Propulsions

Propulsions
Propulsions describe different sources of mobility for characters, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Treat Propulsions as 4pt Equipment for all purposes, except that one comes free with each Mode. Advanced Propulsions are treated in the same manner, except as if they were 6pt Equipment instead.

Specifics of Methods of Travel
Transformers may utilize Propulsion Equipment to travel using other methods apart from ground travel. Each of these methods has its own Movement Rate, as determined by the specifics of the Equipment.

Flight
Flight is conducted using Flight Zones:


 * Flight Zone 1 = Tactical combat height / helicopters
 * Flight Zone 2 = Standard commercial aircraft
 * Flight Zone 3 = Upper atmosphere
 * Flight Zone 4 = Low orbit
 * Flight Zone 5 = Outer space / high orbit

Movement Hexes are multiplied by the Flight Zone value, enabling improved speeds for long-distance travel. Transitioning between Flight Zones requires a Speed roll equal to the value of the zone being entered.

Hover
A a propulsion, Hover functions as per Flight, except without the movement requirements of Airborne. Additionally, a Transformer may simply stay aloft in air using Hover Propulsion.

Water
Water or other aquatic travel is separated into 3 Depths. Depth 0 is on the surface of water. Depth 1 is approximately 100 meters below the surface, representing the depth of an average lake. Depth 2 reaches to the very bottom of the ocean, allowing full travel anywhere in the water. In Robot-Mode, Transformers move 1 hex plus 1 more for each Level they have in the Swimming Concentration. Transformers do not suffer any ill effects from being underwater such as decompression or crushing from the pressure of the water. All Movement is halved when traveling at Depth 2. Moving from one Depth to another costs one action. You may only engage in combat with targets in your Depth, unless you are dropping depth charges (Grenade Armaments) on targets below (-5 to these attacks) or firing surface-to-air missiles (Cannon Armaments) at extreme range (requiring 5 actions per Depth Zone difference).

Space
Travel in space is relatively simple. You are either capable of travel in space or you are not. There are no Flight Zones to speak of. All Movement in space is multiplied by x5 in space.

Space Propulsion enables relatively expedient travel around the planet and to its moons within a day's travel at worse. With time, characters with Space Propulsion can travel between planets.

Subterranean
Traveling below the surface of a planet is fairly rare, but does occur. This type of travel has two depths: below surface and through planet. Below surface travel permits travel underground, but does not allow for travel through the planet nor allow for any significant reduction in travel time. Travel through the planet allows for significant reduction in travel time over great distances, allowing the character to multiply their Movement by up to 5 times for purposes of Movement Rolls, depending on where they are traveling to. Both moving below the surface as well as resurfacing cost one action. Combat is almost impossible when traveling underground.