Zones

Distance on the sensor map is measured in zones rather than feet or squares. Zones represent distances in outer space that wouldn’t be reasonable to calculate using 5-foot squares. Unlike the typical squares of a battle map, zones are abstract; they represent approximate and relative positions of starships, hazards, and other objects in the vicinity, rather than specific distance measurements and exact locations. Any number of starships and objects can share the same zone on the sensor map. Zones are primarily used to determine whether starships’ attacks and abilities are in range of their targets. Starship weapon ranges are described in zones. For example, a weapon with a range of 1 zone can target enemies in its zone and up to 1 zone away. Starships occupying the same zone are locked in a close-up skirmish, while starships firing at one another from different zones are engaging in a long-range duel.

Whether to maneuver to a different zone is often an important decision in tactical starship combat; the pilot must consider the crew’s capabilities as well as their enemies’ weapon ranges and the proximity of features that provide cover or hide environmental hazards. Some actions require a target to be in the same zone as the starship, and other actions can be used from great distances or have different effects depending on range. For example, if a player starship has a gunnery, the crew can catch another starship off-guard by getting behind them before firing.