hey guys,

so the Super Star destroyer thread has ballooned to quite a length, and it got me thinking about a casual application for the SSD

It would be interesting if we could arrange epic "boss battles" of fleets versus the SSD (even if the model has to be something silly like a paper cutout on the table) to throw yet more variety in our games of Armada. My question to everyone is "how would you stat the **** thing?" (allowing for tweeks in the number of attacks it can make per activation etc.) and "how big should it be?" (scale is by far a lower priority than gameplay experience)

the quickest cut would be to take a page from X-wing epic and glue two large bases together (though we'd probably need a larger number to capture the immensity, maybe four? six? the mind boggles) with each base representing a section of the ship and having its own armament, shields (though only on the outward facing sides), hull and arcs etc.

I'm curious to see how this monster of a ship could be represented on the table (at least until Arvel gets released into the game)

I think using the X-Wing epic CR-90 base is a good start. You'd have to figure out how to divide the firepower and what kind of hull amounts to put on each of the ship cards.

Since we know the firepower stats of the Imperial I think that's a good beginning to judge the SSD's firepower. Why not apply that or similar over the forward facing arcs?

It needs to flash orange, white and red every time a hit is scored.

I think using the X-Wing epic CR-90 base is a good start. You'd have to figure out how to divide the firepower and what kind of hull amounts to put on each of the ship cards.

Since we know the firepower stats of the Imperial I think that's a good beginning to judge the SSD's firepower. Why not apply that or similar over the forward facing arcs?

so the same value as an Imperial (as an example) multiplied across the arcs?

I do think that would be a clean and efficient start, since there is at least some idea of how those kinds of values are supposed to impact the game.

we could go for multiple front arcs (I personally prefer this, but you'd need armada bases to facilitate it) or allow multiple shots out of the same arc due to augment its firepower (because no one will be satisfied with just another ISD )

I would say, instead of 4 firing arcs, make it 6. And give it only 2 hull/shield zones for front and back.

Quick recap of stuff I've posted and a few new ideas:

Flat base - Other ships would actually be allowed to move onto the base of the SSD. The stands for the model would still be collide-able and be special hit locations - hangar for the front and bridge for the back. Only ships that are on the base can target these special locations.

Multiple arcs - Assuming a two-base format ala XWM Epic, I think the SSD should have at least 7 arcs, possibly as high as 11. I like the idea of splitting the front down the middle. If necessary, it might also have separate firing arcs that funnel down to the same shield section.

Commands - Front Command 2, Back 4. Perhaps an additional rule to represent the difficulty in coordinating things on such a large vessel. If one of the sections is disabled, maybe the other section can continue, but it doesn't get any new commands. It can only use tokens that were in reserve.

Movement - Attach the nav tool somewhere in the middle to avoid "tail-whip". Navigate token required to move at all, ship default back to speed 0 (which is an issue because no defense tokens).

while I think it'd look silly on the table, I do have to agree that the flat base seems to be the most plausible way to put giant space craft in games such as armada (and in games such as Empire at War, where the SSD flies in below the smaller vessels so its fat ass doesn't take up too much space).

the only massive (pardon the pun) problem is when the flounder has to move and its got ships on top of it

It would make for a fabulous Death Star boss, though (

Empire

Now, Witness the Firepower...: after round X, you can use Death Star Laser.

Death Star Laser: every x round(s), blow up a ship.

Rebels

Plot Armor: rebel ships with unique officers or with a commander cannot be targeted by Death Star Laser as long as there is another viable target within distance 1-5

We'll last longer than we would against that Death Star!: rebel ships within close range of an enemy ship cannot be targeted by Death Star Laser)

I think the biggest challenge would be the Armada damage deck is too small for an SSD.

A flat SSD template seems like a sound idea but I think practicality kills it. I've had enough problems adjusting the starfighter squadrons on the table... having to re-place every ship after a Super Star destroyer movement is going to be difficult.

I think the CR-90 base is serviceable. Use the terrain side for some support, cut-out a template (after tracing the cardboard on a sheet of paper) to draw some mock arcs and then create a placeholder chart with some temporary dice pools, and test.

I still say you just lay it out as a flat template on a 4x6 table. Make it about 5 long. Forget about it moving, and play on it and around it like a backdrop. But give it stats and have it contribute to the fight here and there. more like interactive terrain.

Watcha think?

If I did a table scenario, I think it would involve the Death Star... OK got it: 3' x 8' Death Star Table. Why 8'? Because two feet on one side is taken up by the Lego SSD model, leaving a normal 3' x 6' play surface

Another idea for an Epic-format SSD:
Command Ship - The SSD gives up firepower for command abilities. Two Fleet Commanders may be selected. This could create some crazy combos, so it will drive the points cost way up, and have to shed some firepower dice to bring it back down.

I'm less worried as to how ridiculously huge the SSD is and more worried about how you could possibly afford enough rebel ships to reasonably have a fair fight. It took the entire rebel fleet's concentrated effort to knock out Executor, and that only succeeded by a combination of luck and gravity - the bridge getting knocked out wouldn't have destroyed it, it just was thrown into confusion, lost control and gravity did the rest.

You're going to need 20 MC80s for that to be a fair fight.

Here's an idea -

An SSD miniature that's "split" in half at the "waterline". Could be a FFG miniature, Lego kit or scratch built?

The SSD is placed on the table and a sheet of perspex is supported above it by legs/struts/props.

This would add to the 3D effect of fighters and ships maneuvering above and around the SSD. The SSD could be moved under the perspex sheet without affecting any of the other ships/squadrons.

I'll leave the rest of the details up to you guys?

PS: A friend and I have used this in other miniature games such as Wings of War, AA Miniatures etc.

We marked hexes onto the perspex for AAM.

Very cool idea! Did you guys put a zeppelin in there or something, or is it just so you could easily re-use your 3D terrain with airplanes?

The flat base thing was just something I threw out there, as others have said it wouldn't work well moving it with other pieces on it. This obviously requires some extra preparation, but could solve all of the potential movement/collision issues.

Very cool idea! Did you guys put a zeppelin in there or something, or is it just so you could easily re-use your 3D terrain with airplanes?

The flat base thing was just something I threw out there, as others have said it wouldn't work well moving it with other pieces on it. This obviously requires some extra preparation, but could solve all of the potential movement/collision issues.

Yes we did this so that we could play games over the terrain. You will noticed we can place the bases on trees, bushes, clouds etc. with out them getting in the way of the bases and LOS.

You can place anything under the perspex. Imagine laying down the space play mats, the SSD, terrain etc. and playing across the perspex?