ZeroSpace 3e EN:Equipment

Contents

Characters use equipment to make their efforts more successful. Equipment makes it easier to pick a lock, repair a vehicle, hack a computer, hurt someone, or resist being hurt. Unless otherwise noted, equipment is rank 1, adding 1 to the character's action (AV) when attempting a skill roll.

Nothing physically prevents a character in ZeroSpace from carrying weapons and driving vehicles: there is no character point cost associated with ordinary weaponry and vehicles. However, there may be legal or financial obstacles to obtaining such equipment, even if it's relatively commonplace. All equipment requires periodic maintenance, but this usually happens when it is convenient for the character. If a tool or weapon ceases to function at an inconvenient time, the character will probably be granted a plot point by the GM.

Action Value

The action value (or attack value, or defense value) of a character using equipment is equal to one of the character's attributes (Brawn, Agility, etc.) plus the rank of the equipment being used, if any. When a character attempts a task, such as shooting a blaster, the player rolls 2d6, counts the dots, and adds the result to the character's action value (AV), plus an optional attack bonus (+3) or attack penalty (-3). This roll is compared to 8 plus a difficulty value or defense value (DV), plus an optional defense bonus (+3) or defense penalty (-3). If the player's roll equals or exceeds the target number, the character's attempt succeeds.

Explosives

Normally, a defender loses an endurance level for each 3 that the attacker rolled over the target number (one endurance level at 0-2, two endurance levels at 3-5, etc.). Exploding weapons are a special case: an exploding attack is a ranged attack that causes its damage to everyone within a certain distance of the center of the explosion (no attack roll is necessary). The radius of an exploding attack is usually equal to its rank in meters. The defense value of each target in the affected area is subtracted from the rank of the explosion: each target in the affected area loses one Endurance level for each three points of remaining damage (one Endurance level at 1-3, two Endurance levels at 4-6, etc.).

Repeating Weapons

Weapons which fire multiple rounds, such as repeating blasters, usually grant an attack bonus (+3), and they might or might not do more damage than their single-shot equivalents (rank 4 instead of rank 3, for example), but the attack is only resolved once. Whether the damage from an attack is inflicted by one discrete injury or twelve, it's all just one attack roll. There's no "roll damage three times" mechanic like some game systems have.

Armor

Armor provides protection against most forms of direct damage: anything which inflicts endurance damage. The defense value (DV) of a character wearing armor is equal to their relevant defense attribute (Brawn for close combat, Agility for ranged combat) plus the rank of the armor. As always, this does not stack with energy shields or other forms of defense -- only the highest defense value applies.

Armor ranges from thin and light fabrics, virtually indistinguishable from ordinary clothing, to heavy self-contained suits which can't be mistaken for anything other than what they are. Assault armor often has additional features aside from its defensive properties, such as life support, communication gear, and so on.

Heavier armor restricts a wearer's movements. The effective Agility of a character wearing armor may be limited.

Table: Typical armor

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Light Tactical Attire	1	400 Cr	Maximum Agility rank 8
Medium Tactical Attire	2	800 Cr	Maximum Agility rank 7
Heavy Tactical Attire	3	1,600 Cr	Maximum Agility rank 6
Light Assault Armor	4	2,000 Cr	Maximum Agility rank 5
Medium Assault Armor	5	4,000 Cr	Maximum Agility rank 4
Heavy Assault Armor	6	8,000 Cr	Maximum Agility rank 3

Energy Shields

Energy shields provide protection against most forms of direct damage: anything which inflicts endurance damage. The defense value (DV) of a character with an energy shield is equal to their relevant defense attribute (Brawn for close combat, Agility for ranged combat) plus the rank of the energy shield. As always, this does not stack with armor or other forms of defense -- only the highest defense value applies.

Energy shields can be incorporated in a variety of devices, from a belt to a pair of bracelets to a harness.

Shields which are stronger are less transparent. The effective Perception of a character using an energy shield may be limited.

Table: Typical energy shields

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Ludax Safety Shield	1	1,600 Cr	Maximum Perception rank 8
Vizilian Lucent Shield	2	3,200 Cr	Maximum Perception rank 7
Zniss Personal Protection Screen	3	6,400 Cr	Maximum Perception rank 6
Zniss Professional Protection Screen	4	8,000 Cr	Maximum Perception rank 5
Koltsov Interference Generator	5	16,000 Cr	Maximum Perception rank 4
Shadefan Exo Force Field	6	32,000 Cr	Maximum Perception rank 3

Close Combat Weapons

The attack value (AV) of a character using a hand-to-hand weapon such as a club or a knife is equal to their Brawn plus the rank of the weapon. A character with rank 2 Brawn wielding a rank 1 knife would have an attack value of 3.

Weapons which are described as being "two-handed" are more difficult to use with one hand. Someone using a two-handed weapon with one hand incurs a roll penalty (-3) while they are doing so.

