Blood in the Deep Playtest

Each type of unit in this game represents a squadron (or more) worth of vessels. Warships come in groups of 1-2, frigates in groups of 3-4, corvettes in wings of around 6-8, and bombers and interceptors in wings of around 12-24. Each group is assumed to be approximately equal with all others in a standup fight (weaknesses notwithstanding). Units all have the same number of points to spend on several different features. There are 5 classes of ships that relate to each other in a rock-paper-scissors relationship.

Interceptors (I): Weak vs. F & W
Bombers (B): Weak vs. G & I
Gunboats (G): Weak vs. F & I
Frigates (F): Weak vs. W &B
Warships (W): Weak vs. B & G

Features:

Reaction Mass (RM): This is the amount of fuel a given unit has to use for acceleration. It is expended. 1 point buys 6 points of RM. If the remass rules are used ships have no maximum speeds.
Or:
Top Speed (TS): This is an alternative to Reaction Mass. Ships cannot have a combined X and Y axis velocity greater than this number but have an unlimited amount of remass (the top speed is a safe number assumed to allow a ship plenty of opportunity to maneuver) every 3 points of TS costs 1 point.
Acceleration (AC): This is the number of hexes a ship can accelerate or decelerate in a single turn. Each point of acceleration costs 1 point.

Damage Threshold (DT): This is a squadron’s ability to absorb hits. If the damage roll exceeds the damage threshold the squadron takes one hit. If the damage roll is double the DT the unit takes 2 hits. If triple then 3 hits etc. A squadron can typically absorb 4 hits before it is destroyed or routed. After a squadron sustains 2 hits it becomes bloodied and takes a penalty to its characteristics and becomes less resistant to additional damage. A unit’s damage threshold is equal to 4 + a bonus equal to the number of points spent on this characteristic. A unit’s effective damage threshold is 2 points lower against attacks from units it is weak against. Players may reduce the number of hits a unit may take by 1 or 2 for 1 or 2 additional points respectively. In both cases a ship is bloodied after 1 hit. Bloodied units suffer a -1 to AC and DT.

Energy Weapons (E): These are short-ranged weapons that can be fired indefinitely. The damage roll of an energy attack loses 2 points of Power per unit of range over and above one unit (the 4 adjacent squares and the square occupied by the squadron). Each additional unit of power costs one point.
Ordnance (O): Ships have a limited amount of ammunition. Each point added to attack power costs 1 point.
Range (R): Ordinance range is 1 square1 by default. Each point spent adds +2 squares to the weapon’s range (1 point would produce a range of 3, 2 points, a range of 5, etc.) Optionally, a weapon’s range may be reduced to 0. This provides a +3 bonus to the weapon’s power and allows it to be used in close quarters in place of energy weapons.
Ordnance-Turns (OT): Each ordnance turn allows one attack with ordnance. 2 ordnance turns cost 1 point.



Unit Creation:

Players have 10 points to build a squadron, and may have up to 6 different kinds of squadron in play in a single engagement (they should have no more than 8-12 types in their fleet). Civilian warships, carriers, and transports should typically be built with 4-5 points. They should be included in encounters at the referee’s discretion. A typical battle should have around 4-12 squadrons per player. Squadrons should be labeled with one letter followed by a number (1 for one player, 2 for another player, 3 for a third player, 4 for NPC wings etc. e.g. A1 or E3)


Combat:

All players declare their horizontal and vertical acceleration or deceleration. The combined total of a unit’s horizontal and vertical acceleration may not exceed their maximum speed. Players must prioritize the classes of ships they want each unit to target or specify a particular priority target. Any units who pass through each other’s’ squares during the move may make a free attack against each other using energy weapons or close-quarters ordnance before the attack phase begins at. These free attacks do not affect the attacks made in the attack phase (unless a squadron is damaged or bloodied as a result). The effects of free attacks in the move phase are resolved simultaneously at the end of the phase but before the attack phase begins. In this phase, players may also declare that a unit is moving evasively at the beginning of their move phase. If they do this, a unit forfeits any free attacks, but has a 2/3s chance (1-4 on a d6) to ignore the effects of any bonus attack. (Reroll each time)

In this phase, all units may make one attack against the most appropriate target. Attacks are rolled on a 1d6 and modified by a weapon’s Power. If a roll beats a unit’s damage threshold that unit takes a hit. Attacks may only target units within range. The effects of all attacks in the attack phase are resolved simultaneously, and any effects or penalties that occur as a result apply only after all attacks are resolved (at the beginning of the next turn).

Sample units:

F/I 90 Stingray (24):
Class: Interceptor
Movement: [TS 9][AC 3]
Defense: [DT 4+0][H 4]
Combat: [E +0][O +1x4 R3]

Type 16 Frigate ‘Sylvia Lynes Class’ (8):
Class: Frigate
Movement: [TS 6][AC 2]
Defense: [DT 4+2][H 4]
Combat: [E +0][O +1x4 R3]

B-35c Pike (24):
Class: Bomber
Movement: [TS 6][AC 3]
Defense: [DT 4+1][H 3]
Combat: [E +0][O +3x2 R3]

Type 9 Cruiser ‘John Marshal Harrison Class’ (4):
Class: Warship
Movement: [TS 6][AC 1]
Defense: [DT 4+1][H 4]
Combat: [E +0][O +3x4 R5]

Type 21 ‘Fredrick Irving Class’ (12):
Class: Gunboat
Movement: [TS 6][AC 2]
Defense: [DT 4+1][H 4]
Combat: [E +2][O +1x2 R3]

Courier (N/A):
Class: Civilian (5pts)
Movement: [TS 9][AC 3]
Defense: [DT 4+1][H 2]
Combat: [E +0][O +0x0]