Topic: SM: Privateers VM: Special Ordnance p. 110 Possible Errata

[snrdg051306]

Under SM: P VM A-2.4 Select Special Ordnance (11) p. 110 I believe there is an issue with the Total Vol. of Ordnance calculation and/or the Mass shown in the Ordnance Table VM-10.1.

The Ordnance Table VM-10.1 shown on p. 110 appears to have been copied from the table on p. 60 and had the third column change from Weight in kg, text p. 60, to mass in metric tons.

The weight for the Ultra-Compact Autocannon TL 14 500 kg per Table VM-10.1 on p. 60. Table VM-10.1 on p. 110 shows the same weapon with a mass of 500, which in A.2-4 is measured in metric tons.

Following the Total Vol. of Ordnance calculation of (Mass in metric tons) x 1 a Ultra-Compact Autocannon TL 14 weapon has a volume of 500 x 1 = 500 kiloliters.

A 500 kg piece of equipment would have a mass of 0.5 metric tons not 500 metric tons.

Two recommendations appear to correct the volume calculation in Select Special Ordnance (11) p. 110

Recommendation 1: Do a pen an ink change to the Total Vol. of Ordnance and Total Mass of Ordnance calculation p. 110.

Change the calculation from (Mass in metric tons) x 1 to (Mass in metric tons) x 0.001

Change Total Mass of Ordnance: see below to Total Mass of Ordnance: (Mass from table below) x 0.001

Recommendation 2: Do a pen an ink change to each numerical value under the Mass column header.

Convert the listed numbers from kg to metric ton by using the formula kg ÷ 1,000 or kg x 0.001.

Being kind of lazy I'd change the formulas

[snrdg051306]

Oops, I got confused with Recommendation 1, here is the corrected version.

Recommendation 1: Do a pen an ink change to the Total Vol. of Ordnance or Total Mass of Ordnance calculation p. 110.

Change the calculation from (Mass in metric tons) x 1 to (Mass in metric tons) x 0.001 if you do not change the Total Mass of Ordnance: see below and convert the data under Mass from kg to metric tons.

Or

Change Total Mass of Ordnance: see below to Total Mass of Ordnance: (Mass from table below) x 0.001

and leave Total Vol. of Ordnance: (Mass in metric tons) x 1 as listed in the text on p. 110.

Sorry about that chief;-)

[Skaran]

Another problem with the Ultra-compacts. Page 57 SM:VM 10.1  states "An ultra-compact vehicle weapon has half the power (Mark Number) of a compact weapon (see Appendix A-5) of the same tech level.

Firstly VM does not appear to have an Appendix A-5,
Secondly the tech levels of the ultra compact weapons listed;
autocannon TL14
all the others TL18
do not have any compact versions at these tech levels so no Mk numbers exist to halve.
And thirdly plasma, ion and disruptors do not seem to appear to at least TL19.
Basically the tech levels for the ultra-compact weapons appear wrong.

If the actual Power Templates are correct then the Ultra-compact weapons should probably change to;
Ultra-compact autocannon TL15 (Mk2)
Ultra-compact lasers/blasters/plasma TL22 (Mk1)
Ultra-compact disruptors TL25 (Mk2)
Ultra-compact ion TL24 (Mk2)

[Skaran]

Any other thoughts on the ultra compacts?

[markc]

 I think it is a good change to the rules.
MDc

[Defendi]

You didn't give us any page numbers so I haven't had a time to run everything down, but my guess is you're correct.