TEXT: The Modern Dispatch
  New�Starship�Class�Templates
  Page 1
  Requires the use of the d20 Modern Roleplaying 
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  Content�Manager:�
  Charles�Rice�and�Chris�Davis
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  Chris�Davis
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  #12
  One way in which to quickly construct starships is 
  to use starship class templates, an idea originally 
  presented in the SRD rules for starships. With only 
  two templates presented in the SRD starship rules, 
  though, the concept left a lot of the heavy lifting 
  responsibilities in the hands of the players and the 
  GM. The new starship class templates provided in 
  this entry of the Dispatch enable the GM to rapidly 
  modify existing starships, giving him a greater 
  selection of starship designs to drop into the campaign 
  as needed.
  DEFENDER-CLASS 
  TEMPLATE (PL 7)
  The Defender-class template can be applied to any 
  ultralight or light starship. The starship’s design specs 
  should be adjusted as follows:
  Hit Dice: Increase by +6d20.
  Engine Upgrade: Induction engine, thrusters 
  (tactical speed + 1,000 feet).
  Sensors Upgrade: Class V sensor array (+2 
  initiative).
  Weapons Upgrade: 2 ﬁre-linked quantum cannons 
  (24d8 damage; range incr. 6,000 ft.)
  Special System Upgrade: Atmospheric 
  streamlining.
  DEFENDER-CLASS ESCORT 
  (PL 7)
  Defender-class escorts are long-range patrol craft 
  designed for various missions. Many Defenders, due 
  to their ﬁrepower, take on the role of combat gunships.
  Type: Ultralight
  Subtype: Escort
  Defense: 7
  Flat-footed Defense: 5
  Autopilot Defense: 5
  Hardness: 30
  Hit Dice: 26d20 (520 hp)
  Initiative Modiﬁer: +6
  Pilot’s Class Bonus: +3
  Pilot’s Dex Modiﬁer: +2
  Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +2
  Size: Colossal (–8 size)
  Tactical Speed: 3,500 ft. (7 sq.)
  Length: 180 feet
  Weight: 900 tons
  Targeting System Bonus: +3
  Crew: 8 (trained +4)
  Passenger Capacity: 24
  Cargo Capacity: 30 tons
  Grapple Modiﬁer: +16
  Base Purchase DC: 52
  Restriction: Restricted (+2)
  Attack: 2 ﬁre-linked heavy neutron guns –3 ranged 
  (15d8), 2 ﬁre-linked rail cannons –8 ranged (9d12), 2 
  ﬁre-linked quantum cannons +1 ranged (24d8/20), and 
  CHE missile –8 ranged (6d12/19–20)
  Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +3 
  ranged (1d12×10)
  STANDARD PL 7 DESIGN 
  SPECS: 
  Engines: Induction engine, thrusters.
  Armor: Vanadium.
  Defense Systems: Damage control system (1d10), 
  magnetic ﬁeld,
  point-defense system, radiation shielding, sensor 
  jammer.
  Sensors: Class V sensor array, targeting system.
  Communications: Laser transceiver, radio 
  transceiver.
  NEW STARSHIP CLASS TEMPLATES
  BY PHILIP REED (RONIN ARTS)
  
  The Modern Dispatch
  New�Starship�Class�Templates
  Page 2
  Weapons: 2 ﬁre-linked heavy neutron guns (range 
  incr. 6,000 ft.),
  2 ﬁre-linked rail cannons (range incr. 3,000 ft.), 1 
  CHE missile launcher
  (8 missiles).
  Grappling Systems: Grapplers.
  Special Systems: Atmospheric streamlining.
  GOLIATH-CLASS 
  TEMPLATE (PL 7)
  The Goliath-class template can be applied to any 
  superheavy starship. The starship’s design specs 
  should be adjusted as follows:
  Hit Dice: Increase by +100d20.
  Armor Upgrade: Molecularly-bonded military-
  grade cerametal/neutronite (hardness 50)
  Weapons Upgrade: 2 ﬁre-linked Hyperaccelerated 
  particle beam cannons (40d100 damage; range incr. 
  4,000 ft.; replaces PL 6 or PL 7 ﬁre-linked weapon 
  systems).
  GOLIATH-CLASS 
  DREADNOUGHT (PL 7)
  More durable than a standard dreadnought and armed 
  with the “planet killer” hyperaccelerated particle beam 
  cannon, Goliath-class dreadnoughts are threatening 
  weapons of destruction capable of wiping out an 
  enemy starship or starbase with a few shots.
