Jump: Plates and Bubbles and Grids - thoughts

[dalthor]

Been a little busy, but decided it was time to show up for a bit...

Dalthor's Yacht, the Threedie, has a jump grid built into the hull. He knows that plates can work as a temporary patch if the grid is damaged. See T5.09, page 291, under "Jump Plate (repair plates)"

IMTU any ship with a grid can choose to disconnect (so to speak) the grid, and generate a jump bubble instead. Essentially, there is a cut-out switch that allows a choice between the two. I do require the selection before jump instantiation -- you can't change your mind once you start the jump process.

Does T5 allow this? I haven't found anything to support or prevent that, but thought I'd ask.

Next, WHERE ARE THE COSTS associated with Grids and Plates? I didn't have any luck finding those numbers, and somebody wanted to pick up some plates...

Many thanks!

 

[Hemdian]

Next, WHERE ARE THE COSTS associated with Grids and Plates? I didn't have any luck finding those numbers, and somebody wanted to pick up some plates...

I see that table 07/F in T5 (p335) is a little different to the same table in T5.09 (p291).

Combined T5/T5.09 table 07/F:

Type	Comment	Str T5	Str T5.09	Armor Mod	Flash	Cost
Bubble	Default	120	120	std	std	-
Plate	1 per 10 hull tons	110	140	Mod/2	+1	KCr10 per plate
Grid	Embedded in hull	100	100	Mod-1D	+1	KCr10 per hull ton

Cost expressed another way:
- Bubble = free
- Plates = KCr1 per hull ton (round up to the nearest 10)
- Grid = KCr10 per hull ton

(I'm not sure why the field strength for jump plates changes between the two editions.)

 

[AnotherDilbert]

"Cost. The Jump Grid adds MCr1 per 100 tons of hull (= KCr10 per ton of hull)."
T5.09, p335.

No idea about Jump Plate.

 

[dalthor]

Thank you for the price responses...dunno why I looked only in the ship construction section section. o:

I've decided I really like the "cutout" idea. It is sort of pricey to add grid to hull, but the ability to switch when needed would be nice, for instance when you add drop tanks [EDIT: which usually won't have grid built in] or strap/clamp or otherwise attach something to the hull.

Really nice for that poor sod that has an SDB parked 50 meters off his hull, and can't use the bubble they've seen him using his last 5 times in and out of the system. [Yeah, my smugglers and others make use of the switch.]

In relation to that, can sensors detect the grid before it is "fired up", considering it is built into the hull?

IMTU that is something I haven't worked out yet, but I like the thought of the Law being behind the curve, and working hard to catch up to the criminals -- just like the real world. It also adds all kinds of plot and adventure hooks.

[ANOTHER EDIT: These kinds of out-of-box thinking are why my games, on both sides of the screen, were so entertaining. A lot of my DMs got the willies when I'd say OOOOOHHH - what if we ]

 

[whulorigan]

In relation to that, can sensors detect the grid before it is "fired up", considering it is built into the hull?

I don't have a canonical answer, but note that in the Screens section, a Black Globe will conform to the shape of the hull of a ship equipped with a jump-grid. That at least suggests that there might be some property that can be scanned for.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

A switch you say...

I am intrigued by this Grid/Bubble switch you brought up. It's an interesting idea, but it seems like it would be a separate component as it does add complexity to the Drive/Hull build.

Got any specs or details written up yet?

 

[dalthor]

I am intrigued by this Grid/Bubble switch you brought up. It's an interesting idea, but it seems like it would be a separate component as it does add complexity to the Drive/Hull build.

Got any specs or details written up yet?

IMTU it is a basically an unofficial add-on to a normal jump drive. Added cost is normally 10% of the drive cost, and since it is built-in to the drive system, no additional dTons.

I considered adding 10% cost and 1 dTon, but since T5 seemingly charges only for the grid itself, I just added additional cost to the drive. SO, charge for the grid and also add 10% to drive cost.

[EDIT: Oh, and IMTU there is currently only one shipyard that does this -- Destrier Yards, Owned by Dalthor Et Magera. It is a fairly new innovation. I created it for use with my Detachable Tank Recovery and Refueling Systems (DTRRS) ships, since those tanks don't normally have grids. BTW, DTRRS is my version of drop tanks.]