Expert software aiding skill use

[ZobMan]

I'm a bit confused about the (uncharacteristically) complicated computer rules in Traveller - which generally seems pretty straightforward otherwise.

Specifically: a character uses the Expert Navigation/3 program. As I read it the following cases arise depending on the skill of the character:

no skill: Roll at +2 (program rating -1)
0 skill: ditto
1 skill: ditto
2 skill: computer no use! roll against own skill at +2
3 skill: computer no use! roll at +3 using own skill
4 skill: roll at +5 (own skill +1 for having an appropriate program at a lower level)

This seems a bit strange to me - that if you have the same or one less skill than an expert program's rating, that it's useless to you, whereas if you are much worse or better, then it can aid you. I'm concluding that I've misinterpreted the rule - so please put me right!

 

[Emperor Herdan]

no skill: Roll at +2 (program rating -1)
0 skill: ditto
1 skill: ditto
2 skill: computer no use! roll against own skill at +2
3 skill: computer no use! roll at +3 using own skill
4 skill: roll at +5 (own skill +1 for having an appropriate program at a lower level)

I read it as :

No skill and no program = -3
Progam only (L3) = Skill level 2 = 2d6 + 2 (skill level) + attribute modifier DM
Skill 1 and Program = as above, as the program exceeds the character
Skill 2 and program = 2d6 +2 (Character skill) +1 (Program aid) + attribute DM
Skill 3+ and program = 2d6 +3 (Character) +1 (Program) +attribute DM

But I've been wrong many times before...

Take care

E. Herdan[/quote]

 

[Shiloh]

No skill and no program = -3

I'm pretty sure you get the attribute modifier even unskilled.

 

[ZobMan]

Thanks guys. Emperopr Herden, your suggestion makes more sense - ie to give the +1 for the program if your skill is equal to it or higher than the expert program you are running (as opposed to only if your skill is higher as the rules state).

Otherwise a 3 skill character would be better running a rating 2 program (total DM = 4+stat) than a rating 3 program (DM = 3 +stat), which is just a bit silly really.

 

[Emperor Herdan]

No skill and no program = -3

I'm pretty sure you get the attribute modifier even unskilled.

Yep. In my haste I forgot to add that. Good catch

/salute

Take care

E.Herdan

 

[Emperor Herdan]

Thanks guys. Emperopr Herden, your suggestion makes more sense - ie to give the +1 for the program if your skill is equal to it or higher than the expert program you are running (as opposed to only if your skill is higher as the rules state).

Otherwise a 3 skill character would be better running a rating 2 program (total DM = 4+stat) than a rating 3 program (DM = 3 +stat), which is just a bit silly really.

Better off with just a Level 1 program actually... Its when the difficulty modifiers kick in that the actual program level becomes important.

the program can only aid the user when the difficulty is less than or equal to the program rating (I'm at work so can't access the books). For easy tasks the L1 and the L3 program are equal (both giving the user an additional +1) as the difficulty increases, the L1 program can't help, while the L2 and L3 still can, then the L2 stops being helpful, etc.

So its a gray range... If there is all the time in the world and peace and quite reigns then a L1 program is of most use... If the ship is dark, and you're floating in Zero-G, with the Pirates coming up from behind and you're trying to program the jump, then even the L3 program might not be able to help you...

Take care

E. Herdan

 

[MadDog]

As an addition to this thread, I am confused, too. Can someone tell me what Eriks Custom Gun (Book1 ,page 102) costs ? Knowing this, I can reverse engineer what I need to know.

thanks,

Mad Dog

 

[Emperor Herdan]

As an addition to this thread, I am confused, too. Can someone tell me what Eriks Custom Gun (Book1 ,page 102) costs ? Knowing this, I can reverse engineer what I need to know.

thanks,

Mad Dog

Ahh the joys of inferred information (smile)

Start with the page 102 TL13 Intelligent Weapon upgrade. Cost 5,000 Makes the waepon have a comp/1 .

To add the specialized computer modification (Thats page 92, left side, top third...) Eric wants to give his Comp/1 the ability to run a /2 sized program, in addition to the /1 program, So thats an additional 50% of the computer cost ( 25% for each "specialized" program size...)

So that has now bumped up the cost of the Intelligent Weapon upgrade to 5,000 + 2500 = 7,500. That weapon is still a Computer/1 BUT can run a specific /2 sized program "free".

So the programs running on the gun is the Intellect/1 and the Gun Combat (Slug Pistol)/2.

Note that the final cost would be:

Cost of the weapon
Cost of the specialized Intelligent Weapon Modification (7500)
Cost of the Intellect Program (pg 92 main book) (2000)
Cost of the Expert/2 program (Gun Combat, Slug Pistol) (10,000)

So thats 19500 plus the weapon cost (Taxes, Shipping and Handling extra)

Or thats how I read it...

Take care

E. Herdan

 

[MadDog]

Thanks, Emperor. I found the book explanation.....obtuse.

thanks,


Mad Dog