Vehicle Range Bands

[rgrove0172]

Im having a hard time figuring out the range modifiers (if there are any) for vehicle weapons. I cant seem to find a chart or rule anywhere. The only mention of vehicle weapons being different is in the area of fire arcs. (Core rules page 66) I play Mongoose Traveller 2300 and there isnt anything to go on there either.

I can see that the chart on MgT2300 page 169 is for sensors, not weapon attacks.. but whats with the Tech Level rows? It starts at TL3-4 and goes up through 15-16? 2300AD is tech level 9-mayb 12 or so as I understand it and what kind of sensors are in use at tech level 3 anyway? Is this a mistake of some kind? This same chart is on page 6 of the Vehicles Handbook but it mentions that the modifier is in addition to that of the weapon. What modifier?

But back to weapons. On page 65 of CT we have the range effects of various weapon categories, but only man portable ones. On page 170 of MgT2300 we have a chart showing an extension of those range bands for vehicle weapons (same as the page 6 Vehicle Handbook) but again no modifiers.

Lastly around page 181 of MgT2300 we are given a few examples of vehicle weapons but they list their range as a range band. Similarly the vehicles in the Military Vehicle Handbook and Vehicle handbook give a range band. Is this a maximum range? Are there no modifiers for range for vehicle weapons? Only the sensor modifiers and a hard maximum distance for vehicle scale weaponry?

 

[rgrove0172]

Sorry to persist but surely somebody knows how to use vehicle weapons in Traveller?

 

[Jeraa]

Vehicle weapons work differently then normal weapons, and are detailed in Central Supply Catalog (page 26). (The civilian and military vehicle books both say the weapons listed are only a small listing of the weapons available in the Central Supply Catalog.)

They have a listed maximum range. Thats is the farthest the weapon can hit. For indirect artillery fire, attack rolls are made normally up to 1/4 the weapons maximum range. At 1/4 to 1/2 the range, they get a -2 penalty. 1/2 to 3/4 range is a -4 penalty, and from 3/4 maximum out to the weapons maximum is a -6 penalty. Depending on the attack roll, more or less damage can be done (anywhere from 0 damage to double damage).

Direct fire artillery has an additional -2 penalty to hit, but usually does double damage. Energy weapons are only capable of direct fire.

At least that is my understanding. I could be wrong.

 

[rgrove0172]

Can I adk whete that rule is?

 

[Jeraa]

Can I adk whete that rule is?

I told you. Supplement 4 - Central Supply Catalog, page 26.

 

[rgrove0172]

Sorry, missed that - trying to read this forum on my phone! Thanks! Ill check it out.

 

[Nathan Brazil]

Also check Supplement 5-6 Vehicle Handbook. On page 7, they have direct fire vehicular weapons ranges
Range Band Distance
Distant 501–5,000 metres
Very Distant 5,001–25,000 metres
Extreme 25,001–50,000 metres
Continental 50–500 kilometres
Orbital 501+ kilometres
Maximum range for weapons is the lesser of your weapon or fire control system (TL based).
DMs to hit at each range band is determined on your fire control system.

 

[Jeraa]

Also check Supplement 5-6 Vehicle Handbook. On page 7, they have direct fire vehicular weapons ranges
Range Band Distance
Distant 501–5,000 metres
Very Distant 5,001–25,000 metres
Extreme 25,001–50,000 metres
Continental 50–500 kilometres
Orbital 501+ kilometres
Maximum range for weapons is the lesser of your weapon or fire control system (TL based).
DMs to hit at each range band is determined on your fire control system.

As the combined Vehicle Handbook is the more recent work, whatever it says should take precedent over what the Central Supply Catalog says.

 

[rgrove0172]

As to the fire control systems - the only difference is by tech level. No room for variations in qualilty? And I notice the chart goes down to TL3. TL3 Fire control system? Really?

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

A targeting rifle strapped on top of a canon?

 

[rgrove0172]

Well I see that TL4 is probably the basement of the scale, WWII era stuff so early optical sights, manual artillery computing equipment etc is probably as far back as the chart can logically extend.

Its odd that the sensor table, so prominent a feature in vehicle warfare, is missing from the Central Supply Catalog, which is otherwise extremely thorough in its coverage of weaponry etc.

The range modifiers listed above pertaining to fractions of max range etc. are for indirect artillery fire only, not direct gunnery. There still doesnt appear to be a modifier for a tank firing at 100meters vs. 100km as long as its in range. (other than the sensor table that is.)

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

At the back of my mind I have an image of an 18th century cannon with a rifle (early example) attached to the top... I can't even remember where I would have seen it though.

Leonardo Da Vinci did some work on ranges and angles of cannons, so manual calculations have been around a long time.

 

[rgrove0172]

Which illuminates another problem with that sensor chart. When the difference between DaVinci's designs and computer assisted, laser directed, targeting systems is a modifier of -4 or so on a chart it makes you wonder.

 

[Nathan Brazil]

As to the fire control systems - the only difference is by tech level. No room for variations in qualilty? And I notice the chart goes down to TL3. TL3 Fire control system? Really?

Quality improvement of Fire Control systems are purchased options on page 31.

Fire control systems in the supplement are stated include things like stabilization, not just the direct aiming system itself (ala rangefinders, telescopes and so on). Tech Level 3 is early 19th century, so I could see that as really simple junk as anchors to keep the weapon from bucking when firing. Older Traveller systems like Striker did not allow you to fire and move in the same round. So maybe its like that.