Torpedoes

3-D
Standard Silent Death is restricted to the
two-dimensional map. While hardly realistic,
it makes things a lot simpler. If players
agree to use this rule, though, they can
add a third dimension to the game.
There are six altitude levels in 3-D Silent
Death. They run from 1 through 6, with
1 being the lowest. Each altitude level is
best thought of as a superimposed hex grid
above the game map. A vessel can climb
and dive through these levels during its
movement, flying through and occupying
various altitudes.
Setting Up for
a 3-D Scenario
Set up your starcraft at the beginning of
a scenario as usual, but select your starting
altitudes in secret. After all units have
been set up, reveal your altitudes. Use the
same procedure for reinforcements.
Use standard six-sided dice (1D6s) to represent
each ship’s altitude (alternatively,
5mm dice work great for this). Place a die
next to each ship, turning it so that the
number on its top face equals the ship’s
level. When the ship’s altitude changes,
turn the die to reflect this. If possible, use
differently colored dice to help keep
straight which die belongs to which ship.
If you want to play with more levels, simply
use a bigger die. By using D10s, you
can have 10 altitude levels to play on. Be
warned, though, that the more levels you
use, the more complicated things can get.
Range
To keep things simple, ignore the
Pythagorean Theorem. One level of altitude
difference between vessels equates to one
hex of horizontal range. Therefore, when
firing a weapon, add together the horizontal
range and vertical altitude difference
between an attacker and target to determine
the effective range.
Example: Dan’s Betafortress is 5 hexes
away from Anna’s Star Raven. Dan is
at level 1, and Anna is at level 4. The
difference between their levels is (4–
1=) 3. The effective range, then, is
(5+3=) 8.
Movement
Ships can climb and dive from level to
level as they like. It costs 2 movement
points for a fighter or torpedo (4 points for
a gunboat) to change altitude by one level.
Turning maneuvers must be performed
and paid for separately from any altitude
changes during a move. Changing altitude
without moving forward is allowed.
It is your responsibility to make sure that
the current altitude levels of your vessels
are clearly displayed to all other players.
When moving, make sure to call out any
changes in altitude level and turn your altitude
die to reflect the new level.
Drift occurs normally along the altitude
level occupied at the beginning of the Movement
Phase.
Starcraft
Even though starcraft may now occupy
one of six altitude levels, the restriction of
allowing only one starcraft per hex at the
end of movement is still in effect. So is the
rule which prohibits turns being made in a
hex occupied by another vessel.
Asteroids
When using asteroids in a 3-D game, randomize
the altitude level of each one placed
by rolling 1D6. Then place the die next to
the asteroid. Alternatively, you can mark its
base. Asteroids maintain the same altitude
level throughout the game.
Asteroids block cannon fire through
their hex only if the firer and target occupy
the same altitude level as the asteroid.
These were to be
Klaustein’s final words.
A man in dark robes,
posing as a warrior
monk, stepped out into
the church’s center
aisle, drew a large pistol
and pumped seven
speeding bullets into
the Reverend’s chest. As
he fell, Klaustein heard
the man shout, “Death
to Odin! Your Ragnarok
has arrived!”
While Klaustein lay
dying, he listened to the
assassin’s screams as
his people literally
pulled the viper apart. A
serene smile crossed his
face as he closed his
eyes. He knew that he
would be avenged.
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