It has become something of a tradition here at AOG to provide something special to our fans at Christmas. Two years ago it was Santa's sleigh, while the previous year we provided a Grinch scenario. This time, we present Frosty's Christmas Cruiser. Keep in mind this is not a serious ship, so don't try to play it in a tournament or anything ludicrous like that. Just have a fun and happy holiday season! --Agent One.
It is a well known fact that whenever it gets snowy outside on Christmas, Frosty loves to get out and play. Now that humans have pushed into space, he has kept up with the times, and since it's always snowing somewhere you can count on seeing his personal cruiser out and about on Christmas Day (at least somewhere in the galaxy). Of course, sometimes he encounters a race or faction that just doesn't get the Christmas spirit, and are foolish enough to try attacking his special ship. When this happens, use the stats shown here.
The ship requires no C&C (Frosty can't be hurt or killed, and has no difficulty commanding his ship regardless of the situation). Similarly, it has no hangar as there is no reason for anyone to board it and he can leave any time on the winds of winter. It is impossible to ram this vessel or be rammed by it, as anything hitting it just slips through its branches without effect. It has no jump drive, but can phase into or out of hyperspace at any time using the Shadow phasing rules (but it cannot half-phase).
Frosty's Cruiser takes double damage from the "melting" effect of a solar cannon, the one weapon our favorite snowman truly fears. He will usually go out of his way to target and destroy such unwinterly vessels as soon as he spots one.
The star atop Frosty's Cruiser can fire a beam of devastating intensity at anyone who does not possess the proper Christmas spirit. In addition to the ridiculous amount of damage this causes, all systems it hits during its raking attack have their armor reduced to zero for the remainder of the scenario (this effect occurs after the entire raking volley is done and before any other weapon damage is resolved). In addition, the owner of the ship that was struck must immediately sing at least two verses of his favorite Christmas carol (in full) or the star cannon will remain locked on and hit him again every turn (like a sustained weapon, but without the special arming requirements) until he complies. This must be a different carol than has already been sung earlier in the same scenario, by the same person or anyone else at the table.
The ornaments on the Cruiser can be lobbed through space to detonate against anyone not properly experiencing the joy of the season. They score damage in flash mode.
Anyone whose ship is hit by one of these weapons must immediately consume one Christmas cookie per torpedo (no matter how full they are) and complement whoever made it. If no cookies are available, either make some or go buy some. What are you waiting for, Ebenezer? Snap to it!
The bulbs strung across the Cruiser can emit brilliant beams of energy against any who do not perceive Christmas in the appropriate light (snicker). These devices are particularly good at disabling enemy weapons, forcing any they hit to roll two criticals that turn, not just one.
Anyone whose ship suffers damage from a string of lights must drink a glass of eggnog (or other appropriate Christmas beverage) and belch loudly immediately afterwards. If the burp is pathetically weak or inaudible, repeat the procedure until you get it right (ladies are exempt).
These defensive devices are effective at blocking the incoming fire of those who do not appreciate the holiday spirit. Their intercept ratings are effective against any weapons (even lasers) and do not degrade. If used offensively, they score significant damage.
Anyone whose weapon is intercepted by a tinsel gun, or who takes damage from one, must take a piece of tinsel off the nearest Christmas tree and drape it over their head or shoulders, where it must remain for the rest of the scenario. If there is no tinsel on the tree, use any similar item, such as a string of popcorn, candy cane, or whatever, just as long as whoever puts it on looks as goofy as possible.
Normally used to assist Santa in delivering presents, these can also be employed as a weapon if attacked by anti-Christmas weasels. They operate like energy mines, except they do not scatter, and score damage out to two hexes range. Any unit that takes a hit from one of these (even if it does not actually mark any hits due to high armor) must deactivate all its weapons immediately as the crews temporarily lose their urge to fight and exchange gifts with each other. Treat all weapons on the ship as having just fired on that turn.
If one of your ships suffers damage from a gift bomb in any turn, you must wear a colorful bow on your head until your ship next fires weapons or the scenario is over, whichever comes first.
Frosty's Cruiser is surrounded by a snow globe for protection from all those Grinches and Scrooges out there. This shield provides a -2 to all defense ratings as shown on the control sheet. In addition, every 9 points of additional energy applied to the system creates a further -2 bonus. There is no limit to this other than available power.