Battlefield Effects

Reference Book: Star Wars Saga Edition Galaxy at War

Vehicles can be difficult challenges for heroes. Unless the characters pack serious firepower, most Vehicles can easily shrug off the damage caused by hand-held blasters. In addition, Weapon Systems are usually able to mow down an entire adventuring group in short order.

The rules provided here transform Vehicles from killing machines into more manageable terrain objects that can augment an encounter rather than derail it. These effects can be offensive or defensive and can be used by the Gamemaster either to help or to hinder the heroes.

Battlefield Effects are special auras that can be applied to any nonstarship Vehicle that meets the prerequisites. A Battlefield Effect lasts until the end of the Vehicle's next turn. A Vehicle can only have one Battlefield Effect at a time, and the effect is determined prior to an encounter. Giving a Battlefield Effect to a Vehicle requires no modifications to its weapons, armor, or other systems.

To use a Battlefield Effect, the Commander of the Vehicle takes a Standard Action and the Vehicle can make no attacks until the start of the Commander's next turn. This produces an area of effect as described in each Battlefield Effect's description. Characters or Vehicles must be completely within the area of effect to be affected by the Battlefield Effect.

BATTLEFIELD EFFECT	PREREQUISITES	EFFECT RADIUS	DESCRIPTION
Galaxy at War
Anti-Personnel	Autofire Weapon System	6-Squares	Allied characters and Vehicles in this area of effect gain a +2 morale bonus to attack rolls and deal +1 die of damage.
Defender	Damage Reduction 10+ or Shield Rating 5+	6-Squares	This Vehicle absorbs damage to protect troopers from incoming attacks. Any attacks targeting allied troops or Gargantuan or smaller Vehicles made by attackers within the area of effect are are automatically directed at the Vehicle with this Battlefield Effect instead. This is a Mind-Affecting effect.
Droid Hunter	Ion Weapon System	6-Squares	This Vehicle excels at disrupting and destroying Droids.On a successful attack, enemy Droids within the area of effect take an additional +1 die of Ion damage when hit by an attack that deals damage.
Ground Churner	Tracked Vehicle	2-Squares	The tracks of this Vehicle can rip up roads, bridges, and terrain, and its weapons are altered to shatter and churn up the ground. Terrain within the area of effect is Difficult Terrain for the purposes of movement.
Heavy Assault	Colossal Ground Vehicle	6-Squares	This Vehicle can guide allies' weapons to exploit the enemy's weaknesses. All allied characters attacking targets within the area of effect deal +1 die of damage on a successful attack.
Medvac	Huge or larger	6-Squares	This Vehicle is well equipped with Medical Gear and can respond rapidly to treat injured soldiers. All allied characters within the area of effect immediately move +1 step on the Condition Track.
Minesweeper	Perception +6, Damage Reduction 10+	2-Squares	This Vehicle excels at locating and neutralizing minefields. All allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect gain a +10 Equipment bonus to Perception checks when locating Mines, and they take half damage from Mines that they detonate.
Platoon Leader	Expert+ Crew Quality	6-Squares	Advanced Comlinks and tactical analyzers allow this Vehicle to coordinate friendly troops more effectively. All allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect grant an additional +1 bonus when they use the Aid Another Action.
Rapid Escape	12+ Speed	2-Squares	Allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect gain a +2 bonus to their Speed.
Recon	6+ Speed	2-Squares	This Vehicle is equipped with precise sensors and optics, allowing it to locate the enemy quickly and efficiently. Allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect receive a +5 Equipment bonus on Initiative checks.
Shock and Awe	Autofire Weapon System (3d10+ damage)	6-Squares	This Vehicle coordinates fire to lay down a blistering amount of damage. Any enemy in the area of effect automatically moves an additional -1 step down the Condition Track when targeted by a successful attack that deals damage equal to or exceeding the target's Damage Threshold.
Shield Breaker	Ion Weapon System	6-Squares	This Vehicle can damage enemy shields. Enemy characters, Droids, and Vehicles that are Huge or smaller have their Shield Rating halved while within the area of effect.
Siege Breaker	Gargantuan	6-Squares	This Vehicle excels at punching through heavy emplacements, bunkers, and other defensive points. On a successful attack roll, allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect ignore the Damage Reduction of objects and buildings.
Smoker	Huge or larger	6-Squares	This Vehicle is equipped with smoke and chaff launchers, creating an impenetrable, obscuring cloud. Allied characters in this area of effect can make Stealth checks to gain Concealment while moving their normal Speed.
Sniper Fire	Gunner, Intelligence 16+	6-Squares	This Vehicle has superior targeting equipment, allowing it to pinpoint the enemy. Allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect can Aim as a single Swift Action.
Spotter	Perception +6	6-Squares	This Vehicle provides valuable observation data and calculations for allies wielding Heavy Weapons. Allied characters and Vehicles wielding Heavy Weapons within the area of effect gain a +2 Equipment bonus to attack rolls and have a critical hit range of 18-20.
Squad Leader	Skilled+ Crew Quality	6-Squares	This Vehicle assists in squad-level tactics, especially in cramped settings. Allied characters within the area of effect ignore Cover, but not Total Cover.
Tank Killer	Weapon System (6d10+ damage)	6-Squares	This Vehicle specializes in eliminating other heavy Vehicles. All allied characters and Vehicles within the area of effect ignore the Damage Reduction of Vehicles on a successful attack roll.
Terrorizer	Colossal or larger	6-Squares	This Vehicle is designed to terrify the enemy. All enemy characters and Vehicles within the area of effect lose any morale or insight bonuses to attack rolls, Defenses, and Skill Checks.
Troop Carrier	10+ Passengers	2-Squares	This Vehicle delivers troops safely into and out of battle and provides cover as they load up or deploy. Allied characters within the area of effect are treated as having Cover from attackers outside the area of effect.
Rebellion Era Campaign Guide
Draw Enemy Fire	Gargantuan or Larger	Line of Sight	The Pilot makes a Persuasion check against each attacking enemy Vehicle within line or sight or line of effect. If the check result exceeds DC 10, the enemy unit attacks this Vehicle instead of another target. A hero piloting a Vehicle targeted by this ability can use his or her Will Defense instead of DC 10.

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