IJSF
- Imperial Japanese Star Fleet
This information was originally posted at http://ijsf.firedrake.org/
This fleet is particularly fighter heavy so
alternative fighter rules such as the Beta
Fighter Rules are suggested.
Imperial Japan and the Fleet
Japanese is the official language of Imperial Japan,
although English is so widely used as to be an unofficial second language.
The space naval arm of the Japanese military is known as the Teikoku Hoshi
no Kaigun (literally Imperial Star Navy); strategists and naval scholars
generally refer to it in English as the Imperial Japanese Star Fleet
(IJSF). There is no standard prefix for ship names, but a ship is normally
formally referred to by its designation and name: Battlecruiser Kesshi.
Ships are generally given poetic names rather than being named after
specific people or battles.
The IJSF emblem is a rayed bright red, yellow or white
circle on a black field. The black field is unique to the IJSF; other arms
of the Japanese military, and indeed civilian flag users in Imperial
Japan, use a white field (and typically a slightly more muted red).
History and Organization
The Japanese spacefleet has a very "corporate"
feel; apart from those personnel directly exposed to combat, the typical
officer comes over more like a career bureaucrat than like a typical
military man. The combat arms are another story, however, with a tolerance
for eccentricity which is not only greater than that in most of Japanese
society but is sometimes greater than that of allied navies. Only one
thing matters: competence. Promotion is rapid where ability is proven;
some IJSF capital-ship captains are barely out of their teens.
The Japanese spacefleet has inherited the proud traditions
of their wet navy fore-runners and their immense fighter wings are the
match of any nation. The intimate connections between the corporate and
defence forces have seen their fleet be the first to boast many
state-of-the-art technologies, such as superior sensors, and immensely
powerful weapons, such as the wavegun. The Japanese are said to still
carry out ritual farewells before every combat engagement; these events
stem from their traditional heavy reliance on fighters which had meant
that when they took casualties they could be on particularly devastating
scales. This is no longer true as a sizeable proportion of the Japanese
fighters is now run by AI; however the rituals of farewell apparently
persist none-the-less.
Ship Design Doctrine
The ships of the IJSF are generally extremely heavily
armed with missile racks, fighters and the hyperspatial distortion cannon
(a weapon which other powers generally regard as too inefficient for naval
use, not to mention hazardous to fighter pilots who fail to keep
formation), backed up with extensive beam armament. Thrust levels tend to
be moderate or high; hulls are typically weak/average (25%); armour is generally not
used, and screens only on dedicated fighter-carrier units. While most
ships carry moderate point-defence suites, it is generally expected that
on-board fighters will assist in fighter and missile defence. IJSF ships
make extensive use of fighters, down to the battlecruiser class; fleet
doctrine emphasises smooth integration of fighters from different
squadrons, since in practice this seems to occur quite often.
Hyperspatial Distortion Cannon
Spinal-mount weapon - can fire within the 30-degree arc
centred on the line along which it's mounted (almost always, but not
necessarily, directly forward).
Mass = 4 for class 1, 12 for class 2, 20 for class 3; in
general, (class x 8)-4.
Cost = mass x 3
It is necessary to plot the firing of an HDC in movement
orders. This is because all fire directors and sensors must be shut down
to avoid overload. So, during the turn on which a ship is firing an HDC,
it may not use PDS or perform any function which requires target
identification (no fire-control, no missiles). (As a corollary to this, an
HDC may fire even if no fire-control systems are available.) Manoeuvres
and fighter launches may be conducted normally; and if a ship has multiple
HDCs, they may all be fired on the same turn. Fighter recovery requires
sensor use from the firing ship, and therefore may not be conducted. Even
if the ship has screens, the arc through which the HDC is firing will
usually be considered unscreened; it is necessary to shut down the screens
locally to avoid overload.
If the player wishes to maintain system operation while
firing an HDC, all outside-pointing systems which are used (fire controls,
weapons, screens if the arc through which the HDC is firing is not shut
down locally) are considered damaged (as by a threshold check) immediately
after the completion of that ship's fire. This is a desperation tactic.
If HDC fire has been plotted, it must be carried out even
if it would prove inconvenient to do so.
The HDC is fired during the normal fire phase, when the
ship is activated.
