Aroooo

Re: Online Spacer's Toolkit

More to the point, is this data something Ben or Dan can pull out of the original database as text? If so, that would be even better.

Aroooo

Re: Traveller starship combat

I'm not sure what you mean. Could you post an example?

Lets use two vehicles listed in the Size chart (Fred 5e pg 463), an attack helicopter and a tank. The tank has a DCV mod of -4 based on its size. The helo a DCV mod of -5. (I don't particularly agree with those numbers, but lets just work with what we have).

Now, if a person shoots at the tank, the tank's DCV gets modified by the Size mod of -4, down to a max of 0 DCV (remember, DCV can not go below 0). If the helo shoots at the tank, the tank should not have any DCV mod vs. the helo since the helo is bigger than the tank. If the tank were to shoot at the helo, the helo would be at only -1 DCV, not the base -5. There are no OCV benefits for a smaller object shooting at a bigger object.

Aroooo

Re: Traveller starship combat

We're still working out the quirks of space combat in general and traveller combat specifically; but one thing I can tell you is that the DCV mod for size generally applies to vehicle vs vehicle only. (Okay, that did not make much sense...) Basically, get the DCV mod for each space ship, and compare the attacker to defender and apply only the difference to the attacker (but only if its a negative).

I do agree with you though about the megascale vs increased range mods. On one very small level I understand why they have the option in there, but it would have just been easier to have only one choice

Aroooo

Re: Online Spacer's Toolkit

Is there any way everything could just be copied over to the Wiki (with author's permission' date=' of course) so a new OST could be started? In my view, even if nobody really contributes, it's a valuable resource. Especially considering how little actual equipment the actual printed ST has. Just a thought.[/quote']

 

Thats what I want to do by putting it up on starherofandom...

 

Aroooo

Re: Online Spacer's Toolkit

repped!

However, I'm having trouble pulling up all the site's graphics. Don't know if it just my office connection (too many folks surfing you tube?) or the archive site. Will try later tonight.

If I (or anyone else) can get that info - of Bob if you have HD files - I'll add that to the starherofandom site.

Aroooo

Re: Online Spacer's Toolkit

I'm pretty sure you got the name right. Personally, I don't know what happened to it or the online Super Powers Database - I was pretty much away from the boards when that change took place. So, while I'm of little help here, I too would like to know what happened to it.

Aroooo

Re: Tear heart out of your chest ability, ala "Temple of Doom"

Because of the time required (from watching the movie it was not instant), I might do it as a Major Transform - even though transforms are not supposed to kill people as I recall. Depends on how many combat phases you wanted to give the victim to try and escape I suppose.

Aroooo

Re: Western Hero

So' date=' I have the opportunity to pick up Western Hero.....should I? Will it easly translate to 5th edition?[/quote']

 

Yes and Yes

 

Aroooo

Re: Disadvantages of a Humvee

This was written up in the Hero System Vehicle Sourcebook (pg 38). They [steve] only listed the distinctive feature as a disad. Not that the others listed are not good and worthy mind you...

Aroooo

Re: Western Hero

HERO gun info . Any suggestions on fan websites that might support campaigns? Extras?

Make sure you check out the links questionman lsited. They are going to be your best first places to look

Aroooo

Re: Fallout Perks A - C

When you get this all written up I'd like to post this on starherofandom if you don't mind

Aroooo

Re: Simulate Claustrophobia/Cabin Fever

What do you do about Characters that, well, hate being on planets?

So much so it's an actual Psych Lim.

for a serious moment, I actually have one of those in my current campaign. For her (while I have not implemented this house rule yet) I sort of treat it in reverse. The longer she stays on planet, esp. away from Startown, the more nervous about open spaces she gets.

Aroooo

Re: Simulate Claustrophobia/Cabin Fever

. . . That's a lot of rules for something I feel should just be winged and roleplayed.

Agreed. However, there are those players that have to have everything quantified, especially when it comes to having their characters do something that they don't think they would do.

Aroooo

I don't normally cross post, but this seems to be a closed conversation over in the main questions section, so I thought I'd make sure the spacers among us saw this first hand just in case. The original conversation is here http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63992

What I'm trying to do is simulate cabin fever. Here's what I have so far, not including Silbeg's recent comments. I like the percentage of overcrowding idea. I'll have to see how to work that in.

Cabin Fever

Cabin fever is a condition that produces restlessness and irritability caused from being in a confined space, when a character or group is isolated and/or shut in, alone or together, for an extended period. To simulate the breaking point, assign characters a 'Cabin Fever Score' based on their EGO, as modified by character concept and background (see table below), plus points from any Resistance Talent (on a one for one basis). For characters with a Claustrophobic Disad, reduce the Cabin Fever score by the disad point value.

