The Modern Dispatch
More Starship Class Templates
by Phil Reed
It has been a long time since the Dispatch last For even more templates and starship devices take
presented a selection of starship class templates (not a look at Ronin Arts Future: Datastream  2005
since way back in issue #12) and it is with that in Collection. Recently released, this 170+ page PDF
mind that I ve written the following new starship presents a lot of material  ranging from characters to
class templates. As with that first time around, I ve mecha to starships  for use with the future SRD.
#76 included not only new templates (and a sample
starship for each template) but also new starship
devices to help expand the number of options
available to starship designers.
ContentżÿManager:żÿ
philżÿreed,żÿchrisżÿdavis
Layout:żÿ
ChrisżÿDavis
Requires the use of the d20 Modern Roleplaying
Game, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
d20 Modern and Wizards of the Coast are
trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. in the
United States and other countries and are used
with permission.  d20 System and the  d20
System logo are trademarks of Wizards of the
Coast, Inc. and are used according to the terms
of the d20 System License version 6.0. A copy
of this License can be found at www.wizards.
com/d20.
MoreżÿStarshipżÿClassżÿTemplates
Page 1
The Modern Dispatch
Weapons: 1 heavy laser (range incr. 4,000 ft.)
Frankenstein-Class Hauler (PL 8)
Starship Templates
Grappling Systems: Grapplers
This commercial transport, built from the scraps of
Frankenstein-Class Template (PL 8)
hundreds of older starships, is a type usually seen in
By the time of the Energy Age there are literally
service with down-on-their-luck traders and tramp
Krankenhaus-Class Template (PL 7)
thousands of cast off starships cluttering orbital
merchants.
The hospital ship is common throughout the galaxy
scrapyards across the galaxy. The Frankenstein-class
Type: Light
during the Gravity Age. This particular type is built
template represents a ship that is cobbled together
Subtype: Hauler
on the skeletal basis of existing, decommissioned
from bits and pieces of scrap  these ships are
Defense: 7
starships. The Krankenhaus-class template can
characteristically ugly and instantly recognizable
Flat-footed Defense: 5
be applied to any PL 5 or PL 6 ultralight, light, or
as a junker. The Nova Dragon-class template can
Autopilot Defense: 5
mediumweight starship. The starship s design specs
be applied to any ultralight or light starship. The
Hardness: Special, see template text
should be adjusted as follows:
starship s design specs should be adjusted as follows:
Hit Dice: 42d20 (840 hp)
Defense System Upgrade: Add gravitic stabilizers
Hit Dice: Increase by +6d20.
Initiative Modifier: +2
Weapons Downgrade: Remove all weapons.
Engine Upgrade: Select any PL 6 or PL 7 engine.
Pilot s Class Bonus: +3
Passenger Modification: Multiply the number of
Tactical Speed Reduction: Decrease by  1,000 ft. (2
Pilot s Dex Modifier: +2
passengers the ship can carry by ten. This is the
squares).
Gunner s Attack Bonus: +2
number of patients the ship can accommodate  each
Armor Upgrade: Obviously, the ship is built with
Tactical Speed: 2,000 ft. (4 sq.)
in his own bed.
the best armor its creators can find but unfortunately
Length: 450 feet
Crew Modification: Add 1 doctor and 2 nurses for
there s never enough of the best. Instead, the ship is
Weight: 6,000 tons
every 5 passengers the ship can carry.
constructed with a mixed selection of armor types
Targeting System Bonus: +3
Cargo Capacity Modification: Reduce by 75%.
 whenever the ship is hit roll on the following table
Crew: 8 (trained +4)
to determine what type of armor the impact spot is
Passenger Capacity: 8
Krankenhause-Class Hospital Ship
covered in.
Cargo Capacity: 4,125 tons
(Modified Bulk Freighter) (PL 7)
Grapple Modifier: +16
D6 Roll Armor/Hardness
Probably one of the most commonly modified ships,
Base Purchase DC: 56
1-2 Cerametal/30
the bulk freighter makes an excellent hospital ship.