Charging - HDCs have an extremely large power requirement
and must be charged from other ship systems. The weapon may only be fired
every other turn.
An HDC which is damaged (due to threshold check, needle
damage, etc.) immediately does damage equal to twice its class number
directly to the hull.
The HDC pulse damages every target that the wavefront
passes over. On the turn of firing, this will be every target in a
triangle, with its apex at the firing ship, a total length of 24MU, and a
width of 2MU at its wide end; measure between these points to determine
the boundaries of the effect and the targets that take damage. Each
succeeding turn, the pulse moves outwards a further 24MU and widens by
2MU; for example, the turn after firing, it covers a trapezoid from range
24MU to 48MU of the firer's initial position, 2MU wide at 24MU and 4MU
wide at 48MU. The next turn, the area covers an area 4MU wide at 48MU from
the initial position and 6MU wide at 72MU. This progression of areas is
the same no matter what class of HDC was fired.
On turns after the one on which it was fired, the HDC
pulse does damage immediately before the "Ships Fire" phase.
The wavefront is actually moving at the same time as the
ships, fighters etc., so its on-table position during the Ships Move isn't
where it is really located at the time. Because of this it only inflicts
damage on units those which move through it from its "front"
(from in front of the damage template to a position inside it, through its
leading face), and those the wavefront itself moves over in the Ships Fire
phase, but not on units which move through it from "behind";
they are assumed to be moving behind the wavefront without actually
catching up with it. (If a ship moves through the wavefront from behind
and then gets caught as the wavefront moves during the Ships Fire phase,
it is assumed to have caught up with the wave front instead of just moved
behind it.)
Initial damage level of the wavefront is (class x 2) dice;
on each turn after firing, this drops by 2 dice.
Damage is done as full dice, not beam dice; it is affected
by screens and armour as a Phalon PB (a ship with screen-1 ignores any
dice rolling 6; one with screen-2 ignores any rolls of 5-6; armour absorbs
damage normally). Any fighters or missiles caught in the template are
destroyed automatically.
 Multi-Mode
Configureable Fighters
Multi-Mode fighters may fight either as attackers or as
interceptors. At the start of the turn, player needs to indicate
which mode the fighters are in for that turn. Fighter Mode
- Movement is normal, attacks fighters with a +1, can not attack ships.
Mecha Mode - 1/2 normal movement, attacks fighters on a 6
only, attacks ships with a +1. If in contact with target ship, can
attack a system like a Needle Beam
Cost = 7 points per fighter (42 points per
group)
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Ninja class Scoutship
FT1302
Mass 10
NPV 36 CPV 27 Weak Hull 2 (1/1/)
Main Drive 8 FTL Drive
FCS
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
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Names include: Ninja, Amatsukaze, Arashio,
Ariake, Asagao, Asashio, Ayanami, Hakaze, Harusame, Hatsume, Hatsushimo,
Hatsuyuki, Hayashimo, Hayashio, Hibiki, Hokaze, Kaede, Kaki, Kamikaze,
Kasumi, Kishinami, Kuroshia, Maikaze, Matsukaze, Mikatsuki, Minegumo,
Mochizuki, Nara, Natsugumo, Natsuzuki, Nenohi, Oboro, Oinami, Oite, Onami,
Otake, Sanae, Shigezakura, Shigure, Shikinami, Shiratsuyu, Suzukaze,
Tachibana, Takanami, Ume, Uzuki, Wakaba, Wakatsuki, Yoitsuki, Yudachi
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Naginata class Strikeboat
FT1322
Mass 10 NPV 37 CPV 28
Fragile Hull 1 (1//)
Main Drive 6 FTL Drive
FCS
2 x Class 2 beam battery (AP/FP/F, F/FS/AS)
The Naginata/S variant replaces the two
beam batteries with four forward-facing submunition packs.
