Making EM Guns Viable in Space Combat (3e) - Page 3

GURPS Fox · 01-15-2023, 02:04 AM

I have a quick question for you guys, I've been working on a few settings with EM guns being a shorter-ranged weapon for spaceships (including a 'Transhuman Space/Traveller' style setting), and there is one problem: EM guns, well, suck for void combat. The general consensus I've seen is basically EM guns aren't good enough, particularly in the range and speed department.

Before I go into an ad-hoc rule to improve EM guns, I first want to clear up any preconceptions:

First, how fast are EM guns in general? I've seen some 2km/s velocities here and there, but nothing concrete.

Second, I keep hearing that all kinetic weapons have some self-guidance capability in space. Is this true from a game standpoint?

Third, other than a void/near-nonexistent atmosphere range modifier of 5, there are no other modifiers for kinetic guns.

If I'm missing something, then please correct me.

Now for an ad-hoc solution that one of the guys who worked on GURPS Vehicle Builder gave me:

So, the basic idea is that instead of electromag being just 4, it's (TL-4), showing improvements to various systems allowing for faster projectiles for the same mass.

Am I on the right track, or are there other ways to make kinetics work in space?

01-15-2023, 02:04 AM	#1
GURPS Fox Join Date: Jun 2020	Making EM Guns Viable in Space Combat (3e) I have a quick question for you guys, I've been working on a few settings with EM guns being a shorter-ranged weapon for spaceships (including a 'Transhuman Space/Traveller' style setting), and there is one problem: EM guns, well, suck for void combat. The general consensus I've seen is basically EM guns aren't good enough, particularly in the range and speed department. Before I go into an ad-hoc rule to improve EM guns, I first want to clear up any preconceptions: First, how fast are EM guns in general? I've seen some 2km/s velocities here and there, but nothing concrete. Second, I keep hearing that all kinetic weapons have some self-guidance capability in space. Is this true from a game standpoint? Third, other than a void/near-nonexistent atmosphere range modifier of 5, there are no other modifiers for kinetic guns. If I'm missing something, then please correct me. Now for an ad-hoc solution that one of the guys who worked on GURPS Vehicle Builder gave me: So, the basic idea is that instead of electromag being just 4, it's (TL-4), showing improvements to various systems allowing for faster projectiles for the same mass. Am I on the right track, or are there other ways to make kinetics work in space?