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\title{Doubly Blind}
\author{Limited Intelligence for GDW's {\bf Starcruiser}}
\date{\copyright 1990 Brian Yip}
\maketitle

{\it
{\noindent \Large W}hether roleplaying or wargaming, the general consensus seems
to be that no system of rules is perfect, and that every rule is open, not merely
to reinterpretation, but also to revision. Understanding this, Brian presents
his revisions to GDW's {\bf Starcruiser}. \\}

{\noindent \Large {\bf S}}{\bf tarcruiser}
presents a very nice system for starship combat that depends as
much on detecting the enemy (if not more in some instances) as the firepower
one can bring to bear. ``Bogeys" all appear as black globes, indistinguishable
from one another except by action until detected by active or passive sensors.

During the Active Sensor Illumination phase, players may illuminate their
ships' active sensors and use their active sensor rating to detect other
objects. During the detection phase, players may ask, for example, ``Does
this bogey have a radiated signature of 6 or more?" If the opposing player
responds ``yes," the object is detected.

A couple of things happen in Star Cruiser that I do not find to be quite
right. When players ask about their target's signature, their target then
knows the players sensor rating. Secondly, the target player answers ``yes"
or ``no" when asked about his signature, meaning the target always knows
whether he's been detected or not.  It seems to me that players should
only know whether they've detected their target (and thus the target's
signature), not whether they themselves have been detected or their opponents
sensor ratings, especially not passive ones. Here is how I propose this could
be simulated.

For each object (starship, missile, drone, etc.), two index cards are required.
One card is divided into four sections with each section numbered as in {\em figure A}.

The other index card should be cut into strips
that will cover each of the four sections.

Under ``Radiated Signature" circle your object's radiated signature number (masked).
Similarly, circle the object's radial and lateral reflected signature. Under
``Identity", write in the identity of the unit. By ``Object" at the
top, write a letter or number or otherwise special mark that will identify which
black globe counter this card represents.

To play, lay the cards face up by the map where your opponents will easily reach
them. Play the strips (information blinds) on top of each column but allow the
top part (where the object number and column names are) to be visible. Now
everything is ready.

Play proceeds as normal except that during the detection phase, players consult
the cards instead of asking each other about their signatures. Instead of asking
``Does this bogey have a signature of x?" go to the card with that bogey's number
or letter and secretely slide down the strip under that column until you see the
number ``x". If you see one of the numbers circled, then the ship has been detected
and you may look under the ``Identity" column to see what it is. You do not need to
tell your opponent that he has been detected. Move the strips back into place so
that no one will know your sensor rating.

Note that if you illuminate using active sensors, you still indicate so since
detection of your ship is then automatic. Also, if your ship has suffered a hull
breech, its radiated signature goes up. When this happens, immediately take the
ship's card back and circle the higher signature number. Return the card to the
table and continue play.\\

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
	\multicolumn{4}{|c|}{Object}\\
\hline
	Radiated	&\multicolumn{2}{c|}{Reflected Signature} &\\
\cline{2-3}
        Signature       &Radial         &Lateral& Identity \\
\hline
	15		&15		&15&\\
	14		&14		&14&\\
	13		&13		&13&\\
	12		&12		&12&\\
	11		&11		&11&\\
	10		&10		&10&\\
	9		&9		&9&\\
	8		&8		&8&\\
	7		&7		&7&\\
	6		&6		&6&\\
	5		&5		&5&\\
	4		&4		&4&\\
	3		&3		&3&\\
	2		&2		&2&\\
	1		&1		&1&\\
	0		&0		&0&\\
\hline
\multicolumn{4}{c}{}\\
\multicolumn{4}{c}{\em figure A}\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

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