Restriction: Restricted (+2)
3-4 Deflective/20 (ballistic), 40 (all other)
Type: Mediumweight
5 Neutronite/40
Subtype: Bulk freighter
6 Advanced Ablative/45
Attack: 1 heavy laser  3 ranged (12d8)
Defense: 7
Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +3
Flat-footed Defense: 5
Defense System Upgrade: Trade any one item out
ranged (2d12×10)
Autopilot Defense: 7
for an item 1 PL greater.
Hardness: 20
Sensors Upgrade: Trade any one item out for an
Standard PL 5 Design Specs:
Hit Dice: 125d20 (2,500 hp)
item 1 PL greater.
Engines: Particle impulse engine, thrusters
Initiative Modifier: +2
Communications Upgrade: Trade any one item out
Armor: Special, see template
Pilot s Class Bonus: +3
for an item 1 PL greater.
Defense Systems: Autopilot system, improved
Pilot s Dex Modifier: +2
Weapons Downgrade: Permanently remove one
damage control system (3d10), point-defense system
Gunner s Attack Bonus: +2
weapon. Additionally, select any one other weapon
Sensors: Class IV sensor array, targeting system
Size: Colossal ( 8 size)
and replace it with a weapon of a previous PL
Communications: Mass transceiver, radio
Tactical Speed: 2,500 ft. (5 sq.)
(minimum PL 5).
transceiver
Length: 800 feet
Cargo Capacity Modification: Increase by +25%.
Weight: 32,000 tons
MoreżÿStarshipżÿClassżÿTemplates
Page 2
The Modern Dispatch
Targeting System Bonus: +3 Communications: Mass transceiver, radio
Mercury-Class Assault Fighter
Crew: 8 (trained +4) plus 16 doctors and 32 nurses transceiver
Passenger Capacity: 80 patients Weapons: 2 fire-linked particle beams (range incr.
Type: Ultralight
Cargo Capacity: 5,000 tons 4,000 ft.), 1 plasma missile launcher (8 missiles;
Subtype: Assault fighter
Grapple Modifier: +16 range incr. 5,000 ft.)
Defense: 19
Base Purchase DC: 60 Grappling Systems: None
Flat-footed Defense: 13
Restriction: Restricted (+2)
Autopilot Defense: 6
Hardness: 20 (ballistic) or 40 (other damage forms)
Nova Dragon-Class Template (PL 7)
Attack: None
Hit Dice: 9d20 (180 hp)
This design features light plasma cannons  a Nova
Attack of Opportunity: Point-defense system +3
Initiative Modifier: +8
Dragon-class starship is a brutal, powerful weapon
ranged (3d12×10)
Pilot s Class Bonus: +7
of destruction. The Nova Dragon-class template can
Pilot s Dex Modifier: +6
be applied to any ultralight starship. The starship s
Standard PL 7 Design Specs:
Gunner s Attack Bonus: +8/+3
design specs should be adjusted as follows:
Engines: Fusion torch, thrusters
Size: Gargantuan ( 4 size)
Hit Dice: Increase by +3d20.
Armor: Alloy plating
Tactical Speed: 6,500 ft. (13 sq.) (7,000 ft. with
Engine Upgrade: Particle impulse engine (tactical
Defense Systems: Gravitic stabilizers, improved
plasma acceleration drive engaged)
speed + 1,000 feet).
autopilot system, improved damage control (4d10),
Length: 32 feet
Armor Upgrade: Neutronite.
point-defense system, radiation shielding, sensor
Weight: 36,000 lb.
Weapons Upgrade: Replace each individual weapon
jammer
Targeting System Bonus: +4
with 2 fire-linked light plasma cannons
Sensors: Class II sensor array, targeting system
Crew: 1 (ace +12)
(10d8 damage; range incr. 2,500 ft.) and another 2
Communications: Laser transceiver, radio
Passenger Capacity: 1
fire-linked light plasma cannons (10d8 damage; range
transceiver
Cargo Capacity: 1,200 lb.
incr. 2,500 ft.)
Weapons: None
Grapple Modifier: +8
Grappling Systems: Grapplers
Base Purchase DC: 48
Nova Dragon-Class Assault Fighter
Restriction: Military (+3)
Nova Dragon assault fighters are powerful, close
Mercury-Class Template (PL 8)
range attack fighters designed specifically for
Attack: 2 fire-linked particle beams +8 ranged
Some of the fastest ships in the galaxy are the
assaulting orbital facilities and capital ships.
