HG 2e p. 13 Radiation Shielding

[snrdg121408]

Evening PST all,

Per p. 13 installing Radiation Shielding has a cost of Cr25,000 per ton of hull and treats the Bridge as Hardened.

The radiation shielding appears to me to be applied to the entire hull, so why would the Bridge be the only component/system to be treated as Hardened when the shielding is installed?

Yes, the Spacecraft Options Chapter has a component/system titled Hardened Systems on p. 46 which appears to work in a similar manner to armored bulkheads adding protection to specific components.

Wouldn't Radiation Shielding provide protection against Ion weapons?

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Radiation Shielding protects the crew from ionising radiation caused by e.g. Nuclear and Fusion attacks.

"Ion" attacks are probably some sort of EMP effect, not the same thing.

 

[snrdg121408]

Hello again AnotherDilbert,

Radiation Shielding protects the crew from ionising radiation caused by e.g. Nuclear and Fusion attacks.

"Ion" attacks are probably some sort of EMP effect, not the same thing.

From HG 2e p. 13
Radiation Shielding (TL7): Radiation shielding improves the crew’s protection against radiation from both natural
sources (such as solar flares and pulsars) and artificial (including nuclear bombs and meson weapons). A ship with radiation shielding decreases the amount of rads absorbed by all crew by 1,000 (rather than the normal 500), and treats the bridge as if it is Hardened. Radiation shielding costs Cr25000 per ton of hull.

From HG 2e p. 46
Hardened Systems
Any system that draws power from the power plant can be Hardened to render it immune to Ion weapons. A Hardened system has its cost increased by +50%.

1. The Bridge is a system.
2. Adding Radiation Shielding treats the Bridge as Hardened.
3. Hardened systems are immune to Ion weapons.

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation.

Radiation Hardening is the protection of electronic components and systems protection to resit damage and/or malfunctions caused by the effects of ionizing radiation (particle radiation and electromagnetic radiation).

Radiation Shielding is the protection of people from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

Is the Bridge "Hardened" as described against Ion Weapons with Radiation Shielding?

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Is the Bridge "Hardened" as described against Ion Weapons with Radiation Shielding?

Yes, the rules specifically says that. I don't know why, but I can't claim to know every detail of 57th century technology...

 

[snrdg121408]

Hello again AnotherDilbert,

Is the Bridge "Hardened" as described against Ion Weapons with Radiation Shielding?

Yes, the rules specifically says that. I don't know why, but I can't claim to know every detail of 57th century technology...

The detail make no sense since Radiation Shielding is applied to the entire hull not just the Bridge. If the Bridge is treated as Hardened then logically every other component inside of the radiation shielding should be getting the same advantage. If on the other had the radiation shielding is applied to just the Bridge I would agree that the Bridge is treated as hardened.

I had the same issue with Radiation Shielding in HG 1e making just the Bridge Hardened. HG 1e also had the Hardened Bridge option which clearly stated that the ship's computer systems would be immune to EMP and the bridge crew gets a reduction in rads absorbed.

Oh well, another rule that does not in my opinion fully meet the common sense rule and is something I'll just have live with

Thank you for the help.