The Starcraft of Crusher Joe Anime For the Stars Without Number Rpg

 Bringing the aesthetic of Crusher Joe into Stars Without Number (SWN) is a fantastic choice. Studio Nue’s designs—specifically those by Shoji Kawamori—feature that perfect "used future" look: chunky, functional, and bristling with specialized sensors.

In SWN terms, these ships often punch above their weight class due to the high level of "Crusher" customization.

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1. The Minerva (Crusher Team Ship)

The Minerva is a heavy-duty versatility craft. In SWN, it sits between a Free Merchant and a Patrol Boat. It’s fast, incredibly durable, and carries the team's smaller vehicles.

Statistic	SWN Value
Hull Type	Corvette (customized)
Armor	10
Hit Points	40
Speed	3
Sensor Range	100,000 km
Free Hardpoints	2

• Fixed Equipment:

  • Ship’s Locker: Contains the "Galleon" tank and "Fighter" units.

  • Atmospheric Flyer: The Minerva is fully capable of atmospheric entry and landing.

  • Advanced Sensors: Gives a +1 to all Bridge crew checks involving scanning or detecting stealth.

• Weaponry: Dual Spinal Lasers (use Large Blue Laser stats).

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2. The Siren (Pirate Heavy Cruiser)

The Siren (belonging to Big Murphy) is a terrifying, asymmetrical beast. In SWN, this is a Heavy Frigate or even a small Cruiser meant to intimidate and overpower merchant lanes.

• Hull Type: Cruiser

• Armor: 15

• Special Ability: "The Claw." The Siren is equipped with massive grappling arrays. If it successfully hits a ship of a smaller hull class, it can initiate a boarding action immediately without reducing the target to 0 HP.

• Recommended Loadout: * Plasma Beam: For melting through hulls.

  • Flak Cannon: To swat away Joe’s pesky fighters.

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3. Crusher Team Fighters (TR-5 Harpy / Dongoro)

These are the tactical "birds" launched from the Minerva. In SWN, these are standard Strike Fighters.

• Speed: 5

• Armor: 5

• Weaponry: Sandthrower (for defense) or Multifocal Laser.

• Trait: High Maneuverability. Pilots gain a +1 bonus to Evasive Action maneuvers.

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4. Converting the "Vibe" to Mechanics

To make these feel like Crusher Joe ships rather than generic SWN ships, apply these House Rules:

1. Crusher Modifications: Crusher ships always have at least one "Pretech" component (p. 100 of the core book) representing their elite status, usually in Engines or Sensors.

2. External Hardpoints: Many Crusher Joe designs feature external fuel tanks or weapon pods. You can grant +2 Power at the cost of -1 Speed to represent these "bulky" retrofits.

3. The "Crusher" Skill: If a PC has the Pilot skill and is a certified Crusher, they can spend 1 Command Point to automatically succeed on a "Stunt" check once per engagement.

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Comparison Table: Ship Scale

CJ Ship Class	SWN Equivalent	Primary Role
Team Leader Ship	Corvette	Multi-mission/Transport
Combat Fighter	Strike Fighter	Interception
Pirate Mothership	Heavy Cruiser	Area Denial / Boarding
United Space Force	Battleship	System Defense

Gemini said

To build the Minerva accurately in Stars Without Number, we have to account for its paradoxical nature: it’s a civilian ship that performs like a military prototype.

In SWN terms, we use the Corvette hull as the base but apply the "Luxury" or "Specialist" modifications to reflect its high-end Crusher tech.

The Minerva (Corvette Class)

"A Crusher's pride isn't in their blaster; it's in their ship's ability to get them out of a black hole in one piece."

Stat	Value	Notes
Cost	4,500,000 credits	Includes custom Crusher-spec tuning
Speed	3	Fast for its size
Armor	10	Reinforced composite hull
HP	40	Durable against pirate incursions
Crew	4 / 40	Minimum 4 (The Joe Team)
AC	13	High-output thruster agility
Power	15 / 15 (Max)	Fully utilized
Mass	15 / 15 (Max)	Highly specialized interior

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Fitting & Equipment (The "Crusher" Build)

The Minerva is packed with utility to ensure the team can handle any contract, from planetary surveys to hostage rescues.

Fitting	Power	Mass	Effect
Spike Drive 3	3	3	High-speed interstellar travel.
Atmospheric Configuration	0	1	Can land on planets and fly in-atmo.
Ship's Locker	0	0	Contains the Galleon tank and EVA gear.
Vehicle Transport	0	2	Specifically for the TR-5 Fighters.
Extended Life Support	2	2	For those long hauls in deep space.
Survey Sensors	2	1	+1 to detect hidden ships/bases.
Fuel Bunkers	0	1	Doubles the operational range.
Workshop	1	1	Allows for field repairs on the Fighters/Tank.

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Weaponry

The Minerva isn't a warship, but it's "Crusher-Spec," meaning it carries enough firepower to punch a hole for an escape.

• Dual Spinal Lasers (Large Blue Lasers)

  • Damage: $3d6$

  • Power/Mass: 4 Power / 2 Mass

  • Special: Can be fired by the Pilot in a pinch, but best handled by a dedicated Gunner.

• Point Defense Lasers

  • Damage: $1d4$

  • Power/Mass: 3 Power / 2 Mass

  • Special: Grants a +2 to defend against incoming torpedoes/missiles.

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Unique Crusher Modification: "The Minerva Overdrive"

As an AI-assisted craft, the Minerva has a unique pretech-equivalent modification.

The Kirua Protocol: Once per combat, the Pilot may push the engines to their limit. This grants an immediate +2 to Speed for one round and allows the ship to ignore the "Hazard" penalties of flying through asteroid belts or debris fields. After use, the ship's Power is reduced by 2 until the engines are serviced at a port.

Gemini said