Mass Battle system
The Reasoning Behind: As a part of a bigger plot, the PCs have joined a well-organized group of pirates. After doing a couple of 'cruises' (raids) step-by-step I thought it was boring doing more the same way just to earn money and trust instead of focusing on the intrigues between factions and the main plot. Thus I started looking for a 'mass combat system', which would allow them to earn money, risk lives but without meticulous planning each time.
Think of it as a 'quick montage' of film scenes showing how the characters grow and develop.
The system is an adapted version of the mass combat system from "Legend of the 5 rings RPG, 4th edition" and ALL the kudos go to the designers of that excellent game. I merely adopted it for my needs, tested it and it seems to work.
1) The characters decide on the raid's difficulty: 2,3,4 (purple dice).
Difficulty 2 Raids are easy: enemies consist of minions in small numbers, armed with blaster pistols (damage 6) or in the case of space combat - old ships (damage 5 or less). Each gained glory point means 250credits of loot. These raids are quick and should take MAXIMUM 3 battle rounds.
Difficulty 3 Raids: minions with occasional rival and perhaps one nemesis or a small group of rivals. Armed with blaster rifles (damage 9). In space combat - moderate ship and defenses, damage 7. Each glory point gives 500cr. These raids can take 3-4 battle rounds.
Difficulty 4 Raids: lots of minions, usually accompanied by rivals, very likely to meet a nemesis or two. In space - orbital defences/fighter escort (damage 9). These can be quite long lasting even 6 rounds.
2) The characters decide if any of them wants to lead the raid, or if an npc commander will do so. If the commander is one of the PCs (you'll need cunning/leadership for commanding troops) he should roll Presence/Leadership to gather the crews. The difficulty of this roll equals the difficulty of the raid. A triumph here means that the PCs got some bodyguards (see later).
The raid begins - its up to the GM and the PCs to think about narrative details - what they are attacking, who's defending etc. A convoy in space? Imperial ground installations full of valuable machinery?
3) The commanders of each fighting side roll Cunning/Leadership to determine which side is currently winning. Each rolled advantage add +1 to PCs rolls in the next step.
4)The PCs decide where they want to fight - stay in space (probably their ship) or board ships/land on the surface. This is important for the narrative!
5)The PCs decide their level of engagement (see the chart).
6)The PCs roll (simple) cunning/perception and count the number of successes AND advantages. Then they add the bonus (if any) from their commander.
7)The PCs consult the chart.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8Q1MR ... sp=sharing
The chart entry can read like this: 1/2 ho. The first number means how many shots the PCs received, the damage depends on the raid's difficulty. The second number means how much glory he earned. The last option (not always available) means a heroic opportunity or a duel. A heroic opportunity as a small encounter - saving a wounded combatant, storming a bunker, blowing up a barricade etc. They should also provide glory or bonuses to command rolls. A duel means facing a rival or a group of minions - these can also mean sniper duels!
If PCs happen to have bodyguards they count as 'extra soak', I suggest 5 points. The character, after receiving damage, can opt to hide behind a bodyguard and get extra soak. But the minion dies and if too many die, it might be more difficult to get a crew for the next raid.
And that's it, after the suggested number of Battle Turns, the raid ends. Of course, if one side is constantly winning command rolls, the raid can end faster!
And the end the PCs count the glory points, they mean prestige among the crews as well as the money they earned on the raid. If one of the PCs was the commander, he should receive a bonus - 1/5 of the total amount.
The system is flexible, abstract (for example a slicer can also take part - stay in the reserves, explain how he is hacking enemy system and still earn glory without getting shot at) and - I think - fun. I'll be happy to hear from you if you like it and your ideas for heroic opportunities!
Edited by Skie