[SG2] Sentry guns (long)

'Aliens' style sentry guns, 'XCom' autotanks, and similar systems for
SG2.
First draft rules, so any suggestions, ideas and (polite) criticisms
welcomed.

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Semi-Autonomous Combat System (SACS)

Fixed (sentry guns a la Aliens movie) or Mobile (mini-tanks a la X-Com
computer game). (F-SACS or M-SACS)

Target as Size 1 point targets for both Fixed & Mobile.

Fixed and Mobile SACS can mount any TWO SAW-type weapons, or any ONE of
the following: any Class 1 heavy weapon, GMS/L or GMS/H. 

Firing is as normal for vehicle-mounted weapons. Most SACSs will be SUP
or
EHN systems. SAW-mounting SACSs will roll Quality as VET (d10) plus one
Support die per SAW. Eg a twin Gauss SAW SACS will roll 3 d10s.

M-SACSs can be any Mobility type. Tracked and Grav are the two most
commonly used Mobilities. 

SACSs of both types have d10 Armour. F-SACS can be armoured up to d12
Armour; they can also be designed to retract into bunkers. While
deployed
in firing position, such F-SACS have either d10 or d12 Armour depending
on
design; when retracted, they are protected by the armour of the bunker
housing them, but cannot fire. It takes 1 action to extend or retract
such
an F-SACS system.

SACSs do not get the usual free SAW of other vehicles, only the weapons
specified in their design.

Command & Control: SACSs are independent units, forming squads of one or
possibly two units. SACSs do not have Confidence levels, nor do they
take
Suppression markers from fire. SACSs can be activated during the regular
turn sequence if desired, or left to engage targets on their own. For
other applicable rolls, SACS are Leader 1s, and should be given any
color
1 chit for recordkeeping.

SACS on independent activation can move half their regular movement (6
or
d12) with one or both of their actions.

A SACS on independent free fire will target the nearest appropriate
hostile target **at the END of all other activations.**

Targeting rules for SACS on independent fire:
		 - ALL SACS WILL ALWAYS ENGAGE THE NEAREST TARGET TO
THEM, MODIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING. If two targets are at equal range, use
the following rules. If two identical targets are at identical ranges,
determine target randomly.

		 - SAW-equipped SACS will target infantry over light
(Size
1 and 2) vehicles, and those over larger vehicles.
		 - Gun-equipped SACS (those with Size 1 weapons) will
engage light vehicles and infantry equally (random roll if needed), and
those over larger vehicles.
		 - GMS equipped SACS will engage larger vehicles over
lighter ones. They are incapable of engaging infantry, and will not do
so.

There is one last way to activate SACS: as part of an infantry squads
activation. Both the infantry & the SAC System have to have LOS to the
same target. The squad takes a Communication action as its first, then a
Firing action. If the Comm roll is based, the SACS adds its Support die
to
the squads fire, and both are then finished as usual. (The Reorg action
represents the squad leaders communications with the SACS AI system, and
sharing of targeting information)

Limited Ammunition: Man-portable F-SACSs could have limited ammunition
available in some scenarios. How limited depends on referees decision -
Id
say two to six chits, each of which is one Firing action. As a carrying
load, Id say such an F-SACS would be an Encumbering load for three or
four
troopers.

Building-mounted F-SACSs or regular M-SACSs wouldnt normally have ammo
limits, save maybe for GMS units. If GMS/P equipped M-SACSs are used,
they
can only mount 1 GMS/P, but ignore or increase ammo limits.

Models: good question. Does anyone make a sentry gun in either 25mm or
15mm? They'd be good scratch-building or kitbashing projects. I'd be
inclined to start with a largish 6mm tank chassis for a mobile system,
and
replace the turret - I'd think more of these systems would be open-mount
type things, for weight saving.

(RAFM has a whole bunch of weapon packs in their Heavy Gear 20mm line,
for
custom-fitting their 'mechs. They're quite usable for other purposes, if
sometimes large.)
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Brian (burger00@camosun.bc.ca)
- http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/9774/games.html -DS2/SG2/misc-