Ship Tactics Skill in Bk2 combat?

[Bob Weaver]

Has anyone any suggestions on how to incorporate the Bk5 skill Ship Tactics into Bk2 combat? To begin with, I would suggest that in the basic Navy chargen tables, any receipt of Forward Observer (a largely useless skill without artillery rules) be changed to Ship Tactics. The Maneuver/Evade and Gunner Interact programs bring in pilot and gunnery skill, so where does tactics fit in?

Cheers,

Bob W.

[aramis]

Originally Posted by Bob Weaver

Has anyone any suggestions on how to incorporate the Bk5 skill Ship Tactics into Bk2 combat? To begin with, I would suggest that in the basic Navy chargen tables, any receipt of Forward Observer (a largely useless skill without artillery rules) be changed to Ship Tactics. The Maneuver/Evade and Gunner Interact programs bring in pilot and gunnery skill, so where does tactics fit in?

Cheers,

Bob W.

Forward Observer is used dirtside to correct ortillery. Or from fighters/shuttles/gigs for same.

Ship Tactics is best used as a "tactics pool"... a pool of DM's generated once per combat per ship's master.

Now, the turn-structure limits the uses - if you instead use a "plot then resolve everyone" instead of "Side A then Side B", you can have them roll off, 2d+tactics, and high roller has to announce direction of thrust prior to the other side plotting.

[DonM]

Perhaps this might be noted in the CT errata as "optional", so that it's noted somewhere?

[Bob Weaver]

Originally Posted by aramis

Forward Observer is used dirtside to correct ortillery. Or from fighters/shuttles/gigs for same.

Ship Tactics is best used as a "tactics pool"... a pool of DM's generated once per combat per ship's master.

Now, the turn-structure limits the uses - if you instead use a "plot then resolve everyone" instead of "Side A then Side B", you can have them roll off, 2d+tactics, and high roller has to announce direction of thrust prior to the other side plotting.

Aramis, I like that "plot then resolve" idea. I'll look into incorporating that. My side note about FO skill was a way to work Ship Tactics into basic chargen with a minimum of fuss. It's a very technical skill with very specific application so was least likely to be missed.

Cheers,

Bob W.

[aramis]

Originally Posted by DonM

Perhaps this might be noted in the CT errata as "optional", so that it's noted somewhere?

Hai! Dozo!
(Yes, do it!)

[McPerth]

Originally Posted by aramis

Forward Observer is used dirtside to correct ortillery. Or from fighters/shuttles/gigs for same.

This is nearly useless unless you're engaged in merc (or similar) operations. At least, I've never had a party with artillery support in other kinds of adventures.

Originally Posted by aramis

Ship Tactics is best used as a "tactics pool"... a pool of DM's generated once per combat per ship's master.

If you mean to adapt MT tactics pool rules, I've never liked them (a personal oppinion, of course), as I see no logic for the ship`s surgeon skill (should he have it) to be as useful as the comander's.

Aside from that, if crew is large enough, there can be too many skill levels to be credible (again IMHO). You've read my opinion about it in other threads.

Originally Posted by aramis

Now, the turn-structure limits the uses - if you instead use a "plot then resolve everyone" instead of "Side A then Side B", you can have them roll off, 2d+tactics, and high roller has to announce direction of thrust prior to the other side plotting.

This use seems more logical to me (at least if the one with lowest roll is the one who has to announce his thrust direction).

Another option (IMHO more according to HG) whould be to use the comander's skill-1, halved (dropping fractions, as in HG) as a negative modifier for incoming fire and/or positive modifier when firing.

[aramis]

Only a ships' master should get to contribute to the tactics pool. And yes, it should be LOW roller has to announce. was insomnia posting.

[McPerth]

Originally Posted by aramis

Only a ships' master should get to contribute to the tactics pool. And yes, it should be LOW roller has to announce. was insomnia posting.

One could argue, if is used as tactics pool, that others may use theirs in their specific functions (the pilot as a negative modifier for incoming fire, a gunner for its gun, a chief gunner to help his subordinates, etc). This, IMHO wouldn't be out of context, should tactics pool be used.

[aramis]

Originally Posted by McPerth

One could argue, if is used as tactics pool, that others ay use theirs in thir specific functions (the pilot as a negative modifier for incoming fire, a gunner for its gun, a chief gunner to help his subordinates, etc). This, IMHO wouldn't be out of cotext, should tactics pool be used.

It rapidly rises then to a nigh inexhaustible pool for the larger ships.

[DonM]

Originally Posted by aramis

It rapidly rises then to a nigh inexhaustible pool for the larger ships.

Then limit the pool to the size of the single largest skill level any one character has on that specific ship?