Boarding Actions (Void to Personal Scale Bridge)

Step-by-step boarding procedure bridging void combat (1-minute rounds) to personal scale (6-second rounds).

Boarding is the canonical scale bridge from spec-void-warfare S6: when a ship is crippled, docked, or rammed, the action drops to personal scale on the deck plan. The boarding attacker usually commands a dedicated boarding craft; the defender is the crew of the crippled ship, possibly with security-marine detachment (Legion/core, Family privateers) or Day One cultists on Derelict hulks.

This table is procedural (no die roll): the GM and crew walk down the steps in order. The check column lists the skill and DC for any test at that step. Steps marked Transition trigger the scale flip from void to personal; once triggered, all subsequent steps resolve on the personal-scale 6-second round.

Personal-weapon-on-ship and ship-weapon-on-person damage rules from spec-void-warfare S6 STILL apply: a ship's main gun is treated as an environmental hazard / massive damage at personal scale, while small arms fire is negligible to hull except via sabotage. Sabotage-against- ship is the boarding play loop and is keyed to Void System Damage and Ship Critical Hits.

Breaching ram, cutting torch, mag-lock, and airlock override are the four entry methods. Each has a different base DC (step 3).

Rules Reference

Field	Value
Data / Step 01 Approach / Actor	Attacker (Pilot) and Defender (Point-Defense)
Data / Step 01 Approach / Branches	docked-target: step-03-breach-action
Data / Step 01 Approach / Dc	13
Data / Step 01 Approach / Failure Terminal	repelled:craft-disabled
Data / Step 01 Approach / Next Failure	step-01-approach
Data / Step 01 Approach / Next Success	step-02-lock-on
Data / Step 01 Approach / Notes	If the target is docked at a station, skip approach and proceed to step 3; boarding craft is already attached.
Data / Step 01 Approach / Phase	Approach
Data / Step 01 Approach / Retry	next-round
Data / Step 01 Approach / Scale	Void
Data / Step 01 Approach / Step Id	step-01-approach
Data / Step 01 Approach / Step Number	1
Data / Step 01 Approach / Terminal	none
Data / Step 01 Approach / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Actor	Attacker (Pilot / Engineer)
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Dc	12
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Next Failure	step-02-lock-on
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Next Success	step-03-breach-action
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Phase	Approach
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Retry	next-round
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Scale	Void
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Step Id	step-02-lock-on
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Step Number	2
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Terminal	none
Data / Step 02 Lock On / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Actor	Attacker (Engineer or Marine)
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Dc Variant Durations / Cutting Torch	1d4
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Dc Variants / Airlock Override	14
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Dc Variants / Breaching Ram	16
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Dc Variants / Cutting Torch	18
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Dc Variants / Mag Lock	20
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Next Failure	step-03-breach-action
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Next Success	step-04-personal-scale-engage
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Phase	Breach
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Retry	next-round
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Retry Notes Typed	cutting-torch-rerolls-duration
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Scale	Void
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Step Id	step-03-breach-action
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Step Number	3
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Terminal	none
Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Actor	Both
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Dc	15
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Dc Variants / Silent Approach	19
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Effect	Combat is now personal-scale 6-second rounds. All standard combat rules apply (BAB, AC, powers, conditions).
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Next Failure	step-05-initial-positions
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Next Success	step-05-initial-positions
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Phase	Entry
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Scale	Transition
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Step Id	step-04-personal-scale-engage
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Step Number	4
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Terminal	none
Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Transitions Scale	true
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Actor	Both
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Dc	12
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Next Failure	step-06-engagement
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Next Success	step-06-engagement
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Phase	Entry
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Scale	Personal
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Step Id	step-05-initial-positions
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Step Number	5
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Terminal	none
Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Actor	Both
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Branch Resolution	step-10-resolution