  Type: Superheavy
  Subtype: Dreadnought
  Defense: 11
  Flat-footed Defense: 7
  Autopilot Defense: 7
  Hardness: 50
  Hit Dice: 1,300d20 (26,000 hp)
  Initiative Modiﬁer: +6
  Pilot’s Class Bonus: +5
  Pilot’s Dex Modiﬁer: +4
  Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +4
  Size: Colossal (–8 size)
  Tactical Speed: 3,500 ft. (7 sq.)
  Length: 2,750 feet
  Weight: 540,000 tons
  Targeting System Bonus: +5
  Crew: 2,000 (expert +8)
  Passenger Capacity: 1,600
  Cargo Capacity: 120,000 tons
  Grapple Modiﬁer: +16
  Base Purchase DC: 85
  Restriction: Military (+3)
  Attack: 4 ﬁre-linked quantum cannons +1 ranged 
  (32d8) and battery of 4 heavy mass cannons –1 
  ranged (10d12/19–20), 2 ﬁre-linked mass reaction 
  missiles –4 ranged (20d8/18–20), and 2-ﬁre linked 
  hyperaccelerated particle beam cannons –1 ranged 
  (40d20/18-20).
  Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +5 
  ranged (5d12×10)
  STANDARD PL 7 DESIGN 
  SPECS:
  Engines: Induction engine, thrusters
  Armor: Molecularly-bonded military-grade 
  cerametal/neutronite
  Defense Systems: 1 chaff launcher (8 chaff 
  bundles), 1 decoy drone launcher (8 drones), 
  displacer, improved autopilot system, improved 
  damage control (6d10), light fortiﬁcation, magnetic 
  ﬁeld, particle ﬁeld, point-defense system, radiation 
  shielding, repair drones, self-destruct system
  Sensors: Class V sensors, improved targeting 
  system
  Communications: Drivesat comm array, mass 
  transceiver
  Weapons: 1 battery of 4 heavy mass cannons 
  (range incr. 6,000 ft.), 4 ﬁre-linked quantum cannons 
  (range incr. 6,000 ft.), 1 battery of 2 mass reaction 
  missile launchers (60 missiles each), 1 minelayer 
  (100 gravitic mines with displacers, magnetic ﬁelds, 
  and particle ﬁelds; 10d10×10 damage), 2 ﬁre-linked 
  hyperaccelerated particle beam cannons (range incr. 
  4,000 ft.).
  Grappling Systems: Tractor beam emitter
  LUCIFER-CLASS 
  TEMPLATE (PL 7)
  The Lucifer-class template can be applied to any 
  PL 6 starship. The starship’s design specs should be 
  adjusted as follows:
  Engine Upgrade: Induction engine, thrusters 
  (tactical speed +1,000 feet).
  Defense System Upgrade: Magnetically reinforced 
  hull, repair drones.
  Sensors Upgrade: Class V sensor array (+2 
  initiative).
  Grappling System Upgrade: Tractor beam emitter 
  (replaces grapplers).
  LUCIFER-CLASS SCOUT (PL 
  7)
  Lucifer-class scoutships are better able to withstand 
  the rigors of space exploration. With a magnetically 
  reinforced hull and a team of spider-like repair 
  drones, the Lucifer-class can resist damage and, when 
  damaged, repair it faster.
  Type: Ultralight
  Subtype: Scout
  Defense: 7
  Flat-footed Defense: 5
  Autopilot Defense: 5
  Hardness: 35
  Hit Dice: 15d20 (300 hp)
  Initiative Modiﬁer: +4
  Pilot’s Class Bonus: +3
  Pilot’s Dex Modiﬁer: +2
  Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +2
  Size: Colossal (–8 size)
  Tactical Speed: 3,500 ft. (7 sq.)
  
  The Modern Dispatch
  New�Starship�Class�Templates
  Page 3
  Length: 150 feet
  Weight: 600 tons
  Targeting System Bonus: +3
  Crew: 8 (trained +4)
  Passenger Capacity: 8
  Cargo Capacity: 30 tons
  Grapple Modiﬁer: +16
  Base Purchase DC: 52
  Restriction: Military (+3)
  Attack: 2 ﬁre-linked heavy neutron guns –3 ranged 
  (15d8) and 2 CHE missiles –8 ranged (6d12/19–20)
  Attack of Opportunity: None
  STANDARD PL 7 DESIGN 
  SPECS:
  Engines: Induction engine, thrusters.
