S-Foils

[CRMcNeill]

After some rumination, I’m considering making the U-Wing distinction between Maneuverability and Hyperdrive, with the “open” position increasing Maneuverability by 1D, but adding +5 to all Astrogation Difficulties (on account of the increased volume of the hyperdrive field relative to the “closed” position). Still not perfect, but it’s the best functional explanation I’ve been able to come up with, in conjunction with the above rules for the X- and B-Wings.

EDIT: Another possibility would be Maneuverability vs. Speed, with the "closed" mode being faster, but less maneuverable.
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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

[CRMcNeill]

Okay, here's what I'm thinking for the U-Wing, with the S-Foil positioning affecting Astrogation, Maneuverability and Atmosphere. My reasoning is that, like all S-Foils, they contain the main components of the ethereal rudder system, and that moving them out to either side increases the rudder's effectiveness, but also expands the volume of the ship's hyperdrive field (thus decreasing hyperspace speed). This has a similar effect on the ship's navigation shields in atmosphere, as the larger, wider profile (relative to the "closed" S-Foils position) requires more energy to maintain, which is diverted from the ship's drives, thus decreasing the speed. Thus, U-Wing pilots tend to operate with their S-Foils closed when speed is preferable, and open when maneuverability is needed. In addition, U-Wings will close their S-Foils when landing whenever possible as it decreases their landing pad "footprint".

Another thing I'm considering including is having the "closed" S-Foils slightly reduce the ship's Sensor signature, on account of being a narrower physical profile, with less energy going to the navigation shielding.

Game stats would be modified as follows:

Navcomputer: +5 to all Astrogation Difficulties when S-Foils open.
Maneuverability: +2 to Maneuverability when S-Foils open.
Atmosphere: 350; 1,000 kph (3D+2 / 2D) when S-Foils closed.
Sensors: +1 to opposed Sensor Difficulty when S-Foils closed.

Taken together, this resolves most of my issues with the lack of apparent pattern of the U-Wing's S-Foil usage in Rogue One:

-On the takeoff from Yavin, they weren't in a rush, and wanted the added maneuverability (wings open) to navigate Yavin's relatively complicated system geometry.
-Once clear and ready to jump to hyperspace, closed S-Foils to reduce Astrogation Difficulty.
-Arrival at Jeddha, they want the reduced sensor profile, so keep the S-Foils closed.
-Escaping Jeddha, they want the added atmospheric speed and the reduced Astrogation Difficulty, so keep the S-Foils closed.
-Arrival at Eadu, they want the reduced sensor profile, but it costs them maneuverability (which potentially contributes to the crash).
-Attacking Scariff, they want the added speed to get through the shield gate before it closes, but then once they're engaged in atmospheric combat, Maneuverability is paramount, so they open them.
-When landing troop reinforcements for the ground battle, they close the S-Foils, but reopen them at some point after takeoff.

Thoughts?
_________________
"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]

[CRMcNeill]

[garhkal]

Based on what we saw, the doors were only opened when the foils were closed.. SO its a safe assumption.
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[CRMcNeill]

[Whill]

In Legends, the S-foils seem to primarily be used for heat dispersion. In some ships, they have the added purpose of improving weapon accuracy and/or atmospheric stabilization.

Canon indicates S-foils with weapons improve accuracy. For U-wings, S-foils extend out/aft for combat mode, providing improve shield coverage and disperse heat. But the increased wingspan became a liability in rough atmospheric conditions so it was usually only used in high atmosphere or space.

Based on this, I wouldn't make a general rule for "S-foils" at all. It seems to be a 'per ship' thing.
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[garhkal]

[CRMcNeill]

[CRMcNeill]