Computer Software for Astrogation

[Democratus]

About to run my first Traveller game.

I've got a group of Travellers about to take on "Islands in the Rift". However, none of them have Astrogation as a skill.

Can they buy a computer program to do Astrogation for them?

 

[phavoc]

About to run my first Traveller game.

I've got a group of Travellers about to take on "Islands in the Rift". However, none of them have Astrogation as a skill.

Can they buy a computer program to do Astrogation for them?

Yes. The limitations are typically going to be that the computer program will plot a safe jump, whereas a navigator could potentially shave off some distance.

Also keep in mind that navigation is also a normal space issue. So once you arrive at a system you still have to navigate to the planet(s) in the system. Meaning that the computer will still plot very normal and safe routes, but a human can do the more crazy things and interpret the data better than a computer system can/would. For the most part it's not a huge deal, but if the situation demands it then that's where the referee will have to step in and apply negative modifiers to things as warranted (or deviously plotted... :twisted: )

 

[Democratus]

Thanks for the info! I'm glad to hear my characters aren't S.O.L. right from the start.

Do you just purchase a computer program with a set skill in Astrogation? Is that what Expert software is?

 

[Sigtrygg]

Take on an NPC navigator. This can be a full time crew position or you can look for an NPC willing to join for working passage.

It's always useful to have few NPCs handy, makes it easier to explain a new party character when one of them is killed/critically injured.

You also have the option of buying a skill wafer if you can finds a world with a high enough TL - you will need a bit of cash though.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Core, p106: Intellect + Expert(Astrogation) software.

 

[Reynard]

Check your ship computer's rating to see if you can slot the program. Most ship's are spartan with their program capacity.

You could always save up 6MCr. for the Astromech droid in Central Supply Catalogue.

 

[Old School]

6 MCr for the droid seems kinda pricey, but Ive never built one using the MgT1 rules. Then again, considering how many times R2D2 saved everyone’s ass, it may be worth every penny.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

I suspect it is priced so as to not be totally superior to human crew. During beta it was cheaper, so we spammed it...

 

[JMISBEST]

Offer The Npc High Passage Accommodation. That's passage worth Cr 6,000 or 1 and a half months wages for at most 3 and a half weeks work. I'd say that should get you A Navigator with A +2 DM or if you roll high enough when negotiating maybe even A +3 DM in Navigation or even A +4 DM but only if you roll A Natural 11 or 12

 

[Condottiere]

Jump tape.

 

[Sigtrygg]

Jump cassette...

jump tape is a fanon misnomer.

 

[Condottiere]

I went with tape.

I was considering CD, SD card and USB stick.

 

[Old School]

Eight track!

 

[baithammer]

Pffft, magneto-optical or go home.

 

[Condottiere]

 

[Linwood]

Hey, I remember those! I had to clean up the chads from the punch....

 

[Old School]

I used to make paper houses from used IBM punchcards.

 

[Condottiere]

Confetti.

 

[WingedCat]

Thanks for the info! I'm glad to hear my characters aren't S.O.L. right from the start.

Fortunately, this is a problem they can just throw money at.

Do you just purchase a computer program with a set skill in Astrogation? Is that what Expert software is?

Yes. As mentioned, they'll need Intellect (the one from Central Supply, not the ship software in Core - those are two different Intellects) to run it.

Don't forget they need Engineer (J-Drive) too.

Fortunately, trips to the 100D limit take a lot of time, so they can easily take extra time for +2 DM on the Astrogation check (assuming they don't run into any encounters on the way).