/3
3/6, 5/6
HEL/4
7.5/6
HEL/5
Defenses
Anti-Missile Weaponry
The Vulcan anti-missile system is invaliable on the CENT battlefield.
In CENT, this is an auto-firing Phalanx-type system intended to gun
down incoming missiles and is found on a goodly number of gravs and
other vehicles. Vulcan-1 generally is covered by a PDS/BASIC in DSII,
a Vulcan-2 or -3 by an PDS/ENHANCED and a Vulcan-4 by a PDS/SUPERIOR.
ADS doesn't appear in the basic CENT rules.
Vulcan Anti-Missile System Equivalency Table
Vulcan-1
PDS/BASIC
Vulcan-2, Vulcan-3
PDS/ENHANCED
Vulcan-4
PDS/SUPERIOR
Armour
There are no special rules for Armour except to note that gravs
typically are heavily armoured beheamoths. Don't skimp on the armour;
remember that a goodly number of these monsters are oversized and
able
to carry oversized armour because of it. The heaviest gravs, with
ARMOUR/7, will be difficult to damage, even with good shots from
HKP/5s. Some gravs also have ABLATIVE armour; this, along with grav
shielding (see section Shields), reduces the use of lasers as the
'heavy punch' of grav tanks.
Shields
All grav vehicles in the CENT universe have grav shields which
deflect
light-weight projectiles, energy-based attacks (including targeting
lasers) and scramble the warheads of incoming missiles, making most
weapons that don't hurl large hunks of something at relatively high
speeds ineffective. The actual mechanics of grav shielding are
treated
in another part of this article (see section Grav Shields).
To convert to the new Shield rules, note that there are ten possible
values for Shields in CENT and 5 possible die types; this works out
well. Divide the (average) Shield rating by 2, rounded up, and take
that as the die, starting at the d4, to use.
Shield Rating Equivalency Table
Shield 1, Shield 2
d4
Shield 3, Shield 4
d6
Shield 5, Shield 6
d8
Shield 7, Shield 8
d10
Shield 9, Shield 10
d12
Movement
Grav vehicle movement rules already exist in DSII; however, they
don't
match the behavioural characteristics seen in CENT's depiction. To
really match the performance envelope of grav vehicles in the source
material, DSII gravs need to buy VTOL movement instead of Grav. More
information on how gravs move in DSII can be found in See section
Grav
Movement (Updated).
Conventional movement vehicles should buy the form of movement in
DSII
that fits their deployment; in CENT, you simply bought a certain
number of MP to be spent every Turn.
Vehicles in Closing
Keep in mind, oft times, design compromises will have to be made to
fit the design into DSII. One of the main changes to occur is that,
because of the lack of weapon-specific hits, multiple mounts can be
dropped unless absolutely necessary for concept. Occasionally, less
important weapons will be dropped altogether (often missiles). Think
of this as the effect of streamlining the system for more efficency.
Infantry
New Rules
Grav Shields
In CENT, grav shields allow your vehicle to be impervious to the
effects of missiles, lasers and MDCs ... as long as they don't hit
while the shield has flickered off! Gauss cannons (and probably SLAM
packs but must definitely not DFFGs) ignore grav shields completely
as
their rounds are too heavy and too fast-moving to be deflected.
In DSII, vehicles with grav shielding have an overall rating of a
given die type, -1 on its roll when attacked from the rear or bottom
(but not sides). This die adds another die when defense rolls are
made; if the grav is in cover, then three dice are rolled to compare
to the attacker's. Grav shielding, especially powerful grav
shielding,
makes your vehicle nearly impervious to most fire.
Because of the game effect of shields, they are considerably
expensive. Each level of shield adds 50% to the overall cost of your
vehicle. Eg. a shield rating of d6 would double the cost of your grav
tank, while a d12 would add 250% or multiply the cost by 3.5x,
weapons
included. The costs involved in equiping a force with grav shielding
can add up quickly.
Grav Shield Rating Cost Table
d4
50%
d6
100%
d8
150%
d10
200%
d12
250%
Grav Movement (Updated)
Grav vehicles in DSII buy VTOL movement, but do not act entirely like
VTOLs in every way. The differences are due, in large part, to the
design of gravs as seen in CENT and certain additional deployment
possibilities. Gravs have entirely taken over the helicopter and VTOL
support role in the Renegade Legion universe because of this
additional flexibility.
The major differences can be summed up as follows:
Grav Drive Difference Table
* The grav vehicle uses the 'grav' movement chart for both terrain
and inches moved when in 'Low Mode,' not the VTOL chart. When in
'Hi Mode,' they have 30in of movement while in 'Low Mode' they
receive only 15in.
* Like VTOLs, gravs may execute 'pop-up attacks' (See DSII, pg 32)
* When deployed as a 'drop' the grav has a velocity of 90in/Turn
which must be burned off at 30in/Turn (the speed of grav/VTOL
gunships). Until the grav is moving at less than 31in/Turn, the
maximum deflection of motion they can execute is 45deg, from the
beginning of movement to the end, to either side of the beginning
axis of motion.
Examples
TOG Trajan
Componant Spaces Cost
SIZE 7, 35 VSP 35 -
Armour 6, Abl, 63Add 98
FGP 58.8
VTOL 490
Frame cost: 646.8
HKP/5, FF 25 50
BASIC FC - 10
HEL/5, FT 10 60
APSW, FT 8 4
GMS/H, ENH 4 45
PDF/SUPERIOR 0 60
STEALTH/2 - 280
TARG LASER - 50
Frame+Equip - 1205.8
SHIELDS d12/Lv5 - 4220.3
Notes: Notice that this version of the Trajan has lost the redundant
laser and missiles, mainly to fit in the frame. It also has Ablative
armour, as a half-step between the original Trajan and the Ferrox
Rex.
RL Wolverine
Componant Spaces Cost
SIZE 3, 15 VSP 15 -
Armour 3, 9Add 24
FGP 14.4
VTOL 120
Frame cost: 158.4
HKP/3, FT 6 30
BASIC FC 6
GMS/H, ENH 2 45
APSW, FT 0 4
STEALTH/2 - 120
TARG LASER - 50
Frame+Equip - 413.4
SHIELDS d6/Lvl2 - 826.8
Notes: A fairly simple conversion; the HKP is dropped a level to have
a chance of fitting in the chassis with the GMS/H.
CW Scorpion
Componant Spaces Cost
SIZE 4, 20 VSP 20 -
Armour 4, 16Add 36
FGP 21.6
VTOL 180
Frame cost: 237.6
HEL/3, FT 11 36
BASIC FC 6
GMS/L, ENH 9 30
GMS/H, BAS 5 30
PDS/ENHANCED 2 45
APSW, FT 0 4
STEALTH/2 - 160
TARG LASER - 50
Frame+Equip - 598.6
SHIELDS d8/Lvl3 - 1496.5
Notes: Again, the laser cannon has been stripped down fairly
extensively to fit the other accoutrements into the frame. It now
makes more sense for the Scorpion to depend more on its GMS
complement
than the laser.
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This document was generated on 13 September 1997 using the texi2html
translator version 1.51.