Why are reaction drives bigger than maneuver drives?

[Reynard]

I've been going over the new Maneuver rules to understand maneuver drive versus reaction rocket. Very similar to MgT1 except the old version made both equal size. I realize now the big change is the use of Power Points. Reaction rockets don't use Power Points from the Power Plant and are a completely separate system. I would love to see A Designer Note as to why they created reaction rockets with displacement all their own. Actually I believe it involves balancing them as opposed to maneuver drives. Gravitic MDs are supposed to be far more efficient, cleaner and powerful compared to RRs. That's at least the physics of the Traveller universe. Am I looking in the wrong places or hasn't the alternative FTL systems to Jump been added (yet)?

I know I need to design ship of increasing size to compare the two motive systems. Like the Collectors, I like the idea there is a bit of technological diversity in the game

 

[Nerhesi]

I've been going over the new Maneuver rules to understand maneuver drive versus reaction rocket. Very similar to MgT1 except the old version made both equal size. I realize now the big change is the use of Power Points. Reaction rockets don't use Power Points from the Power Plant and are a completely separate system. I would love to see A Designer Note as to why they created reaction rockets with displacement all their own. Actually I believe it involves balancing them as opposed to maneuver drives. Gravitic MDs are supposed to be far more efficient, cleaner and powerful compared to RRs. That's at least the physics of the Traveller universe. Am I looking in the wrong places or hasn't the alternative FTL systems to Jump been added (yet)?

I know I need to design ship of increasing size to compare the two motive systems. Like the Collectors, I like the idea there is a bit of technological diversity in the game

I'm interested in the paradigm this creates.

Spacecraft up to 9G standard...

SDBs, Military Smallcraft, no jump drive, no power requirement for M-Drive because they're using R-drive. But then, they're like half-fuel to be used in combat situation, but they end up flying circles around the invading force in-terms of tactical maneuverability... because you've got 9G SDBs and Fighters, packing 2-3 hours worth of a BONUS 10 to 15-G rocket boosters.

Invading force comes using 6 to 9Gs, System Defense resources react using against invading strike craft and battle riders, that are operating at 15G+ ... crazy, but adds a new factor to combat. I dont mind it really.

 

[wbnc]

Ooh! Maybe Traveller ships can give low power to their jump drives and radiate all the heat into jump space!

now that's an interesting angle...use waste heat from reaction drives as a source of power...it's not impossible, actually it's pretty easy to do...the hard part would be making it efficient enough to be worth the extra tonnage.

 

[Belisknar]

Am I looking in the wrong places or hasn't the alternative FTL systems to Jump been added (yet)?

They're in the High Technology Chapter of the High Guard zip.

 

[Reynard]

There it is! Interesting that they can now be concurrent with jump if desired. Makes those TL 16+ societies relevant.