Observer-Class Hyperspace Reconnaissance Cruiser

[CRMcNeill]

So, this is an idea I've been playing around with for a while, but I wanted to get the technobabble down just how I wanted it. It's more of a GM tool than an actual combat vessel, but this one ship could give your characters fits long before they ever become aware of its existence. Check it out:

Observer-Class Hyperspace Reconnaissance Cruiser

The Observer-Class is an evolution of the Immobilizer-Series Hyperspace Interdiction Cruiser, along with the Destructor-Class Hyperspace Blockade Cruiser. Unlike its sister classes, the Observer lacks any weaponry that directly affects craft in hyperspace; its primary purpose is the gathering of information. The Observer retains the Interdictor's unique profile, but replaces each gravity well projectors with a Fabritech V11 Hyperspace Flux-Net Transceiver array. The array projects a massive three-dimensional web of S-Threads that loop out light-years distant from the projector before looping back in again (In game terms, an Observer can detect ships in hyperspace up to 20 minutes away, as modified by the target vessel's hyperdrive modifier). Objects traveling in hyperspace disrupt the carrier signal in the S-Threads and cause fluctuations that can be detected by the sensitive processing systems onboard the Observer. In addition, Imperial scientists have discovered that the distortion created by a ship passing through the flux-net's S-Threads is unique to each vessel's engine, and is of sufficient detail that they can read a vessel's transponder code while it is still in hyperspace.

A joint project with the Imperial Navy and Imperial Intelligence, Observers are never seen in combat lines. Instead, they are deployed in deep space near hyperspace routes and junctions where Rebel activity is suspected. Observers are usually accompanied by a pair of Strike cruisers as escort, as well as a minimum of one Recon line. An Intel team stationed aboard the Observer analyzes the incoming ship traffic information in an attempt to identify suspicious patterns of travel, or looking for known Rebel ships. When they feel there is sufficient information to warrant closer inspection, they deploy ships from the Recon line to follow the suspicious vessels to their destination. The Recon ships have standing orders to avoid detection by any means necessary, and under no circumstances are they to engage in combat, as their primary mission is the gathering of information.

The Observer-Class was introduced into service on a limited scale just prior to the Battle of Endor, and the ensuing chaos in Imperial ranks kept production to a minimum. Less than a dozen Observers were introduced into service, yet they have produced outstanding results when they are put to use. The Imperial Navy has made it a high priority to keep these vessels a secret, and so far, they have succeeded. The Hyperspace Flux-Net Projection Array has proven so effective that the Navy and Imperial Intelligence are currently exploring a new component version of the program, with smaller arrays mounted on more numerous frigate or corvette scale vessels, who then forward their information to a central point for collation. Such a system could quickly develop a detailed map of ship traffic within a sector with no one outside of the Navy and Imperial Intelligence being aware of it, which could quickly spell doom for any long-term Rebel or Fringe operations in the area.

Craft: Sienar Fleet Systems' Observer-Class
Type: Hyperspace Reconnaissance & Observation Platform
Scale: Frigate (+10D)
Length: 600 meters
Skill: Capital Ship Piloting: Mobilizer-Series
Crew: 2,783 (1,500 @ +10) & 30 Gunners
Crew Skill:
Astrogation 5D
Gunnery 5D
Piloting 5D
Shields 4D
Passengers: 80 (troops)
Small Craft Complement:
--12 Starfighters (1 Squadron)
--2-4 Utility Craft
Cargo Capacity: 5,500 metric tons
Consumables: 1.2 years
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x2
Hyperdrive Backup: x8
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 1D
Space: 6 (3D)
Atmosphere: 330; 950 kph
Hull: 5D
Shields: 3D
Sensors:
Passive 30/1D
Scan 75/2D
Search 150/3D
Focus 5/4D
Hyperspace Sensors:
--Scan: 12/1D
--Search: 24/3D
--Note: Ranges are a measurement of Rounds Traveled by a ship with a x1 Hyperdrive.
Weapons:
10 Turbolaser Cannon
Fire Arc: 2 Front, 3 Left, 3 Right, 2 Rear
Crew: 2
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 2-10/25/50
--Orbital: 4km-20km/50km/100km
--Atmosphere: 200m-1km/2.5km/5km
Rate of Fire: 1
Damage: 5D
10 Quad-Laser Cannon
Fire Arc: 2 Front, 3 Left, 3 Right, 2 Rear
Scale: Starship (+6D)
Crew: 1
Skill: Starship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Range:
--Space: 1-3/12/25
--Orbital: 2km-6km/24km/50km
--Atmosphere: 100m-300m/1.2km/2.5km
Damage: 6D

