Here is what I have come up with so far for a custom race for Twilight Imperium with both of the expansions. I would appreciate any constructive feedback on the race.

The Peace Keepers of Traal
Home System

• Vishnu 2/1
• Balder 2/1

Starting Techs

• Hylar V Assault Laser
• Deep Space Cannon
• Graviton Laser System

Abilities

• Your destroyers get +1 on anti-fighter barrage rolls
• Your PDS get +1 on all rolls

Leaders

• Scientist
• Diplomat
• Agent

Trade Agreements

• 1,2

Starting Units

• Spacedock
• 2 PDS
• Carrier
• 3 Ground Forces
• 2 Destroyers

Racial Techs

• Your PDS have a range of 2, but only when firing into a system containing one of your dreadnoughts or your flagship. Cost 2
• When your destroyers or you Flagship make anti-fighter barrage rolls, on a result of a 10, they inflict 2 hits. Cost 2

Flagship

• Name: Pax Galactica
• Cost: 12
• Movement: 2
• Capacity: 6
• Attack: 6
• Sustain Damage
• Anti-fighter Barrage x2 (x3 when you have the Automated Defense Turrets technology advance
• When your PDS are firing into a system that contains this flagship, they receive +1 on their roles.

The basic idea is that the race can use their dreadnoughts and flagship as spotters for their PDS fire. The improvements to anti-fighter barrage are due to fighters being the main impediment to PDS fire being effective, especially in the late game. As I am thinking about it, there should be a way for their anti-fighter barrage rolls to come before their PDS rolls. I'm not sure the best way to accomplish this. Again, any constructive feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.

madrak said:

Maintaining "peace" through superior firepower, I see. =P

I like it.

madrak said:

How about their first racial goes something like this:

"When firing PDS into a system that contains one of your dreadnoughts or your flagship, the targeted opponent must assign hits from your PDS fire to non-Fighter ships in the system, if at all possible." (Cost 4)

That way FT screens are useless as long as you have a big enough ship leading the fray. Since this effectively circumvents the need for the AFB buff, perhaps something like this as the second racial:

"Your PDS units may fire into systems that are 2 spaces distant, provided that you have a dreadnought or your flagship in the system between your PDS and the proposed target system." (Cost 3).

Basically, your PDS range is increased even further than DSC as long as you have a DN or your Flag to "spot" for the PDS.

I agree with Steve-O. Would like to hear a battle report from a test run too.

If you want a well balanced homebrew race, try to follow the model the designer did with his races.

You will find that if you do this, your race will end up being not being too strong nor too weak against the other races.

Your race appears to be a specialized race, with emphasis on defense, especially against fighters.

The Peace Keepers of Traal
Home System

•Vishnu 2/3 Balder 1/1
XXcha, Jolnar Very refreshable planets are usually only allocated to War races so they can produce lots of ships

Starting Techs

•Hylar V Assault Laser Norr, Jol nar These races specialize in PDS's
•Deep Space Cannon

Abilities

•Your Crusiers and Dreads gets 1 anti-fighter barrage roll. Your race does not specialize in destroyers like YIN but in killing fighters
•Your PDS also attacks fighters OR Your PDS is not affected by opponent's action cards

Leaders

•Scientist
•Diplomat
•Agent
Trade Agreements

•2/1 or if you have only 1 carrier 2/2 or 3/1 If your race is not fast expanding (1 carrier), you can justify a higher trade contract
Starting Units

•Spacedock
•2 PDS
•Carrier The two Destroyers are just too weak Look at Jol nar, Norr , XXcha starting fleet
•3 Ground Forces
•1 Destroyer and 2 fighters or 1 Crusier
•1 Crusier

Racial Techs

•PDS Battery - Any of your PDS's, that fire from a system containing one of your dreadnoughts or your flagship, recieve +1 to hit. Cost 4
•When your destroyers or your Flagship make anti-fighter barrage rolls, on a result of a 10, they inflict 2 hits. Cost 5

Extra hits are very expensive racial techs Norr, Barony

Flagship

•Name: Pax Galactica
•Cost: 12
•Movement: 2
•Capacity: 6
•Attack: 6
•Sustain Damage
•Any of your PDS that are in the same system as your flagship gain +1 to their range.
•Enemy PDS's are -1 to hit your fleet that contains your flagship

This race could be too powerful and maybe needed to be weakened to stay balanced against the fighter races.

You have to test a homebrew race several times. If your race is always dominating the game, you made it too strong.

Playtesting for balance is important, so keep us in the loop on how it goes. I love the idea though of a race specializing in PDS units, pretty cool.

I have played the race 3 or 4 times so far, and the boost to PDS range almost never comes into play. I think that I've been able to use it once. Although when I did it I was able to put 6 PDS shots at 4 into a system 2 away, so that was fun I have done some modifications since then, mainly clarifying that when the PDS are firing at a system 2 away they cannot shoot through special systems or enemy ships. Thank you for the great feedback and suggestions, I really like the idea on focusing on the anti-fighter aspect more than the destroyers like Steve-O suggested and the race building guidelines look very helpful as well. I'll make some updates tonight or tomorrow and then repost the race.

Thank you!

-Madrak