To that end, I wrote the Essential Guides section for you. However, I realize that they can't be all-encompassing. You might have questions I didn't think of... or, because a lot of them were written late at night when I was quite drowsy but in full tech-nerd mode, they might be unclear in places.So, if you have any specific technical questions that are either not covered or unclear from the guides, please ask!
And I'll even throw in what is likely to be the most frequently asked question as a freebie!
Q: "How much of this stuff do I need to know?!"
A: ALMOST NONE OF IT!
Obviously, depending on your character, there will be minor exceptions here and there. For example, anyone in command of a ship, whether a freighter pilot or flag captain of a dreadnought, should be roughly aware of where you can and cannot jump in and out of hyperspace at a planet. Anyone in a strategic role should know that too, as it can effect planning the defense of your planets or attacking others'. But do you have to know how a blaster works? Absolutely not. Do you really need to know the history of the hyperdrive? Or the whys and wherefores of how shields operate? No. Hell, you don't even have to read them all the way through. Short version of essential information, whether you're a smuggler, a pirate, a soldier, a pilot, or an admiral:
- Hyperdrives cannot be engaged within antigrav (repulsor) range of a celestial body; hyperspace can be exited at roughly one planetary diameter out (around 12,000 kilometers). This can make people on the planet angry. If they have lots of guns, you do not want to make them angry... unless you have more guns.
- Repulsorlift ground vehicles can't pass through ground shields.
- Ships and fighters have to lower their particle shields to fire torpedoes, missiles, or launch/retrieve fighters, shuttles, transports, or other smaller ships.
