CT Only: Laser Weapons Have No Sound!

[Supplement Four]

It's amazing what you will discover about this game, then forget it, then discover the information again years later.

I'm just browsing the CT combat section of the TB, and under the Surprise section, it is clear that lasers do not make a sound when fired (or, if they do, it's a very muted sounds, like a silencer for a slug thrower).

I've seen discussions about this on this very site, asking about sound and whether the laser beam can be seen (or if the beam is unseen in the UV spectrum).

The Surprise section of the TB, page 34 makes it clear that lasers, like silenced slug throwers, are not that easy to hear, if they make a sound at all. You can use them to keep Surprise, unlike an un-silenced slug thrower.

I've always liked the idea that a laser burns through the atmosphere making a Zzzzzt sound as it destroys air molecules.

As for the color of the beam, I allow all type in my game. Some laser rifles have an adjustment. A colored beam can be used for targeting, for marking a target as a Forward Observer would do, or as a tracer. Turn the beam to a UV frequency, and you just hear the Zzzzt and see the smoke appear at the dark spot where it hits. No recoil. No explosion where the shot hits unless the target is disrupted by the beam (breaking a glass, exploding a grenade, etc).

It's a big heavy SOB, with a backpack. It doesn't allow you to carry much more equipment. But, it can be a damn eerie and stealthy weapon.

 

[WhiteSpider]

It is my understanding that a powerful laser makes a cracking sound, much like lightning causes thunder just on a smaller scale. Would still be difficult to localize a shooter other than general direction. However in a smokey or fog environment visible light lasers would pinpoint your location.

 

[coliver988]

No, pretty sure they go pew-pew-pew...:rofl:

 

[aramis]

It is my understanding that a powerful laser makes a cracking sound, much like lightning causes thunder just on a smaller scale. Would still be difficult to localize a shooter other than general direction. However in a smokey or fog environment visible light lasers would pinpoint your location.

Only at beam initiation, and termination.

 

[McPerth]

Would still be difficult to localize a shooter other than general direction. However in a smokey or fog environment visible light lasers would pinpoint your location.

I guess in a smokey or foggy environment visible light lasers would lose most of its eficacy...

 

[ShapeShifter]

No, pretty sure they go pew-pew-pew...:rofl:

+1. I realise that some refs in CT lean toward a certain degree of versimilitude, while others like the space opera/sword-n-planet style game. I guess I fall into the latter camp and like to hear pew-pew-pew! or zzzzap! or bzzzzt! SciFi doesn't feel right without a dash of thrilling onomatopoeia.

 

[aramis]

I guess in a smokey or foggy environment visible light lasers would lose most of its eficacy...

There's enough dust in room air to degrade combat effectiveness significantly, and visible ranges are not actually fully transparent (hence skyline red at nightfall and blue by day).

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

I always liked giving my lasers a "Relay" clicking or the odd buzz sounds a faulty Distribution Transformer gives when discharging.

This way I can still have a need for a guy to have the suppressed Uzi or something of the sort.

 

[whartung]

Honestly, they probably sound more like a camera flash with it's pop and whine of recharge.

But then there's the TNE version which uses some kind of power cartridge rather than a battery (I forget the name), so those might have a sound.

Inevitably, the sound is likely far less than a rifle shot which combines the bang of the actual charge (which can be suppressed) along with the crack of the bullet traveling through the atmosphere.

The crack and hum we've seen on lab lasers I think is more simply actual relays firing and the hum of power.

 

[aramis]

Honestly, they probably sound more like a camera flash with it's pop and whine of recharge.

But then there's the TNE version which uses some kind of power cartridge rather than a battery (I forget the name), so those might have a sound.

Inevitably, the sound is likely far less than a rifle shot which combines the bang of the actual charge (which can be suppressed) along with the crack of the bullet traveling through the atmosphere.

The crack and hum we've seen on lab lasers I think is more simply actual relays firing and the hum of power.

TNE lasers are chemical combustion lasers. They explicitly make a noticeable sound, probably sounding like a pyrotechnic "fountain" firework.

GDW missed that chemical laser exhaust is caustic, toxic, and stupidly hot.

 

[Major B]

I remember CT lasers being split into two TL groups, the early TL 8-9-10 types and the more advanced TL 13+ variety.

I also remember that the former were visible light but the latter were not visible.

What I wonder is if I am remembering a CT rule or a house rule.

 

[GypsyComet]

GDW missed that chemical laser exhaust is caustic, toxic, and stupidly hot.

Really? I seem to recall reading something along those lines somewhere in TNE.

 

[Supplement Four]

I remember CT lasers being split into two TL groups, the early TL 8-9-10 types and the more advanced TL 13+ variety.

Mostly likely from DGP, in one of their magazines or supplements.

 

[BlackBat242]

I'm a CT player/ref (exclusively) since 1983, and I don't remember ever having run into that kind of split.

 

[aramis]

Mostly likely from DGP, in one of their magazines or supplements.

CT HG. Not for personal scale.

 

[mike wightman]

I remember CT lasers being split into two TL groups, the early TL 8-9-10 types and the more advanced TL 13+ variety.

I also remember that the former were visible light but the latter were not visible.

What I wonder is if I am remembering a CT rule or a house rule.

Striker.
It introduced the more advanced TL13 lasers and mentions that they are x-ray.

 

[Major B]

Striker.
It introduced the more advanced TL13 lasers and mentions that they are x-ray.

That's it. Thanks Mike.

 

[jec10]

Yeah, it must have been a decision taken (by Chadwick?) in between AHL and Striker because the advanced laser rifles don't appear in AHL.

 

[kilemall]

X-ray lasers from Striker are the reason I went with reflec being a heat shield/dissipation medium and not actually reflective.

These house rules have 4 wavelengths of lasers, and the opportunity to make LaserMGs.

http://crucible.cc/traveller/docs/armoryandordinance.pdf

I think these are too light and cheap especially the power cells, but is good to play around with to clarify one's own take on lasers.

These rules preserve the no noise rule, but give visible light lasers a Flash rating, which would I think sort of ruin surprise even if you don't get an audio bearing.

Also, x-ray or other wavelength laser detection/display would IMO be a standard item to include in helmet sensor gear in CA or BD suits.

Which brings us round to another surprise lurking in the surprise rules- BD suits give +2 to surprise.

Without explaining why.

Superior sensors so you know about the enemy and can set up first?

Superior stealth? Maybe even predator cloaking or surprising silence?

Likely the first as the flavor description emphasizes senses and sensors. But hey something to decide for yourself.

You wont find it in the surprise section, its in 1981 LBB1 and TTB under the description of BD.