MGT Ship computer and software usage question

[hdan]

I'm getting close to a point in my campaign where space combat is going to become an issue, and so I need to understand a few things about MGT's model for the ship's computer and the software it runs, and how that all relates to the combat sequence.

CT had a "computer reprogramming phase" during the ship combat sequence which let you define which programs were available for the turn in memory, but the computer could only "run" a subset of those programs in each phase. You couldn't even fire the guns without certain packages loaded, and you needed "Gunner Interact" to allow a human to operate the turrets. In other words, CT computer software both enabled you take certain actions and gave bonuses to those actions. A rating 2/4 computer could hold 4 programs total in a turn, and run any 2 of them in a given phase, such as (Target+Gunner Interact) during the firing phase, and (Maneuver/Evade+Anti-Missile) in the maneuver phase. You changed which 4 programs were available each turn in the "reprogramming phase", which was meant to represent swapping out program disks or something archaic like that.

MGT doesn't work like that, though exactly how MGT computers work seems a bit mysterious to me. Does MGT software "enable" actions, or does it mostly give bonuses? That is, can I fly my ship and shoot my guns without any software loaded? The greatly abbreviated list of options in MGT has me thinking the latter, though my CT training draws me to the former.

So, do MGT computer ratings work like CT ratings in the sense that it's the maximum rating that can be run at any given phase, or is the rating of software that can be loaded in a turn? Can my Model/2 run Evade/1 during maneuver phase, FiCon/2 during shooting phase, and Auto-Repair/1 during the repair phase? It could (within limits) under CT, I'm just trying to see how it is meant to behave under MGT.

And one more thing: Evade, which permits a number of -1 dodges per rating. Is this in ADDITION to the thrust-based dodge roll? Or is it only for cases where you don't have a pilot available?

When converting my ideas from CT, should I be thinking in terms of "hiring" and Expert/Pilot package to replace CT's "Maneuver" program, or an Expert/Gunnery to replace "Targeting"?

Any insights on how MGT ship software works, both in the actual rules and any house rules would be appreciated. I've found the MGT computer rules in general to be both the most interesting and confusing upgrades to CT in MGT.

 

[AndrewW]

CT had a "computer reprogramming phase" during the ship combat sequence which let you define which programs were available for the turn in memory, but the computer could only "run" a subset of those programs in each phase. You couldn't even fire the guns without certain packages loaded, and you needed "Gunner Interact" to allow a human to operate the turrets. In other words, CT computer software both enabled you take certain actions and gave bonuses to those actions. A rating 2/4 computer could hold 4 programs total in a turn, and run any 2 of them in a given phase, such as (Target+Gunner Interact) during the firing phase, and (Maneuver/Evade+Anti-Missile) in the maneuver phase. You changed which 4 programs were available each turn in the "reprogramming phase", which was meant to represent swapping out program disks or something archaic like that.

Yup that changed a bit, there is no more limit to storage you can install whatever you want. But you can only have software up the computers maximum rating running at the same time. (ie: a model/3 computer with a rating of 15 could run Fire Control/2 or Evade/2 individually but not at the same time, but could run both Fire Control/1 and Evade/1 at the same time.

MGT doesn't work like that, though exactly how MGT computers work seems a bit mysterious to me. Does MGT software "enable" actions, or does it mostly give bonuses? That is, can I fly my ship and shoot my guns without any software loaded? The greatly abbreviated list of options in MGT has me thinking the latter, though my CT training draws me to the former.

Fire Control is not required in order to shoot if you have a gunner, but can add a bonus to the gunners roll. And allows the computer to fire the weapons without the need for a gunner.

Manoeuvre and Jump Control are required for those functions.

So, do MGT computer ratings work like CT ratings in the sense that it's the maximum rating that can be run at any given phase, or is the rating of software that can be loaded in a turn? Can my Model/2 run Evade/1 during maneuver phase, FiCon/2 during shooting phase, and Auto-Repair/1 during the repair phase? It could (within limits) under CT, I'm just trying to see how it is meant to behave under MGT.

Exactly when you can swap out running programs, as far as I know isn't covered anywhere.

And one more thing: Evade, which permits a number of -1 dodges per rating. Is this in ADDITION to the thrust-based dodge roll? Or is it only for cases where you don't have a pilot available?

Have not seen this stated either way.

When converting my ideas from CT, should I be thinking in terms of "hiring" and Expert/Pilot package to replace CT's "Maneuver" program, or an Expert/Gunnery to replace "Targeting"?

All ships computers come with Manoeuvre/0 but this only allows doesn't replace the pilot you would need an Expert program for that, it's equivalent to the CT Maneuver.

Target and Multi-target are not needed as stand alone programs. Fire Control is optional but can be used in this roll.

Any insights on how MGT ship software works, both in the actual rules and any house rules would be appreciated. I've found the MGT computer rules in general to be both the most interesting and confusing upgrades to CT in MGT.

See Traveller Core Rulebook page 146 under Automated Positions for some help.

 

[hdan]

Yup that changed a bit, there is no more limit to storage you can install whatever you want. But you can only have software up the computers maximum rating running at the same time.

<snip>

Exactly when you can swap out running programs, as far as I know isn't covered anywhere.

Hmmm... A CT Free Trader could (barely) run enough software to allow its gunners to operate their weapons and allow the pilot to pilot his craft evasively while plotting a jump to get away. An MGT Free Trader can do the same thing, though the only program it will run is the jump program, the rest is "free" (either Rating 0 or not a program).

I guess the new way gives you a reason to order "Evasive Actions!", which would effectively dump at least some of your FiCon software for Evade. Probably "reprogramming" should fall under the commander's action phase.

And one more thing: Evade, which permits a number of -1 dodges per rating. Is this in ADDITION to the thrust-based dodge roll? Or is it only for cases where you don't have a pilot available?

Have not seen this stated either way.

It would be nice to get a clarification from the Goose. Yes I know I can do it however I would like, but surely they had something in mind when they wrote the rules.

For the time being, I'm going to assume that thrust related "dodge" is distinct from Evade dodge, on the theory that Evade is an advanced AI-like system that tracks aggressors and applies some random but minute vector adjustments. M-Drive dodge will be for the pilot to use, or not. Though I can easily see it the other way - don't bother running Evade with a higher level than you have excess thrust.

See Traveller Core Rulebook page 146 under Automated Positions for some help.

Thanks, I'll read that section when I get home.

 

[rinku]

My opinion is that all the benefits of the Evade series are in addition to the normal pilot dodge. The pilot dodge is restricted by ship initiative and available thrust, with the Evade software providing a -1 to be hit (as stated) and a number of bonus dodges. This is fair considering its high rating requirement and cost.

For me the main reason for thinking this way is that the most common player ships (Type S and Type A) and small craft don't have the computing power to run even Evade/1, so are relying on pilot skill to dodge. And I don't want to run a game where a hotshot pilot can't put a Type S or fighter into evasive action.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I have interpreted the Evade program a bit differently...

I thought it was a glorified Expert program allowing the ship to dodge without the pilot having to use an action. So the ship can dodge and the pilot can line up a shot.

Either way, you are still restricted by Thrust. The Evade bonus corresponds to a "skill level" to be used by the AI program.

YMMV