Missing Crew Positions?

[Will Dover]

While this may seem obvious, what are the rules during starship combat when there is a missing crew positions, specifically the science officer position? For example, does not having a science officer affect the start of combat? I cannot find a reference for this.

Will

[TheMaskedFerret]

This seems to depend on a Scenario by Scenario basis. Some specifically call for a Computers check by the Science Officer to determine starting positions. It does not otherwise effect combat, aside from not having any idea what you are fighting (Except maybe box text giveaways).

[Rlockwood]

page 326 under Minor Crew Actions and Glide

[liamfisher]

From watching tables and playing:

Mandatory Positions:
Pilot
Engineer

Secondary Postions:
Gunner
Captain
Science Officer


I have had tables with 4 players where they were successful in running with one person in the Science Officer/Engineer role, A pilot, and 2 gunners.

The pilot is definitely the most important ship role. I would choose snap shot if you have a weapon in arc and a lack of gunners. Glide seems to only
be useful for single seat ships or if you have to take over another role.

Engineer is second once shots are fired and have landed. Science Officer is useful for identifying and getting the initial shield layout. These can
be swapped out with success depending on the priority of the moment.

Gunners do their gunning

Captains definitely can make the tables go faster due to aiding and taunting

I think the largest gap for most tables is strategy in the space combat.

[TheMaskedFerret]

Experience with the system makes a huge difference there.

[pgfrix]

So - curious about snap shot -

Since that requires *no* other gunnery actions in a round, functionally how's this happen?

Obviously, the pilot is the best choice for the roll, but where's everyone else? Putting out fires in engineering? Maybe it's round one, you've got a crew of four, and they all go divert power, scan ship, and taunt?

[TheMaskedFerret]

Exactly.

And your pilot shoots because he has the highest Dex and a rank in pilot?

[pgfrix]

And your pilot shoots because he has the highest Dex and a rank in pilot?

Yeah, that was my thinking.

Even under normal circumstances, it's a great argument for having multiple crack pilots in starship combat because they're the go to gunners even if they're not at the helm.