[SG2] Enhanced Troops
From: J L Hilal <jlhilal@y...>
Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2012 15:42:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [SG2] Enhanced Troops
I have been working on rules for "enhanced" troops for various genres,
and would like some feedback/constructive criticism.
Enhanced troops fall into three categories: Enhanced, Plugged-in, and
Enhanced+plugged-in.
"Enhanced" troops are those that have either been genetically
engineered/modified for superior combat abilities (40k marines,
Manticore Project from "Dark Angel", scrags from Weber's Honorverse,
Nietzscheans from Andromeda) or have had other physical enhancements
such as the bio-enhanced Imperials/Terrans of Weber's Dahak series.
In game terms I suggest having Enhanced troops roll their Quality Die as
half their normal die type plus an integer equal to half their die type,
e.g. Regular = D4+4, Veteran = D5+5, and Elite = D6+6. This allows them
to consistently perform in the top half of their category, but does not
make them unbeatable.
They would roll normal quality die for Confidence and Reaction tests
unless they also have special mental conditioning.
"Plugged-in" troops are unenhanced troops that have a direct mental
(physical or psychic) connection to their equipment. This would only
count for power armor or vehicle crews. This allows them to get the
best use from the synergy of their systems and themselves.
Plugged-in troops roll 1/2 Quality Die +1/2 Quality integer (as above)
for both troop/crew quality and system quality. Reaction and confidence
roll normal quality dice unless there is some special condition.
"Enhanced + Plugged-in" are enhanced troops who are also plugged into
their power armor/vehicles. Roll 1/2 Quality Die + 1/2 Quality integer
for systems die, and Quality Die + 1/2 Quality integer for troop/crew
quality, e.g. Regular = D8+4, Veteran = D10+5, and Elite = D12+6. Range
bands are figured based on this +50% modifier (so 12, 15, 18
respectively).
As with Enhanced troops, they would roll normal quality die for
Confidence and Reaction tests unless they also have special mental
conditioning, in which case it would be D4+4, D5+5, or D6+6 as being
plugged-in would not have additional benefit beyond the special
conditioning for reaction/confidence.
So a force of enhanced troops might roll as enhanced in some situations
and enhanced+plugged-in in other situations depending on how they are
equipped.
Comments, modifications, other ideas?
J