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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Tzeentch tzeentch666@*********.net
Subject: Smartguns: Option
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 19:40:57 -0800
There was an thread in DRFa while back that discussed smartgun technology
to some length. One of the things that I agreed with is that a trained
marskman probably would not get as much out of a smartgun as an relative
newbie.

What I was thinking is assigning a Rating to the smartgun processor to
represent it's general sophistication and capability. Higher rated smartgun
links "feel" better, are more accurate in calculations and have more
"chrome" then a low-rated one.

The smartgun links Rating comes into play when determining if the user can
actually get any useful information out of the link, or if it's too complext
to use at his skill level.

Essentially the smartguns Rating determines the maximum weapon related skill
that can get a use out of the link. A person with Assault Rifles-6 would not
gain any significant increase of ability with a Rating 3 link.

Half the Rating of the link determines the MINIMUM skill needed to properly
utilize the link.

Ken
---------------------------
There's a war out there, old friend, a world war. And it's not about who's
got the most bullets, it's about who controls the information. What we see
and hear, how we work, what we think, it's all about the information!
Cosmo, 'Sneakers'
Message no. 2
From: Iridios iridios@*****.com
Subject: Smartguns: Option
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 07:37:24 -0500
Tzeentch wrote:
>
> There was an thread in DRFa while back that discussed smartgun technology
> to some length. One of the things that I agreed with is that a trained
> marskman probably would not get as much out of a smartgun as an relative
> newbie.

IMO, the smartgun link isn't meant to be used in situations that would
call for a marksman, such as sniping. Instead, it's meant to be an
aid in quick combat. It essentially shows the user where the weapon
is aiming and what he will hit. Allowing for more "shooting from the
hip" type actions.


>
> ... Higher rated smartgun
> links "feel" better, are more accurate in calculations and have more
> "chrome" then a low-rated one.

By "having more 'chrome'", do you mean costing more essence?

>
> The smartgun links Rating comes into play when determining if the user can
> actually get any useful information out of the link, or if it's too complext
> to use at his skill level.
>
> Essentially the smartguns Rating determines the maximum weapon related skill
> that can get a use out of the link. A person with Assault Rifles-6 would not
> gain any significant increase of ability with a Rating 3 link.
>
> Half the Rating of the link determines the MINIMUM skill needed to properly
> utilize the link.

This is an interesting concept. I can see that the pricing would be
linked to the rating, which IMO would be needed to compensate for
those gun bunnies who would automatically go for the rating 6
smartlink.

--
Iridios
"Accept what you cannot avoid,
Avoid what you cannot accept."
Message no. 3
From: Mark A Shieh SHODAN+@***.EDU
Subject: Smartguns: Option
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 13:57:40 -0500 (EST)
Excerpts from ShadowRN: 14-Feb-100 Smartguns: Option by
"Tzeentch"@*********.net
> There was an thread in DRFa while back that discussed smartgun technology
> to some length. One of the things that I agreed with is that a trained
> marskman probably would not get as much out of a smartgun as an relative
> newbie.

I'd have to agree, but don't quite agree with the mechanics...

> Essentially the smartguns Rating determines the maximum weapon related skill
> that can get a use out of the link. A person with Assault Rifles-6 would not
> gain any significant increase of ability with a Rating 3 link.

So, either a link is good enough to give you -2TN, or it doesn't do
anything? I think you might want to work it like musical instruments
from shadowbeat. If your skill is higher than the rating of the link,
you can choose not to use the link, or your skill is limited by the
link. In your example above, this would result in the following options:

1) Assault Rifles 3, -2TN for the link.
2) Assault Rifles 6, no bonus for the link.

> Half the Rating of the link determines the MINIMUM skill needed to properly
> utilize the link.

Why wouldn't a link come with the option to disable/simplify
features until the user can handle what is left? The cheap links might
not have this option, but then again, they wouldn't need them.

