Star Blazers Fleet Battle System
Unofficial Campaign Special Cards
The game, Star Blazers Fleet Battle System, toned down the power of some ships and weapons to produce a more balanced and playable game system. I created these optional rules for those of you who want to be able to build a super ship like the Argo. In both a Campaign setting or a one off battle these cards will not grossly unbalance all but the smallest engagements. If both sides randomly draw an agreed upon number of cards the game remains fairly balanced.
Notes: The following cards were used in a campaign system used by our group. Feel free to use these optional abilities to enhance your campaigns. In our case at the beginning of the campaign we gave each race 4 random Special cards. Every three turns a race gets another special card. This keeps the use of cards very limited. To many ships with this special abilities will imbalance the game. Please feel free to use these rules however you see fit. If you come up with any new ideas for special cards please email me and I will add them to the list (giving the submitter due credit of course.) If you do use these please email me and let me know how it went.
Jonhalter@msn.com
List of special Cards to date
Armored Hull
Improved Fire control
Improved Engine
Outstanding Captain
Outstanding Crew
Outstanding Weapons Officer
Outstanding Navigator
Outstanding Chief Engineer
Wonder Ship
Improved Guns
ECM Suite
Ace Fighter squadron
The Quest
Description:
Your Scientists have created a prototype ablative armor far superior to that of normal armor.
Game effects:
Add 50 hull boxes to any one size class 5 ship or above.
Limitations: None.
Improved Computer Fire Control
Description:
An advanced computer prototype fire control system is installed on one of your ships.
Game effects:
+20% on all to hit die rolls with normal weapons, both beam and missile. This does not apply to special weapons fire.
Limitations: The Outstanding Captain and Outstanding Crew Special Cards cannot be used on the same ship with Improved Fire Control. The Outstanding units despise being phased out by computers.
Description:
Improved Wave/Magna engine, providing a great increase in power.
Game Effects:
Special Weapons power accumulation takes place at the highest level possible with no die roll. The Power accumulated is always the max possible for that vessel. Example: the Argo, while moving , accumulated 4 points every turn and does not need roll a die for special power accumulation. If not moving then it would accumulate 6 points every turn.
Limitations:
None
Description:
A Captain with amazing command ability and luck. A man among men. All the women want him and all the men want to be like him.
Game Effects:
Once per "battle" the Outstanding Captain can force a re-roll of ANY one die roll. This can be a die roll by enemy or friendly forces. Miss with a special weapon and you can force a re-roll. Enemy gets a lucky critical hit, force a re-roll.
Can ignore all calls for moral checks for his ship and any ship in a command group that he commands.
Limitations: The Outstanding Captain refuses to command a ship with the Computer Fire Control Special Card installed.
Description:
Your crew is a well oiled machine. The cream of the crop. the best of the best and the envy of the rest of your Star Fleet.
Game Effects:
The Outstanding Crew Adds 10% to hit with all weapons, except special weapons.
Can use SD batteries to defend other ships. Is not restricted by Command group limits.
Limitations:
The Outstanding Crew will not work with the Improved Computer Fire Control Special Card.
Description: This Officer knows his way around weapons. He is a superior marksman who seldom misses.
Game Effects:
The Outstanding Weapons Officer provides a +20% Chance to hit with all weapons, except Special weapons.
Limitations:
The Outstanding Weapons Officer will not work with the Improved Computer Fire Control Special Card.
Description:
The Navigator is the consummate pilot. He is able to fly his ship to the edge of its abilities.
Game Effects:
The Navigator reduces the power cost of both Strategic and tactical Warp maneuver by half.
Superior command of the helm give a -10% to be hit by ALL enemy weapons, including special weapons.
Limitations:
The Navigator will not work with the Improved Computer Fire Control Special card.
Description:
The Crusty Chief engineer. He loves his engines more then his wife, and it shows. He keeps them in top shape often exceeding fleet performance specs.
Game Effects:
Adds +1 to the Special power accumulation roll each turn.
Can automatically repair one destroyed system per turn in the Repair phase.
Limitations: None
Description:
The ship that seems to have 9 lives. Despite every enemy attempt this ship cannot be destroyed.
Game Description:
The Wonder Ship takes damage like any other ship except that the last hull box can never be destroyed. No matter how battered the ship it cannot be destroyed by weapons fire. It can be destroyed by critical hits and can be captured normally.
Limitations:
None.
Description:
The Ship is outfitted with new improved guns.
Game Effects:
Improved guns gives the firing ship a +2 Damage and a +2 on each range bracket. This does not effect special weapons.
Limitations: None
Description:
The ship is equipped with a powerful ECM suite that can defeat enemy fire control.
Game Effects:
Any unit firing on a ship equipped with an ECM suite receives a -10% to hit. This applies to all incoming fire, Beam, missile and special weapon.
Limitations: None
Description:
The Ace Fighter pilots are the Top Guns of your race. The best pilots in the Galaxy.
Game Effects:
Ace Squadrons always get the Attacker and Veteran bonus. There is no need to roll. This Special card is applied to ONE the squadrons on the ship assigned this special card.
Limitations: None
Description:
A beautiful woman beckons your race on a grand quest to assist her. Can you send a ship in time to save this woman. What rewards await you?
Game effect.
If you decide to undertake the quest you must select one of your Size class 5 or greater ships on the mission. The ship is not available for 1D4 turns. On the turn it is due back roll a D6 and consult the following chart.
1- Ship is Destroyed
2-5 Ship returns. Select two random Special power cards.
6- Ship returns Select three random special power cards.
Limitations:
This card can only be used during a campaign game.