Topic: Chain Link fence as cover

[Marc R]

If two combatants are on either side of a chain link fence, how would you consider the large gapped mesh as cover vs projectile and energy weapons? What kind of penalty to attacks would you impose?

[ReaperWolf]

-5 OB no more.

>>ReaperWolf

[markc]

-5 OB no more.

>>ReaperWolf

 I agree.
MDC


PS: Unless you are using the Bullet Proof Nudity Rules from the MAC, then the player gets an DB bonus and the opponent does not.

[markc]

I might even give the fence a -0 or -2 penalty, as IMHO it depends on the linking of the fence.
MDC

[Marc R]

I'm talking standard chain link fence with 4" holes you can stick a shoe tip in and climb. . .Would you upgrade the DB for that tight mesh "unclimbable" fence with the 1" holes?

[yammahoper]

No DB for a standard mesh fence, though I would give a 5% chance shot is deflected.

Solid fence with 1" holes would give a higher DB by obscuring vision, say a 20/25 DB.  I would increase deflection chance to 10-15%.

Same DB and deflection shot chance applies to shots fired at the bad guys.

[markc]

No DB for a standard mesh fence, though I would give a 5% chance shot is deflected.

Solid fence with 1" holes would give a higher DB by obscuring vision, say a 20/25 DB.  I would increase deflection chance to 10-15%.

Same DB and deflection shot chance applies to shots fired at the bad guys.

 I like this even better.
MDC

[Gallowglacht]

I wouldn't give chain link any defensive properties, other than it's effects as an obstacle to movement.

[providence13]

You could hit a pole that supports the fence.

Depending on the distance and angle, it does impair visibility, which is cover.

Who knows, low tech plasma weapons could be impaired by a cheap metal mesh, followed by a large air gap to the target...
Can ball lightning go through chain link?

Perhaps chain fence technology has increased with man portable energy weapons.

[Marc R]

I wouldn't feel 100% confident firing a pistol or rifle through a chain link fence. . .like if you have one shot to kill the evil general, then you need to flee, would you take your one shot through a fence, or wait to get a clear and open shot. . .the odds of clipping a wire might be low, but much higher than shooting through something like a three line barbed wire fence.

[Grinnen Baeritt]

Depends how far away they are from the fence and what the weapon is...

Like Mark said, from a great distance a chain link fence is more of a psycholocial barrier to the firer than an effective form of cover for the target.

I'd say -2 per range category (standard) and up to -5 per range category for dense weave wire.

Half that (perhaps no modification) with automatic weapons.

Plasma weapons/flamethrowers wouldn't even be affected, stunners may dissipate with proximity, lasers reflect?

[markc]

Also you can up the mod if you are firing at an angle so the round sees more of the fences metal.
MDC

[snrdg051306]

The following is just thoughts off the top of my head.

The chain link fence probably would be a problem for a sniper using a slug throwing weapon. The fence might deflect the round just enough to either miss the target or not kill the target with one shot.

Firing multiple rounds from a machine gun the chain link fence shouldn't have any major effect.

Energy weapons probably melt the chain link fence material again without any real effect on taking out a target.

The closer the links in the fence probably has the most effect on taking out a target. The smaller the gap the more solid the fence appears to objects trying to see or punch through.

Another factor to consider is the material the chain link fence is made out of. A fence made out of steel offers different protection from say one made out of Collosium.

Tom R

[Marc R]

I wonder how much a collosium fence would cost per meter? 

[David Johansen]

Blasters are charged particle beams so the fence might just disrupt them.  As described in the books, plasma would probably stick to the fence and melt to the ground.

[snrdg051306]

I wonder how much a collosium fence would cost per meter? 

The cost depends on if you by direct from the factory or at The Fence Liquidator.

[snrdg051306]

Blasters are charged particle beams so the fence might just disrupt them.  As described in the books, plasma would probably stick to the fence and melt to the ground.

I'd image that the beam would melt a hole in the fence and then have not problems.

[GrumpyOldFart]

Another thing to keep in mind is that unless the fence gets regular maintenance, there are probably things growing in it. The fence itself may not be much in the way of cover or protection, but if it's been without maintenance for 5-10 years in a climate where things grow wild fairly easily, chances are the fence itself is less than half of the actual obstacle.

[snrdg051306]

Another thing to keep in mind is that unless the fence gets regular maintenance, there are probably things growing in it. The fence itself may not be much in the way of cover or protection, but if it's been without maintenance for 5-10 years in a climate where things grow wild fairly easily, chances are the fence itself is less than half of the actual obstacle.

Howdy GrumpyOldFart,

Adding the foliage does change the protection for the target, however I'd still prefer something more substantial to hide behind. To be honest not being the target is my most preferred status.

[GrumpyOldFart]

Certainly. But down on the US Gulf Coast where I live, leaving a chain link fence alone for 5 years is nearly a guarantee that it will be completely hidden by the wild growth of honeysuckle, kudzu, wisteria, tallow trees, blackberries, or (most likely) a combination of 2 or more of the above.

In other words, what was once a 5 foot chain link fence is now a 5 1/2 - 6 foot thicket 1-2 feet in depth that 100% obscures whatever is behind it. And in addition to the usual "I may get unlucky and hit the fence itself", there is now in addition several places where there are trunks of tallow trees 2 to 6 inches thick.

Aiming is pretty much out of the question, accuracy with a projectile is iffy, and an energy weapon will turn it from a growth covered fence into a wall of fire.