Table: Typical close combat weapons

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Club	1	15 Cr
Knife	1	25 Cr
Spear	1	60 Cr
Staff	1	15 Cr	Two-handed, no attack penalty with sweep attacks
Whip	1	20 Cr
Hatchet	2	35 Cr
Large Knife	2	40 Cr
Machete	2	40 Cr
Sword	2	50 Cr
Crowbar	2	25 Cr	Two-handed
Stun Baton	2	150 Cr	Stunning1
Axe	3	70 Cr
Great Sword	3	75 Cr	Two-handed, no attack penalty with sweep attacks
Vibroknife	3	250 Cr
Siobhan Battlestaff	3	750 Cr	Two-handed, no attack penalty with sweep attacks
Teelau Spinning Blades	3	3250 Cr	Two-handed (one in each hand)
Great Axe	4	105 Cr	Two-handed
Monoblade Sword	4	1750 Cr	Variable length
Vibrosword	4	375 Cr
Vibroaxe	4	500 Cr
Zahatar Double Vibroaxe	5	1750 Cr	Two-handed, no attack penalty with sweep attacks
Kroy War Sword	5	2250 Cr	Two-handed, no attack penalty with sweep attacks

1. Stunning

Psiblades

Psiblades (also known as laser swords, star blades, sun swords, and so on) are close combat weapons which project a beam of energy approximately 9mm in diameter and from 50 cm to 150 cm long. When deactivated, the weapon appears as a cylinder 25 to 30 cm long. Because psiblades are usually handcrafted by the wielder, no two are alike. They may be ornate works of art or simple unadorned tools.

The attack value (AV) of a character using a psiblade is equal to their Brawn plus the rank of the weapon. A character with rank 2 Brawn wielding a rank 5 psiblade would have an attack value of 7.

Damage from a psiblade is penetrating. When attacked by a psiblade, the defender's defense value (DV) is reduced by one-half (round in defender's favor).

Psiblades usually have a "stun" setting. It is safe to assume that a given psiblade has such a setting, even if the user never enables it.

Psiblades are dangerous to those without the power of Premonition. The blade of a psiblade has no mass, which makes it difficult for the wielder to know where the blade is when she is not looking directly at it. If a character without Premonition fails an attack roll with a psiblade by more than three, they strike themselves with the blade and lose an Endurance level.

Psistaves are essentially two psiblades attached at their bases. When deactivated, a psistaff appears as a cylinder 30 to 60 cm long (shorter psistaves typically extend in length to 50-60 cm when activated). A psistaff with both blades activated is even more dangerous to the wielder than a normal psiblade. If a character without Premonition fails an attack roll with a fully activated psistaff, even by one, they strike themselves with one of the blades and lose an Endurance level.

A psilance is essentially a psiblade on a long spear-like handle. Psilances are less maneuverable than psiblades and psistaves, and much less concealable, but are much safer to wield. A character without Premonition who fails an attack roll with a psilance suffers no ill effects.

As with other two-handed weapons, someone using using a psistaff or psilance with one hand incurs an attack penalty (-3) while they are doing so.

Table: Typical psiblades

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Psiblade	5	5000 Cr2	Penetrating1
Psistaff	5	10,000 Cr2	Two-handed, no attack penalty with sweep attacks, Penetrating1
Psilance	5	5500 Cr2	Two-handed, Penetrating1

1. Penetrating
2. Not normally for sale

The energy blade of a psiblade is white when the weapon is first constructed, but gradually takes on a color based on the temperament of the user. Once this color is established, after a week or so of use, it does not change thereafter, even if the user does.

Table: Typical psiblade colors

Color	Temperament
Red	In a positive light, red indicates a healthy ego: someone powerful, sensual, passionate, and energetic. In a negative light, red indicates anger, an unforgiving nature, or anxiety.
Orange	In a positive light, orange indicates productivity and creativity: someone sociable, detail oriented, and courageous. In a negative light, it can indicate stress and addictions.
Yellow	Indicates optimism, and easy-going nature, inspiration, and intelligence.
Green	Indicates balance, growth, and a willingness to change. It is a strong indication of a love of people, animals, and nature.
Turquoise	Indicates a sensitive, compassionate nature, that of a healer or a counselor.
Blue	Indicates calm and focus. It is a strong indication of clarity, truthfulness, and an intuitive nature.
Indigo	Indicates a wielder of deep feeling, someone of profound intuition and sensitivity.
Violet	Indicates a sensitive nature and greater than average psychic potential. May also indicate an artistic temperament.
Lavender	Indicates a wielder of great vision and imagination.

Short Range Weapons

Short range weapons are typically useful up to a distance of 10 meters. The attack value (AV) of a character using a ranged weapon is equal to their Agility plus the rank of the weapon. A character with rank 3 Agility wielding a rank 2 pistol would have an attack value of 5.

