Traveller Ship's Computers and Combat

[hdan]

Given the length of a turn in space combat, what does the ship's computer capacity represent? The rating of software that can be run per-phase, or per-turn?

In other words, can I run Evade during maneuver, then run Target during combat if my computer's rating isn't high enough to hold them both active at the same time?

In a tangentially related question, does M-Drive rating limit on Dodges also apply to Evade software's modifier?

 

[R Arceneaux]

Of course read the rules as stated in the rules book for basic guide to your questions....

BUT you can also as a player suggest the following adjustments to the Game Master

Speed of computer?
Multiple Computers?
Skill of people punching the computer buttons?

 

[hdan]

The rules as printed don't really answer my questions though, and I'd like to know the intent before I start modifying things. It's likely my confusion comes from having played Classic Traveller, and being used to that model of how computers work. The answers to my questions may be "the rules don't really talk about that part - use your best judgement."

In CT, we had a "computer reprogramming phase", and it was explicit what software you could have running at any time, and when you could switch programs.

In MGT, there is no reprogramming phase (no mention of how much time or effort), nor is there the concept of how many programs total can be held in "storage" (it's effectively infinite). There's also a lot less software required to run a ship (for example, you can fire the weapons without loading Gunner Interact), so I don't think my CT experience translates to MGT in a meaningful way.

So I still wonder what the official word is on these two questions:

How often can I change the computer's running program? Every turn? Every Phase? On a successful crew action?

How often can I dodge? ONLY once for each extra MP regardless of Evade software? Or is the MP restriction just for the Pilot, and Evade gets extra dodges?

 

[hdan]

On careful re-reading of the space combat rules, it seems that for the most part, computer actions will be taken during the combat phase (except for auto/repair) so the question of "is it capacity per phase, or capacity per turn?" is slightly less relevant. Thought there's still the issue of computing a jump or running auto/repair.

In absence of "rulesmaster" input, it's probably safest to go with "a character can use an action to switch out the running software" instead of assuming the computers are smart enough to timeshare. If you want to plot a jump, you'll need to dump your other software for a turn or so.

That still leaves the question of "What does Evade actually do?", which also came up on the Traveller forum.