  Armor: Vanadium
  Defense Systems: Autopilot system, damage 
  control system (1d10), magnetically reinforced 
  hull, radiation shielding, repair drones, self-destruct 
  system, sensor jammer
  Sensors: Class V sensor array, targeting system
  Communications: Laser transceiver, radio 
  transceiver
  Weapons: 2 ﬁre-linked heavy neutron guns (range 
  incr. 6,000 ft.), 2 CHE missile launchers (8 missiles 
  each)
  Grappling Systems: Tractor beam emitter.
  SHADOW-CLASS 
  TEMPLATE (PL 8)
  The Shadow-class template can be applied to any 
  ultralight ﬁghter or assault ﬁghter. The starship’s 
  design specs should be adjusted as follows:
  Hit Dice: Increase by +3d20.
  Engine Upgrade: Plasma acceleration drive.
  Defense System Upgrade: Cloaking screen.
  Communications Upgrade: Drive transceiver.
  Weapons Upgrade: 2 ﬁre-linked maser cannons 
  (18d8 damage; range incr. 6,000 ft.; replaces PL 6 or 
  PL 7 ﬁre-linked weapon system) and 1 starload missle 
  (20d8 damage; range incr. –).
  SHADOW-CLASS ASSAULT 
  FIGHTER (PL 8)
  The Shadow-class assault ﬁghter is a hit-and-run 
  combatant, taking advantage of its increased ﬁrepower 
  and cloaking screen to confuse and, eventually, 
  obliterate targets. The plasma acceleration drive 
  provides the Shadow’s pilot with a quick means of 
  escape if something goes wrong during a ﬂight.
  Type: Ultralight
  Subtype: Assault ﬁghter
  Defense: 19
  Flat-footed Defense: 13
  Autopilot Defense: 6
  Hardness: 20 (ballistic) or 
  40 (other damage forms)
  Hit Dice: 12d20 (240 hp)
  Initiative Modiﬁer: +8
  Pilot’s Class Bonus: +7
  Pilot’s Dex Modiﬁer: +6
  Gunner’s Attack Bonus: +8/+3
  Size: Gargantuan (–4 size)
  Tactical Speed: 4,500 ft. (9 sq.), see text
  Length: 32 feet
  Weight: 36,000 lb.
  Targeting System Bonus: +4
  Crew: 1 (ace +12)
  Passenger Capacity: 1
  Cargo Capacity: 1,200 lb.
  Grapple Modiﬁer: +8
  Base Purchase DC: 49
  Restriction: Military (+3)
  Attack: 2 ﬁre-linked maser cannons +8 ranged 
  (18d8), plasma missile +3 ranged (18d8/19–20); and 
  starload missile +3 ranged (20d8/19-20)
  Attack of Opportunity: None
  STANDARD PL 8 DESIGN 
  SPECS:
  Engines: Induction engine, thrusters, plasma 
  acceleration drive.
  Armor: Deﬂective.
  Defense Systems: Autopilot system, improved 
  damage control (2d10), cloaking screen.
  Sensors: Class V sensor array, improved targeting 
  system
  Communications: Drive transceiver.
  Weapons: 2 ﬁre-linked maser cannons (range incr. 
  6,000 ft.), 1 plasma missile launcher (8 missiles; range 
  incr. 5,000 ft.), and 1 starload missile (8 missiles; 
  range incr. –).
  Grappling Systems: None
  NEW STARSHIP 
  SYSTEMS
  In order to make the new starship class templates 
  especially useful, all of the ones presented in this 
  entry of the Dispatch include at least one new piece of 
  starship equipment.
  NEW STARSHIP ENGINE
  PLASMA ACCELERATION DRIVE 
  (PL 7)
  These small accelerant boosters redirect plasma 
  energy from an inertial capacitor through energy 
  rockets, increasing the starship’s tactical speed for a 
  short period of time. A plasma acceleration drive may 
  only me mounted on a ship equipped with PL 7 or 
  greater engines and if those engines are damaged, the 
  acceleration drive will not function.
  Activating the plasma acceleration drive is a full-
  round action for the ship’s pilot. A plasma acceleration 
  drive provides its boost for 2d4 rounds after which the 
  drive cuts itself off and cannot be reactivated again for 
  one hour (the drive needs one hour to properly charge 
  
  The Modern Dispatch
  New�Starship�Class�Templates
  Page 4
  the inertial capacitor). A ship can mount multiple 
  plasma acceleration drives – the effects of multiple 
  drives do not stack.