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Names include: Naginata, Fuyo, Harutsuki,
Hayate, Inazuma, Kagero, Katana, Kuwa, Manrikiju, Momi, Momo, Murasame,
Sakura, Sandanju, Shirayuki, Shuriken, Sugi, Tachikaze, Tanikaze, Tsuta,
Ushio, Yukaze
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Bakemono class Strike Corvette
FT1303 Mass 16 NPV 58 CPV 45
Weak Hull 3 (1/1/1)
Main Drive 6
FTL Drive FCS PDS 2 x Submunition Pack, F
Class 2 beam battery, FP/F/FS
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Names include: Bakemono, Asagumo, Asanagi,
Asashimo, Hatsuharu, Hatsukaze, Keyaki, Minekaze, Naganami, Okinami,
Oyashio, Shinonome, Shirakumo, Sumire, Suzutsuki, Tamanami, Terutsuki,
Urakaze, Wakatake, Yakaze, Yanagi, Yugure
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Ashigaru class Patrol Frigate
FT1304
Mass 26 NPV 86 CPV 67 Average Hull 8 (2/2/2/2)
Main Drive 6 FTL Drive PDS FCS
Class 2 beam battery, FP/F/FS
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
Submunition Pack, F
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Names include: Ashigaru, Akatsuki, Akebono,
Akigumo, Akikaze, Akishimo, Amagiri, Arare, Enoki, Fumitsuki, Fuyutsuki,
Hagi, Hagikaze, Hamakaze, Hasu, Hatsuzuki, Hinoki, Ikazuchi, Iwanami,
Karukaya, Kashiwa, Kawakaze, Kazegumo, Kisaragi, Kiyoshimo, Kuretake,
Kusunoki, Maki, Makigumo, Matsu, Michishio, Mutsuki, Nagatsuki, Natsushio,
Niizuki, Nowake, Numakaze, Okikaze, Sawakaze, Sazanami, Shiranuhi, Take,
Tsubaki, Yamagumo, Yamakaze, Yugamo, Yugiri, Yunagi
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Shoya class Sensor Picket
FT1324
Mass 26 NPV 108 CPV 58
Average Hull 8 (2/2/2/2) Main Drive 8 FTL Drive
PDS
FCS
Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
Superior Sensors (rated as 2 mass, 30 points)
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Names include: Shoya, Asakaze, Fubuki,
Hamanami, Hatakaze, Kaya, Minazuki, Nire, Shimotsuki, Tokitsukaze, Uranami,
Usugumo, Yayoi, Yuki
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Soyokaze class Destroyer
FT1305
Mass 36 NPV 123 CPV 100 Weak Hull 7 (2/2/2/1) Main Drive 6
FTL Drive PDS FCS
2 x SMR, FP/F/FS
Class 2 beam battery, all arcs
Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
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Names include: Soyokaze, Akitsuki, Asagiri,
Fujinami, Hanatsuki, Harukaze, Hatsuzakura, Hayanami, Isokaze, Isonami,
Kaba, Kashi, Kikutsuki, Kiri, Kiyonami, Kuri, Makinami, Murakumo, Namikaze,
Nashi, Nokaze, Oshio, Sagiri, Samidare, Satsuki, Shii, Shimakaze, Shiokaze,
Suzunami, Tsuga, Umikaze, Yuzuki
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Arashi class Light Cruiser
FT1306
Mass 60 NPV 203 CPV 179 Average Hull 15 (4/4/4/3)
Main Drive 6 FTL Drive 3 PDS 2 FCS
3 x Class 2 beam battery (AP/FP/F, F/FS/AS, FP/F/FS)
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
4 x Submunition Pack, F
SMR (FP/F/FS)
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Names include: Arashi, Kinu, Kuma, Nagara,
Naka, Natori, Noshiro, Oi, Sakawa, Sendai, Tama, Tatsuta, Tenryu, Yara,
Yubari, Yura
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Ronin class Patrol Cruiser
FT1307
Mass 64 NPV 217 CPV 194 Average Hull 16
(4/4/4/4)
Main Drive 6 FTL Drive 3 PDS 2 FCS
2 x Class 3 beam battery (F/FS, FP/F)
3 x Class 2 beam battery (AP/FP/F, F/FS/AS, FP/F/FS)
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