Character Type                       Base Score
Standard Traveller Character           EGO x 2
Well Travelled                         EGO x 3
Professional Spacer                    EGO x 4
 (Navy, Scout, Belter,etc)
Spacer, born and bred                  EGO x 5
Rookie space traveller                 EGO

For every day in space reduce Cabin Fever score by one when aboard a standard ship. Space stations, large ships, or cruise liners reduce the Score by 1 for every 2 to 4 days. For every day planet side, add one point to the Cabin Fever score. For actual R&R/Shore Leave time, award 2 or more points back per day; or simply reset the Cabin Fever score back to its start value. Cabin Fever score can never go above starting value, but it can go below 0.

When you get to 0 or less points, start making EGO rolls - one per day. Treat a negative Cabin Fever Score as a modifier to the EGO roll. If you are at -2 Cabin Fever, your EGO roll is 9+(EGO/5)-2. If you fail your EGO roll, you have a claustrophobic episode. The exact nature of the episode is up to the player and GM, but it should be appropriate to the situation, the story, and the negative value of the Cabin Fever score. For example, if your Cabin Fever score is 0 and you fail your EGO roll, the episode should be relatively minor, such as a a hysterical outbreak that requires sedation. If the Cabin Fever score is -4 and you fail the EGO Roll, perhaps you suffer major hallucinations and attack your fellow crew mates or passengers.

Characters or NPCs with appropriate skills like PS: Ship's Steward, PS: Counseling, SS: Psychology, PS: Recreation Director or PS: Morale Officer may use their skills to increase the ratio of Cabin Fever points lost, or negate them altogether (GM's discretion). Ships equipped with special recreation areas, lounges, onboard R&R facilities, etc. may increase the ratio of Cabin Fever points lost. For example, a standard space liner may have a ratio of 1 point per 2 days. A luxury cruise liner may have a ratio of 1 per 5 days to account for extra wide corridors, large rooms and meeting/dining halls, and dedicated stewards.

Aroooo

Re: Western Hero

You looking for real world gun info, or Hero gun info? If Hero, the Equipment Guide has a plethora of gun stats. You should be able to find what you need in there, or get real close at least.

Aroooo

Re: Cyberpunk Biochemical Injector

True, but you could say the same for any power that uses charges. How do you track how many 'clips' of machine gun charges a character has? The rules stipulate (FRED, 5e, pg 284):

Charges define how many times per day the character can use the power. Th exact time needed to regain Charges varies depending on the special effects of the power. If a character has Charges which are bullets for a gun, the GM may allow him to go home to get new bullets. If the Charges represent a magic power that only works three times a day, all three Charges may be magically restored at dawn. Th e GM and the player should decide on a mutually agreeable method for the Charges to return.

I don't think you're going to be able to build what you want without some level of GM fiat in the equation.

For me, in my games, its been "...your gun has 6 rounds in it, you have 12 more rounds in your pocket [i.e. 3 'clips' of 6 charges]. If you need more, you're going to have to go home and get them..." thus taking that character out of the immediate action while s/he replaces/replenishes charges.

Aroooo

Re: Cyberpunk Biochemical Injector

If this is for a Heroic level game (well, maybe even higher), I would do it as a multi-power, each 'drug' an ultra slot in the MP. Then apply the Charges limitation to the multi-power pool directly. That way there are only 3 charges, regardless of how many different drug options the character has available.

If you don't want to have an MP with 20-something slots (not knowing how many drugs you'll have available in the game world), then just build the MP with three 'generic' slots, and rotate the vials of drugs in and out as needed. This really only works in a Heroic setting. Supers settings I think you'd have to build out every drug possibility... or build it as a VPP...

Aroooo

Re: Vacuum Expossure Training

Worried about sudden catastrophic failure of your hull? Don't go around with bulky uncomfortable helmets on all the time use the Price rapid deployment life support collar. Inflated clear plastic Allplast bags are held in place by a combination of clamps and air pressure. When pressure drops below 40% of normal the clamps fail and the bags deploy and lock together forming an airtight seal. A small air reservoir provides enough air for few minutes work. Standard air feeds can be attached to provide longer survival times.

Price technologies, because you need a future and we've got a good one.

Reped!

Aroooo

Re: Traveller Hero Character Point Scale

Your seventeen year olds have 25 points in Disads' date=' yet can't spend any points in any one Disadvantage category [/quote']

 

Ops. Fixed. Had to be a typo. Yeah, that's it.

 

Aroooo

Re: Simulate Claustrophobia/Cabin Fever

Here's what I have so far, not including Silbeg's recent comments. I like the percentage of overcrowding idea. I'll have to see how to work that in.

Cabin Fever

Cabin fever is a condition that produces restlessness and irritability caused from being in a confined space, when a character or group is isolated and/or shut in, alone or together, for an extended period. To simulate the breaking point, assign characters a 'Cabin Fever Score' based on their EGO, as modified by character concept and background (see table below), plus points from any Resistance Talent (on a one for one basis). For characters with a Claustrophobic Disad, reduce the Cabin Fever score by the disad point value.

