From time to time I have been thinking about a tabletop space combat system, and now I have put it on writing. My inspiration has been different SciFi shows and movies. I wanted to make a system that mimics the scene where the captain of the ship has to decide where the ships power is directed. The classic example would be “all power to the forward shields!”.
The system is based on the energy the ships 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 ships 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 on the engine. Every energy point put on the engine adds 2 inches to the sips movement speed. The maximum speed of a ship is therefore 16 inches if you put 5 energy points on the engine.
Weapons:
A ship can fire 1 shot when no energy points are put on weapons. Every energy point put on weapons adds 1 extra shot. The maximum shots a ship can fire is 6 if you put 5 energy points on weapons.
Shields:
Ships shields can try to deflect 1 time when no energy points are put on shields. Every energy point put on shields adds 1 extra deflection try. The maximum deflections a ship can attempt is 6 if you put 5 energy points on shields.
Turn based mechanics:
The system works in the traditional “I go you go” system. Player 1 activates their ships and after that Player 2 and so on. Number of players or ships are not restricted for now in any way, 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:
Moving the ships is done by a ruler or measuring tape. Every ship can move 6-16 inches depending how many energy points have been put on the engine. At the moment there are no restrictions to turning or maneuvering.
Shooting:
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 is hit on a 4+ roll on a D6. Long range shots (over 12 inches) require a 5+ roll on a D6. A ship has 1-6 shots depending how many energy points have been put on weapons.
Shield deflection:
When a ship takes a hit from enemy ship firing you can try to deflect the shot with the ships shields. A shot can be deflected with a 3+ roll on a D6. If the shot was not deflected then the ship loses 1 energy point from the generator, if all 6 energy points are lost then the ship is destroyed. A ship can deflect 1-6 times depending how many energy points have been put on shields.
Shooting example:
Will has put 2 energy points on weapons so he gets 3 shots against Mikes ship. Mikes ship is 10 inches away, so it’s within short range. Will throws three dice and the results are 4, 5 and 2 therefore he scores two hits. Mike has put only 1 energy point on shields so he gets 2 deflection tries. Mike throws two dice and the results are 1 and a 6 so he has deflected one of the shots but the other one goes through. Mike has to 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 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 would have bigger generators and more components to put that extra energy. The ships in the base rules are more like X-Wings from Star Wars.
Ship energy tracker:
23/03/2026