So irritated with TNE

[Kilgs]

I think TNE is the best version of Traveller in terms of mechanics. I love the setting (RC), the destruction of the Imperium... Virus is odd but whatever it takes to make the setting a true frontier on the unknown. I love the GDW house system for skills, backgrounds and combat.

But... the reason, IMO, this version tanked is because I don't have the slightest clue how to make a stupid ship. Not a single clue. FFS and Brilliant Lances are full of stupid math so I can calculate equations the likes of which Einstein discovered... Really? Is that necessary? Not to mention, FFS makes no sense in that it assumes I know what a Maser or Meson communicator is... how about the difference between LIDAR and Radar? I mean, this is just dumb.

I'd sure like to use TNE ship combat and Brilliant Lances and all that other stuff... but I guess I'll just be handwaving this part of the game. What a waste of lots of brainpower. I refuse to waste any more time on trying to figure it out.

Maybe I'm dumb but, and I think this is more accurate, I just a want a spaceship that works. Anything more and I'm touching myself.

 

[whartung]

Both BL and TNE come with a bunch of ships to play with, so you can always use those.

BL comes with a simplified small ship design sequence that's equivalent to the one in FFS. It's small ship moreso because of the weapon systems that it includes "pre-assembled" are more suitable for small ships. Just make room for turret sockets and barbettes.

All of the sensor types are documented in BL as well. Some of the systems have nothing to do with space combat.

The TNE and BL combat systems are basically the same. BL adds more maneuvering (being 2D instead of simply range) as well as more detailed sensor rules.

For things like controls and the like, pick the one with the highest TL that you're using.

If you don't know what something does, don't worry so much about it. Read the rules, and see if the system comes in to play. If it doesn't, then it's not really important, at least to combat, save for absorbing damage. A lot of this stuff is Sci Fi flavor.

It's certainly not the simplest design system out there, but it's not that awful once you start playing with it. You do need to read through things though, and can't just start on page 1 an start adding up systems. A spreadsheet helps, but it's not totally necessary. Pencil and paper and calculator work fine, but I'd bring an eraser.

But out of the box, TNE has 12 ships and BL 27. Using those would be a better start, then you can see what they use as a basis for designing your own.

 

[aramis]

I think TNE is the best version of Traveller in terms of mechanics. I love the setting (RC), the destruction of the Imperium... Virus is odd but whatever it takes to make the setting a true frontier on the unknown. I love the GDW house system for skills, backgrounds and combat.

But... the reason, IMO, this version tanked is because I don't have the slightest clue how to make a stupid ship. Not a single clue. FFS and Brilliant Lances are full of stupid math so I can calculate equations the likes of which Einstein discovered... Really? Is that necessary? Not to mention, FFS makes no sense in that it assumes I know what a Maser or Meson communicator is... how about the difference between LIDAR and Radar? I mean, this is just dumb.

I'd sure like to use TNE ship combat and Brilliant Lances and all that other stuff... but I guess I'll just be handwaving this part of the game. What a waste of lots of brainpower. I refuse to waste any more time on trying to figure it out.

Maybe I'm dumb but, and I think this is more accurate, I just a want a spaceship that works. Anything more and I'm touching myself.

The simplest way is to simply use MGT ship design and ship combat. Since the difficulties are in task labels, one can convert them to TNE rolls easily enough. Gets a little rougher when shooting at ships with personal weapons...

 

[LeperColony]

It annoys me that TNE didn't provide stats for some fairly standard ships, like the J2 Empress Marava.

 

[E.D.Quibell]

It annoys me that TNE didn't provide stats for some fairly standard ships, like the J2 Empress Marava.

Yes they did. Page 86 of the Regency Sourcbook.

Best regards,

Ewan

 

[Kilgs]

The simplest way is to simply use MGT ship design and ship combat. Since the difficulties are in task labels, one can convert them to TNE rolls easily enough. Gets a little rougher when shooting at ships with personal weapons...

