Transporter Probes
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Transporter Probes
There are a few ships that lack Probe launchers. I'd like to propose a new system that can allow them to make use of a probe type system, but which I don't think will have any impact on the history of the SFU. Basically these would be probe "Warheads" (the scientific instruments that probes use to collect their data) put in the frames of T-bombs.
These would be armed as a standard probe (one point of energy on each of two subsequent turns) and, on the second turn of arming, may be beamed directly into the target being investigated.
BPV Cost for each of them would be based on either the cost of an additional probe for a probe launcher (one BPV, if memory serves) or the cost of a T-bomb and its corresponding dummy T-bomb (four BPV, again, if memory serves).
Only ships withOUT a probe launcher AND with the ability to buy T-bombs (and possess a transporter) may purchase these things, and purchasing them counts against the number of transporter bombs a ship is allowed to purchase.
Of note: a ship using them (except the Andromedans, of course) would have to lower a shield in order to beam them into an item to be investigated.
TBH: I don't know if this truly is a worthwhile system, but it "Feels" not unreasonable to me; that's why I'm posting it.
How do you all feel about it?
By and large, ships that don't have probe launchers fall into two categories:
1. Small warships that do not conduct independent patrol missions.
2. Orions.
In case 1., there's no need for probes. In case 2., the Orions developed probe drones.
By and large, yes.
There are, on rare occasions, exceptions.
It is because of this rare exception that these items are as bulky as they are (at least I've always been under the impression that t-bombs are physically larger than drone warheads); transporter probes are pretty much MacGyvered at the local base for the ships before they go out on their independent patrol.
Your point about Orions using Probe Drones is also good, but please remember that Eastern syndicates have only limited, Out-of-Area, access to Drones. As such, I would guess that their access to Probe Drones is probably pretty poor.
I don't see these ever coming into play. Either a scenario that requires obtaining information will specify units capable of doing so, or you will be allowed to choose your own forces in which case you will select ships with labs and probes.
Very expensive, trading a t-bomb for a probe. In terms of commanders options.
Probes are cheap, iirc. TBs are not, plus, they are limited by ship size class that determines how many TBs a given ship could have.
It is my feeling that this proposal is trying to solve a problem that doesn’t really exist. The game was originally published decades ago. If this was a real issue, wouldn’t it have been addressed back when Reagan was President?
Just say no.
JSW, you are quite correct in stating that probes are cheap; IIRC, "Extra" probes cost 1 BPV where T-bombs are 4 BPV.
To me, this is reasonable due to the probe launch rate; a ship equipped with a Probe launcher requires two turns to "Arm" a probe, so the standard five probe magazine will take ten turns to empty. Buying additional probes means using them as quickly as possible, but still expecting the scenario to last twelve turns or more.
The high cost in this proposal for them is mostly due to a philosophy I have regarding "Improvements" and modifications; in the SFU, ships and other units are built to fine tolerances for their particular missions, so if there is going to be a modification or "Improvement" to something Canon, IMO, it NEEDS to have a hefty cost. To do otherwise feels almost disrespectful (at least to me).
As to this "Trying to solve a problem that doesn't really exist," you are probably quite right in that. As stated in the original proposal, there are number of requirements for units to have in order to make use of this idea; requirements VERY few ships have.
HOWEVER, in the last "Battleforce 550" challenge, both me and the person I was paired up with had scout ships with no probe launchers. There are also the Andromedan Medium SatShips (IIRC) and some races (other than the ones we did our Battleforces for) in the Omega Octant that seldom have probe launchers aboard their ships, so there is a reason (or perhaps I should say, "Excuse?") for this sort of a system.
Besides, even if the idea fails on its merits, there always was the (remote?) possibility of it being adopted, which in and of itself, IMO, was a good enough reason to propose it. 
There is the matter that this probe is as good as a full sized probe. Why not allow a Drone to be launched this way? Probes are launched from probe launchers, and drone racks, and do not function from smaller launch vehicles otherwise we could have a Multi-role shuttle that had a probe launcher.
Just my two cents from the peanut gallery here….
What is the reason for a remote tele-sense focus in the first place? To expend a cheap(er) sensor platform than the ship itself when to get closer to the object of study would be hazardous to the ship.
To use this alternative to the traditional probe, you must HAZARD THE SHIP by lowering defenses to employ it.
I think that one single point would do far more to chill this design on the drawing room floor.
Orions can put probe launchers in their option mounts, I did with my BF550 group on a LRS. Probe drones are also available to most others. It’s an interesting idea, but I think it might only ever see use in an extremely narrow set of circumstances. A Transporter deployed probe, transported into an atmosphere to supplement a Ground Forces engagement is about all I come up with off the top of my head, and even then, a scout with its shields up focused on the battle is likely to produce better results with less risk.
I would have to check, but this might qualify for “Automatic Reject” status.
Only Transporter Bombs can be deployed by transporter. Captor mines, command mines etc may not.
You are converting a Transporter Bomb into a remote sensor mine, which I believe can not be laid during a scenario.
Between scenarios, yes.
I suspect that allowing this proposal would open a truly awesome Can Of Worms.
JGA, perhaps, if you run fast enough, you might make it out the door BEFORE Petrick can draw his side arm.
Other than that, your only hope is that Petrick will not shoot you in the back.
I figure the odds are at best 50/50. If Petrick has time to think about how it can be abused in play, you chances of survival decline precipitously.
I am opening a wager book, any one care to place a bet on whether JGA can run, walk or be carried out?
Well, if SPP wishes to blow my brains out, he will need a gun with a microscopic sight
Hence, why, I specified shooting you in the back.
Petrick need not limit his target list to only a head shot.
Does not require much imagination to assemble any number of anatomical body parts to shoot at, Hollywood has countless movies demonstrating such procedures.
Betting is now open, quatoos is the standard denomination, quoted odds stated are a backshot at 1:1 . No odds posted for head shots, and 100:1 odds against Petrick intentionally missing the shot out of mercy for JGA.
Any takers?
According to (OR19.02), it's noted that the Ryn are able to use their advanced transporters (OR19.03) to place a probe anywhere within 15 hexes of an operating ship.
While inside the Ryn Nebula, the Ryn don't bother equipping probes on most of their ships as standard; if one is needed, they beam it through their pervasive transporter network and then use it as and when required. Only on survey ships being sent beyond the Nebular Wall would a number of probes be stockpiled.
Personally, I would prefer keeping the concept of deploying probes by transporter unique to the Ryn.
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On a side note: while the empires of the Omega Octant do not have access to probe drones, it is possible for a Zosman Marauder cell to gain access to the Vari particle probe launcher - either from a primary, secondary, or tertiary source, depending on where on the Omega hex map the cell in question is operating - which can be used to gather information under (OE8.35) if needs be.