Difference between revisions of "DataCaster"
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=== Functional Explication === | === Functional Explication === | ||
| − | DataCasters are offensive weapons broadcasting or beamcasting petabytes of information at or against enemy sensors and communicators. DataCasters pursue three strategies: | + | DataCasters are offensive weapons broadcasting or beamcasting petabytes of information at or against enemy sensors and communicators. DataCasters pursue three strategies: |
| − | + | # They attempt to spook or overload sensors. | |
| − | + | # They attempt to introduce viruses into onboard systems through flaws in sensor inputs. | |
| − | + | # They transmit tailored psychological messages and propaganda. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 388}} | |
| − | + | ||
| + | Specific attacks and mechanisms include: | ||
| + | # '''Sensor Overload:''' Successful DataCaster Attacks on Sensors or Comms inflict Damage on a specific Sensor or Comm. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 388}} | ||
| + | # '''Virus Implantation:''' Successful DataCaster attacks on non-Sensor, non-Comm locations insert a Virus A Virus successfully introduced onto a ship disables the Component at the Hit Location. In each successive Combat Round, the Virus may attack an adjacent Hit Location and succeeds if 1D < Computer + Virus. For example, a Virus is assigned a value = 1D = 3. It attacks an adjacent Hit Location Power Plant controlled by Computer/2. It must roll 1D for 2+3 or less = 5. If successful, that location is disabled. A Virus is isolated if all computer connections are cut between the Virus disabled locations and all other hit locations. The computers can operate independently; but this step prevents use of batteries and commcasters, and restricts the use of weapons to R=7 or less. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 388}} | ||
| + | # '''Psychological Attacks:''' Datacaster attacks provide a shifting series of morale attacks, false messages, appeals to a variety of cultural and social fears. Psychological attacks challenge the Sanity of crew, passengers, staff, and troops. A successful Datacaster attack requires each individual in the affected area to Check San. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 388}} | ||
| + | # '''Intelligent Ordnance Spoofing:''' One purpose of DataCasters is to communicate with enemy Self-Aware Missile Brains. Success shocks the Brain into inaction or even to turning on its launchers. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 525}} | ||
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) == | == History & Background ([[Dossier]]) == | ||
Revision as of 14:50, 15 August 2019
| DataCaster | |
|---|---|
 TBD | |
| Type | Electronic Warfare Device |
| Tech Level | TL–10 |
| Cost | Various |
| Size | Various |
| Weight | Various |
| Manufacturer | Various |
| Also see | Ship Equipment |
| Reference | T5 Core Rules 388. |
| TBD | |
A DataCaster is an electronic warfare weapon. [1]
- CommCasters and DataCasters use Data Broadcasts or Beamcasts to send data at the target. [2]
- It is a kind of Ship Equipment and a Jammer.
Description (Specifications)
DataCasters are starship-mounted offensive weapons designed to overwhelm enemy sensors with excess data, preventing them from functioning. In addition, DataCasters can jam communications and potentially install computer virii in insufficiently protected enemy computers. [3]
- DataCasters are typically turret-mounted. Their efficacy is based largely on their tech level compared to the target's tech level. [4]
Image Repository
No information yet available.
Functional Explication
DataCasters are offensive weapons broadcasting or beamcasting petabytes of information at or against enemy sensors and communicators. DataCasters pursue three strategies:
- They attempt to spook or overload sensors.
- They attempt to introduce viruses into onboard systems through flaws in sensor inputs.
- They transmit tailored psychological messages and propaganda. [5]
Specific attacks and mechanisms include:
- Sensor Overload: Successful DataCaster Attacks on Sensors or Comms inflict Damage on a specific Sensor or Comm. [6]
- Virus Implantation: Successful DataCaster attacks on non-Sensor, non-Comm locations insert a Virus A Virus successfully introduced onto a ship disables the Component at the Hit Location. In each successive Combat Round, the Virus may attack an adjacent Hit Location and succeeds if 1D < Computer + Virus. For example, a Virus is assigned a value = 1D = 3. It attacks an adjacent Hit Location Power Plant controlled by Computer/2. It must roll 1D for 2+3 or less = 5. If successful, that location is disabled. A Virus is isolated if all computer connections are cut between the Virus disabled locations and all other hit locations. The computers can operate independently; but this step prevents use of batteries and commcasters, and restricts the use of weapons to R=7 or less. [7]
- Psychological Attacks: Datacaster attacks provide a shifting series of morale attacks, false messages, appeals to a variety of cultural and social fears. Psychological attacks challenge the Sanity of crew, passengers, staff, and troops. A successful Datacaster attack requires each individual in the affected area to Check San. [8]
- Intelligent Ordnance Spoofing: One purpose of DataCasters is to communicate with enemy Self-Aware Missile Brains. Success shocks the Brain into inaction or even to turning on its launchers. [9]
History & Background (Dossier)
The Terrans used DataCasters to great effect against the Vilani in the early period of the Interstellar Wars. For over a century, wars on Terra had involved an electronic warfare component, and Terran nations had developed myriad systems for overwhelming and disabling adversarial computer systems. The Vilani had no such traditions. They had not encountered malicious computer code before, and their previous enemies did not utilize electronic warfare. [10]
References & Contributors (Sources)
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
- Jordan Weisman. "Book 2." Adventure Class Ships Volume 1 (1982): TBD.
- Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 342-343, 381, 386, 390, 409, 413, 415, 508, 525, 617.
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord Matthew Kerwin Baron Thon
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 386.
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 525.
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin