XP for Starship combat - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

XP for Starship combat

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
nix4
Aug 07, 2008 8:20:26 How do you figure out the XP for starship combat??
#2
AnimeSniper
Aug 07, 2008 9:08:23 Maybe stat something for the ship size, then include something for weapon package and armor/shields/etc.
#3
greatnightwolf
Aug 07, 2008 10:05:53 I normally base XP for Starship fights off the enemy Crew, then add something if the Equipment was better than the one used by the PCs.

Example:

PC-Mecha: Specialist-Mecha with LV 7 Chars

Grunt-Mecha with CR 8 Pilot = CR 7

Prototype-Mecha, improved Armour, flight capability and Beam Rifle
with CR 10 Pilot = CR 13

I normally count enemie Grunts as if they where one less in the Vehicle as Grunt-Vehicles often restict their user.

Specialist-Mecha normally can be used to the pilots full capability and are normally +/- 0 CR

Depending on the Prototype-Mecha You should look at the Specialist-Mecha and look what is better than the General-Equip of your PCs. If your PCs have very different Mecha take the average of all stats and then compare.

Sorry for using Mecha as the term but it doesn't matter as it won't change anything.

Starship Example:

3 PCs have an X-Wing a B-Wing and a A-Wing

I would look at about the X-Wing as the B-Wing hast the most Firepower and the A-Wing the best speed. X-Wing would be the average.

Mecha Example:

3 PCs have a Hard Ass-Mecha, A Damage-Mecha with light Armour and a Close-Combat-Mecha. Close Combat is the best into the direction of average and I would compare my NPCs with this one.
#4
nix4
Aug 07, 2008 10:57:09 Okay, thas workable.

The situation I had last night was 2 Corvette's vs 1 PC Frigate (out of the future d20 book).

Corvettes are statistically inferior to the Frigate, and after the combat was over the Frigate was only down 50% HP.

3 PCs were involved at 6th lvl.

The Corvettes were run straight out of the book so I didn't really even give them a crew.

There are problems with using PCs vs NPCs in this regard.

A Battleship could be staffed by ordinaries. Anyone can pilot a ship, hell most ships can work on autopilot! So basing it off the crew isn't the best solution IMHO, but it works good in the case of mecha where a pilot is required otherwise the vehicle wont work.

I will have to drum up some formula and post it here..and see what people think.
#5
azisien
Aug 07, 2008 10:58:02 For stock ships you just throw at them, it does take a bit of guesswork. The main component is the enemy crew if they're equivalent ships fighting. Back-calculate the "level" of the enemy crew by the skill bonus (Ace is +12, so that's...say...6th or 7th level maybe?)

For weaker/tougher enemy ships, add or dock small amounts of CR. This is basically just a judgement call. You wouldn't throw an Adult Red Dragon (or hey, maybe YOU would, what do I know) against a 3rd level party, just like you wouldn't pit a corvette against a battleship.

Dreadnought combat is so long you might as well just give them a couple levels if they manage to beat one, honestly.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nix4 Aug 07, 2008 8:20:26	How do you figure out the XP for starship combat??
#2 AnimeSniper Aug 07, 2008 9:08:23	Maybe stat something for the ship size, then include something for weapon package and armor/shields/etc.
#3 greatnightwolf Aug 07, 2008 10:05:53	I normally base XP for Starship fights off the enemy Crew, then add something if the Equipment was better than the one used by the PCs. Example: PC-Mecha: Specialist-Mecha with LV 7 Chars Grunt-Mecha with CR 8 Pilot = CR 7 Prototype-Mecha, improved Armour, flight capability and Beam Rifle with CR 10 Pilot = CR 13 I normally count enemie Grunts as if they where one less in the Vehicle as Grunt-Vehicles often restict their user. Specialist-Mecha normally can be used to the pilots full capability and are normally +/- 0 CR Depending on the Prototype-Mecha You should look at the Specialist-Mecha and look what is better than the General-Equip of your PCs. If your PCs have very different Mecha take the average of all stats and then compare. Sorry for using Mecha as the term but it doesn't matter as it won't change anything. Starship Example: 3 PCs have an X-Wing a B-Wing and a A-Wing I would look at about the X-Wing as the B-Wing hast the most Firepower and the A-Wing the best speed. X-Wing would be the average. Mecha Example: 3 PCs have a Hard Ass-Mecha, A Damage-Mecha with light Armour and a Close-Combat-Mecha. Close Combat is the best into the direction of average and I would compare my NPCs with this one.
#4 nix4 Aug 07, 2008 10:57:09	Okay, thas workable. The situation I had last night was 2 Corvette's vs 1 PC Frigate (out of the future d20 book). Corvettes are statistically inferior to the Frigate, and after the combat was over the Frigate was only down 50% HP. 3 PCs were involved at 6th lvl. The Corvettes were run straight out of the book so I didn't really even give them a crew. There are problems with using PCs vs NPCs in this regard. A Battleship could be staffed by ordinaries. Anyone can pilot a ship, hell most ships can work on autopilot! So basing it off the crew isn't the best solution IMHO, but it works good in the case of mecha where a pilot is required otherwise the vehicle wont work. I will have to drum up some formula and post it here..and see what people think.
#5 azisien Aug 07, 2008 10:58:02	For stock ships you just throw at them, it does take a bit of guesswork. The main component is the enemy crew if they're equivalent ships fighting. Back-calculate the "level" of the enemy crew by the skill bonus (Ace is +12, so that's...say...6th or 7th level maybe?) For weaker/tougher enemy ships, add or dock small amounts of CR. This is basically just a judgement call. You wouldn't throw an Adult Red Dragon (or hey, maybe YOU would, what do I know) against a 3rd level party, just like you wouldn't pit a corvette against a battleship. Dreadnought combat is so long you might as well just give them a couple levels if they manage to beat one, honestly.