  Minimum Ship Size: Huge.
  Tactical Speed Bonus: +500 feet (+1 square) for 
  2d4 rounds, see text.
  Purchase DC: 10 + one-half the base purchase DC 
  of the starship.
  NEW STARSHIP ARMOR
  MOLECULARLY-BONDED 
  MILITARY-GRADE CERAMETAL/
  NEUTRONITE (PL 7)
  This military-constructed armor blends neutronite 
  and cerametal into overlapping sheets. The two 
  materials are bonded together at the molecular level 
  and reinforced with vanadium struts that are run cross-
  wise through the individual armor plates.
  Hardness: 50
  Tactical Speed Penalty: -500 ft. (-1 sq.)
  Weight: One-quarter the weight of the starship 
  (rounded down).
  Purchase DC: 20 + one-half the base purchase DC 
  of the starship.
  Restriction: Military (+3)
  NEW STARSHIP DEFENSE 
  SYSTEM
  MAGNETICALLY REINFORCED 
  HULL (PL 7)
  An electric charge courses through the starship’s outer 
  hull, the energy output at an advanced wavelength 
  that magnetizes the entire hull. This magnetically 
  reinforced hull helps keep the ship’s armor plates 
  ﬁrmly locked together and strengthens the armor of 
  the ship; the starship’s hardness is increased by 5.
  Purchase DC: 10 + one-half the base purchase DC 
  of the starship.
  Restriction: Licensed (+1).
  NEW STARSHIP WEAPON
  HYPER ACCELERATED PARTICLE 
  BEAM CANNON (PL 7)
  This oversized heavy particle beam projector is 
  actually comprised of a dozen such weapons mounted 
  along a single tracking mount. The weapons ﬁre 
  linked and their energy output is channeled through an 
  accelerator device that strengthens the overall damage 
  of the attack. For all purposes, this is treated as a 
  single weapon.
  The weapon is prone to overheating and requires 
  3d6+1 rounds after ﬁring to recharge. A DC 30 
  Computer Use check can override the weapon’s 
  systems and allow it to ﬁre before it is recharged 
  – doing so burns out and completely destroys the 
  weapon after it ﬁres one last blast. The weapon is 
  beyond repair and must be completely replaced.
  Damage: 40d100 (2200)
  Critical: 18-20
  Damage Type: Energy
  Range Increment: 4,000 ft.
  Rate of Fire: Single, see text
  Minimum Ship Size: Superheavy ship
  Purchase DC: 65
  Restriction: Military (+3)
  NEW STARSHIP SPECIAL 
  SYSTEM
  While defensive, weapon, armor, engine, and various 
  other types of starship systems are easily classiﬁed 
  there is a selection of items that do not ﬁt neatly into 
  an existing category. For simplicity, unusual systems 
  that defy categorization in the existing areas are 
  presented here, as special systems.
  To build a special system from scratch, a character 
  must succeed at a Craft (electronic) check (DC 30) 
  and a Craft (mechanical) check after investing 60 
  hours in its assembly. A character without an electrical 
  or mechanical tool kit takes a –4 penalty on the 
  appropriate skill check. The character must also make 
  a Wealth check against the system’s purchase DC.
  Installing a special system requires a successful 
  Craft (mechanical) check (DC 30) after investing 30 
  hours. A character without a mechanical tool kit takes 
  a –4 penalty on the skill check.
  Different types of special systems are detailed 
  below.
  Minimum Ship Size: The minimum size the starship 
  must be to use this type of special system.
  Purchase DC: The purchase DC of the system.
  Restriction: The level of license required to 
  purchase the system legally.
  ATMOSPHERIC STREAMLINING 
  (PL 6)
  Smaller starships can be constructed to operate 
  efﬁciently in a planetary atmosphere. Such ships 
  feature wings and maneuvering foils and are designed 
  more like an aircraft than a starship. When ﬂying a 
  starship outﬁtted with atmospheric streamlining in a 
  planetary atmosphere, the pilot of the starship gains a 
  +2 equipment bonus to Pilot checks.
  Maximum Ship Size: Only light and ultralight 
  ships may use atmospheric streamlining.
  Purchase DC: 10 + one-half the base purchase DC 
  of the starship.
  Restriction: –
  
  The Modern Dispatch
  New�Starship�Class�Templates
  Page 5
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