Drone Ops covers piloting single drones, running recon sweeps, coordinating
multiple drones, combat-controlling drones in firefights, running swarms,
and executing precision swarm strikes. A hand on the stick flies a recon
bird through a shattered hab-block; a mind split three ways keeps combat
drones from colliding, jamming each other, or shooting friendlies. Pilot
flies the ship; Drone Ops flies everything else. Computers runs the
network; Drone Ops is the node that holds the formation. Each drone
beyond the first in a coordinated group imposes a cumulative -2 penalty
to the check.
Rules Reference
Field
Value
Armor Check Penalty
false
Key Ability
DEX
Trained Only
false
Untrained Use
Basic single-drone piloting at DC 12 only; recon, coordination, combat, and swarm require training.
Key Ability
DEX
Notes
Special: Each drone beyond the first in a coordinated group imposes -2 to the
check. Does not cover crewed spacecraft or system intrusion.
Special: Each drone beyond the first in a coordinated group imposes a -2 penalty
to the Drone Ops check. A swarm of 6 drones therefore imposes -10 on
top of the DC. Drone Ops does not cover crewed spacecraft (Pilot) or
system intrusion (Computers/Slicing) -- it covers everything with a
radio link and no pilot seat.
Untrained: An untrained character can pilot a single drone through basic maneuvers
at DC 12 -- hover, land, fly in a straight line. Recon sweeps, multi-
drone coordination, combat control, and swarm operations all require
training. A joystick jockey is not a drone operator.
Descriptors
dc: 12
Field
Value
dc
12
task
Pilot a single drone through basic maneuvers
dc: 15
Field
Value
dc
15
task
Run a recon sweep with a single drone
dc: 18
Field
Value
dc
18
task
Coordinate 2-3 drones simultaneously
dc: 20
Field
Value
dc
20
task
Combat-control a drone in an active firefight
dc: 25
Field
Value
dc
25
task
Run a full drone swarm (4+ units)
dc: 30
Field
Value
dc
30
task
Execute a precision swarm strike
Synergy
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
from
Pilot
threshold
5
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
from
Computers/Slicing
threshold
5
Synergies
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
ranks
5
skill
Pilot
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
ranks
5
skill
Computers/Slicing
Uses
application: Pilot a single drone through basic maneuvers
Field
Value
application
Pilot a single drone through basic maneuvers
dc
12
failure
You clip something or lose orientation; the drone takes 1d6 damage or crashes.
success
The drone goes where you point it; clean flight.
application: Run a recon sweep with a single drone
Field
Value
application
Run a recon sweep with a single drone
dc
15
failure
You miss a sector or the drone is spotted; partial intel or blown recon.
success
Full area mapped; contacts, terrain, and hazards logged.
application: Coordinate 2-3 drones simultaneously
Field
Value
application
Coordinate 2-3 drones simultaneously
dc
18
failure
One drone lags or drifts; -2 to its checks until re-coordinated.
success
All drones hold formation and execute their roles.
application: Combat-control a drone in an active firefight
Field
Value
application
Combat-control a drone in an active firefight
dc
20
failure
The drone is hit or fires wild; roll for mishap.
success
The drone engages, evades, and survives.
application: Run a full drone swarm (4+ units)
Field
Value
application
Run a full drone swarm (4+ units)
dc
25
failure
The swarm fragments; half the drones go idle or collide.
success
The swarm moves as one; area denial, saturation fire, or coordinated search.
application: Execute a precision swarm strike
Field
Value
application
Execute a precision swarm strike
dc
30
failure
Timing is off; half the drones miss or the swarm is scattered by countermeasures.
success
Every drone hits its mark simultaneously; devastating.