Intelligent ships for the players

[Annatar Giftbringer]

JTAS 7 does feature the Astrogon, a rebuilt lab ship with robotic brain

 

[Annatar Giftbringer]

The patron encounter begins at p.81, and the ship itself on p.86.

The ship, it’s pinnace and air/raft all have robotic brains.

 

[eclecticidol]

The Mindjammer Traveller conversion has rules allowing players to play intelligent ships (or other types of powerful AIs, such as the avatar of an AI that runs a planet). Lots of interesting ideas but quite difficult to backport to the Traveller universe.

 

[Putraack]

I admit I have struggled often with understanding the Computer rules in Traveller over the years. My players tend to avoid them, too.

Regarding the Astrogon, which I am introducing into my campaign, there is a note that "As a non-sentient being, its independent Astrogation skill checks suffer DM-4...". I presume the rule for this DM is in the Robots book (which I don't have).

- Are there other DMs to skill checks for non-sentient beings/Ship's Brains, beyond self-repair?
- The Ship's Brain is listed as INT 12 and having Astrogation 2, so its modifiers to make an Astrogation check are +2 INT, +2 skill, -4 non-sentient = 0, correct?
- It could make Gunnery checks at +2 for skills, but no modifier for DEX?

 

[hopsnbaer]

I admit I have struggled often with understanding the Computer rules in Traveller over the years. My players tend to avoid them, too.

Regarding the Astrogon, which I am introducing into my campaign, there is a note that "As a non-sentient being, its independent Astrogation skill checks suffer DM-4...". I presume the rule for this DM is in the Robots book (which I don't have).

- Are there other DMs to skill checks for non-sentient beings/Ship's Brains, beyond self-repair?
- The Ship's Brain is listed as INT 12 and having Astrogation 2, so its modifiers to make an Astrogation check are +2 INT, +2 skill, -4 non-sentient = 0, correct?
- It could make Gunnery checks at +2 for skills, but no modifier for DEX?

Yes, the Astrogation rule is in the Robot handbook.
If the ship has a Haptic system the Ship Brain can get a Dex bonus as if the TL were a stat for certain skills. It specifically does not mention Gunnery, but your GM experience may vary,

For an additional Cr2000 per ton the interface can
include full haptics, allowing the robot brain to ‘feel’ the
operation of the ship, providing an effective DEX equal
to the brain’s TL for any Pilot checks or operation of any
manipulator-like ship’s systems such as grappling arms
or cargo cranes.

While not completely sentient, the ship brain can fake it pretty well and use regular Expert Software. I don't remember there being any other skill DMs

IMO, I think the ship's brain rules are a bit overpowered.