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Pursuivant · 10-11-2018, 01:25 AM

Something that gets ignored for lower TL versions of Navigation is degree of accuracy, especially in the absence of known landmarks.

Before TL6, marine navigators were doing their job right if they could get their ship within ~20 miles of their destination.

At TL6/early TL7, marine and aerial navigators were doing a great job if they could get within ~5 miles of their destination.

Under less than ideal circumstances, it is also easy to mistake one landmark for another, assuming that you can see landmarks at all.

For example, during WW2, it was not uncommon for high altitude bombers to get lost and accidentally bomb the wrong target, or even the wrong city! (e.g., the USAAF accidentally bombed a Swiss town rather than a German one.)

Darkness penalties should apply to most forms of pre-TL8 Navigation, as should penalties for relatively poor visibility.

Having multiple people make Navigation skill rolls is realistic, but it requires a complete set of equipment - and sometimes a dedicated crew station - for each person making the attempt.

There's also the problem of whose Navigation do you trust? The GM should make Navigation rolls in secret, potentially setting up a situation where one navigator is right and the other navigator is wrong. If the navigator who is wrong is the ranking officer, tragedy can ensue.

10-11-2018, 01:25 AM	#17
Pursuivant Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: [Basic] Skill of the week: Navigation Something that gets ignored for lower TL versions of Navigation is degree of accuracy, especially in the absence of known landmarks. Before TL6, marine navigators were doing their job right if they could get their ship within ~20 miles of their destination. At TL6/early TL7, marine and aerial navigators were doing a great job if they could get within ~5 miles of their destination. Under less than ideal circumstances, it is also easy to mistake one landmark for another, assuming that you can see landmarks at all. For example, during WW2, it was not uncommon for high altitude bombers to get lost and accidentally bomb the wrong target, or even the wrong city! (e.g., the USAAF accidentally bombed a Swiss town rather than a German one.) Darkness penalties should apply to most forms of pre-TL8 Navigation, as should penalties for relatively poor visibility. Having multiple people make Navigation skill rolls is realistic, but it requires a complete set of equipment - and sometimes a dedicated crew station - for each person making the attempt. There's also the problem of whose Navigation do you trust? The GM should make Navigation rolls in secret, potentially setting up a situation where one navigator is right and the other navigator is wrong. If the navigator who is wrong is the ranking officer, tragedy can ensue.