From time to time I have been thinking about a tabletop space combat system, and now I have put it in writing. My inspiration has been different sci-fi shows and movies. I wanted to make a system that mimics the scene where the captain of the ship has to decide where the ship's power is directed. The classic example would be “all power to the forward shields!”.
The system is based on the energy the ship's generator provides. The energy is then distributed between different components of the ship. A ship has 6 energy points at its disposal that can be distributed between the engine, weapons, and shields.
The generator also acts as the ship's health points. Every time a ship takes damage, the generator loses 1 energy point. When all 6 points have been lost, the ship is destroyed. So, in effect, every time a ship loses an energy point, it loses effectiveness because it has less energy to distribute to different components.
Engine:
A ship moves 6 inches when no energy points are put into the engine. Every energy point put into the engine adds 2 inches to the ship's movement speed. The maximum speed of a ship is therefore 16 inches if you put 5 energy points into the engine.
Weapons:
A ship can fire 1 shot when no energy points are put into weapons. Every energy point put into weapons adds 1 extra shot. The maximum number of shots a ship can fire is 6 if you put 5 energy points into weapons.
Shields:
A ship's shields can attempt to deflect once when no energy points are put into shields. Every energy point put into shields adds 1 extra deflection attempt. The maximum number of deflections a ship can attempt is 6 if you put 5 energy points into shields.
Turn based mechanics:
The system works in the traditional “I go, you go” format. Player 1 activates their ships, and after that Player 2, and so on. The number of players or ships is not restricted in any way for now-it's up to the players.
Generator:
At the beginning of the game, all players distribute their ships energy points to different ship components as they see fit. At the beginning of each turn, every ship can move 1 energy point from one component to another.
Movement:
Ships are moved using a ruler or measuring tape. Every ship can move 6-16 inches depending on how many energy points have been put into the engine. At the moment, there are no restrictions on turning or maneuvering.
Shooting:
The short range of weapons is 12 inches, and long range is up to 24 inches. A ship can shoot 180 degrees in front of it. If the target is within short range, the ship hits on a roll of 4+ on a D6. Long-range shots (over 12 inches) require a 5+ roll on a D6. A ship has 1-6 shots depending on how many energy points have been put into weapons.
Shield deflection:
When a ship takes a hit from enemy ship fire, you can try to deflect the shot with the ship's shields. A shot can be deflected with a roll of 3+ on a D6. If the shot is not deflected, the ship loses 1 energy point from the generator. If all 6 energy points are lost, the ship is destroyed. A ship can attempt 1-6 deflections depending on how many energy points have been put into shields.
Shooting example:
Will has put 2 energy points into weapons, so he gets 3 shots against Mike's ship. Mike's ship is 10 inches away, so it’s within short range. Will rolls three dice, and the results are 4, 5, and 2; therefore, he scores two hits.
Mike has put only 1 energy point into shields, so he gets 2 deflection attempts. Mike rolls two dice, and the results are 1 and 6, so he has deflected one of the shots, but the other one goes through. Mike must remove 1 energy point from his ship.
Conclusion:
I have not tested this system on the tabletop at all, and all the values are conjured from the ether, so they can be modified as desired. I think there is lots of potential to expand the system, from new ship components to different ship configurations. For example, you could have a radar component that makes hitting enemy ships easier, or a stealth device that makes it harder for enemies to hit your ship. Also, bigger ships could have larger generators and more components to allocate that extra energy. The ships in the base rules are more like X-Wings from Star Wars.
Ship energy tracker:
04/04/2026