Grapple
Grapple is a function of a Space ship. Space Ships and other functions can be found here. However it is also a combat technique noted in the Combat section. Please go there if you want to review the Grapple Technique for character combat. Grapple allows ships to hold or even move other ships.
Description
Grapple can be a crude as a physical spear or clamp like projectile that attempt to hook itself onto another object in hopes of reeling it in. However these crude methods only allow control of an object in one direction and only if the ship is heaver then the target object. Other more advanced methods such as the Tractor beam allow for range of motion and can help to avoid feedback to make sure that the grappled object cannot in turn move the ship. These are obviously more advanced.
In order to attempt a Grapple the ship must first be within Reach. Reach is determined by the type of Grappler. Pilots must also have performed as successful pilot check against the target. The Pilot action can be anything so long as it was successful. The Engineer then rolls with the DC of 12 + Target Ship's Engine Mod. If successful the enemy vessel cannot apply the Engines Mod too their AC. The only Pilot check that the Grappled ship can do is to escape the Grapple which is DC 10 + Grappler Class Level + Engines Mod. The ship doing the Grapple cannot RAM the grappled ship but a RAM action is automatically successful against a Grappled enemy ship. Any RAM action successfully done against either ship instantly removes the Grapple. A Grappled ships no longer gain the small size defense that keeps ship's of 4 sizes or bigger from being able to fire.
Higher class levels (ie: Masterworked devices) by default provide a bonus equal too there class level to both the roll to Grapple a ship and the DC to escape the Grapple. However, different devices may have additional bonuses.
A Ship smaller then Small cannot have a Grappler.
- Associated Ship Attribute: Engines
- Associated Ship Position: Engineer
- Roll: d20 + Engines Mod + Class Level
- Price: The price can range widely depending on the different types of Grapple systems exists. And then there is a price boost based on the size of the Grappler.
The bonus cost based on size is:
- Small: No Bonus
- Medium: +$100,000
- Large: +$250,000
- Huge: +$1,000,000
- Gargantuan: +$5,000,000
- Colossal: +$20,000,000
Grapple Types
Robotic Arm:
- Description: This is an extendable arm. Sense its such a simple thing the price bonus for size is reduced by 1/2.
- Tech: 1
- Reach: Short
- Price: $50,000
- Restrictions: Can only Grapple ships 3 sizes small or smaller.
- Class Level Bonus: Each class level provides an additional arm to be able to Grapple multiple ships.
Magnetic Harpoon:
- Description: This device attempts to both puncture and/or magnetically seal itself to an object. Used mostly for scrap this can quickly lunch itself at an object and recoil back. Sense its such a simple object the price bonus for size is reduced by 1/2.
- Tech: 1
- Reach: Small
- Price: $75,000
- Class Level Bonus: At Class level 3 this gains a Reach bonus that extends to Medium.
Grappling Clamps:
- Description: This device attempts to shoot out one or more clamps to grab onto objections. Seen as a more advanced version of a Magnetic Harpoon as it in some ways is a combination of both the Harpoon and the Robotic Arm and as a result this system is more robust. It is capable of grappling multi targets. Although not at the same time, the ship can preform the Grapple function one another object before the first object it set free. This can also be upgraded so that the clamps have there own retro thrusters so it can aim and moving targets more effectively.
- Tech: 1-2
- Reach: Small
- Price: $150,000/Tech 2 $225,000
- Misc: This provides a +1 to the DC for escaping the Grapple The Tech 2 version of the grappling clamps have a +1 bonus to Grapple and a +2 to the DC because of the retro thrusters.
Multi-Positional Laser Tractor:
- Description: The first attempt a 'true' Tractor beam. This system relays on multi positions on the ship pointing a single target. There are three points on the ship and each point shoots a non-harmful laser as the target object. Each point puts pressure on the object and when all 3 act together 3d motion can occur.
- Tech: 2-3
- Reach: Medium
- Restrictions: This can only be installed on Large or bigger ship sizes.
- Price: $225,000 / Tech 3 $400,000
- Misc: This gains a +2 DC to escaping the Grapple because of its ability to move the ship in all directions. Tech 3 version of this system has an extra range increment for improved focused laser technology.
Wide Angle Tractor Beam:
- Description: The first time a tractor beam can come from a single source. No longer does the ship need to be Huge or even Large to accommodate the system.
- Tech: 3
- Reach: Medium
- Restrictions: None
- Price: $600,000
- Class Level Bonus: Provides +2 for Grapple checks and to DC for each Class level instead of +1.
Focused Tractor Beam:
- Description: Considered by most to be the height of Tractor Beam technology. This Grapple system can take control of most any ship. It also has one of the highest range increments.
- Tech 3 - 4
- Reach: Medium
- Restrictions: None
- Price: $2,500,000 / Tech 4 $6,000,000
- Misc: Tech 4 version has an improved range increment of Large.
- Class Level Bonus: Provides +2 for Grapple checks and to DC at class level 1, 3, and 5. A Class Level 2 this gains a second Beam to target a second ship. At Class Level 4 this gains a range improvement at Tech 3 of Large and at Tech 4 of Huge making it the longest range system.
Quantum Wave Field:
- Description: Considered too be part of most space pirates worsts nightmares this device is rare and extremely advanced. It is designed to use Sub-space FTL technology to create millions of quantum bubbles in space surrounding a ship. The object is forced to the center of this wave field. The center is controlled by the ship. that deploys this grapple. It was designed as a way to 'safely' pull a ship out of warp. It can be used to hold a ship and move it around. Many advanced tech 3+ or Tech 4 civilizations considered giving this type of technology to lower tech civilizations to be illegal. The procure difficulty is 4. Also this device can grapple a ship out of FTL move.
- Tech 4
- Reach: Small
- Price: $35,000,000 / Procure Diff 4
- Misc: This acts like a Warp Disruptor as well. It cannot disrupt warp fields if it is actively grappling another target. +3 to Grapple and to the DC.
- Class Level Bonus: Provides +2 for Grapple checks and to DC for each Class level instead of +1. At Class Level 3 it gains a range of Medium.