Personally, I'd rather just have the better links do more. Something
along these lines:

Rating Effect
1 ammo counter, eject clip as free action, skip targets in FA mode, etc.
2 as above, -1TN at all ranges
3 as above, additional -1TN at all ranges (intended to be level 1 equiv)
4 as above, rangefinder capability
5 as above, additional -1TN at long and extreme
6 as above, additional -1TN at extreme (intended to be level 2 equiv)

Minimum skill = rating. Maybe it's just me, but I can deal with a table
like this much more naturally.

Mark
Message no. 4
From: dbuehrer@******.carl.org dbuehrer@******.carl.org
Subject: Smartguns: Option
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 12:23:08 -0700
Mark A Shieh wrote:
>Personally, I'd rather just have the better links do more. Something
>along these lines:
>
>Rating Effect
>1 ammo counter, eject clip as free action, skip targets in FA mode,
>etc.
>2 as above, -1TN at all ranges
>3 as above, additional -1TN at all ranges (intended to be level 1
>equiv)
>4 as above, rangefinder capability

or how about :)

5 as above, reduces movement modifiers by 1 vs a single selected
target (selecting a target requires a free action)
6 as above, reduces movement modifiers by 2 vs a single selected target

(I'm envisioning the effect in Mechwarrior where the targeting computer
takes movement into account and floats a targeting reticule at the point
where you should be shooting at if you want to hit your target.)

>Minimum skill = rating.

This I don't like. A smartlink is an enhancement/crutch that everyone
should be able to take advantage of. If something makes life easier, it
shouldn't require you to be more skilled (VCRs are exempt from this rule ;)
IMHO.

I've fired rifles with metal sights, poor scopes, and very nice
scopes. I'm not what you would call an exceptionally skilled shooter. I
did much better with the nice scope, and in fact it was much easier.

To Life,
-Graht
http://www.users.uswest.net/~abaker3
--
"All things are at all times, in motion. Take the time to watch the dance."
-John Caeser Leafston
Message no. 5
From: Tzeentch tzeentch666@*********.net
Subject: Smartguns: Option
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 16:04:54 -0800
From: <dbuehrer@******.carl.org>

> Mark A Shieh wrote:
> >Personally, I'd rather just have the better links do more. Something
> >along these lines:
> >
> >Rating Effect
> >1 ammo counter, eject clip as free action, skip targets in FA
mode,
> >etc.
> >2 as above, -1TN at all ranges
> >3 as above, additional -1TN at all ranges (intended to be level 1
> >equiv)
> >4 as above, rangefinder capability

Perhaps roll in Smartgun II capabilities as high-rated links? It would
simplify matters to have only ONE smartgun processor rule and not split it
into two.

> or how about :)
>
> 5 as above, reduces movement modifiers by 1 vs a single selected
> target (selecting a target requires a free action)
> 6 as above, reduces movement modifiers by 2 vs a single selected
target
>
> (I'm envisioning the effect in Mechwarrior where the targeting computer
> takes movement into account and floats a targeting reticule at the point
> where you should be shooting at if you want to hit your target.)

Sounds good to me.

> >Minimum skill = rating.
>
> This I don't like. A smartlink is an enhancement/crutch that everyone
> should be able to take advantage of. If something makes life easier, it
> shouldn't require you to be more skilled (VCRs are exempt from this rule
;)
> IMHO.

It's a crutch yes, and like any crutch it can actually hinder your
development. The capabilities of a smartgun link already exist, too bad
noone on the list has used the equipment. To see what I mean check out
http://members.xoom.com/fedemp1cop/cyberpunk.htm under 'Accessories'.

> I've fired rifles with metal sights, poor scopes, and very nice
> scopes. I'm not what you would call an exceptionally skilled shooter. I
> did much better with the nice scope, and in fact it was much easier.

I'd have to go in line with this. So drop the minimum rating..or you can
only use a Smartgun Link UP to your actual level of ability in the weapon.

For example, Bob has a Assault Rifle-3 Skill. When using a Rating 4 Smartgun
Link he can only get information as if he were using a Rating 3 Link.

Ken
---------------------------
There's a war out there, old friend, a world war. And it's not about who's
got the most bullets, it's about who controls the information. What we see
and hear, how we work, what we think, it's all about the information!
Cosmo, 'Sneakers'

Further Reading

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