(18d8) and plasma missile +3 ranged (18d8/19 20);
Mercury-class ultralight starships. Equipped with
Type: Ultralight
or 2 fire-linked particle beams +8/+3 ranged (18d8)
advanced surge burners, plasma acceleration drives,
Subtype: Assault fighter
Attack of Opportunity: None
and inertial flux engines, ships of the Mercury-
Defense: 19
class frequently outrun other starships  even those
Flat-footed Defense: 13
Standard PL 8 Design Specs:
from advanced civilizations. The Mercury-class
Autopilot Defense: 6
Engines: Advanced surge burner, plasma
template can be applied to any ultralight starship. The
Hardness: 40
acceleration drive, inertial flux engine, thrusters
starship s design specs should be adjusted as follows:
Hit Dice: 12d20 (240 hp)
Armor: Deflective
Engine Upgrade: Advanced surge burners, plasma
Initiative Modifier: +8
Defense Systems: Autopilot system, improved
acceleration drive, and inertial flux engines.
Pilot s Class Bonus: +7
damage control (2d10), stealth screen
Tactical Speed Modification: +1,000 ft. (2 squares).
Pilot s Dex Modifier: +6
Sensors: Class V sensor array, improved targeting
Gunner s Attack Bonus: +8/+3
system
Size: Gargantuan ( 4 size)
MoreżÿStarshipżÿClassżÿTemplates
Page 3
The Modern Dispatch
Tactical Speed: 4,000 ft. (8 sq.) Minimum Ship Size: Huge.
New Starship Engines
Length: 32 feet Tactical Speed Bonus: +500 feet (+1 square) for 2d4
Weight: 36,000 lb. rounds, see text.
Advanced Surge Burners (PL 7)
Targeting System Bonus: +4 Purchase DC: 10 + one-half the base purchase DC
A starship equipped with this device may perform
Crew: 1 (ace +12) of the starship.
a surge forward maneuver as a move action (see
Passenger Capacity: 1
the Starship Move Actions section of the SRD).
Cargo Capacity: 1,200 lb.
New Starship Armor
Advanced surge burners carry enough fuel for
Grapple Modifier: +8
six uses  after that the system must be refueled
Base Purchase DC: 48
(requiring 30 minutes and a purchase DC of 12) Advanced Ablative (PL 8)
Restriction: Military (+3)
in order for it to be used (when the fuel supply is This slightly improved version of ablative armor is
depleted the ship may still perform a surge forward strengthened by molecularly bonding the armor to a
Attack: 8 fire-linked light plasma cannons +8 ranged
maneuver but it requires a full-round action, as per neutronite backing. The armor is identical to ablative
(10d8, range incr. 2,500)
the basic rules for the maneuver. except as follows:
Attack of Opportunity: None
Advanced surge burners are not powerful enough to Hardness: 45.
move a starship on their own; the starship must also Purchase DC: 17 + one-half the base purchase DC
Standard PL 7 Design Specs:
be equipped with a standard engine. of the starship.
Engines: Particle impulse engine, thrusters
Minimum Ship Size: Huge.
Armor: Neutronite
Tactical Speed Bonus: See text.
Defense Systems: Autopilot system, improved New Starship Defense System
Purchase DC: 18.
damage control (2d10), stealth screen
Sensors: Class V sensor array, improved targeting
Gravitic Stabilizers (Pl 7)
Plasma Acceleration Drive (PL 7)
system
Gravity generators embedded in the starship s
These small accelerant boosters redirect plasma
Communications: Mass transceiver, radio
hull and decks create an artificial gravity field that
energy from an inertial capacitor through energy
transceiver
instantly adjusts to external conditions. In any
rockets, increasing the starship s tactical speed for a
Weapons: 8 fire-linked light plasma cannons (range
situation that the crew would be shaken or stunned
short period of time. A plasma acceleration drive may
incr. 2,500 ft.)
there is a 25% chance that the effect is completely
only me mounted on a ship equipped with PL 7 or
Grappling Systems: None
negated  the gravitic stabilizers prevent the crew
greater engines and if those engines are damaged, the
from being jostled around and disrupted.
acceleration drive will not function.
