SHIELD Helicarrier

[jammer397]

So working in my Champions Campaign and my group has received a base of my version of SHIELD (UNTIL in Champions universe). I got a copy of The Ultimate Base and saw this photo. It looks a lot like a Helicarrier but I can't seem to find stats for it. I looked in The Ultimate Base and my UNTIL guides and didn't find it. So where do I find it's stats or if there is no stats, has anyone made stats for it? It would be useful info for my campaign.

[Hyper-Man]

There might be something in one of the 5e Vehicle books (The Helicarrier is one of those 'tweeners' that is both a base and a vehicle).  I'll try and check later.

 

HM

[PaladinAg]

I think it is quite simple.  The helicarrier is just a flying carrier and a carrier is a vehicle. 

 

Does it move?  Yes. 

How does it move?  By moving x m every phase it is permitted to do so. 

How do you determine which phase it moves in?  By its SPD characteristic

Does a base have SPD? No

So can a base move? No

 

Having just checked Champions Complete it says on page 163 that bases have no movement ability.  

 

I would point up as a size 20 vehicle and then treat its hull and operation like a building. Damage puts holes in the vehicle. Operation of the sensors and weapons would be driven by the operator SPD, OCV, etc.  It would move as a normal vehicle.

 

PaladinAg

[Christopher R Taylor]

I would just call it a mobile base.  Its size makes it impractical for most uses as a vehicle, and its lack of agility makes it not really behave like a vehicle.

[BoloOfEarth]

I'd basically add Flight (20m, 8x NC) to the Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier (TUV p. 67).  Gives it a flight speed of about 60 mph, which seems reasonable as the surface water speed of a carrier is 35+ mph.  Add a complement of fighter aircraft, some missile launchers, maybe a helicopter or two, and you're good to go.

 

FWIW, it's Size 22, 10 DEX, 2 SPD, 12 DEF, 40 BODY.  Radio, radar, sonar, and IR sensing systems.  Phalanx weapons and targeting systems, plus fire control system and launch assist / arrest system.

 

Personally, I'd include a collection of parachutes (TUV p. 71) in addition to inflatable lifeboats (I'd modify the TUV p. 61 Canoe by increasing Size by 1 and STR by 5).   Maybe a few Zodiac CRRCs (TUV p. 64) for covert missions.

[jammer397]

Yeah I could go with that

[bigdamnhero]

There might be something in one of the 5e Vehicle books (The Helicarrier is one of those 'tweeners' that is both a base and a vehicle).  I'll try and check later.

Nothing in Ultimate Vehicle or Vehicle Sourcebook. Although Champions Villains Vol 1 has stats for the Warlord's Flying Fortress, which is basically the same idea. (It doesn't look like a helicarrier, but the stats & systems are probably close enough.)

 

Having just checked Champions Complete it says on page 163 that bases have no movement ability. 

Generally yes. Ultimate Base does include rules for mobile Bases, but it says something like if it moves quickly and regularly then it's probably a vehicle regardless of size. Which now that you mention it does kinda make the Helicarrier pic an odd choice for cover art for that particular book...

 

I could argue it either way. Yes the Helicarrier moves, but its primary narrative function in most games is as a Base to operate from, rather than a Vehicle that takes you places. My usual rule of thumb is: if it's in combat, it's probably a vehicle, if combat is in it (ie characters running around inside it) it's probably a base. Those aren't mutually exclusive of course ("Boarding parties away!"), but I find it a useful way to consider its function in the story.

[Ninja-Bear]

Correct me if im wrong, but can't you build a flying/floating base? I think BDH has as good rule of thumb.

[jammer397]

I'd say if the Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier is in The Ultimate Vehicle that the Helicarrier is a vehicle. I guess if you would give it a sub category that it would be a command vehicle or command ship.

[Mr. R]

I'd check out the UNTIL source book.  It looks like a flying base they had in that book, all stated out.  It was originally to be used as an anti Dr Destroyer unit, IIRC!

[jammer397]

I looked in the UNTIL guide even before posting this and I didn't see it. Do you know the page number? I just must have missed it.

[Ninja-Bear]

Btw Jammer if you had to put some speed on a base, I think it goes under -GM fiat

[segerge]

From 6E2, page 189: "However, for purposes of determining the END usage of Constant Powers and the like, assume that all Bases have SPD 3"

 

Also, to throw gasoline on that fire, p. 190 says that if you want your airborne base to move buy it as a large vehicle instead.  Bolo's Nimitz-class helicarrier appears to be the way to go, then.

[Ninja-Bear]

Hey I just got FH:M,M,&M and Cloud giant castles are bought as large vehicles fwiw.

[JmOz]

Mobile bases are more for things like DS9.  It moves a couple times in the series, but you can count it on one hand (The only one I can think of is when it manuevers in front of the wormhole is episode 2).  Yes it has the ability to move, but it is in no way designed for moveing...

[tiger]

Another thing to consider is size. If it if for one hero group aircraft carrier would be more size than they need. Could make it a bit smaller and still have the same effect

[TheQuestionMan]

UNTIL Defenders of Freedom (Skycarriers) 

[zslane]

I think it would be more fun to come up with one's own build for it.