Ship Computers and Software

mancerbear

Mongoose
So, I have a single scout in a scout/courier. To save time plotting a jump course he want to get an expert Pilot (spaceship) program for the ship's computer, let it fly out to the jump point so he can plot his course during the flight.

Can anyone see a problem with ship computers using expert programs?
 
Depends on the interface a crew member needs to know to check up on what the computer is doing, and if the computer can be stopped from doing. Auto-piloting seems to not end well in space at times.
 
mancerbear said:
Can anyone see a problem with ship computers using expert programs?

Nope.

Ship software operates in exactly the same way as normal computer software but typically has a much higher bandwidth. Ship computers are fully capable of running normal software as well.
 
In general, the max you will get out of ship software is a total of +3 to the dice roll. (expert/4).

This is equal to a competent human (skill 2, characteristic +1). Therefore players can go far beyond the (5 skill, +2/+3 characteristic due to augmentation, +1 direct skill-wire augmentation). Therefore almost triple the effect of expert/4.

So you don't want to rely on Expert software giving you an effective pilot/3 while the enemy pilot and/or gunners could be sporting +5s or +6s (veteran crew, minimal augments)
 
There is a slight problem...
Core said:
Expert software packages mimic skills. A Traveller using Expert may make a skill check as if he had the skill at the software’s Bandwidth -1. Only INT and EDU-based checks can be attempted. If a Traveller already has the skill, then Expert grants DM+1 to his check.
You can use an expert program for Astrogation or Engineering (e.g. to initiate a Jump), but not for Pilot (DEX) tasks.

High Guard has a piece of software called "Virtual Crew" that does what you want.
 
I assume the ship computer needs to run intellect too, for Virtual crew to work optimally? Especially if a human master is to order the ship around. I can't imagine intellect being bundled into the package?

An alternative would be to look in central supply catalogue and get an Astro-mech droid to help control the ship :)
 
Intellect seems like a good companion to Virtual Crew. A Scout/Courier with a m5bis computer can regrettably not run it.

An Astro-Mech Droid is always very good to have around on a space craft, and superior as a single crew member, but Virtual Crew can replace five crew members per instance. Virtual Crew can be used as Pilot, Sensor Operator, and Gunner.
 
AnotherDilbert said:
An Astro-Mech Droid is always very good to have around on a space craft, and superior as a single crew member, but Virtual Crew can replace five crew members per instance. Virtual Crew can be used as Pilot, Sensor Operator, and Gunner.

Will have to wait till High Guard comes out to see how it works. Thank you.
 
One could argue that a non-combat only expert program would be plenty sufficient for tedious navigational tasks, if your GM doesn’t just consider that “auto-pilot” material... which it is. :P
 
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