Whilst the 2nd edition B5W rules are emenintly playable a battle of any reasonable size takes many hours to play and defies physics and rational thought in the mechanics. These rules are an attempt to make the game faster, closer to the laws of physics, better depict the feel of the show and portray a reasonable level of technology given my experiences in working for several military equipment manufacturers and the aerospace industry.

 

House Rules

These rules have examined these problems

  • Hex sizes and time frames
  • Reducing the impact of initiative rolls
  • More physically realistic movement system
  • Side and front thrusters not present on most ships
  • Interception
  • Fighters
  • Making the hit charts and system locations more realistic
  • Sensor technology not progressing logically over time
  • Sensors on dinky ships can be as powerful as dreadnaughts
  • Ship signatures seem to be a randomly thought up number

Basic Rules (Note : the rules in Word format below are much easier to read)

Ship Control Sheets (zip file in Macromedia Freehand 10 format). One day I'll convert them to pdf.

Physics versus Playability (notes on what should happen and how this is reflected in the rules)

Resources

Word

Printable Rules

Notes on translation of ships between AOG and house rules

Excel

Fleet & ship costs

This large spreadsheet contains all the calculations and workings to generate the wepon point value, ship costs, ship's sensor values, and signatures.

  • Sensors values are based upon a general progression in sensor technology over time and larger ships having more powerful sensors than small ships
  • Signatures are based upon the number and size of weapons, flights of fighters and existence of jump drives
  • Fighter signatures are reworked based upon size and manouverability (thrust to weight ratio or acceleration)
  • Weapon point values are based on damage, range and technology (plasma, particle).

Weapon range calculations

This spreadsheet is used for calculating the weapon range modifiers for each ship. It considers factors such as stability of the platform (size of ship) size of weapon, technology (plasma...)

Other Information

Ship type designations and descriptions

Locations and what's in them

Anatomy of weapons

Treatise on laser weapons by Symon Cooke

The Physics of Rail guns & B5 by Jacob Jett

My comments on Symon's treatise on laser weapons

Official Rules FAQ