Building Starships

[rgrove0172]

Would you recommend using only the abbreviated ship construction system in MgT2300 or attempting to use FF&S with the necessary modifications?

 

[aramis]

I always about against FF&S.... Too complex to use readily. Too easy to err.

 

[rgrove0172]

At the risk of drawing heavy criticism Ill admit the temptation to just 'wing' the stats when buidling a ship. Honestly, it doesnt seem to be all that important if the construction is absolutely consistent and legal. Seldom is there a competitive element in the game where the 'fairness' of a design is an issue.

If my players encounter a small freighter in orbit around a colony world and I elect to bring a new design onboard rather than pick on of the established models... and when throwing down some stats (Stutterwarp effeciency, endurance/fuel supply, cargo space, thrusters output etc.) and I end up with a design that isnt actually possible (maybe too much cargo space, not enough from for the model of drive I install etc.) .... how does that effect the game negatively? As I understand it most of the published vessels arent "legal" either.

Throughts?

 

[aramis]

The MGT system is simple enough to slap designs together in a couple minutes, at least if yu don't need deckplans.

 

[rgrove0172]

Now thats MGT Mongoose Traveller not MegaTraveller right?

 

[aramis]

Now thats MGT Mongoose Traveller not MegaTraveller right?

Yep.
MT= Mega
MGT=Mongoose
RTT=Mongoose, too... (please, don't ask why)

 

[Vladika]

If my players encounter a small freighter in orbit around a colony world and I elect to bring a new design onboard rather than pick on of the established models... and when throwing down some stats (Stutterwarp effeciency, endurance/fuel supply, cargo space, thrusters output etc.) and I end up with a design that isnt actually possible (maybe too much cargo space, not enough from for the model of drive I install etc.) .... how does that effect the game negatively?

In that way it doesn't, IMHO, negatively affect the game. It adds a bit of mystery and challenge to otherwise "jaded" players.

That being said, I would in all likelihood, NEVER allow a players ship to deviate from a standard canon design. This would bias the game and I simply think it stops being Traveller if nothing in canon is there to put a limit to work around.

Oh, let them play with a design, even the Annic Nova, but when breakdowns occur there isn't a local garage that can fix the mounting problems.

Before long, they'll be abandoning, or trading in, a derelict and acquiring a more standard ship.

 

[SpaceBadger]

RTT=Mongoose, too... (please, don't ask why)

:rofl:

 

[McPerth]

The MGT system is simple enough to slap designs together in a couple minutes, at least if yu don't need deckplans.

Now thats MGT Mongoose Traveller not MegaTraveller right?

Never tryed to design a MT ship, did you?

Even if MT is my favorite version, it's craft/ship design system is anything but simple :devil:.

 

[whartung]

I always about against FF&S.... Too complex to use readily. Too easy to err.

The system in Brilliant Lances isn't bad. It's basically a bunch of modular, pre-built bits on top of FF&S that you can lego together.

Since this is typically not done for competitive gaming, whatever errors may occur are generally not missed. In the end, the ships are expensive, and have power plants, and staterooms, and laser turrets. Just like all of the other ships.

 

[rgrove0172]

In that way it doesn't, IMHO, negatively affect the game. It adds a bit of mystery and challenge to otherwise "jaded" players.

That being said, I would in all likelihood, NEVER allow a players ship to deviate from a standard canon design. This would bias the game and I simply think it stops being Traveller if nothing in canon is there to put a limit to work around.

Oh, let them play with a design, even the Annic Nova, but when breakdowns occur there isn't a local garage that can fix the mounting problems.

Before long, they'll be abandoning, or trading in, a derelict and acquiring a more standard ship.

I honestly dont see my players ever being in a situation to design a ship. They will never have enough cash or influence and its just not much fun running a corporate or government spacecraft designer.

 

[aramis]

The system in Brilliant Lances isn't bad. It's basically a bunch of modular, pre-built bits on top of FF&S that you can lego together.

1-3 hours to have a design that may or may not be legit, and probably isn't, vs 10-15 minutes to have one that is? I'll take the MGT or T20 or CT design sequences over BL any day.

BL isn't any simpler than FF&S. It's just saving having to design the weapons.