I would like to defend the High Guard ship design system. Using it, I could crank out a decent starship for a party, or the opposition within 30 minutes or less. While it was not perfect, it was GOOD ENOUGH.
Some quibbles:
Fuel tankage: We reduced it from 10%/JN to 5%/Jn and all of a sudden interstellar economics became possible for ships larger than 400 tons.
Computers: We reduced the weight of computers to one ton, regardless of the mark, and that represented both CPU, Storage, and Sensor nodes.
Weapons: I would like to have seen detonation missiles ala 2300ad as an option for bay missiles.
Better lasers and PBWs.
Other than that, High Guard was not bad.
Some quibbles:
Fuel tankage: We reduced it from 10%/JN to 5%/Jn and all of a sudden interstellar economics became possible for ships larger than 400 tons.
Computers: We reduced the weight of computers to one ton, regardless of the mark, and that represented both CPU, Storage, and Sensor nodes.
Weapons: I would like to have seen detonation missiles ala 2300ad as an option for bay missiles.
Better lasers and PBWs.
Other than that, High Guard was not bad.