In-Game Use:
The Observer-Class is more of a GM tool than anything else. I included rules for the Hyperspace Scanners should a GM actually wish to play out the sensor encounter, but the PCs should be completely unaware of it. If introduced into a game, the first the players will know of it is a sudden encounter with the Imperials where the Empire has far more information available than they should. Whether this takes the form of a sudden ambush that is focused directly on the character's ship (which just so happens to have a clean ID), or a surgical strike on a hidden Rebel base is up to the GM. In essence, the presence of an Observer in your campaign's sector is pretty much just a GM's excuse to make things harder on the PCs (especially if they seem to be having an easy run of it). It could even be the subject of a campaign itself, identifying the source of this new intel and deploying a strike force to deal with it.

House Rule Notes:

COMMAND DIFFICULTY MODIFIER: +11
SHIELD & SHIELD CONTROL: 3D @ 2D
VELOCITY MODIFIER: 1D+2 Flight
BATTERY DICE:
Dual Turbolaser Cannon: 1D Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D Rear
Quad-Laser Cannon: 1D Front, 1D+2 Left, 1D+2 Right, 1D Rear

_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Lostboy]

I am trained at Physics and i think you did a reasonable job. I like this ship.

[CRMcNeill]

[Bren]

I really appreciated the "In-Game Use" and "Disclaimer." The former helped me cut through the fluff to see what the ship's purpose was and the latter was nice to tee up which sort of disagreements are which - i.e. don't like the idea vs. the physics fluff needs modifying.

I'd like to see sections like that for all new equipment.

You might want to add to the fluff text with something like "replaces the four gravity well projectors with twin Hyperdyne H-20 Tachyon Flux Projecters a pair of matching Fabritech V11 Tachyon scanning detector arrays." Just something to indicate what is in the place of the gravity well projectors and also potentially to give any PCs sent after one of these, a named something(s) to target.

[CRMcNeill]

[Bren]

[CRMcNeill]

[Bren]

[CRMcNeill]

[Fallon Kell]

[CRMcNeill]

[CRMcNeill]

Hypothetically speaking (assuming this tech were in more common use), what would be some good rules for a sensor system that can detect ships in hyperspace? I think any ranges would have to be in hyperspace travel time values, since we have no hard facts on what hyperspace distances actually are, but what else?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Darth_Hilarious]

If the detection system is that sensitive it should also work to detect cloaked ships.
_________________
People keep telling me that I'm crazy. I keep telling them "No I'm not, I don't get a check".

Revenge is beneath me , but accidents DO happen .

[CRMcNeill]

I would probably house rule that, Because of the nature of the sensor system, it can only detect ships moving through Hyperspace. In that sense, yes, it would be able to detect a cloaked ship in hyperspace only, unless the target ship's cloaking device was specifically tuned to evade tachyons streams.

A few years back, I proposed an idea of cloaked ships as the SWU equivalent of submarines, with subspace detection and ranging in place of sonar, and CGT technology in place of magnetic anomaly detection equipment. It never got beyond general discussion of concepts, but if you are interested, I can dredge it up again.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[garhkal]

First look on this ship... Strange


What is the :Era: this comes out in? Is there any way for a ship in hyperspace to tell it got 'pinged'?
My reasoning for asking, was if these ships are so good why were only 12 made?
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!