MGT Only: Subsidised merchant and liner

[McPerth]

I am now reading MgT2E (a present from the Tree Wise Men), and , like 1E, I miss on it how the subsides work for subsidised traders and liners, both of them shown in the common ship list.

Is this described somewhere in MgT as it was in CT?

 

[AnotherDilbert]

No, I haven't seen it in MgT2.

I still use the CT definition.

 

[McPerth]

So do I, but I guess there are MgT players that don't own CT...

 

[Xerxeskingofking]

I am now eeading MgT2E (a present from the Tree Wise Men), and , like 1E, I miss on it how the subsides work for subsidised traders and lineers, both of them shown in the common ship list.

Is this described somewhere in MgT as it was in CT?

not that I am aware of, I believe its just left "off screen" as a descriptional thing about these ship types. the Fat trader looks pretty viable in the standard free trading mode, assuming it can find enough cargo to fill its hold.


mechanically, the simplest way to model the subsidy would be to lessen or even remove the ships mortgage payments, representing the subsidisers "taking on" some of the debt in return for guaranteed service on the subsidised route, and/or possibly being able to "task" the ship onto special missions.

 

[phavoc]

Usually it was the ship's mortgage was 50% taken on by the government (somewhere, but preferably serviced by said ship), and the ship was expected to make regular calls to the planet paying their subsidies to pay off the mortgage.

Which, coupled with the fact that you basically got guaranteed cargo/passengers, though to what extent is debatable, would help pay off the debt faster and get clear title to the ship.

Though now that you mention it I don't recall MGT going into depth on just what that meant. It's been such an accepted term/concept that maybe they left it out because they didn't think it needed to be repeated again? But picking up the books certainly makes it a requirement. I will have to go back and look to see if I spot it anywhere in the v2 books.

 

[Rerednaw]

If this helps.

In the old (Book 2) classic rules the buyer-operator (usually the player characters) came up with the down payment (~20%) and the rest was covered by the group offering the subsidy. In return, 50% of the gross goes directly to this government/corp/agency.

All other expenses (operating costs such as maintenance, fuel, crew salaries, etc..) are also the responsibility of the buyer-operator (player characters.)

In other words:
===========
20% down, operating expenses -> PCs pay.

The mortgage payments -> Government/corp subsidizing.
50% off the top (gross) goes to Government/corp subsidizing.

Hope this helps.

Note that means with ship shares...it is very possible for the PCs to start with a larger, albeit subsidized vessel. Of course 40 years is a long time to wait for 'full ownership.'

 

[McPerth]

Yes, I know it, but I guess MgT should define their own way to manage the subsides (or use the one from CT, but in any case have it written), as I guess not all who play MgT know about CT.

And, BTW, as you name it, neither do I find anywhere in MgT that a down payment is needed to buy a ship, seeming that you only have to pay the mortgage...

 

[Rerednaw]

MgT has a lot of rules holes.

I actually use classic for most of my games. I already had a UTS but MgT formalized it.

I checked both my copies of MgT 1 and 2. Didn't find the payments of subsidized ships laid out...not sure if there was errata or a FAQ on it. I always defaulted to classic if I didn't find it in MgT or if it made the gameplay KISS.

I suppose you could always try the Mongoose forums directly?

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I am now reading MgT2E (a present from the Tree Wise Men), and , like 1E, I miss on it how the subsides work for subsidised traders and liners, both of them shown in the common ship list.

Is this described somewhere in MgT as it was in CT?

There's a boat load of rules in MgT Merchant Prince. It mentions a 50% rule. But MgT is a reboot. So different.

 

[Fovean]

Back during 1e the players mustered with a Subbie and I just had them throw 2D-2 for the number of worlds contributing to the subsidy at 10% each. In that case it was six worlds which each required a visit once every six months. So they had a semi-backwater route to work and 40% the usual mortgage overhead. Allowed them to be adventurers half the time and traders the other half. Good times.

 

[cgriffen]

Subby details

CT Supplement 7: Traders and Gunboats provides a rather detailed description of the arrangement.

 

[McPerth]

CT Supplement 7: Traders and Gunboats provides a rather detailed description of the arrangement.

But it keeps being CT, and MgT should not rely on the CT knowledge of its players...

 

[cgriffen]

Of course. Just citing the example in case you wanted some canonical information to go by.

 

[mike wightman]

The rules for subsidies in MgT 1e are definitely in their version of The Traveller Adventure.

 

[cgriffen]

The rules for subsidies in MgT 1e are definitely in their version of The Traveller Adventure.

Boy, does it! Thanks for the tip, Mike.

 

[McPerth]

The rules for subsidies in MgT 1e are definitely in their version of The Traveller Adventure.

Glad to know it is explicited somewhere in MgT. TY for the info.