Recent content by Andrew Whincup

I imagine that, in combat, you can only act when your initiative gets to 6. It's then up to the player to decide whether he's using his pistol or blade. If you take this to be true then the only advantage to carrying two pistols is that you take longer to run out of ammo. Andy

I'm on the side of the transparent software people. If I buy something that needs a computer to operate, I expect the drivers to come with it. If I buy a printer (chosen as an example because there's one on my desk), a modem or a gun turret I expect to be able to use it straight away. This...

I think it works, but there wouldn't be many cases where I'd use either option. However, there' no reason not to have it as a tool the GM can use on occasion if the situation merits it. While I might use it once a campaign, someone like Sup4 might use it every session. This way we can both be...

Possibly you can take a -DM in order to get round armour and ignore its protection. say -2 to hit the head, -4 to hit between the collar and the brim of a helmet or to hit a hand. Makes highly killed characters with a chance to aim very deadly. Sounds good. Andy

I can see this being useful as a sidebar in the referee's section. Something along the lines of: "Some tasks are more dependant than others on knowledge and training. The referee has the option of setting a minimum competence for attempting a task. He also has the option of giving training a...

The part about skills and stats applying to the effect roll, I totally agree with. Applying diffiulty is less obviously good. It does get round the "poorly skilled character attempting something difficult will always get a high level of success" issue, by toning down the fives and sixes needed...

I would see instruction being of more use as an in game skill. I was thinking that it would be used to convey information rather than as a means of formal training. However, the more I think about it, the more I think the game will be no poorer for not having it. Andy

Aye I mean the FN FAL. Too much time hanging round with bootnecks. As a side issue I've always found the autorifle a little redundant as a separate weapon. It's just seemed like an underpowered ACR. Unless it's an SLR (self loading but no burst fire) I suppose. Probably not the best example...

My preference is for the list to be brief, without necessarily being too short. What always appealed to me about Traveller was that the list was generic, and that the differences were clear to someone with no military knowledge. I can tell the difference between a snub pistol and an autopistol...

I'd amend that to "Being a teacher is 90%..." I regard my job as all the good bits of teachign with the bad bits of being a teacher taken out. My personal feeling is that an instruction skill might not go amiss as that's what you're using most when you're teaching (as opposed to classroom...

Read the rules again. Take notes on anything you think might come up, write them out so they're at your fingertips. Especially range bands, autofire, aiming, hurried shots. Make sure the players know what modifiers to apply when. Make sure they know the stats for their weapons (particularly...

I would imagine that education would come under instruction. before I get completely shot down, I should point out that it's what I do for a living. I know there's a whole load of theory and socsci behind teaching but, in terms of skill, it's the ability to impart things to others successfully...

At the risk of setting fire to things, I have a suggestion. I think that part of the problem comes from breaking down academic disciplines too much and not having headings that cover them well. In some ways it reminds me of a couple of the Universities I've been to. How about simplifying...

I suppose it's time to weigh in on the side of the "It's not broken" brigade. For me the stat represents far more than natural ability, it also represents aptitude. I think it is the interplay between aptitude and application that are important. For those characters with a high aptitude in a...

Ross, I think that adding decorations in any way other than as events should be avoided. I think that the complexity outweighs the flavour they add. There might be a place for it as an optional rule in a sidebar, but other than that it's not worth it. If it is to be included then steer away...