			Divisions and Personnel Assignments

Tactical Primer

Bridge:

If you have more that one tactical officer, I have found it good to do some JP’s from that position, either with another primary character or a PNPC or an NPC position. Normally this is a solo position.

Normally have the tactical board, remember it is a standing position on most starships.

Also on the tactical board you have the various sensors for the ship both active and passive and if a probe is launched you have the telemetry that may come into the science station as well. That is the primary responsibility for the science department but you would recive data as well.

If there are positions not filled like communication the captain may have you do communications as well as well as almost anything.

On the tactical board think of it as a control to almost anything in the ship, you might bring up security as well, tractor beams, almost anything. It is a fully programmable board, you might configure any way that you need. Also you may want to short cut anything that you may need in a hurry.

You should also try to monitor other things that are going on the bridge, remember in some respects you are the eyes and ears for the captain or who ever be officer of the deck, which may be you. I like to remain at tactical if I have the duty unless there is another tactical officer with you.

When in a combat situation and there are two tactical officers, I like to have one take sensors and the other the weapons, while the weapons are the flashier of the two the sensors are just as important.

Shield Control

The constant shifting of the shields is very important, if the enemy ship or ships find your weak point, one well placed torpedo can damage a vital system. the defense of the ship is just as important as the offense. Remember that you have some auxiliary shield controls that can cover some damaged shields, but they are not too strong.

If you have some weak shields you will want to tell the captain, which shields are weak to present a stronger position to defend the ship. You also want to present you strongest part of the shields to the enemy fire. This is a constant source of concern.

Remember you and project your shields, to protect another ship, but this is very dangerous and cause damage to your ship quickly. The shield emitters can burn out rapidly when this is used. When you lose an emitter, then the other emitters will have to work harder to cover that part of the ship.

Torpedo Bay

A tactical officer will have knowledge of the quantum, photon, and other types of torpedoes at his/her disposal, but he/she will have done a visual inspection and make sure that they are accounted for you are only as strong as you weakest link. It is not flashy duty but it is gives you excellent chances to meet others in the crew, and know the personnel about the ship.

Phaser Control Room

The area usually set up in different regions, of the ship there the main controls are located. As a tactical officer you can monitor systems related to the type of phasers you have on your ship. However, you make be posted there as well.

Main Sensor controls

You will have control of the main sensors on the ship, and how you use them to detect threats from other ships and conditions is very important. Do you use the long range scanner and give away you position, or do you use more passive systems. Of course keeping the rest of the crew informed as well.

Computer systems

While not a direct concern of Tactical, attacking one’s computer system had been used, thus one must make sure that yours is secure. This is important to coordinate with Security forces aboard the ship.

Probes

There are a vast array of different probes that can be use, a tactical officer will be in charge in most situations of the launch, and with science getting the data from the probe. You should also monitor what is coming in on the science department and have a good working relationship with your science department.

Combat Tactics

Your job as the tactical officer is give information and suggestions to the Captain.

In a combat situation the tactical officer can offer detailed information of the surrounding system. You are to tell him of phenomenon that can mask and hide the ship from attack. This action can coincide with the science department’s information and sensor readings. Nebulas can offer some kind of cover when the ship is outnumbered. This where combat tactics come into play. Tactical officers will need to work very closely with the helm officer to gain some type of advantage. Again you prove the information to the Captain, for his decision.

Nebulas tend to blank out sensors and gives you the chance for manual firing of the weapons on a visual firing without computer control, but can even the odds if you are at a disadvantage.

The use of a wide spread attack can be useful against a cloaked target. It may be firing blind, but it just may damage the enemy just enough for a plasma trail to be detected.

Playing possum, is another tactic that can be used, to draw a opponent in close, but it also has huge risks involved. There are many different ways this can be done.

The tactical officer is sometimes in charge of drills, with of offensive systems, and defensive systems. He will certainly be involved.

There are many different attack patterns and potential defensive strategies. The tactical officer will need to be an expert in each of them. His knowledge is one of the many keys that Commanding officers count on as an expert in that station.

General Notes

Also when you know the mission, one should look at potential risks, and if you feel the need is to have a briefing of the captain, FO, and others about the risks, potential tactics to employ. The Tactical officer should also look at allies in the area, a great way to do a simm, is perhaps bring a member UFOP member in as a side.

The captain will look for each department for suggestions and concerns, we need to make sure that tactical is always ready.

The one thing a good tactical officer needs is constant training to keep the skill of combat fresh. In some cases when off duty, simulated holodeck battles can be helpful. Placing yourself in a very tough situation will make you think about what you are going to be dealing with and how to react to it. One should always be aware of surrounding and any new potential weapon on board or engine layout. How will it work in combat. What are its strengths and weaknesses? The tactical officer would be receiving constant updates from Starfleet from around the Federation on technological, political or social changes that may impact the tactical situation in their areas of operation. Also the tactical officer needs to be aware of the larger picture. If your ship in called into action, you well need to have a least a basic if not better picture of what is going on. One would expect the tactical officer to have an understand of what is going on generally in the Federation.

by LT. Eerie and LT (jg) Matthews USS Avandar. Updated by Lt. Cmdr. Eerie

Mission Specialist	Helm/Com/Ops	Engineer	Science Officer	Medical Officer	Nurse
Intelligence Officer	Security Officer	Tactical Officer	Marine	Counselor	Civilian

	Duty Posts

Tactical Officer Simming Guide

Contents