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Next Failure	step-06-engagement
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Next Success	step-07-breach-control
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Phase	Engagement
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Scale	Personal
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Skill Id	none
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Step Id	step-06-engagement
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Step Number	6
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Terminal	none
Data / Step 06 Engagement / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Actor	Defender
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Dc	15
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Dc Variants / Contested	18
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Failure Effect Typed	attacker-firebase;row6-atmo-persists
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Next Failure	step-08-sabotage-loop
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Next Success	step-08-sabotage-loop
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Phase	Engagement
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Scale	Personal
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Step Id	step-07-breach-control
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Step Number	7
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Terminal	none
Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Actor	Attacker
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Advance Branch	step-09-deck-progression
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Dc	18
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Dc Variants / Known Ship Class	15
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Failure Effect Typed	uncontrolled-system-damage-roll
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Next Failure	step-08-sabotage-loop
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Next Success	step-08-sabotage-loop
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Phase	Sabotage
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Retry	per-system-10-round-cooldown
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Scale	Personal
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Step Id	step-08-sabotage-loop
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Step Number	8
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Terminal	none
Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Actor	Attacker
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Alt Checks	COMBAT-MANEUVER DC 15; SKILL-ENGINEERING DC 14 (turbolift sabotage)
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Dc	13
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Dc Variants / Combat Maneuver	15
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Dc Variants / Locked Blast Door	18
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Dc Variants / Turbolift Sabotage Engineering	14
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Next Failure	step-09-deck-progression
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Next Success	step-10-resolution
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Phase	Sabotage
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Scale	Personal
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Step Id	step-09-deck-progression
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Step Number	9
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Terminal	none
Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Actor	Both
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Branch Notes Typed	captain-killed+successor-save-pass: step-06-engagement; captain-killed+successor-save-fail: step-11-mop-up
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Check Kind	save
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Dc	13
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Dc Variants / Bridge Isolated	18
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Dc Variants / Successor Command	12
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Next Failure	step-11-mop-up
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Next Success	step-06-engagement
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Phase	Resolution
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Save Kind	will
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Scale	Both
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Skill Id	none
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Step Id	step-10-resolution
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Step Number	10
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Terminal	repelled,withdrawn
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Transition Branches	repelled,withdrawn
Data / Step 10 Resolution / Transitions Scale	false
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Actor	Attacker
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Dc	12
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Dc Variants / Reactor Breached	16
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Next Failure	step-11-mop-up
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Next Success	none
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Phase	Resolution
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Retry Interval	1d4-hours
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Scale	Personal
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Step Id	step-11-mop-up
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Step Number	11
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Terminal	secured
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Transition Condition	secured-only
Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Transitions Scale	true

