Why can only Lasers PD?

[AnotherDilbert]

Perhaps silly question, but why can only lasers be used for PD? In earlier editions (at least CT, MT) all beam weapons could be used for PD.

If any beam weapon turret could PD, we could use the PD turrets for something else if the enemy is light on missiles, like shooting at fighters.
With, say Particle turrets, we would have a reserve of versatile secondary armaments that I believe most designs will lack with todays rules.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Maybe someone will make a giant Traveller book that has all the rules from every edition made into a giant game rule set. Done.

 

[Nerhesi]

I used to be a big supporter of this. The only problem is this killed all lasers (no need to have them).

So I'm enjoying the use of lasers as PD wpns. I still kept the house rule of PD with any beam but at significant negatives (-4 or -6)

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Maybe the companion book can have alternate ship weapon rules in it.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

I agree it would make lasers, ahum, less common. They would be replaced with the almighty Particle, but if that is nerfed to only double turrets, they would make worse PD but better secondary armament.

The problem I see is that it seems rather difficult to kill fighters as is. It it difficult for a BB to have decent missile defences and decent fighter defences. Using the same type of turret for both purposes would make BBs more survivable.