Engineering is the deep-systems brain -- the skill of understanding WHY a
reactor works, not just how to turn it on. It covers design of new ship
components, heavy modification of existing systems, structural analysis of
hulls and Stations, reverse-engineering alien tech, and the kind of blue-
sketch thinking that turns scrapyard parts into functioning hardware. In the
verse, Engineers are the quiet aristocracy of any crew: the Families recruit
them aggressively, the Legion needs them desperately, and a Rim crew without
one is one bad jump from drifting. Field repairs use Repair; Engineering is
for the workshop and the drawing board.
Rules Reference
Field
Value
Armor Check Penalty
false
Key Ability
INT
Trained Only
true
Untrained Use
Cannot design, build, or modify systems. Use Repair for field-fix tasks.
Key Ability
INT
Notes
Special: Combined with 5+ ranks in Pilot, allows an emergency in-flight hull
repair (DC 20, full-round, 1d10 HP, once per encounter).
Special: Combined with 5+ ranks in Pilot, allows an emergency in-flight hull
repair (DC 20, full-round, 1d10 HP, once per encounter).
Untrained: Cannot design, build, or deeply modify complex systems. Use Repair for
field-fix tasks. May assist an Engineer as a helper (aid another).
Descriptors
dc: 10
Field
Value
dc
10
task
Identify a familiar system component
dc: 15
Field
Value
dc
15
task
Modify an existing system within spec
dc: 20
Field
Value
dc
20
task
Design a custom component for a known system
dc: 25
Field
Value
dc
25
task
Reverse-engineer an unfamiliar alien device
dc: 28
Field
Value
dc
28
task
Diagnose a deep structural fault in a capital ship
dc: 30
Field
Value
dc
30
task
Design a novel system from first principles
Synergy
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
from
Repair
threshold
5
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
from
Mechanics
threshold
5
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
from
Pilot
threshold
5
Synergies
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
ranks
5
skill
Repair
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
ranks
5
skill
Mechanics
bonus: 2
Field
Value
bonus
2
ranks
5
skill
Pilot
Uses
application: Identify a familiar system component
Field
Value
application
Identify a familiar system component
dc
10
failure
Misidentify; may attempt again with research.
success
Component identified; function and specs known.
application: Modify an existing system within spec
Field
Value
application
Modify an existing system within spec
dc
15
failure
Modification fails; system undamaged, time wasted.
success
Modification works as intended.
application: Design a custom component for a known system
Field
Value
application
Design a custom component for a known system
dc
20
failure
Design flawed; component will not function as intended.
success
Component designed; fabrication may begin.
application: Reverse-engineer an unfamiliar alien device
Field
Value
application
Reverse-engineer an unfamiliar alien device
dc
25
failure
Device function unclear; risk of triggering it (GM discretion).
success
Device function understood; may attempt replication.
application: Diagnose a deep structural fault in a capital ship
Field
Value
application
Diagnose a deep structural fault in a capital ship
dc
28
failure
Fault misdiagnosed; repair attempt may worsen damage.
success
Fault located; repair plan established.
application: Design a novel system from first principles
Field
Value
application
Design a novel system from first principles
dc
30
failure
Design fundamentally flawed; start over.
success
Working prototype designed; requires materials and time.