Gravitic stabilizers are a more advanced form of
New Starship Systems
shock stabilizers (see Future: 13 More Starship
In order to make the new starship class templates Activating the plasma acceleration drive is a
Devices).
especially useful, most of the ones presented in this full round action for the ship s pilot. A plasma
Purchase DC: 18 + one-half the base purchase DC
entry of the Dispatch include at least one new piece acceleration drive provides its boost for 2d4 rounds
of the starship.
of starship equipment. after which the drive cuts itself off and cannot be
Restriction: Licensed (+1).
reactivated again for one hour (the drive needs one
hour to properly charge the inertial capacitor). A ship
can mount multiple plasma acceleration drives  the
effects of multiple drives do not stack.
MoreżÿStarshipżÿClassżÿTemplates
Page 4
The Modern Dispatch
New Starship Weapon
Plasma Cannon, Light (PL 7)
This smaller, lighter version of the Gravity Age
plasma cannon is frequently mounted on ultralight
fighters and escorts. Its smaller size enables a starship
to mount 2 of these weapons in place of any 1 normal
weapons  an ultralight starship that can carry 1
weapon for every 3 Hit Dice can carry 1 light plasma
cannon for every 1.5 Hit Dice (round up).
Damage: 10d8 (45)
Critical: 20
Damage Type: Fire
Range Increment: 2,500 ft.
Rate of Fire: Single
Minimum Ship Size: Huge
Purchase DC: 33
Restriction: Military (+3)
Section 15
Future: 13 Starship Devices, copyright 2005 Philip
Reed. Published by Ronin Arts www.roninarts.com.
Modern Dispatch #12 2004, Ronin Arts; Author Phil
Reed
MoreżÿStarshipżÿClassżÿTemplates
Page 5
The Modern Dispatch
3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You 13 Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail
OPEN GAME LICENSE indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License. to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30
days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a 4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this termination of this License.
License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, 14 Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be
is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ( Wizards ). All Rights the Open Game Content. unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent
Reserved. necessary to make it enforceable.
5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing
1. Definitions: (a) Contributors means the copyright and/or trademark original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your 15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE
owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b) Derivative Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient
Material means copyrighted material including derivative works rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License. Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
and translations (including into other computer languages), potation,
modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, 6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT Modern System Reference Document Copyright 2002, Wizards of
compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman,
may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c)  Distribute means to COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, Charles Ryan, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip
reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright Williams, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes,
or otherwise distribute; (d) Open Game Content means the game date, and the copyright holder s name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of Andy Collins, and JD Wiker.
mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2004, Wizards of the
an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly 7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, Coast, Inc.: Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams,
identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and
work covered by this License, including translations and derivative licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each Dave Arneson.
works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility
(e)  Product Identity means product and product line names, logos or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in Modern Dispatch #72 2005, Ronin Arts; Author Phil Reed
and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as
characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner
incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product
OPEN GAMING CONTENT
formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the
visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity
Designation of Product Identity: The following terms are designated
spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in
as product identity as outline in section 1(a) of the Open Gaming
special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, and to that Product Identity.
License: Modern Dispatch, .
magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic
designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly 8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly
Designation of Open Gaming Content: The following sections of
identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open
Modern Dispatch #72 is designated as open gaming content except for
which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f)  Trademark Game Content.
terms defined as product identity above. All illustrations, pictures, and
means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a
diagrams are Product identity and property of Ronin Arts"!.
Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products 9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish
contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g)  Use , updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version
All the text is open content.
 Used or  Using means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content
translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game originally distributed under any version of this License.
Content. (h)  You or  Your means the licensee in terms of this
agreement. 10 Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License
with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that
contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be 11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the
Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You
to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
or subtracted from this License except as described by the License
itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game 12 Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any
Content distributed using this License. of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open
Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation
then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
MoreżÿStarshipżÿClassżÿTemplates
Page 6