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Names include: Ronin, Agano, Aoba, Atago,
Chikuma, Furutaka, Isuzu, Jintsu, Kako, Kinugasa, Kiso, Kitagami, Kumano,
Kurutaka, Mikuma, Mogami, Myoko, Oyodo, Yahagi
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Samurai class Heavy Cruiser
FT1308
Mass 83 NPV 281 CPV 267 Weak Hull 20 (5/5/5/5)
Main Drive 6 FTL Drive 3 PDS 2 FCS
SMR, FP/F/FS
5 x Submunition Pack, F
2 x Class 3 beam battery (F/FS, FP/F)
2 x Class 2 beam battery (AP/FP/F, F/FS/AS)
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
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Names include: Samurai, Chokai, Haguro,
Maya, Nachi, Suzuya, Takao, Tone
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Kesshi class Battlecruiser
FT1309
Mass 110 NPV 376 CPV 350 (+ fighters) Average Hull 28
(7/7/7/7)
Main Drive 5 FTL Drive 3 PDS 3 FCS
2 x Submunition Pack, F
3 x Class 3 beam battery (F/FS, FP/F, FP/F/FS)
Class 2 beam battery, FP/F/FS
2 x SMR, FP/F/FS
Fighter Bay
Names include: Kesshi, Kongo, Hiyei, Nagato,
Mutsu |
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Yamato class Battleship
FT1310
Mass 126 NPV 437 CPV 430 (+ fighters) 437 points, 126 mass
Average Hull 32 (8/8/8/8)
Main Drive 4 FTL Drive 3 PDS 3 FCS
Class 1 HDC, F
2 x SMR-ER, FP/F/FS
3 x Class 3 beam battery (F/FS, FP/F, FP/F/FS)
2 x Class 2 beam battery (AP/FP/F, F/FS/AS)
3 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
4 x Submunition Pack, F
Fighter Bay
Names include: Yamato, Haruna, Nadesico,
Yamashiro |
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Musashi class Super Battleship
FT1311
Mass 156 NPV 541 CPV 539 (+ fighters) Average Hull 39
(10/10/10/9)
Main Drive 4 FTL Drive 4 PDS 3 FCS
Class 2 HDC, F
2 x SMR-ER, FP/F/FS
2 x Class 3 beam battery (F/FS, FP/F)
1 x
Class 2 beam battery, FP/F/FS
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
3 x FCS
4 x PDS
4 x Submunition Pack, F
2 x Fighter Bay
Names include: Musashi, Kirishima, Hyuga,
Fuso |
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Shogun class Command Dreadnought
FT1312
Mass 263 NPV 930 CPV 1110 (+ fighters) Weak Hull 62
(16/16/15/15)
Main Drive 3 FTL Drive 6 PDS 5 FCS
Class 3 HDC, F
4 x SMR, FP/F/FS
6 x Class 3 beam battery (F/FS, FP/F, 2 x AP/FP/F, 2 x F/FS/AS)
4 x Class 2 beam battery (2 x AP/FP/F, 2 x F/FS/AS)
3 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs
8 x Submunition Pack, F
4 x Fighter Bay
Names include: Shogun, Ise
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Hiryu class Light Carrier
FT1313
Mass 160 NPV 564 CPV 408 (+ fighters) Weak Hull 32 (8/8/8/8)
Main Drive 4 FTL Drive 4 PDs ADFC 2 FCS 1 Screen Generator
4 x Class 2 beam battery (AP/FP/F, F/FS/AS, 2 x FP/F/FS)
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs 6 x Fighter Bay
Names include: Hiryu, Chitose, Chiyoda,
Chuyo, Hayataka, Jinyo, Kaiyo, Katsuragi, Otaka, Ryuho, Shoho, Shokaku,
Soryu, Taiho, Unryu, Unyo, Zuikaku
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Akagi class Super Carrier
FT1314
Mass 269 NPV 960 CPV 831 (+ fighters) Weak Hull 54
(14/14/13/13)
Main Drive 3 FTL Drive 7 PDS ADFC 3 FCS
2 x Screen Generator
SMR-ER, FP/F/FS
6 x Class 2 beam battery (2 x AP/FP/F, 2 x F/FS/AS, 2 x FP/F/FS)
2 x Class 1 beam battery, all arcs 10 x Fighter Bay
Names include: Akagi, Amagi, Hitaka, Hosho,
Hoshu, Kaga, Kasagi, Nisshin, Ryujo, Shinano, Zuiho
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