More (better??) tech code blues

Adrian Hurt writes:
> Subject: (1464) Re: tech code blues
> [email removed] writes:
> >   But if this character wants to use a FGMP-15 he will get -3 on his skill-level
> > (minimum skill-0) since he is trying to use equippment that is above the TL he
> > got tought to use.
>
> I don't like this.  The main differences between the FGMP-15 and the PGMP-12
> are (a) power and (b) the gravitic device which overcomes weight and recoil
> problems.  The character shouldn't have a serious problem with (a), any more
> than someone out of the Wild West would have with a .44 Magnum (except that
> he may do more damage than he thought).  He also won't have a problem with
> (b), as it's designed to make the thing easier to use, not harder.  Of course,
> someone will have to show him how to use (b), or he will simply not bother
> with it and use the weapon as if it were a FGMP-14.  The way I see it, if he
> can use high-energy weapons, he can use any high-energy weapon - after someone
> has shown him what's different from the one he trained on, and that applies to
> other makes of PGMP-12 too.

  There is several things that might be different on a PPMP-12 and a FGMP-15.
For starters, the recoil is not present on a FGMP-14. There might also be quite
large differences in user interface. I'd expect that a FGMP-15 has a flashy
3D-scope/sight with rangefinder and lot's of features, after all, it ought to
have that for *that* price :-) While at TL-12 holograpics were much more
primitive. And an FGMP-15 got that neat rules-defying fusion reactor backpack
that needs service once a day or something (Mercenary) while a PGMP-12 has a
'dumb' powerpack like the TL-8 and TL-13 laser weapons.

  It's quite clear that I'd impose a penalty for first use, but for how long it
would remain is another question. A suggestion would be for it to last until
the first AT in EnergyWeapons, and let the character change each AT in Enery-
Weapons that he had got using the FGMP-15 for one TL reduction of the penalty.
Or he could use the instruction and experience rules to get a new skill level at
the higher TL, which offsets the penalty.
  There is also the question that the rules for TL differences might be too
generalizing. The effects might be ok for computers and such things, but they
are somewhat suspect for some skills.
  Also, in some cases it might have been more realistic to make it harder to
go *down* in techlevels than go *up* in techlevels. Just because the character
will do a *worse* job when he is bereft of all hightech features.
  (Imagine going from a Macintosh to an Eniac :-)

> > Robert P Poole [email removed] writes:
> > > Another bit of silliness:  When the rules say that law enforcers, pirates,
> > > and rogues may choose weapon skills one law code lower than their
> > > homeworld's law code, does that mean one numerical level lower or one
> > > descriptive level lower?
>
> You're right, it's silliness.  Around here, the law level is 8 - all guns
> forbidden on the street, big blades not allowed, small blades frowned on
> (i.e. not allowed unless you can give a good reason for having them).  The
> police may have firearms up to and including rifles and submachineguns,
> depending on the situation.  In Germany, the general public aren't allowed
> to wander around with guns, but the police are.  As for pirates and rogues,
> one of the points of being a lawbreaker is you break the law!
>
> >   I don't place *any* law restrictions on military, scout, pirate and noble
> > characters during generation. And I'm suspicious about if techlevels should
> > apply for those services that spans more than one world.
>
> I can just see the sudden rush of players queuing up to get Imperial Marine
> characters! :-)

  Not really. There has just been one so far in my campaign. It might have some-
thing to do with the fact that a skill without a weapon is quite useless.
  Also, the players have learned that if they happen to find some goodie without
looking too hard for it, that is just because I am preparing something where
they will need it! (So if they found a cruiser just drifting around with the
keys in the ignition, they'd probably leave it, and run fast and far! :-)

- -bertil-
- --
"Look here! They say that I am dead! And they havn't even spelled my name
 correctly!"
 The Marquis Legandre again, when reading a TNS news item about hit untimely
 demise.