1st edition - spaceship questions

[Greyblade]

Hey folks,

How are you all doing?

I have a few questions regarding spaceships in 1st edition, sorry if it has already been asked before, feel free to give me the links to the threads.

-Autopilot = vehicles can have the autopilot option installed, however there is no mention of such thing in the spacehips chapter. I'm sure spaceships can be automated when cruising in space or in jump space, correct? If not, that would mean that the pilot has to work 24/24 7/7 where can I find info about spaceship autopilot? Should I just take into account the Intellect + Expert programs described in the Computers section in Equipment?

Gunner = in combat, a ship relies on gunners manning the stations or Autofire programs. If no gunners, and no autofire, can a pilot fire the weapons? If so, what modifiers/what skill would he uses? If he flies and shoots at the same time, what penalties apply?

Many thanks for the help

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Grabs a seat.

 

[Reynard]

From what I remember, the pilot can remotely use the turret/firmpoint but it would be performing multiple actions and therefore at a penalty.

 

[AndrewW]

-Autopilot = vehicles can have the autopilot option installed, however there is no mention of such thing in the spacehips chapter. I'm sure spaceships can be automated when cruising in space or in jump space, correct? If not, that would mean that the pilot has to work 24/24 7/7 where can I find info about spaceship autopilot? Should I just take into account the Intellect + Expert programs described in the Computers section in Equipment?

High Guard, page: 60 drones. (note only for small craft, but about what their is). The newer addition adds Virtual Crew software.

 

[dragoner]

Hey folks,

How are you all doing?

I have a few questions regarding spaceships in 1st edition, sorry if it has already been asked before, feel free to give me the links to the threads.

-Autopilot = vehicles can have the autopilot option installed, however there is no mention of such thing in the spacehips chapter. I'm sure spaceships can be automated when cruising in space or in jump space, correct? If not, that would mean that the pilot has to work 24/24 7/7 where can I find info about spaceship autopilot? Should I just take into account the Intellect + Expert programs described in the Computers section in Equipment?

Gunner = in combat, a ship relies on gunners manning the stations or Autofire programs. If no gunners, and no autofire, can a pilot fire the weapons? If so, what modifiers/what skill would he uses? If he flies and shoots at the same time, what penalties apply?

Many thanks for the help

Core rules, page 146:

Automated Positions
The ship’s computer can cover several positions if it is running the
appropriate software:
• Fire Control programs can either act gunners or aid existing
gunners.
• A ship equipped with repair drones and Auto-Repair software
acts as damage control.
• A ship running an Intellect program and Expert Pilot can be the
pilot.
• A ship equipped with repair drones and running an Intellect
program and Expert Engineer (M-drive or J-drive) can be a drive
engineer.

For more information on ship software, see page 113.

 

[Greyblade]

OK cool,

But that means that if no Intellect program and Expert Pilot programs are installed, therefore the pilot can't leave his station, or the bird will start going sideways... No washroom breaks then in the future ?

That seems a bit unrealistic, right? Unless you are telling me the aforementioned programs are part of the computer software default package?

 

[phavoc]

If you are asking if the ship can continue on a otter course, make turns, increase or decrease speed and have the sensors active to look out for objects to avoid, then I think the answer is yes. Aircraft can do that today, spacecraft certainly should be able to do it tomorrow.

These are very basic functions. It's not unreasonable to expect your ship to be able to auto dock or auto land as well. These are routine functions and best left to automation anyway. Aircraft can autoload today.

Where the pilot aspect comes in is where the action requires thought process and reaction to the unexpected. Landing at a class a, b or even c starport is ok. Landing at an X starport is much different.

All of this should be possible without the intellect program. Intellect means the ship is capable of making decisons. Autopilot means very specific parameters are followed, and anything oit side of the parameters cannot be done by autopilot.

As a ref or player this is part of any RPG game, where the rules need to be enhanced by playing it out.

 

[Greyblade]

I agree with you.

What about the pilot firing the weapons ? Would he be able to do that from the deck, with a penalty maybe?

 

[AndrewW]

• A ship running an Intellect program and Expert Pilot can be the
pilot.

One problem with this, the Intellect program only covers INT or EDU checks, Pilot is usually DEX based.

 

[dragoner]

OK cool,

But that means that if no Intellect program and Expert Pilot programs are installed, therefore the pilot can't leave his station, or the bird will start going sideways... No washroom breaks then in the future ?

That seems a bit unrealistic, right? Unless you are telling me the aforementioned programs are part of the computer software default package?

That's over thinking it, I would give it basic functions autopilot, those have been around since the 1930-40's.

 

[dragoner]

• A ship running an Intellect program and Expert Pilot can be the
pilot.

One problem with this, the Intellect program only covers INT or EDU checks, Pilot is usually DEX based.

Meh. Pilot being dex is sort of nonsense. Maybe squinting really hard I could see it as innate hand-eye coordination. Honestly though, in 30+ years of running Traveller with a dton of spacecraft and space combat, etc.; I haven't used the rule too much. If players want an advanced computer to do tasks, it's a matter of credits, otherwise it is just rules bloat.

 

[Greyblade]

Nevermind my question regarding pilot and gunning it's given as an example for dual actions in the skills chapter!

Doh!

 

[Reynard]

"That's over thinking it, I would give it basic functions autopilot, those have been around since the 1930-40's."

I consider it scifi advanced cruise control. Pilot sets parameters for velocity and vector and warn of any unintentional changes. Sensors look for anything that can pose a potential collision threat. After that, the bridge crew of smaller vessels can get up and do other activitiesready if there is an alarm. An expert program make decisions concerning piloting from commands given and during non-routine events. The crew might be sleeping when the virtual pilot announces a ship came out of jump and is nearing their ship but not on intercept so it is maintaining the original course for now.

 

[dragoner]

It's a 3k upgrade in the vehicles section, imo a big megacredit spacecraft would have it.

 

[Condottiere]

I like to think that the Solomani resolved the issue of piloting and gunning simultaneously by installing fixed mounts and point and clicking.