06-13-2019, 08:19 AM | #41 | ||
On Notice
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sumter, SC
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Re: Approaching TL9?
The TLs didn't change that much (at least until you hit TL8) and until we get formal updates (like what is happening with Steampunk) it is in many cases are largest sample set we have to work with.
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I should point out Tthe Panzer IV came out in 1939 and while the M4 Sherman came out in 1942 there is generally a long delay between design and production. The B29 for instance started out on the design board in 1938 with the Model 334 being effectively a B-17 with some modifications (like pressurization and longer-range) Also the Panzer IV had many variants of which High-Tech give the very late M4A1(76)W and so is not entirely representative of the whole series. Last edited by maximara; 06-13-2019 at 08:50 AM. |
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06-13-2019, 08:26 AM | #42 |
Join Date: May 2007
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Re: Approaching TL9?
Until we have an improved, portable energy storage solution, I am having a lot of trouble saying we've jumped a Tech Level. There is a lot of tech that is nearly ready to go, but we just can't power it reliably. Exoskeletons come to mind, as do man-portable directed-energy weapons.
As for firearms, I am going to climb the hill and challenge anyone to knock me off it: the idea that caseless or plastic-cased ammunition was the Next Big Advance was wrong. I'll forgive the authors for this one, as even a decade ago we didn't quite realize it, but it has become very clear that small arms have absolutely plateaued. Ever since the introduction of the plastic-framed, large-caliber pistol - i.e., the Glock - there has not been a major advance in any firearms technology. For a little bit optics seemed to be improving rapidly, but they too seem have to hit a hard wall. Caseless ammunition has proven to be a huge hassle for nearly no benefit. |
06-13-2019, 09:04 AM | #43 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wellington, NZ
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Re: Approaching TL9?
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We can do better than what we've got, but nobody is willing to put in the cash when it's cheaper and easier to just tinker with barrel lengths and then make a 'new' brass cartridge that's very like any number of off-the-shelf hunting cases except that it's been made especially for the military at great expense (and profit), but not so great an expense as switching to careless and having to build whole new ammunition factories.
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Rupert Boleyn "A pessimist is an optimist with a sense of history." |
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06-13-2019, 09:27 AM | #44 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Re: Approaching TL9?
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I'm sure you know this, but the M4A1(76)W is a (not very late, though not maximally early) Sherman variant, not a Panzer IV variant.
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06-13-2019, 09:29 AM | #45 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Re: Approaching TL9?
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I don't know any 3e, so there is no chance that I am talking about 3e rules by accident. |
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06-13-2019, 09:48 AM | #46 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wellington, NZ
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Re: Approaching TL9?
It's a relatively early vehicle, with a late-war gun.
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Rupert Boleyn "A pessimist is an optimist with a sense of history." |
06-13-2019, 09:52 AM | #47 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wellington, NZ
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Re: Approaching TL9?
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However, many vehicles used in WWII had quite sort design and development periods, the P-51 Mustang being one of them.
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Rupert Boleyn "A pessimist is an optimist with a sense of history." Last edited by Rupert; 06-13-2019 at 06:50 PM. |
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06-13-2019, 11:37 AM | #48 | |
On Notice
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sumter, SC
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Re: Approaching TL9?
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06-13-2019, 11:45 AM | #49 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: MO, U.S.A.
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Re: Approaching TL9?
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Xenophilia is Dr. Who. Plus Lecherous is Jack Harkness.- Anaraxes |
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06-13-2019, 11:56 AM | #50 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: West Virginia
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Re: Approaching TL9?
Unless there is a truly spectacular development, like cheap high-temperature superconductors or cheap durable quantum computing, we might not be able to see a Tech Level change. The transition from TL4 to TL5 makes good sense, there were many changes coming together in the Early 18th century. But someone living in the Cotswolds might be excused for not noticing the changes. Heck, there would be perfectly clear headed people in London, Paris, and Amsterdam, that would have missed the transition.
How do we know that we could see the difference between late TL8 and early TL9 even if it was right in front of us?
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earth, humanity, real world, tech level, tl9 |
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