Yeah, that was my decision also. Just irritates the shit out of me… seems like every game has one fatal flaw.

It annoys me that TNE didn't provide stats for some fairly standard ships, like the J2 Empress Marava.

It’s called the Jayhawk. It’s in TNE and the Brilliant Lances.

 

[Starviking]

But... the reason, IMO, this version tanked is because I don't have the slightest clue how to make a stupid ship. Not a single clue. FFS and Brilliant Lances are full of stupid math so I can calculate equations the likes of which Einstein discovered... Really? Is that necessary? Not to mention, FFS makes no sense in that it assumes I know what a Maser or Meson communicator is... how about the difference between LIDAR and Radar? I mean, this is just dumb.

FFS actually improved my maths by a few orders of magnitude - but then again I am a tech nut.

There's an excel spreadsheet about that simplifies the ship design process greatly.

 

[E.D.Quibell]

The simplest way is to simply use MGT ship design and ship combat. Since the difficulties are in task labels, one can convert them to TNE rolls easily enough. Gets a little rougher when shooting at ships with personal weapons...

Or use other people to do the ship design for you:

http://www.downport.com/bard/bard/bardsara.html

I mean, how many ships do you want?

If that isn't enough for you there are more here:

http://www.skaran.net/bannerscampaign/equipment/craft/craft.html
http://www.skaran.net/corecampaign/technology/craft/craft.html

and there are lots more out there as well. Just go look for them.

Best regards,

Ewan

 

[LeperColony]

The Jayhawk isn't the same as the Empress Marava. It's J1. I seem to recall the Beowulf replacement ship is worse somehow too.

I'll have to dig out my Regency Sourcebook from storage to check it out, thanks for the tip.

Still not a fan of TNE task resolution. It increased the importance of attributes to a degree I don't really like for Traveller.

 

[Kilgs]

Great links! Thanks.

I mean, how many ships do you want?

Well, I don't want THEIR ships I want to build my own.

 

[E.D.Quibell]

Great links! Thanks.

Well, I don't want THEIR ships I want to build my own.

I understand, but why re-invent the wheel?

I desigen my own equipment/robots/vehicles/boats/ships in MT, but that doesn't stop me from using those in 101 vehicles, or the stuff by Rob Dean, Scott Kellogge, Rob Prior, Antony Farrell and anyone else who has gone before IMTU. They did a far better job than I can so I don't waist my time duplicating what they have done.

If there is something that has already been done that fits the bill then I use it. If not I'll run off a design for one.

My point was that if you want to use TNE ships, but don't want the hassel of designing them yourself because the effort involved for you takes the fun out of it then just use those that have already been designed.

Best regards,

Ewan

 

[Kilgs]

True. But my point wasn't that it was a hassle... it was that I don't have the slightest idea how to do it after reading it back and forth several times.

As for why...

a) I've gone through the entire BARD site and it doesn't have what I want.

b) Part of the fun of Trav is making new ships... it's a game about spaceships!

c) Because I'm not running the campaign anytime soon and need something to do.

 

[Starviking]

The Jayhawk isn't the same as the Empress Marava. It's J1. I seem to recall the Beowulf replacement ship is worse somehow too.

I'll have to dig out my Regency Sourcebook from storage to check it out, thanks for the tip.

Still not a fan of TNE task resolution. It increased the importance of attributes to a degree I don't really like for Traveller.

Nope, the Jayhawk is J-2. The Beowulf TL-10 replacement, the Morraine Class, hasn't enough power to run the g-comp whilst lifting off.

 

[E.D.Quibell]

True. But my point wasn't that it was a hassle... it was that I don't have the slightest idea how to do it after reading it back and forth several times.

Ok no worries. TNE isn't my rule set, but don't let that stop us.

Right. Chapter 1. Step 1. Design me a Hull.

I would like a 100 ton, wedge shapped, streamlined Hull, that is 2G capable please.

Best regards,

Ewan