Generic FC / SFB Warships - In Anticipation of PD: Traveller

[terryoc]

There are plenty of "stock" civilian ships in the SFU that can do what you described, no real reason to allow ship design IMO.

[Mr_Tricorder]

There are plenty of "stock" civilian ships in the SFU that can do what you described, no real reason to allow ship design IMO.

The whole point of designing a ship like that instead of using a similar "stock" ship is the increased level of connection and sense of accomplishment you share with the ship and ultimately the game itself. It's like building a custom car from parts vs. walking into a dealership and buying one. It's not for everyone, but it makes a huge difference for those who are willing to put the time and effort into it.

[Scoutdad]

Or do what I do.

I've got several "stock" generic ship minis from... ehem... other companies. I simiply select the one I like, use that mini, and pull the equivalent ship card from my FC stock.

I've used the APT ship card for several different minis that look nothing like the APT, same with the small / large / jumbo / heavy freighter cards.
Any freither / transport mini can be used as a "stock" Fed Comm freighter. Just assume the ship card is a standardized representation of the various makes / models of privately manuafactured ships.

[Alex Knight]

Or do what I do.

I've got several "stock" generic ship minis from... ehem... other companies. I simiply select the one I like, use that mini, and pull the equivalent ship card from my FC stock.

I've used the APT ship card for several different minis that look nothing like the APT, same with the small / large / jumbo / heavy freighter cards.
Any freither / transport mini can be used as a "stock" Fed Comm freighter. Just assume the ship card is a standardized representation of the various makes / models of privately manuafactured ships.

Like a Glow-worm Class transport from GZG?
That is a pretty cool idea though, I like it.

[Nerroth]

Well, now that CL43 includes an SSD for a Barbarian battleship in SFB, perhaps there could be scope for a Frax-like Barbarian ePack somewhere down the line?

(So long as the rules covering the weapon, NWO and power options could be handled cleanly enough, perhaps.)

[Magnum357]

In my opinion, I use to be in the crowd of customizing SFB ships with some sort of system, but after reading up on all the R modules for SFB, ADB has practically come up with every possible type of ship (at least for me) you would ever want in your games of SFB or FC.

I don't know anything about this "Travelers" system (sounds kinda interesting) but I have have heard many attempts to design a system to build custom ships. You either fall into the problem of building "pocket battleships" or your design the next generation of X ship.

Is there something wrong with the custom options of Pirate vessels? Yes, limited performance compared to empiral ships, but Pirate versus pirate battles can be just as interesting as empiral battles.

If you want total customization of ship design, maybe you should check into Starfire Design Studio or something.

[mjwest]

Gary,

Barbarians were somewhat down on my list of simulator empires to take a look at, but I suppose I could at least pitch them to Steve. (Though I have no idea why the presence or absence of a BB would influence this.)

But, to be honest, I am not sure that there is sufficient interest in the Simulator empires to worry about them too much. The Frax had interest as they predated C4, and were the prototype for simulator empires. I honestly don't know how much interest there really is for the others.

[Dal Downing]

Instead of investing time into another simulator race I would rather se rules for Heavy War Destroyers or a Modular System applied to APTs Skiffs and Free Traders.

[Mr_Tricorder]

In my opinion, I use to be in the crowd of customizing SFB ships with some sort of system, but after reading up on all the R modules for SFB, ADB has practically come up with every possible type of ship (at least for me) you would ever want in your games of SFB or FC.

I don't know anything about this "Travelers" system (sounds kinda interesting) but I have have heard many attempts to design a system to build custom ships. You either fall into the problem of building "pocket battleships" or your design the next generation of X ship.

Is there something wrong with the custom options of Pirate vessels? Yes, limited performance compared to empiral ships, but Pirate versus pirate battles can be just as interesting as empiral battles.

If you want total customization of ship design, maybe you should check into Starfire Design Studio or something.

This may be the case for wargames, but keep in mind that Prime Directive is NOT A WARGAME. There is so much more to life on a starship than space battles, and that's what you get to do in RPGs like Traveller and Prime Directive, explore new worlds (need sensors, probes, labs, and transporters), host diplomats and transport criminals (crew/passenger quarters, rec deck, brig, and other "hull space" type areas) and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

If you're worried about roleplayers creating pocket battleships, you still have your head stuck in SFB or FC.

[Nerroth]

Gary,

Barbarians were somewhat down on my list of simulator empires to take a look at, but I suppose I could at least pitch them to Steve. (Though I have no idea why the presence or absence of a BB would influence this.)

But, to be honest, I am not sure that there is sufficient interest in the Simulator empires to worry about them too much. The Frax had interest as they predated C4, and were the prototype for simulator empires. I honestly don't know how much interest there really is for the others.

I should clarify that I was only suggesting them as a way to allow any players out there looking for the closest thing there is to DIY warships (as opposed to civilian hulls) there is out there; I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry about them personally.

[storeylf]

This may be the case for wargames, but keep in mind that Prime Directive is NOT A WARGAME. There is so much more to life on a starship than space battles, and that's what you get to do in RPGs like Traveller and Prime Directive, explore new worlds (need sensors, probes, labs, and transporters), host diplomats and transport criminals (crew/passenger quarters, rec deck, brig, and other "hull space" type areas) and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

If you're worried about roleplayers creating pocket battleships, you still have your head stuck in SFB or FC.

I don't get to play RPGs nowadays, but this is so true. In an RPG the best ship is not necessarily the best armed. I remember when I played a Sci-Fi RPG back in my youth I wanted luxury 'yachts', and the latest in fashion and opulence on my ships (with a special emphasis on the trophy room). It was about travelling in style and showing the plebs, or groups we had to interact with that I was absolutely loaded. Space combat was dangerous, and I didn't want scratches on my Yachts.

The goals of a wargame and RPG are vastly different.