Blasters usually have a "stun" setting. It is safe to assume that a given blaster has such a setting, even if the user never enables it.

Weapons which are described as being "two-handed" are more difficult to use with one hand. Someone using a two-handed weapon with one hand incurs an attack penalty (-3) while they are doing so.

Table: Short range weapons

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Pocket Blaster Pistol	2	300 Cr
Target Blaster Pistol	2	450 Cr	attack bonus1 (+3) if attacker does not move
Blaster Pistol	3	500 Cr
Repeating Blaster Pistol	3	2000 Cr	attack bonus1 (+3) (fires multiple rounds at target)
Stunner	3	350 Cr	Stunning
Blaster Carbine	4	900 Cr	Two-handed
Flamethrower	6	350 Cr	Two-handed, attack bonus1 (+3) (wide spray), Terrifying5
Pacification Grenade	8	250 Cr	Exploding2, Sensory3, Stunning4, single use
Fragmentation Grenade	12	200 Cr	Exploding2, single use
Shock Grenade	12	250 Cr	Exploding2, Sensory3, single use
Incendiary Grenade	12	250 Cr	Exploding2, Terrifying5, single use
Stun Grenade	14	250 Cr	Exploding2, Stunning4, single use

1. Bonuses And Penalties
2. Exploding
3. Sensory
4. Stunning
5. Terrifying

Medium Range Weapons

Medium range weapons are typically useful up to a distance of 50 meters. The attack value (AV) of a character using a ranged weapon is equal to their Agility plus the rank of the weapon. A character with rank 2 Agility wielding a rank 4 rifle would have an attack value of 6.

Blasters usually have a "stun" setting. It is safe to assume that a given blaster has such a setting, even if the user never enables it.

Weapons which are described as being "two-handed" are more difficult to use with one hand. Someone using a two-handed weapon with one hand incurs an attack penalty (-3) while they are doing so.

Table: Medium range weapons

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Light Repeating Blaster Rifle	3	2000 Cr	Two-handed, attack bonus1 (+3) (fires multiple rounds at target)
Pain Rifle	4	450 Cr	Two-handed, Stunning4
Sporting Blaster Rifle	4	800 Cr	Two-handed, attack bonus1 (+3) if attacker does not move
Repeating Blaster Rifle	4	4000 Cr	Two-handed, attack bonus1 (+3) (fires multiple rounds at target)
Heavy Blaster Rifle	5	1000 Cr	Two-handed
Heavy Repeating Blaster Rifle	5	6000 Cr	Two-handed, attack bonus1 (+3) (fires multiple rounds at target)
Wrist Rocket	8	350 Cr	Single use
Pacification Cannon	8	800 Cr	Two-handed, Exploding2, Sensory3, Stunning4

1. Bonuses And Penalties
2. Exploding
3. Sensory
4. Stunning

Long Range Weapons

Long range weapons are typically useful up to a distance of 500 meters. The attack value (AV) of a character using a ranged weapon is equal to their Agility plus the rank of the weapon. A character with rank 3 Agility wielding a rank 6 cannon would have an attack value of 9.

Blasters usually have a "stun" setting. It is safe to assume that a given blaster has such a setting, even if the user never enables it.

Weapons which are described as being "two-handed" are more difficult to use with one hand. Someone using a two-handed weapon with one hand incurs an attack penalty (-3) while they are doing so.

Table: Long range weapons

Type	Rank	Cost	Notes
Sniper Blaster Rifle	5	9000 Cr	Two-handed, attack bonus1 (+3) if attacker does not move, Penetrating3
Light Blaster Cannon	6	3000 Cr	Two-handed, fires every other round
Heavy Blaster Cannon	11	4500 Cr	Two-handed, Exploding2, fires every other round

1. Bonuses And Penalties
2. Exploding
3. Penetrating

Tools

The action value of a character attempting a skill is equal to one of the character's attributes (Brawn, Agility, etc.) plus the rank of the tools being used. Simple or multipurpose equipment, such a general-purpose handheld computer or a pocket multitool, are generally rank 1. Ordinary equipment, such as a reasonably complete box of tools or a handheld computer with programs for specified tasks, would be rank 2. Special-purpose or very high quality equipment, such as a device designed specifically to bypass a particular model of security lock, would be rank 3.

Table: Tools

Type	Rank	Cost
Breather	1	250 Cr
Commlink	1	200 Cr
Datapad	1	1000 Cr
Dronelight	1	10 Cr
Covert Tracking Device	2	1000 Cr
Fire Suppressor	1	25 Cr
Handcuffs	3	15 Cr
Holocam	1	3000 Cr
Macrobinoculars	1	600 Cr
Multi-tool	1	250 Cr
Navcomp	2	500 Cr
Nightvision Goggles	2	1000 Cr
Surveillance Microdrone	2	5000 Cr