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Table of Contents
System size
The base system assumes that each subsystem is 1/20th the total ship mass. However it is fairly easy addition to have modules of different sizes. Below are working rules for adding smaller or larger subsystems to ships.
Not all systems can be different sized. Note that the SM of subsystems does not indicate the SM of the system, instead it indicates the size of the craft where that system is “normal sized” and thus 1/20 of the ship mass.
Smaller systems
You can fit 3 modules of one less SM, or 10 modules of 2 less SM into the space of one module. You could really mount even smaller systems at the same progression, but the design tends to get messy that way, so it is good normally to limit the systems to minimum of -2 SM from normal.
Each such subsystems has the characteristics of the system of one less SM, except what is noted below. Not all subsystems can be installed in smaller than normal size.
If the system is a high energy system a -1SM system uses 1/3 power point and a -2SM system 1/10 power point. Cosmic power systems use same 1/3 and 1/10 cosmic power point.
Adding smaller systems to small ships: note the minimum sizes for many systems, for SM 4 systems see space ships 4
Larger Systems
You can mount one system of one larger SM by using 3 module slots. And a system of two larger SM by using 10 module slots. All such slots must normally be adjacent to each other, either in the same hull section or two bordering hull sections.
Many modules like armor and habitat do not need to be larger systems, instead you should just add several such systems. The main benefits come from systems that get extra capability from being larger, like sensors.
If the system is a high energy system a +1SM system uses 3 power points and a +2SM system 10 power points. Cosmic power systems use same 3 and 10 cosmic power points.
Armor
(ss:11-13)
A smaller armor system does not use any information from the lower SM except cost. Larger Armor systems are not used, instead add several armor systems.
A -1 SM armor system protects 1/3 the full armor system for right SM, round down.
A -2 SM armor system protects 1/10 the full armor system for right SM, round down.
Example: unstreamlined SM 10 ship would have following effect from smaller light alloy armor(ss:11).
| Size | dDR | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Normal(SM 10) | 10 | $1.5m |
| -1 SM(SM 9) | 3 | $500k |
| -2 SM(SM 8) | 1 | $150k |
Cargo holds
(ss:13)
Smaller cargo holds are fully possible, use the capacity of the smaller SM hold. All the options are also possible. Larger Cargo holds are not used, instead add several systems.
Cloaking Device
(ss:13)
Cloaking devices are not normally possible in smaller or larger sizes, unless all the cloaking devices in the setting are smaller or larger than 1/20 of ship mass.
Contragravity lifter
(ss:14)
Contragravity lifters may or may not be possible in smaller sizes. If they are a -1 SM lifter will negate up to 3G gravity and a -2SM lifter will negate up to 1G. Larger Contragravity lifters are not normally used, instead add several systems.
Control Room
(ss:14)
Cannot be installed in wrong size.
Defensive ECM
(ss:14)
Defensive ECM cannot be installed in wrong size.
Engine Room
(ss:15) Engine rooms cannot be installed in wrong size.
Enhanced, multipurpose, science, and tactical comm/sensor arrays
(ss:15) You can normally mount a larger or smaller sensor. They will use all the statistics of the different size sensor. Though a +2 SM sensor will likely require a very weird hull structure. Note that a -2 SM sensor has the same array level that the control room sensor has, so does not give any better capability except in case of special sensors.
External clamp
(ss:15)
This system is really too massive, see fixes section. Different size external clamps use the price of that size.
Factory
(ss:16)
Different size factory modules are normally available. Use the statistics of the module of the size you want to use. Note the lower limit of SM 6 for factory module size , but see the minifac module in habitation modules for making smaller.
Force Screen
Fuel tank
(ss:17) A fuel tank can be smaller and then will have -1/3 the delta-v of full size for -1SM and 1/10 delta-v for -2 SM tank. Note that the Delta-V increase table is only for full size tanks. Do not use larger than normal fuel tanks, instead add several fuel tank modules.
Habitat
(ss:18) §
Hangar Bay
(ss:18)
Jet Engine
(ss:19) §
Jump gate
(ss:19) §
Mining and Refinery
(ss:19) §
Open space
(ss:19) §
Passenger seating
(ss:20) §
Power plants
(ss:20) §
Ramscoop
(ss:21) §
Reaction/reactionless engines
(ss:21-24) §
Reconfigurable system
(ss:24) These modules can likely be any size modules.
Soft-Landing System
(ss:24) Cannot be installed in wrong size.
Solar Panel Array
(ss:25) §
Space Sails
(ss:25) §
Stardrive engine
(ss:25) §
Stasis web
(ss:26) §
Upper stage
(ss:26) The only alternative upper stage that makes sense is a -2 SM upper stage that just uses the first two 2 module slots from the front section.
Weapons
(ss:26-29) §