Spaceships - Defensive Munitions

jacobmuller · 12-27-2009, 09:27 AM

in the vein of Traveller Sandcasters...
A defensive weapon mount that launches cannisters of a material which, in essence, confuse targeting systems.
Traveller Sandcasters count as dDR versus Beams.

I want to count them as confusing missile targeting but can't decide whether to use it like ECM (ala smoke), Dodge (substitute gunnery skill for piloting), skeet-guns (MoS = hits) or plain guns (one-shot, one-kill).

Any suggestions?

vicky_molokh · 12-27-2009, 03:54 PM

ECM if it works against any number of targets by confusing the sensors and provides a Dodge bonus (but IMO ECM stations are very weak in GURPS). Point defense weapons if they actively shoot down missiles.

jacobmuller · 12-28-2009, 03:58 PM

Yes, the ECCM rules make ECM for smallcraft pretty pointless. Sticking in a system that allows some other kind of defense appeals.

Just realising, though, if I treat it like ECM for missiles, why is it armour v's beams... I guess the skeet-gun effect fits that best: launched "sand", diffuses beams and ravages incoming ballistics. Must be why it's used in Traveller. Or I could just, as you say, give a bonus to Dodge.

I think the basic Traveller sandcaster is a close match for an SM+7 Medium Battery and was going to scale it all from there.

Crakkerjakk · 12-28-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

Just realising, though, if I treat it like ECM for missiles, why is it armour v's beams... I guess the skeet-gun effect fits that best: launched "sand", diffuses beams and ravages incoming ballistics. Must be why it's used in Traveller. Or I could just, as you say, give a bonus to Dodge.

I think the basic Traveller sandcaster is a close match for an SM+7 Medium Battery and was going to scale it all from there.

Atomic Rockets claims that there's no way a sandcaster can project a dense enough field to make a difference. They don't go into details, but they're usually a reliable source. If you like the idea of sandcasters, go crazy, but if you're looking for realism I thought I should mention it.

David Johnston2 · 12-28-2009, 04:56 PM

I think this is a thing that would call for a new rule. Essentially it creates a cloud that will temporarily reduce the damage of lasers firing through it, and reduce the accuracy of missiles on the other side by obscuring the ship using it. Is that right?

Crakkerjakk · 12-28-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

I think this is a thing that would call for a new rule. Essentially it creates a cloud that will temporarily reduce the damage of lasers firing through it, and reduce the accuracy of missiles on the other side by obscuring the ship using it. Is that right?

Wouldn't the cloud prematurely detonate or otherwise scatter kinetic weapons?

David Johnston2 · 12-28-2009, 05:06 PM

Most kinetic weapons would not have explosive warheads since the damage of collision would do more damage.

12-27-2009, 09:27 AM	#1
jacobmuller Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Not in your time zone:D	Spaceships - Defensive Munitions in the vein of Traveller Sandcasters... A defensive weapon mount that launches cannisters of a material which, in essence, confuse targeting systems. Traveller Sandcasters count as dDR versus Beams. I want to count them as confusing missile targeting but can't decide whether to use it like ECM (ala smoke), Dodge (substitute gunnery skill for piloting), skeet-guns (MoS = hits) or plain guns (one-shot, one-kill). Any suggestions? __________________ "Sanity is a bourgeois meme." Exegeek PS sorry I'm a Parthian shootist: shiftwork + out of country = not here when you are:/ It's all in the reflexes

12-27-2009, 03:54 PM	#2
vicky_molokh GURPS FAQ Keeper Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kyïv, Ukraine	Re: Spaceships - Defensive Munitions ECM if it works against any number of targets by confusing the sensors and provides a Dodge bonus (but IMO ECM stations are very weak in GURPS). Point defense weapons if they actively shoot down missiles. __________________ Vicky 'Molokh', GURPS FAQ and uFAQ Keeper

12-28-2009, 03:58 PM	#3
jacobmuller Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Not in your time zone:D	Re: Spaceships - Defensive Munitions Yes, the ECCM rules make ECM for smallcraft pretty pointless. Sticking in a system that allows some other kind of defense appeals. Just realising, though, if I treat it like ECM for missiles, why is it armour v's beams... I guess the skeet-gun effect fits that best: launched "sand", diffuses beams and ravages incoming ballistics. Must be why it's used in Traveller. Or I could just, as you say, give a bonus to Dodge. I think the basic Traveller sandcaster is a close match for an SM+7 Medium Battery and was going to scale it all from there. __________________ "Sanity is a bourgeois meme." Exegeek PS sorry I'm a Parthian shootist: shiftwork + out of country = not here when you are:/ It's all in the reflexes

12-28-2009, 04:56 PM	#5
David Johnston2 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Spaceships - Defensive Munitions I think this is a thing that would call for a new rule. Essentially it creates a cloud that will temporarily reduce the damage of lasers firing through it, and reduce the accuracy of missiles on the other side by obscuring the ship using it. Is that right?

12-28-2009, 05:06 PM	#7
David Johnston2 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Spaceships - Defensive Munitions Most kinetic weapons would not have explosive warheads since the damage of collision would do more damage.