Whilst the majority of space may seem empty, there is in fact a lot of terrain that makes navigation hazardous and combat within dangerous and damaging to all factions.
While all the types of terrain found in (P0.0) Terrain (save (P7.0) The WYN Radiation Zone), there are some special types of terrain specific to this area of the galaxy.
For more information about the anomalies themselves, consult the Spatial Anomalies page in the Astronavigation section.
The Beta Triangle is an area of space that has at its centre, a large black hole. This black hole routinely sends out gravity distortions making safe travel very unlikely.
To simulate this, all space within the Triangle is subject to (P9.0) Gravity Waves. Because these gravity waves are so powerful, do not use (P9.4) Gravity Waves produced by a Black Hole. Around the edges of the Triangle, the gravity waves are weakest (starting at 1 point in force), and ranging to 100 points on the map with the black hole. Whilst there are some planets that are deeper within the Triangle, most pirate planets are actually within the 15-30 force range, and pirates are known to use the loss asteroids for cover.
At the centre of the Beta Triangle is a large Black Hole (P4.0). Double the standard range for (P4.1).
A magnetic void is another deadly hazard to navigation because the void plays around with a crafts sensors and communications. Once within the void for real, not even starlight will penetrate and all sensors and communications will be useless. Eyeball navigation is the only reliable source of travel.
A magnetic void uses the following rules from differing sources to simulate its effects:
Magnetic voids do not generally vary from each other except in the size of the area they cover.
Magnetic fields void the effects of any cloaks or ambush/camouflage fields.
The Nova Madagen is not a nova at all, but a very bright starfield. This starfield also gives out a vast amount of heat, which can be damaging to craft, especially to small fighters and shuttles that can be destroyed by the heat. Even if they are not destroyed, small craft must be sealed against the light, making the pilot blind, and the heat easily burns out small craft sensors, making their use limited.
For the most part, treat the Nova Madagen as a weak Heat Zone (P10.0) with the following changes:
Guiding Fighters and Shuttles: The accepted way for fighters and shuttles to traverse the Nova Madagon is by guidance from their mother ships. The mother ship, whilst not remotely piloting the craft, will be supplying the fighter or shuttle with navigation and combat data enabling the craft to function more effectively. See here for more information on shielded fighters. In addition he effect of this guidance is to drop the range of (P15.6) to 25 hexes and to reduce the amount of natural O-EW against the fighter to 1 point.
Space storms and astral winds are quite common terrain events and generally quite insignificant to most ships. They are generally found around planets and moons but can occupy areas of space for limited periods.
Treat as a very weak Ion storm (P14.0) with the following changes.