My play group has recently departed Equinox in a hastily ‘acquired’ Sovereign-class submarine and are now set to seek adventure in the deep seas of the Polaris setting. So we have been trying to wrap our heads around the many rules for submarines, their operation, and underwater combat. Getting a grip on Ship’s Standard Systems has been the most challenging subject, however; as we have all been unsure of how to use many of the submarine’s functions.
1) My first and most central question is whether there is a generic default level for automated systems? I’ve found no reference to this, and the default levels I’ve found mentioned vary according to their particular system (such as level 15 for Active Soundscans, but level 13 for Analyzers and Tactical Computers). Still I wonder if there is a generic default level for automated systems when nothing is stated in the rules, or is it simply up to the GM to set one?
Secondary to this are a number of questions regarding the many ship’s Standard Systems. In order to get a better overview I have made a list of all the ship’s Standard Systems found across all the submarine listings in CRB2 pp. 116 – 128. Then I have tried to link each standard system to a page reference (or references) with a relevant rules description. In most cases, I found that submarine systems seem to rely on the description for Exo-armor systems. Those descriptions are not always adequate, however. Any further questions associated with each Standard System are posted along with their reference.
2) Ship’s Standard Systems
Active soundscan: Used primarily for detection (Detection, CRB2 p. 131), which is also an essential part of underwater combat. Soundscans are also used for navigation (Plotting a Course, CRB2 pg. 113). They have a base level of 15 and can be used at any combat distance (CRB2 p. 132).
Alert (CRB2, p. 95): A passive system that produces warning sounds.
Analyzer (CRB2 p. 88): The analyzer allows for Analysis (CRB2 p. 141), and is an automated system with a default level of 13 and capable of analyzing up to 10 contacts at any combat range. This system is meant to be used in conjunction with the soundscan systems (Soundscan Analysis tests, CRB2 p. 141), and also serves as an essential part of underwater combat.
Assistance and control system: Exo-armor Assistance and Control Systems are described on p. 85, CRB2. This seems to be a passive system except for the effects suffered when the system is damaged All the assistance and control systems have a natural EMP shielding of 5 points.
Autopilot (CRB2 p. 95): An automated system that pilots the submarine.
2.1) What is the default level of an autopilot?
Calculator: No description found.
2.2) What does this system do? How does it differ from an analyzer and/or computer?
Camera: One rules reference found are those of the standard camera on p. 16, CRB2.
2.3) What is the capacity/specifications of this system?
Central and satellite repair stations: No description found.
2.4) Are these helping systems, or merely passive systems that allow technicians to attempt repair tests?
2.5) What do they enable the crew to do? Do they relate to the rules for the Workshop professional advantage (CRB1 p. 181) and/or rules for Toolkits in any way (CRB2 p. 15)?
Communicator: Rules for communication devices on Exo-armor found on p. 89, CRB2.
2.6) How does this relate to Exo-armor communication systems as described on CRB2 p. 89?
2.7) Can Encoders and decoders be hooked up to the ships systems? If so, is it handled just as you would the ‘normal’ equipment versions?
Diagnostics system (CRB2, p. 85): This specialized computer only deals with the surveillance of the other systems on board.
2.8 ) Are the various interface systems relevant for submarines?
Distress beacon: No specific description found
2. 9) How do submarine variants compare to the ‘normal’ distress beacons described on p. 29, CRB1?
Docking spot for drone(s): No description found.
2.10) Most submarines have a generic “Docking spot for drones” without any mention of capacity, and some simply have a “Docking spot for drone” (assuming those, like the Soveraign-class; can only dock a single drone).
Echo jammer (CRB2 p. 91): Stealth system
2.11) What is this system’s default level?
Echo modifier (CRB2 p. 91): Stealth system
2.12) What is this system’s default level?
Light generator: Only description found is that of a ‘normal’ light generator (CRB2, p. 2X).
2.13) What are the specifications for this system? How does it compare to the portable Light generator presented in the equipment section?
Lock-on detector (CRB2 p. 90): The presence of this system allows the detection of a Torpedo that has locked on to the submarine (CRB2 p. 143).
Mechanical arm: No description found.
2.14) What are the rules for using this system? What skill do the players use to employ the mechanical arm?
Navigational system (CRB2 p. 90): This is an automated system used for plotting a course (CRB pp. 113).
2.15) What is its default level of the navigation system?
Onboard computer: Description for Exo-armor computer systems are found on p. 88, CRB2.
2.16) How does submarine computers relate to Exo-armor computer systems, and the ‘normal’ computer rules described on CRB2 pp. 18-22?
Oxygen supply for 14 days:
2.17) Does the fixed supply mean that the submarine has no way of generating its own oxygen?
2.18) Is the supply (14 days) based on a submarine at max passenger and crew capacity? How does this capacity relate to a ship’s operating range (Autonomy)?
Passive soundscan: Used primarily for detection (Detection, CRB2 p. 131), which is also an essential part of underwater combat, but soundscans are also used for navigation (Plotting a Course, CRB2 pg. 113). They have a base level of 15 and can be used at any combat distance (CRB2 p. 132). The use of passive soundscan can be augmented by the use of Communication Tunnels (CRB p. 115)
Pressure monitoring system:
2.19)How does this relate to the Pressure Control system for Exo-armors (CRB, p. 85)?
Radio communicator: See Communicator system?
2.20) Is there a difference between Radio communicator and Communication systems?
Sanitary system (CRB2, p. 86): Passive system.
2.21) Do submarines automatically have both Sanitary Filtration system and Waste-recycling systems dimensioned for their crew & passenger capacity?
Sound attenuator (CRB2 p. 91): Stealth system.
Stabilizer (CRB2, p. 85): The stabilizers help the pilot control his machine.
2.22) Is this a Helping System? How does this work on a submarine?
2.23) Is there such a thing as Advanced Stabilizers for submarines?
Tactical display (CRB2 p. 90): Computer system.
Targeting computer (CRB2 p. 90): The targeting computer is an automated system with a default level of 13 and capable of calculating 5 shots simultaneously. It is used for makings hot calculations in underwater combat.
Temperature regulator (CRB2, p. 86): Passive system that regulates the submarine’s temperature.
Vehicle-burying system:
2.24) How does this work?
Voice command: Control Interface system, such as the “Voice control” CRB2 p. 84.
2.25) Does this provide a -4 Initiative modifier?
In general I feel as if the Exo-armor and Submarine sections are ‘missing’ a lot of information, as if there are a lot of references taken from a more detailed sourcebook. To a certain degree I can appreciate how a lot of my questions above should simply be arbitrated by a GM’s decision (such as the use of Mechanical Arms and Vehicle-burying systems, or the range of a submarine’s Distress Beacon), but on other systems I feel essential information is missing (default levels of Navigation and Autopilot systems, or descriptions of how to use Repair Stations, Onboard Computers and Stabilizers, for instance).
Therefore I don’t expect a detailed answer to all of these questions, but some guidelines on setting levels and what certain systems actually do in a submarine as opposed to Exo-armor would be really great!