Re: FTL Sytems-Game Implications...

On Tue, 16 Sep 1997, Mike Wikan wrote:

> OK. If we postulate multiple FTL/Sidereal sytems that sidestep the 
> lightspeed problem, what are the mass penalties, etc. In FT it is 
> assumed that about 25% of a ship's mass is taken up by their 
> "Hyperdrive" style FTL. This would follow all rules postulated by the 
> rules.
> 
> New systems.
> 
> Warp Drive
> Mass: 20%
> Cost Hullx3
> Speed doubles every round till player off board.
> May be intercepted by other warp driven vessels in strategic games. 
> Moves Thrust value in strategic hexes per strategic turn.
> 
> Fold Drive
> Mass:40%
> Cost: Hullx2.5
> Ship folds space around it. Any units within 6" are folded as well. 
> Number of ships in fold envelope may not exceed mass of folding ship. 
> If so, each ship takes 2d6 damage and fold fails.
> May not be intercepted in strategic game. Moves 4 strategic hexes.
> 
> Any additions? comments?
> Mike Wikan
> Game Design\Conceptual Art
> n-Space, Inc.
> A Producer of 3D Entertainment Software
> 
> "Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot." 
> 
If you want to use multiple FTL-drive types in the same campaign, these
rules look good. The one quible I have is the Warp Drive and
courier/escort ships moving strategically at Thrust 8...seems like
that's
a huge advantage, that isn't reflected enough in the cost/mass of the
drive.

That speed is especially valuable if, as I do, you have a strategic
universe where interstellar FTL communications does't exist - all that
stuff goes via courier ships.

If you're interested, I postulate a FTL comm tech that needs fairly
large
power output, so ship-board transmitters/antenna can communicate across
a
solar system but not even Superdreadnoughts have the power to transmit
light years. Light-year range transmitters can be set up, usually in
solar
orbits, but the cost/building time and power (especially power)needed
ensure that only core systems have these attennas, and the rest of the
systems make use of courier ships, military or commercial as
appropriate.

I haven't bothered coming up with any PSB explaining this, it seems as
likely as any system, but if someone out there who knows more physics
than
I do can provide one, please do...

Finally, the fold-space system means that a fair chunk of your fleets
could be non-FTL vessels, piggy-backing thru fold-space on a SD's drive.
And making your fleet cheaper, and nastier - something which should be
reflected in the cost/mass numbers.

Brian (burger00@camosun.bc.ca)