Topic: SM: Privateers VM Construction & Design: Reactionless Drive and the Emp TL

[snrdg051306]

Back again with another question concerning the SM: Privateers VM Construction & Design system. Looking at the Reactionless Drive chart on p. 104, I'm not sure if if the Empire TL is 23 or 24. Based on my knowledge I'm hoping that the entry is for TL 24, but I need some clarification.

[markc]

The Empire is between 23 and 24 TL's.
MDC

[snrdg051306]

Morning MarkC and anyone who wants to add some info,

As mentioned in the original PM about the hard points, I'm building Excel 2000 spreadsheet modules, very basic and clunky, to double check my manual number crunching. So far I've created a Hull module - SM: P Steps 1 to 5, revamping the Drive module - SM: P Steps 6 - 7, Weapons  - SM: P Steps 4, 8 - 9, and payload pallets  - SM: P Steps 4, 9 - 10.

Each module is built as a stand alone system with the following basic parameters: Civilization [ISC, Emp], TL [14 - 29], Speed, Acceleration, Vehicle Type [SM: P Step 1], Mass/Volume [SM: P Step 2], and Hull [SM: P Step 3]. Inside of each module I've added the ability to change the TL of some of the components, for example in the Hull module you can adjust the TL of the strong and hard points to be different from the hull TL.

Getting back to Reactionless drives TL question is based would a formula something like this be correct in the table:

Parameters: TL = 23 and Civilization = Emp

Reactionless Drives Chart Mass
Standard TL 23 Mass = 5, Emp TL 23 Mass = 3

if(Cellxx="Emp",3,5)

Hopefully, the above makes sense.

[markc]

I do not know the notation but if it works then it works.


 The rules provide for TL's to be between different TL's by extrapolating numbers between the numbers on the chart. So TL 23 Mass and Vol equal 5 and TL 25 Mass and Vol equal 2, the difference is 3 so we can say that in terms of reactionless drives the Empire is 2/3's the way toward TL 24.
 There is a chart in one of the books that has the Empire vs ISC and lists the TL level of each on specific areas of tecnology like that provided at the beginning of the SM:P VM.
MDC

[snrdg051306]

Basically the Excel notation for the cell is Column Alphabet Letter then Row number. The formula or statement of If(cellxx="Emp",3,5) basically means if the cell that contains the Civilization selection equals Emp then the factor for the TL Mass is 3 otherwise the factor is 5.

Here is a list of the stuff I have available that I think relate to SM: P

Soft Cover:
SpaceMaster: Privateers copyright 2000
Tech Law: Robotics copyright 2000
Tech Law: Equipment Manual copyright 2000
Tech Law: Vehicle Manual copyright 2002
Blaster Law copyright 2002
SpaceMaster: Privateers - Races & Cultures copyright 2002

Electronic:
Tech Law: Vehicle Manual copyright 2002
Future Law copyright 2003
DataNet Issues 1 through 8

Right now my focus is trying to get a handle on the basic system, with the ability to adjust the TL within certain areas and CAT materials. This way I can begin to design vehicles that have been in service for a while. The SM: P VM design example is for a brand new TMAC from the factory. Take the same TMAC that in service with a unit out on the frontier with a lower TL with a desperate need to keep the ship flying. The original drive took damage that cannot be repaired since the spare parts are currently not in stock. The resourceful ground does have an older drive that they put into the TMAC. An alternate is that the ground crew has a next TL drive to slap into the ship. The idea was reinforced while reading Tanya Huff's Confederation Novel Book 2 "The Better Part of Valor." One of fighters in the book had to have a cluster of maneuvering thrusters replaced. The only replacements were a newer version that had a higher thrust output than the ones currently installed.

I'll look through SpaceMaster: Privateers to find the table.

[markc]

Nice I look forward to seeing your TMAC if you decide to share it.


I will try later on to look for the table and let you know what book and page # it is in.
MDC

[snrdg051306]

If I get everything to work right, I will being posting the design and I'd be grateful for the ISC/Empire TL chart book and page info. So far my search efforts have come up with nothing.

[markc]

I found a tech chart on page 25 of the main book and a sensor range chart on page 26.
MDC


I think that was the chart I remembered and I have stopped looking.
MDC

[snrdg051306]

Okay, I now know that I have selective blindness since I looked on both pages and didn't see either table.

Thank-you for digging the pages up.

I found a tech chart on page 25 of the main book and a sensor range chart on page 26.
MDC


I think that was the chart I remembered and I have stopped looking.
MDC