Why doesn't the standard Corsair have a fuel purifier?

[l_c_jackson]

Traveller design philosophy question 2 of 2.

Why does the standard MegaTraveller Corsair ship design have neither a fuel purifier, fuel scoops (it's not even streamlined), nor a separate fuel shuttle?

This saves on construction costs, but limits it to operating out of a base with a fuel supply. The lack of streamlining also reduce the options for hiding the ship, you can't use gas giants, nor oceans.

With no wilderness refueling option the ship is almost restricted to the role of privateer - a vessel operating with goverment sanction from a recognised port. ("Corsair" is French for "privateer", according to Wikipedia.)

Wouldn't a design suitable for real piracy have been more versatile and interesting? So why was it not in the rule book? Would it have been too powerful and is that a reason for not having one?

Can anyone suggest a more plausible explanation for this design decision?

Thanks.

 

[mike wightman]

There are two possible explanations for having a corsair standard design IMHO:

commerce raiding during trade war is quite common hence megacorps and/or planetary governments sponsor the ship building - in which case the infrastructure is there to support them

the corsair is a modification of a really common ship design that is everywhere (hmm - insystem bulk freigher converted to serve... sorry, idea from another thread ) - which begs the question where the shipyards are that make these modifications?

 

[aramis]

I lean towards the corsair being a government funded raider.

However, under a Bk2 universe, it's actually a decent enough warship; under bk5, all bk2 designs are pitiful (for a variety of reasons, includeing oversized jump drives)

 

[Whipsnade]

Why does the standard MegaTraveller Corsair ship design have neither a fuel purifier, fuel scoops (it's not even streamlined), nor a separate fuel shuttle?

LC,

Because it's really a LBB:2 design despite being in a MT product.

LBB:2 didn't have fuel processors or, more accurately, didn't have rules for fuel processors. LBB:2 didn't have rules for a lot of things and that means that those classic vessels designed with LBB:2 are quite "clunky" when compared to vessels designed with later systems.

The Vargr corsair design is an "coelacanth" of sorts and the difference between LBB:2 designs and later designs is perhaps the greatest "gulf" in Traveller's 30 odd years of rules.


Regards,
Bill

 

[Tellon]

Traveller design philosophy question 2 of 2.

Why does the standard MegaTraveller Corsair ship design have neither a fuel purifier, fuel scoops (it's not even streamlined), nor a separate fuel shuttle?

.

Since your a pirate -- your probablly gonna steal the victims fuel ..

 

[JustinInOz]

Since your a pirate -- your probablly gonna steal the victims fuel ..

That is a great answer.

Not because that is what you would do once a month when you needed to refuel. You probably would not get catches that frequently.

It is a great answer because of the feel that it evokes.

 

[Malinor]

That is a great answer.

Not because that is what you would do once a month when you needed to refuel. You probably would not get catches that frequently.

It is a great answer because of the feel that it evokes.

It has a historical precedent in the career of the Confederate raider, CSS Shenandoah. She stripped each victim of all useful materials and supplies before sinking them. Operating as far from friendly ports as she did, it became a matter of pure necessity.

 

[leo knight]

I don't know about later editions, but when the corsair first appeared in "Citizens of the Imperium", it had a shape changing ability. Pods and fins could extrude or disappear, etc. I always assumed this interfered with streamlining.

When Supplement 4 came out, all my players wanted to roll up pirates on the off chance they would get one of these babies as a benefit. One group had a pirate captain with his corsair, and a scout with a type S! They were a little miffed when I wouldn't let the scout ride inside the corsair's cargo bay (odd shape, didn't fit).

They always scooped for fuel, and bought surplus fuel purifiers. When I told them the corsair was unstreamlined, they said, "Who would design a ship that couldn't scoop fuel? Can't we have a streamlined corsair?" I ruled yes, if they gave up the camouflage. They were happy to do so.

 

[Blue Ghost]

Well, last I checked, doggies do drink from the toilet.

 

[Zutroi]

It has a historical precedent in the career of the Confederate raider, CSS Shenandoah. She stripped each victim of all useful materials and supplies before sinking them. Operating as far from friendly ports as she did, it became a matter of pure necessity.

Historically, pirates were known for taking extra sails, spars, and rope as part of the plunder... If you resisted the pirate might very well take ALL of these supplies, but a cooperative vessel might lose little more than a spare suit of canvas and a spar or two... Smart pirates let it be known that being cooperative was a MUCH better deal than resistance.