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With Rebels Season 3 complete and a tantalizing trailer dropped upon us for Season 4, I feel it’s time I return to this awesome series. I feel it has been a little while since I have done a space vehicle, and I am a sucker for all things Mandalorian, so I’m pleased to provide my take on the Gauntlet “Fighter.” I always found the designation of these ships as “fighters” to be frankly hilarious. Clocking in at approximately 52m in length and width, these things are larger than the YT-1300 freighter. I suppose fighter is as fighter does though, as despite their size, Gauntlet fighters are highly maneuverable. While I still think it would be better referred to as an Assault Craft or Patrol Boat, or really anything that conveys its larger size, I begrudgingly go along with its “fighter” designation according to canon sources. I will, however, tack on a “heavy” before that “fighter” as a personal point.
Kom’rk-class “Gauntlet” Heavy Fighter
Fitting two roles not normally found in the same ship, the Kom’rk-class Heavy Fighter is at once a maneuverable fighter and a sturdy combat transport. Famed for their use by Pre Vizla’s Death Watch and later Darth Maul’s Shadow Collective, these Gauntlets could drive deep into enemy lines and disgorge multiple squads of Mandalorian commandos. Equipped with a similar pivoting wing system to the Fang fighter, these ships possess surprisingly responsive handling. Despite their larger size at over 52 m in length and at the wings, the sheer agility of these ships earn them the moniker of fighter. With the end of the Shadow Collective, many of these ships found their way into the hands of renegade Mandalorian groups, mercenary bands, pirates, and even some racers.
Sil 4; Speed 4; Handling +1; Def 2/-/-/1 Armor 3
Hull Trauma 20; System Strain 13
Hull Type/Class: Fighter-Transport/Kom’rk class.
Manufacturer: MandalMotors.
Hyperdrive: Primary: Class 1, Backup: Class 10.
Navicomputer: Yes.
Sensor Range: Short.
Crew: One pilot, one co-pilot, one tail gunner, and one loadmaster.
Encumbrance Capacity: 75.
Passenger Capacity: 24.
Consumables: One month.
Price/Rarity: 115,000 credits / 8
Customization Hard Points: 1.
Weapons: Forward mounted twin medium laser cannons (Fire Arc Forward; Damage 6; Critical 3; Range [Close]; Linked 1), rear mounted twin medium laser cannons (Fire Arc Rear; Damage 6; Critical 3; Range [Close]; Linked 1).
Suggested Use: Mandalorian Raiders
A single Gauntlet heavy fighter is capable of using speed, firepower, and protection to blast through enemy defenses and deposit up to 24 fully armored Mandalorians into close combat. When combined with a flight of two or four Fang fighters acting as escort it becomes nearly impossible to stop a determined Gauntlet crew on a combat insertion. Should the PCs be facing Mandalorian opponents or well equipped mercenaries, the threat of a quick reaction force delivered into battle by a Gauntlet can provide GMs with a narratively appropriate way to ratchet up the threat.
While every Mass Combat situation is unique, the following is suggested to represent just how effective this platform is at troop insertion. During Mass Combat, any Check which hinges upon combat insertion of troops by a Gauntlet heavy fighter receives 2 Boost Dice. If the heavy fighter is escorted by at least two Fang fighters, instead Upgrade the Check instead of the Boost Dice.
Adventure Seed: Running the Gauntlet
Ships with as fine a combat pedigree as the Gauntlet are in high demand by the Rebel Alliance. Especially with the loss of most of the Alliance’s fleet of UT-60D “U-Wing” support craft by the Battle of Yavin, the Rebels are desperate to acquire combat ready dropships. Jaite Eftu, a young SpecForce officer, has determined the Gauntlet would best suit the Alliance’s need for a fast, powerful vessel capable of inserting and extracting Rebel commandos. The PCs are enlisted to acquire one.
Informants have identified a Gauntlet being impounded at a backwater Imperial installation orbiting Ord Ibanna. The PCs must infiltrate the facility, release the locks on the ship, and escape with the Gauntlet in sufficiently good condition to be pressed into Alliance service. The mission should run smoothly at first, with the PCs easily sneaking around or fighting the complacent Imperial garrison. Once they board the ship, it is time to spring the twist. A large Imperial fleet exits hyperspace to conduct a stopover at the installation, just as the PCs are preparing to power up the ship. Now they must either run the gauntlet past the impromptu blockade and into hyperspace or find an alternative solution to escape the Imperials’ accidental trap.
Christopher Hunt
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