Notes

Data / Step 01 Approach / Effect: Boarding craft takes 1d6 hull damage per round of approach. At 0 hull it is disabled and the boarding party is space-exposed (CON DC 10 or 1d6 damage/round from vacuum).

Data / Step 01 Approach / Skill Id: Pilot

Data / Step 02 Lock On / Effect: Once locked, the boarding craft and ship share a 5 ft doorway for personal-scale combat. Defender may not fire main weapons at the locked section (PDC may still fire at OTHER threats).

Data / Step 02 Lock On / Notes: Lock-on is also when the defender sets inner airlock blast doors; if defender seals early (Engineering DC 10) the boarders must breach additional bulkheads.

Data / Step 02 Lock On / Skill Id: Engineering

Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Effect: Successful breach creates a Hull Breach (minor) -- roll TBL-VOID-SYSTEM-DAMAGE row 6 immediately on the target ship. Atmospheric loss begins; both sides' crew within 30 ft face decompression.

Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Notes: Cutting torch ignites atmosphere (1d4 fire damage/round in the breached section). Mag-lock by-passes atmosphere if defender already vented the section.

Data / Step 03 Breach Action / Skill Id: Engineering

Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Notes: This is the explicit bridge from spec-void-warfare S6. From here on, void-round rules no longer apply until the party re-secures the ship and exits. The silent-approach variant preserves BOTH authored checks: Feather-Touch's Sensors DC 18 marks the approach silent; this Perception contest still rolls, at the corpus's standard -4 sense-degradation magnitude (canon ruling 2026-07-28).

Data / Step 04 Personal Scale Engage / Skill Id: Perception

Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Effect: Establishes deck-plan geography: 30 ft corridors, 10 ft doors, low ceilings (zero-grav sections may be open 30 ft vertical). Use standard cover bonuses from TBL-COVER-BONUSES.

Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Notes: Station ships have 2-5 decks; shuttles are single-level. Mark the captain's bridge, reactor room, and life support on the deck plan BEFORE initiative starts.

Data / Step 05 Initial Positions / Skill Id: Tactics

Data / Step 06 Engagement / Effect: Engagement continues until one side withdraws, defenders surrender, attackers reach a key system, or attackers are repelled. Attacker morale breaks at half-casualties; defender at 75% casualties unless the captain rallies.

Data / Step 06 Engagement / Notes: Pilot combatants aboard the ship gain Pilot/DEX at -4 (no console); Engineering crew gain their skill normally. Gunners contribute by firing REARWARD weapons into the breach at -2 per round.

Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Effect: Successful seal halts atmospheric loss and ends the TBL-VOID-SYSTEM-DAMAGE row 6 cascade. Failed seal → attackers reinforce with mag-clamps and the breach becomes a defensible fire-base.

Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Notes: Venting is a defender-only nuclear option; any non-suited creatures (boarders and defenders) within 30 ft of vented section take 1d10 damage/round. Most crews reserve this for Fold-tainted boarders.

Data / Step 07 Breach Control / Skill Id: Engineering

Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Effect: Success triggers a chosen entry on TBL-VOID-SYSTEM-DAMAGE with the attacker's element (acid, fire, electrical, fold-bleed). The cascade is what makes a single skilled engineer crew cripple a frigate.

Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Notes: Family corvettes are deliberately warded against internal sabotage (DC +5). Industrial rigs (Anvil-sector gas extractors) have NO wards and are extremely vulnerable.

Data / Step 08 Sabotage Loop / Skill Id: Engineering

Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Effect: Each cleared corridor makes defender reinforcements harder. Bridge is the last deck; reaching it ends defender resistance in 90% of cases.

Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Notes: Long ships (capitals) have 5 decks and internal turbolifts (can be disabled by sabotaging the lift -- Engineering DC 14). Station ships use the same rules but on the station deck plan.

Data / Step 09 Deck Progression / Skill Id: Athletics

Data / Step 10 Resolution / Effect: Surrender → attackers gain full salvage rights (see TBL-SALVAGE-FINDS for derelict and CONTRACTS-FINDS for live). Repel → attackers suffer retreat conditions (half-casualties, no salvage). Captain killed → ship is lootable by any crew for 1d4 hours until a rival claims command.

Data / Step 10 Resolution / Notes: Family surrender terms: captain's promise of safe-conduct is binding; breaking it loses +1 faction standing with the relevant Family. Legion surrender terms are unconditional (Core Marines do not negotiate).

Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Effect: Secured ship enters scale-flip-back to void as soon as attacker crew mans stations. Engineering crew may now attempt normal repairs to the ship's pre-board damage.

Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Notes: If mop-up reveals a Fold-echo (Day One shrine / fold-tainted hulk), roll on TABLE-FOLD-CASCADE before claiming the bridge. Fold-touched hulls can become crewed ships (rare, costly).

