I'm just wondering, is there any way in Rogue Trader to boost the power produced by the plasma drives? I realize that one can buy Auxiliary Plasma Drives, but are there any other components (other than making the plasma drives Best Craftmanship) that can boost power?

Not too many really. There are a few hulls that provide some extra power, but that's not something you can add later. Instead of getting more power, you can take higher quality components that use less power.

That's really rare, mate. The only component I found that adds power is Auxiliary Plasma Banks in Into the Storm. There are a few hull types that get more power, and there's archaeotech if you're lucky, otherwise no.

Cheers,

- V.

Vandegraffe said:

The engine in the core book. It' really a template that can be added on top of any other engine.

-4 Space, +1 Speed, 3 SP I believe

Larkin said:

jabberwoky said:

Good or best quality does add to power generated. Unfortunately, it only adds one point.

There are different types of drives, if you check the rules. BFK has several kinds of drive, with slightly different power outputs than the drives in the core rulebook. The Saturnine pattern has more power output, but not by much. My earlier comment was prompted by the memory that there's an archaeotech drive with a different power output. On a careful reread, I find that the archaeotech Cypra pattern drive in the BFK book does indeed have a different power output than a standard drive… it generates five points LESS. *facepalm* Clearly, I need sleep, and should be in bed rather than posting. Dammit.

Roight. It's auxiliary plasma banks, and their associated risks, or learn to budget, then.

Cheers,

- V.

Vandegraffe said:

'Hey GM, can my somewhat heretical compulsive tinkerer Explorator fiddle with the plasma drives to get more power output?'

'Sure, you will need to make these rolls, then do this, and that, and go on this adventure'

One endeavour later

"You now have plasma drives that give you +2 power' or

'You now have plasma drives that give +2 power, but because you failed that roll, you also suffer the disadvantage that the Chalice BCs have' or

'Because you went out of your way to help the Disciples of Thule, and recovered that rare ore from that deathwold, and made so many sucsesses on your rolls, you have modified your drives to be +5 power.'

Best Quality, Modified Drive, Lathe Pattern 2B Escort Drive:

48 Power, 9 space, for Raiders and Frigates (Maneuver +3, Speed +1)

Best Quality, Modified Drive, Mezoa Pattern Theta-7 Drive

45 Power, 13 space, for Transports (Maneuver +5, Speed +2)

Auxilary Plasma Banks: Generates power, for space

Eldar Aconite Solar Sails (IE, the full scale Eldar sail thing, you have a big honking sail on the back of your ship, like an Eldar ship) -- Generates power

Also, good and best quality components lower power consumption of a component.

jabberwoky said:

With the correct background package, you could use Wolf in Sheep's Clothing to hide the Aux. Plasma banks as well.

Of course, right now, I'm imagining a Chalice class with Aux. Plasma Banks, a Munitorium, torpedoes loaded, and neither a Tenebrae Maze or Wolf in Sheep's clothing to hide the explodey bits. Just call it the "Flaming Doom".

Cheers,

- V.

Maybe also a Fire Suppression system, eh? For the one you DONT want to explode…

The Factory Ship and the Mass Conveyor have special power-boosting systems, perhaps you could speak to your DM about modifying these? what sort of ship are we talking about, here? The larger ones have the warcruiser drive for extra juice, too.

I'm with korjik on this. You can, like I did, have your insane heretek (tech-heretic) have a go at it. Granted, rolls should have to be made, scary heavy breathing oh god don't kill us rolls. Significant time should pass, like a month or more at the very least. It should also be done in port, so that way if your guy breaks something you aren't cast adrift god knows where.