Converting BattleTech's Vehicle Trait to GURPS

[scc]

OK, the BT RPG, currently called A Time of War, has the Vehicle Trait, which pretty self-explanatory, it gives the character a vehicle, generally a BattleMech, but fighters, tanks and even power armor suits are also options.

The higher the level you have in this Trait the bigger your BattleMech is. And depending upon how many points you may either own you vehicle outright or simply be entitled to one.

So for GURPS I'm thinking this would be a cross between Patron and Signature Gear, but how would thing actually work?

[weby]

Vehicle patrons have been in GURPS a while.

See The Captain's Boat in pyramid 71 for newest version

Edit: The first instance that I can recall was in Gurps Traveller core book for 3rd edition, but it was not based on price unlike the newer version.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by weby

Edit: The first instance that I can recall was in Gurps Traveller core book for 3rd edition, but it was not based on price unlike the newer version.

.......and the GT version was an abomination that deserved to be destroyed with fire and sword.

Patron with the "provides equipment" trait is sufficient by itself for vehicle ownership. Sig gear can be too is you can afford enough of it. There's no need to try and combine the two.

[Prince Charon]

There's 'Signature Assets' in Spaceships 2, on p27. It's treated as an enhancement to the Wealth advantage. There's a similar limitation called 'Conditional Ownership' on the same page.

[starslayer]

For something like a battlemech there is also Ally.

With minion (0 IQ) the battlemech can go beyond the 150% CP range.

[Refplace]

As the author of The Captains Boat I support all the above suggestions.
Well, except the Traveler 3rd edition item which I know nothing about.
They each have their own purpose.
Sig gear is very expensive but gives you plot protection.
Spaceships options tend to require a Wealthy character. Its suited for a Noble who bought his own.
Patron with supplies equipment is perfect for most military campaigns.
The Captains Boat article was meant to address the independent freighter, mercenary or explorer types. Guys like Han Solo from Star Wars, Flynx of the Commonwealth or even Dr. Who.
The keys are a way to have a ship without being a multimillionaire and to have it do things for you. Either a sentient ship or a crewed one, you can call on it for help and are independent from a larger organization.

[weby]

Originally Posted by Refplace

As the author of The Captains Boat I support all the above suggestions.
Well, except the Traveler 3rd edition item which I know nothing about.

And if you knew it, you would almost certainly not recommend it.. :)

[GodBeastX]

I think it depends on how you are using the vehicle.

If it is just the price tag, pay for the cost in points.

If it is a separate character sheet, where you can give it a point value, take it as ally or something.

There's also nothing wrong with making a campaign specific "Unusual Background - Owns Heavy Mech" or similar.

Basically there's many ways to do it, just pick what works for the campaign.

Points are a balancer. If everyone is a mechwarrior and gets a light mech for free, how much of an advantage is having an assault mech? That's where you attribute the points.