Squads & Squadrons

^{Source: AoR GM Kit:28}

To create a squadron, the character who wants to lead makes an Easy () Leadership check as a maneuver. The leadership check represents both the leader’s command and the minion’s willingness to follow orders. Add if the minions are not as likely to follow orders.
On success, the leader and lead up to 11 allied minions within engaged range. (Not crew members on board vehicles.)
Squad minions do not receive a turn in combat and do not roll initiative.
The squad’s silhouette is 1 size larger than that of its largest member.
The leader may redirect any hit he suffers to a minion in the squad, which destroys or disables it. (Eliminates from encounter.)
The squad remains in operation until it is disbanded by the leader as an incidental action, or all minions have been disabled or destroyed, or as a result of , , or a failed fear check.
Upon disbanding, any remaining minions are formed into minion groups. They take their turns immediately after their former leader. Minions can rejoin a squad by spending 2 maneuvers during their turn.

Formations

A leader can order his squad into a formation by making an Average () Leadership check as a maneuver. Add a boost if the minions possess Discipline.
Success means the squad is transitioned to the formation, failure means the squad loses any formation benefits previous or otherwise.

Results	Interpretations
	If spent after a successful Leadership check to enter a formation, may enter the formation as an incidental action instead of a maneuver.
	If targeting a squad or squadron, force one minion in it out of position. The leader loses the benefits of that minion until the minion returns to formation.
or	On any check while leading a squad or squadron, spend to order it in to a new formation as an incidental action.
	If targeting a squad or squadron, may eliminate one minion in it.
	If leading a squad or squadron, the minion allies may make a free, immediate attack. Calculate this attack as if all the minions in the squad or squadron are an independent minion group. No minion group can have more than 5 ranks in a skill for the purposes of this attack, even if there are more than five minions.
	If leading a squad or squadron, one minion is separated from it and placed at close range.
	If leading a squad or squadron, cannot redirect the next successful attack to a minion.
or	If leading a squad or squadron in a formation, that formation is broken.
	If leading a squadron, a minor collision between squad mates occurs (see collision rules in the AoR Core, page 256). In addition, the two affected minions are separated from the squadron and moved to close range. Note that because minions are immediately incapacitated by Critical Hits, this means that both minions are lost unless their roll for the Critical Hit is 0.
	If leading a squad or squadron, it is considered disbanded.

Dug In – Assumes a defensive posture to increase survivability under heavy fire. Add to any attack targeting the squad. This effect can stack.
Skirmish – Soldiers are given overlapping fire arcs. Use to ward off ambushes. Add to any Vigilance checks made by the squad to determine initiative or to any Perception checks to detect enemies. Enemies need to spend 1 more to activate Auto-fire or Blast weapon qualities.
Close – Concentrates fire to a single target. Add to any attack made by the squad.
Mission Specialist – Represents a skilled team of specialists. Squad leader can use a Leadership check to perform a single Computers, Mechanics, Medicine, Skullduggery, Survival, or Knowledge check. Can only be used a number of times equal to Leadership ranks per session.
Comm Silence – Moves the squad undetected. Add to all Stealth checks made by the unit.
Search Party – Used for squad search patterns. Add to any Survival checks to track a target and to all Perception checks.

Attack Formation – Concentrate fire on a single target. Add to any attack made by the squadron.
Evasive Maneuvers – Erratic flight patterns to make it harder to be hit. Add to all attempts to gain the advantage, and add to enemy attempts to gain the advantage. Enemies must spend an additional to activate Auto-fire or Blast weapon qualities.
Running Dark – Hides the squad from sensor and visual scans. Downgrade difficulty of Stealth checks made by the unit. Upgrade the difficulty of all Leadership checks.
Sensor Sweep – Allows the squad to scan in all directions. Add to any Vigilance checks to determine initiative and to Computers and Perception checks to detect targets.
Skilled Navigator – Represents a skilled navigator within the squad. Squadron leader can substitute a Leadership check for a single Astrogation, Computers, Mechanics, or Knowledge check. Can only be used a number of times equal to Leadership ranks per session.
Screen Formation – Optimized shield strategy. Add 1 to ship defense in all zones. If the squadron entering this maneuver does not have shields or has lost them upgrade the difficulty of this check one step.