Build:Science Systems

8.24 Science Systems

Cost: Varies (see table)
Power Requirement: Varies (see table)

Star Fleet is, first and foremost, an exploratory and research organization. Most of its ships come equipped with an impressive array of sophisticated laboratories, scientific instruments, and related technology. In many cases this equipment not only allows scientists and researchers to do their jobs, it actually makes their jobs easier.

To represent its scientific equipment and resources, every ship has a Science rating. Some Science ratings represent technology and systems so advanced that they grant Test Result bonuses to any Crew skill Test made with them for science research (this would include analyzing sensor data, but not operating the sensors themselves). The accompanying table indicates the SU cost, Power cost per round of use, and effects of the various Science ratings. A second table provides a separate listing for the number of laboratories a ship has, which cost SUs but not Power; every 5 labs (or portion thereof) provides a +5 bonus to Skill Tests. The third table details the usual numbers of labs per ship, based upon class. The designer of the ship can specify what’s in each lab (perhaps leaving some unspecified for special missions) if he wants to.

The Power cost of Science systems can be reduced in emergencies by up to half. Any reduction immediately cancels any Test Result bonus provided by the Science rating, and will prevent many types of scientific equipment from functioning altogether (the Narrator determines which devices remain operational).

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Klingon: Compared to other species’ vessels, Klingon ships have relatively low science ratings and relatively primitive research facilities. While the Klingons recognize the value of science, they prefer to perform their experiments on dedicated scientific ships. Ships meant for fighting should fight, not spend a week analyzing the stellar anomalies of the Bre’thak Cluster!

Tables

Table 8.24a:
Science Ratings

Science Rating	SU	Power	Effect	Year	Notes
1	5 + Size	1	+0	1989	Scouts, escorts, runabouts, shuttles
2	10 + Size	2	+10%	2198	Frigates, cruisers
3	15 + Size	3	+19%	2245	Explorers, science and medical ships
4	20 + Size	4	+27%	2301	Most advanced science and medical ships

Table 8.24b:
Labs

Number Labs	SU
0	0
1 – 10	2
11 – 20	4
21 – 30	6
31 – 40	8
41 – 50	10
51 – 60	12
61 – 70	14

Note: +10% bonus to Skill Tests for every 5 (or portion) labs.

Table 8.24c:
Average Quantity of Labs

Ship Type	Avg # Per Size*
Courier	0 – 1
Cruiser	1 – 4
Escort	1 – 3
Explorer	2 – 6
Frigate	1 – 3
Medical	3 – 6
Research	3 – 7
Scout	0 – 1
Surveyor	2 – 6
Transport	0 – 1

Note: Light, Fast, and Heavy versions within each class tend to have fewer laboratories.

Table 8.24d:
Average Quantity of Labs (Romulan)

Ship Type	Avg # Per Size
Bird of Prey	1 - 3
Courier	0 – 1
Cruiser	2 – 4
Dreadnought	2 - 7
Frigate	1 – 3
Gunship	1 - 2
Medical	3 – 6
Research	3 – 7
Scout	0 – 1
Starbird	2 - 6
Surveyor	2 – 5
Transport	0 – 1
Warbird	1 - 4

Note: The bonuses indicated here have been updated to the 1d100 standard.

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SFC Technology Index

Science System ratings represent more of a scientific capacity than a standardized or branded system. As such, Science Systems have no index.

Construction Rules Index

• Back to the Table of Contents
• Back to Chapter 8.0: Operations Systems
• On to Specialized Science Systems