Sophont Bulk: How do you calculate?

[Nathan Brazil]

OK I get how to calculate Size well half of it.
IF STR<4 Dice
(C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) *12 = Size
This corresponds to the text and the Table 14-C Bulk. So the human example runs thru just fine

But if STR => 4 Dice
The example given has "a Virushi rolls Str= 5D Dex= 3D End= 2D for a total of 10D. Because Str is 4D or greater, multiply 10D by 120"

Table 14-C Bulk says the calculation is
Str Size is =
5D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 60

If the table is correct, then isn't the example wrong? Where does the x2 factor come in?
I could see the progression of the Bulk table go further as
8D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 96
9D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 108
10D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 120
and lookie 120 ! But that is not clear as the Column for dice is called Str and not Total Dice.

From the prior tables you may potentially generate a sophont with more than 8D (like Caste: Muscle sophonts)?

So what the real deal on Bulk?

 

[Ackehece]

can you post page numbers where you are looking... it is a big selection of books

 

[Nathan Brazil]

Sorry about that

Traveller 5.1 ruleset
Book 3: Worlds and Adventures page 236...

 

[Ackehece]

Derivation of how the bulk multiplier is 120

Ok figured it out.

So 10D virushi


Some sophonts have disproportionate Size (called Bulk)
Str Size= Size Range
1D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 12 24- 120 (12 ×10)
2D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 12 36- 132 (12x11)
3D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 12 48- 144 (12×12)
4D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 48 240- 624 (48x13)
5D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 60 360- 840 (60×14)
6D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 72 504-1080 (72×15)
7D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 84 672-1344 (84x16)
8D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 96 864-1632 (96×17)

You'll find this table extends by
nD x 12 for the multiplier
ie: 8D => 8 ×12 = 96, and 4D => 4x12 = 48

((nDx12) x (10+ (nD-1))) = maximum mass for that tier.

So 9D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 108 972-1944 (108×18)
10D (C1 Dice + C2 Dice + C3 Dice) * 120 1200-2280 (120 x19)

Thus 120 is the correct value. Nasty that you have to derive that value to follow the example. It could be considered errata as it is not obvious how they got there.




It definitely is **** errata **** as it should be total of dice applicable not strength. nD = C1 + C2 +C3

 

[Nathan Brazil]

Thanks Ackehece . As I said I had figured out two solutions, but was looking for someone corroborate.

This leads to the second part: What is the use of having a mass range (maximum bulk) when the sophont has 4D or more of Strength ? By calculation RAW and what we have determined then,

IF C1 => 4D
6D is always going to be 432 liters and kg
7D is always going to be 588 liters and kg
8D is always going to be 768 liters and kg
9D is always going to be 972 liters and kg
10D is always going to be 1200 liters and kg
11D is always going to be 1452 liters and kg
12D is always going to be 1728 liters and kg

Variations to various bulky sophonts will be based on BFP as shown on Table E on pg 237 OR derived from the formula given on pg 236 to vary the sophont's dmensions. But how do you vary the mass/bulk/size if a range is given?

 

[Ackehece]

Page 237 Chart E works backward from mass and gives approximate size of the creature. This means that the range can be used in reverse to ascertain the general size.

So if you say the creature is 1598kg and roughly bison shaped (body form profile 5) you can say the creature is approximately 3.4 meters tall..
You than can apply a guess it has a total C1+C2+C3 of between 8D and 11D


The page also states "Size is also approximate mass in kg." This means you can choose inside that range. So one is the bigger brother so you choose higher mass within the range and thus end up with a similar but larger sized creature that still is in the same nD characteristic range.