Range: Kilometers or...

[CRMcNeill]

So, something that has occasionally crossed my mind is that, while it's clear that the SWU uses the metric system (thermal exhaust ports will always be 2 meters wide), there is a discrepancy in other uses.

In particular, the only time range-to-target is given a specific numeric value, it doesn't seem to match the actual on-screen distance. Specifically, in ESB, when Veers asks the gunner on his AT-AT the distance to the power generator, the number given is "one seven decimal two eight." One might think the distance was in kilometers, yet it seems far closer on screen, more like 1.728 kilometers, which is well within the range of AT-AT lasers per the WEG rules.

So that got me thinking about the possibility that maybe atmospheric ranges for weapons should be measured in hectometers (100 meters or 1/10th of a kilometer) instead of kilometers.

The neat thing about this is, the WEG weapon ranges in SUs convert directly into hectometers; a laser cannon with a range in SUs of 1-3/12/25 would have the exact same range in hectometers, with no need for conversion.

This would allow stat writers to throw out the multiple range system and simply use SUs with the appropriate modifier applied: SUs for space combat, hectometers for atmospheric combat, and the much rarer myriameter (10,000 meters) for orbital bombardment (assuming it ever comes up).

Or it may be more trouble than it's worth, but I figured I'd post it anyway.
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"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

[Pel]

Given that it fits so neatly, it's possible the WEG creators envisioned exactly that.

So if I'm understanding correctly:
Character-scale measures in meters
Vehicle Atmospheric-scale measures in hectometers
Space-scale measures in kilometers

That could definitely work and help both players and GMs wrap their heads around ranges. I like it.
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Aha!

[CRMcNeill]

[Pel]

Ok, that makes sense. As for myriameters (new word!), like you said, if it ever comes up. We always figured that if the ships were in range to bombard the planet, they were also in range of any terrestrial defensive batteries. The one instance I can see this coming into play is a ship flying between the bombarding vessels and the planet. Having an idea of distance would help calculate how many rounds it will take to make the trip.
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Aha!

[Dredwulf60]

[CRMcNeill]

Well, the idea was less that you would actually use those numbers than that you would just use the Space Range for all forms of combat, and then, if you really needed to know exactly how far away the target was, you would apply the appropriate modifier (simply, 1 = 100 meters or 1 = 10 kilometers).

Basically, it's less about knowing exactly how far away a target is in meters than it is about a simplified ranging system that uses the same number for everything.
_________________
"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