Confused about Smart Weapon

[MacTrom]

Ok, in the example, Erik's gun has Comp 1 with Int 1 and Gun Expert 2?

and the software Expert says it gives the user the program rating -1 in skill. So Erik would get +1 for his gun skill (if he didn't have it already) and the pistol can fire by itself as a +2?

I think it just gets confusing with the various Ratings and how they all stack for DMs. Any clarity?

 

[elstreak72]

Ok, in the example, Erik's gun has Comp 1 with Int 1 and Gun Expert 2?

and the software Expert says it gives the user the program rating -1 in skill. So Erik would get +1 for his gun skill (if he didn't have it already) and the pistol can fire by itself as a +2?

I think it just gets confusing with the various Ratings and how they all stack for DMs. Any clarity?

I have no clarity to give, but I'll add some confusion. The side bar on p. 93 states "...the Expert program only allows the character to make Intelligence or Education-based checks." Since an attack with a firearm is a Dex-based check, the Expert software shouldn't be able to add to his attack roll at all. It should only be able to help him identify obscure firearms being used by his enemies.

There's some semi-coherent text in the next paragraph about connecting a nueral comm to a hand computer and then a ship in orbit, but it doesn't explicitly state what game effect that would have, just that it's probably a bad idea anyway. Since there's no mention of Erik having a neural comm, by my interpretation his gun is just a very expensive interactive weapons database with a gyrostabilizer and laser sight.

 

[sablewyvern]

The weapon cannot fire itself without Intellect, which is clear enough. One could also add that, without a means of adjusting it's position, the weapon still can't actually point itself at anything, even if it is capable of self-shooting. Personally, I would allow a combat robot or gun platform to fire using Expert software, but not a stand-alone weapon.

As elstreak points out, Erik can only use the weapon's Gun Combat skill (at one less) when making Edu or Int based checks -- so, it doesn't help with firing at all based on that rule.

However, take a look at p93, "Expert Skills and Aiding Characters". Gun Combat Expert/2 means that Erik gains a +1 DM when firing, as long as the total of the negative DMs doesn't exceed 4.

 

[Commander Truestar]

The weapon cannot fire itself without Intellect, which is clear enough. One could also add that, without a means of adjusting it's position, the weapon still can't actually point itself at anything, even if it is capable of self-shooting. [/i]

While admittedly not helping, I read the above and it seems to agree with my opinion...
While the gun can not self-aim, you can add enough AI to it to allow it to shoot from the holster and hit its bearer in the foot when they are being stupid(GM's discretion)

heheheh