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.
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. Over 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.
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:
- Medium: No Bonus
- Large: +$200,000
- Huge: +$1,000,000
- Gargantuan: +$5,000,000
- Colossal: +$20,000,000
Grapple Types
Robotic Arm:
- Description: This is an extendable arm. Its reach and strength is based on the size of ship that implements it. Sense its such a simple thing the price bonus for size is reduced by 1/2.
- Tech: 1
- Reach: The reach is equal to twice the length of the ship size.
- Restrictions: This can be installed on Tiny too Huge ships only and can only be used on Medium or smaller. Can only move the object closer too the ship.
- Price: $50,000
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: The reach is 3 times the length of the ship size.
- Restrictions: This can only be installed on Small too Huge ships and can only be used on Medium or smaller. Can only move the object closer too the ship.
- Price: $75,000
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: The reach is 3 times the length of the ship size.
- Restrictions: This can only be installed on Medium too Gargantuan ship sizes and only used on Large or smaller. Can only move the object closer too the ship.
- Price: $150,000
- Misc: The Tech 2 version of the grappling clamps have a +1 bonus to Grapple 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: The reach is 4 times the length of the ship size.
- Restrictions: This can only be installed on Huge to Colossal ships.
- Price: $225,000
- Misc: 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: The reach is 4 times the length of the ship size.
- Restrictions: Can only be used on Huge or smaller ships.
- Price: $500,000
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: The reach is 5 times the length of the ship size.
- Restrictions: None
- Price: $1,500,000
- Misc: Tech 4 version has an improved range increment of 6 times the length of the ship size.
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.
- Tech 4
- Reach: The reach is 5 times the length of the ship size.
- Price: $35,000,000
- Misc: 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. +2 to Grapple.