Tools

[Murdoc]

RE: p 629
Ok, I like how the tool kits and such are now generalized into rough categories based on size. That's cool. The only thing missing is any sort of indication of what the actual advantage is of getting the larger, more expensive ones. Presumably, a better bonus to a skill roll, but what is that bonus? Is it somewhere else and I missed it? If it's missing, any suggestions on what it should be?

Ok, not the only thing missing; there is TL differences as well. They are mentioned kinda in the Intrusion set, and are basically the house rule I'm using for TL differences in tech skills, so I'd just transfer this over in the case of having the wrong TL tool set for the tech you are working on. Maybe half penalty for having higher TL tools.

Hmm, just looking at it again... Ok, since the "Standard" toolkit is size 4, that one should probably confer no bonus (just a lack of no-tools penalty*). Small kits have some kind of penalty (smaller than having no tools at all), while toolset/chests and workstations give some kind of bonus (what, maybe +2 and +4 respectively? +3 and +6?)

* So what is this penalty anyway? The only thing I can find is on p 136, which gives no standard rule, but the example shows +4 levels of difficulty, for having inadequate tools, never mind none. Maybe most technical tasks can't be performed without any sort of tools. Maybe +1 diff for small kit, +2-4 for inappropriate/improvised tools? Something like that?

And while we're on the subject, what the heck does this mean:

Starship Skills Toolkits. The starship skills toolkit is the console and its variations, as detailed in ACS.

o:

 

[Major B]

Murdoc, I suggest you check pages 325-326 first. That is the ACS portion governing controls.

Then look at 345 for a better synopsis though it is still incomplete.

finally, check out pages 515-520 to get the real nitty-gritty on how to make consoles work.

Lastly, this thread may help.

I know that all of these references are kind of tangential to your subject, but they all refer to ACS so I hope that they help with something even if they don't help with toolkits.

 

[robject]

That's a good question. What IS the benefit to having, say, a workshop, versus having a mini toolkit? Is it tool-specific? If so, why try to unify the toolkits to begin with? Presumably, there are two advantages to larger kits:

1. task modifier
2. task enabler

A larger kit may confer a greater task mod, or perhaps even reduce task difficulty.

A larger kit may also enable tasks which are not possible with smaller kits.

Beyond that, can we go further without creating a supplement?

 

[fridge]

check page 136 for the example of removing an appendix. Having/not having the tools/workshop affects the difficulty level