Planetary Defences

[Zhukov]

Hey community!

I, for one, have never been satisfied with the defense options available. I've been play testing these for a little while and it seems to work pretty well. So to spice things up a bit...

I modeled my Platforms to each have WB's, Lances, and Torpedoes. The thinking is, at least in my mind, that while the individual firepower may not be great, they would have versatility. And in a galaxy full of various alien threats where the common enemies are escort sized ships, it only makes sense. Stats are: 4 WB's @ 45cm, 1 Lance @ 30cm, 4 Torpedoes, 2 Hits, 1 Shield, 2 Turrets, 6+ Armor. I price it at 60 points per platform.
 
The model for the space station doesn't match the rules at all. What I chose to do is a quadrant split, where each quadrant has: 6 WB's @ 45cm, and 2 Lances @ 30cm, 4 hits, 1 Shield, 1 turret (they can all support each other), 5+ Armor. I price this at 125 points.

What say you? Do you have your own design philosophies or rules? Any opinions about mine?

-Zhukov

[Bessemer]

Hey!

Platforms
An interesting take on these, inspiration from Tau Security Orbitals? Never been a big fan of the 30cm lances on PD's, as most times your opponent can get in long range shots before they can count. Always thought Laser platforms should have been 45cm.
I see where your coming from, but I feel these stats make Platforms jack-of-all-trades, but master of none. At least from my experience of fielding Security Orbitals anyway, but then the torps would have made the difference! How successful have these been in your games?

Space Station
A mini Ramilies? Does fit the picture in the Blue Book a hell of a lot better than the model ever did!

A few questions though-
What base size (assuming large)?
what about critical hits? Standard table or custom?

Fell this should also be armour 6+, 4 hit 1 shield is asking for a smacking otherwise! or add an extra shield per quad.

Kind of had an idea for SS myself, but have yet to even get in on paper, something along the lines of the Warsphere, i.e. has x hits standard, add x more hits at x cost and get options A,B and C, add x more hits and get options X, Y and Z. That's literally as far as I've got

Would have to test these myself to get a proper idea, but good job so far!

[AndrewChristlieb]

Just off hand they look pretty good, I agree the station should get 6+ armor though.

[Zhukov]

Platforms
{snip}

The inspiration simply came from not understanding why anyone would put only one weapon system on a platform. I would think these platforms would be the orbiting base for small worlds, so the need to defend against all threats would be paramount. Furthermore, the actual GW model itself was inspiration. Since they provided all of the bits, the modification was too easy.

I chose 30cm Lances to keep the cost down on each platform and because I don't think the Imperium would put such an expensive weapon on an orbiting platform.

These have been highly successful. I usually play large games (1500+ every time) so I have more than one on the table. The "constant" torps are a real thorn and they have enough firepower to stand up to escort squadrons. Obviously, if they can get a capital ship within range, 3 of these bad boys rival a BB broadside.

Space Station
{snip}

Large base.
I actually use the Ramilies critical hit table. Any effects that don't apply, go one higher on the list.


I have a large game tonight that will use both. I'm going to give it 6+ armor per quadrant tonight. The scenario will involve may special rules, but I'll post the results anyway.

-Zhukov

[afterimagedan]

The defenses as the are in the original rules definitely need work so I'm glad someone is working on them.

[horizon]

Space Station: as per standard rules the worst choice to take as a defence. It is much to weak.\

When I say space station I say Deep Space Nine. Armed and shielded to the teeth!

Armour 6+
Shields 3 (at least!)
speed a whopping 0cm
Turrets 4 (5?)

Weapon Batteries strength 6 @ 60cm all round
Weapon Batteries strength 8 @ 45cm all round
Weapon Batteries strength 12 @ 30cm all round
(It grows, it isn't added )

Lance battery strength 2 @ 60cm all round
Lance battery strength 3 @ 45cm all round
Lance battery strength 4 @ 30cm all round

Launch Bays strenght 4

Under 200points.

[Zhukov]

I'm writing the battle report now, but it's long enough that I'll end up posting it as another thread.

For the direct comparison reports, haven't finished yet.

Under 200points

I do sure hope you're kidding.

I think Space Stations are better off all being custom, instead of a 'one size fits all.' That said, I'm trying to get stats for the Space Station that was sold by GW as of late. You know, the circle of gun batteries and lance Turrets, docking arms, but no capacity for launch bays?

-Zhukov

[horizon]

You can find those stats in the main rulebook. Defences section.

On my variant
At 30cm it has the same weapons as a Lunar plus 4 launch bays. No torpedoes.

All-round armour of 6+ instead of prow only. Better shield and turrets.

But it cannot move! I say 200 points is good to start testing.

[harec]

Khukov,
Thanks for taking care of defences, I love the idea of cutomizable defences.
I like as well the miniramidies concept and as well i like the growing turrents from horizont.
Please just don't put a limit to the size of the station 

As well considering they don't move I would make horizon stat cheaper than 200. Maybe 150 for a starting point.

Also about the long range lances, It is said in some battlefleet decription (I don't remember witch one ) that they can afford more range also because of their mass, so I would not bother offering long range lances.

[afterimagedan]

I see where you are going with that Horizon. Due to the fact that defenses have the crappy column on the gunnery chart, the armor score would need to be higher to be useful.

[afterimagedan]

The problem with defenses is the gunnery table issue and the fact that the don't move. Two major downsides. So, either they should have a significant point decrease to make up for those, have increased armor, or have increased hits. Personally, just increasing hits also has the downside of increasing crit chances against it, increasing armor doesn't affect lances, and point increase, well, that's makes more sense to counterbalance things.

Personally, I think a mix of all of those makes the most sense. A space station built for defense would not be able to move but the designers would have made up for that with increased shields increased turrets, increased armor. Less energy to thrusters, more to shields and more space for armor and turrets.

[Islacrusez]

Give it more shields instead?