Character Type                       Base Score
Standard Traveller Character           EGO x 2
Well Travelled                         EGO x 3
Professional Spacer                    EGO x 4
 (Navy, Scout, Belter,etc)
Spacer, born and bred                  EGO x 5
Rookie space traveller                 EGO

For every day in space reduce Cabin Fever score by one when aboard a standard ship. Space stations, large ships, or cruise liners reduce the Score by 1 for every 2 to 4 days. For every day planet side, add one point to the Cabin Fever score. For actual R&R/Shore Leave time, award 2 or more points back per day; or simply reset the Cabin Fever score back to its start value. Cabin Fever score can never go above starting value, but it can go below 0.

When you get to 0 or less points, start making EGO rolls - one per day. Treat a negative Cabin Fever Score as a modifier to the EGO roll. If you are at -2 Cabin Fever, your EGO roll is 9+(EGO/5)-2. If you fail your EGO roll, you have a claustrophobic episode. The exact nature of the episode is up to the player and GM, but it should be appropriate to the situation, the story, and the negative value of the Cabin Fever score. For example, if your Cabin Fever score is 0 and you fail your EGO roll, the episode should be relatively minor, such as a a hysterical outbreak that requires sedation. If the Cabin Fever score is -4 and you fail the EGO Roll, perhaps you suffer major hallucinations and attack your fellow crew mates or passengers.

Characters or NPCs with appropriate skills like PS: Ship's Steward, PS: Counseling, SS: Psychology, PS: Recreation Director or PS: Morale Officer may use their skills to increase the ratio of Cabin Fever points lost, or negate them altogether (GM's discretion). Ships equipped with special recreation areas, lounges, onboard R&R facilities, etc. may increase the ratio of Cabin Fever points lost. For example, a standard space liner may have a ratio of 1 point per 2 days. A luxury cruise liner may have a ratio of 1 per 5 days to account for extra wide corridors, large rooms and meeting/dining halls, and dedicated stewards.

Aroooo

Re: Simulate Claustrophobia/Cabin Fever

You could also include Resistance: Unwashed Sedentary Loner to your talents list allowing characters to ignore the effects.

I thought about it, but I'm trying not to add anything that players would have to spend more points on - especially the ones that are already built. I may though, as a 3 or 4 point talent for the born and bread characters. I'll expand the system a bit and post it for comment.

Aroooo

Re: Simulate Claustrophobia/Cabin Fever

Seems like a pretty good and simple way to handle. If you want to go into more detail you may want to take into account how skills like PS:Counseling' date=' SS: Psychology and even PS: Recreation director or Morale officer might be of some help in stemming off the effect. Skills like Meditation might help or VR technologies (if that doesn't exist in Traveler, sorry)[/quote']

 

I like the idea of using character's skills to offset walls creeping in - furthers the role play aspect; as well as giving each ship an 'attribute' of sorts for how cramped it is or may feel. I'm trying to avoid creating any special talents or anything that would further take points away from character development just to simulate cabin fever.

 

Aroooo

Re: Simulate Claustrophobia/Cabin Fever

From WikiPedia (if you trust that as a source):

"Cabin fever is a condition that produces restlessness and irritability caused from being in a confined space. The actual term is slang for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a party is isolated and/or shut in, alone or together, for an extended period."

But you are right; cabin fever is what I'm looking to simulate. I used the term claustrophobia mainly to give the conversation a frame of reference.

Aroooo

While this question applies specifically to my Traveller Hero game, I wanted to post it here to attract a wider audience for potential answers/feedback.

The short question is: how to simulate claustrophobia susceptibility (aka cabin fever)?

The longer background is this: in Traveller, characters are 'stuck' aboard their ship for a week at a time while the ship is in Jump space. While there is usually lots of work to do (ship's maintenance and the like) and the entertainment system is packed, eventually the walls start to close in - even for the most experienced spacer character. One exception I can see currently is the character who is born in space and lived their entire life in the confines of ships.

I was thinking of doing something like this:

Assign everyone a 'cabin fever score' based on their EGO (or 2x EGO), plus points from any Resistance Talent. For characters with an actual Claustrophobic Disad, reduce the Cabin Fever score by the disad point value. Maybe adjust the base score based on character concept and background. So, an ex-Navy character who spent their entire career aboard ships might have a higher base than a normal citizen.

Character type                       Base Score
Standard Traveller Character           EGO x 2
Well Travelled                         EGO x 3
Rookie space traveller                 EGO
Professional Spacer                    EGO x 4
 (Navy, Scout, Belter,etc)
Spacer, born and bread                 EGO x 5

For every day in space (aboard ship) take 1 point away. Space stations or large ships maybe only take a 1/2 point or 1/4 point away. For every day planet side, give one point back. For actual R&R/Shore Leave time, 2 points back per day (either planet side or resort space station). When you get to 0 points, you have a claustrophobic episode.

Aroooo

Re: Traveller Computer Software

I'm still working on my mapping app. If anyone out there has Filemaker 9 and would like to help test/debug let m know. Its not quite ready for a run-time build yet...

Aroooo