Data / Step 11 Mop Up / Skill Id: Engineering

Columns

stepId

Field	Value
description	Unique key for this step.
label	Step ID
name	stepId

stepNumber

Field	Value
description	Order in the boarding sequence (1-11).
label	Step
name	stepNumber

scale

Field	Value
description	Which scale this step resolves at (Void / Transition / Personal / Both).
label	Scale
name	scale

phase

Field	Value
description	Which phase of boarding this step belongs to.
label	Phase
name	phase

actor

Field	Value
description	Who initiates / resolves this step (Attacker / Defender / Both / GM).
label	Actor
name	actor

effect

Field	Value
description	Mechanical outcome of this step.
label	Effect
name	effect

notes

Field	Value
description	Edge cases, GM rulings, scale-bridge hooks.
label	Notes
name	notes

skillId

Field	Value
description	Catalogue skill ID used in check (e.g. SKILL-PILOT, SKILL-ENGINEERING, or 'none' for non-skill checks).
label	Skill ID
name	skillId

dc

Field	Value
description	Base Difficulty Class for the skill check; omit if no check or check uses dcVariants only.
label	Base DC
name	dc

dcVariants

Field	Value
description	Method-dependent or conditional DC modifiers (e.g. {locked-blast-door: 18, contested: 18}).
label	DC Variants
name	dcVariants

dcVariantDurations

Field	Value
description	Rolled durations for specific method variants (e.g. {cutting-torch: 1d4}).
label	DC Variant Durations
name	dcVariantDurations

retry

Field	Value
description	Retry condition (e.g. 'next-round', 'none' if forbidden, 'adjudicate' if unclear).
label	Retry
name	retry

nextSuccess

Field	Value
description	Step ID that follows on success; 'none' for terminal steps.
label	Next on Success
name	nextSuccess

nextFailure

Field	Value
description	Step ID or outcome on failure; 'adjudicate' if prose is silent or unclear.
label	Next on Failure
name	nextFailure

branches

Field	Value
description	Conditional paths (e.g. 'docked-target: step-03-breach-action').
label	Conditional Branches
name	branches

terminal

Field	Value
description	Terminal outcome type (e.g. 'none', 'secured', 'surrender', 'repelled'); list comma-separated if multiple.
label	Terminal Outcome
name	terminal

transitionsScale

Field	Value
description	True if this step flips the scale (Void ↔ Personal); false otherwise.
label	Transitions Scale
name	transitionsScale

checkKind

Field	Value
description	Type of check (e.g. 'skill', 'save', 'ability'); clarifies the check mechanics.
label	Check Kind
name	checkKind

saveKind

Field	Value
description	Type of saving throw if applicable (e.g. 'will', 'fortitude', 'reflex').
label	Save Kind
name	saveKind

failureTerminal

Field	Value
description	Terminal outcome reached from the failure branch (e.g. 'repelled:craft-disabled').
label	Failure Terminal
name	failureTerminal

branchResolution

Field	Value
description	Step that conditional branches (withdrawal/morale-break/surrender/repel) resolve to.
label	Branch Resolution
name	branchResolution

failureEffectTyped

Field	Value
description	Typed failure effects triggered by this step (semicolon-separated).
label	Failure Effect
name	failureEffectTyped

advanceBranch

Field	Value
description	Step to transition to on explicit advance choice (e.g. moving from sabotage to deck progression).
label	Advance Branch
name	advanceBranch

altChecks

Field	Value
description	Alternative check options with their kinds and DCs.
label	Alternative Checks
name	altChecks

transitionBranches

Field	Value
description	Branches that trigger scale transition and resume suspended void battle (comma-separated).
label	Transition Branches
name	transitionBranches

branchNotesTyped

Field	Value
description	Typed branch semantics and routing (e.g. captain-killed successor save outcomes).
label	Branch Notes
name	branchNotesTyped

retryNotesTyped

Field	Value
description	Typed notes on retry mechanics (e.g. cutting-torch-rerolls-duration).
label	Retry Notes
name	retryNotesTyped

retryInterval

Field	Value
description	Time interval before retry is allowed (e.g. '1d4-hours').
label	Retry Interval
name	retryInterval

transitionCondition

Field	Value
description	Condition required for scale transition (e.g. 'secured-only').
label	Transition Condition
name	transitionCondition