From:	Gary Carroll <gary@****.COM>
Subject:	Re: Rigger questions
Date:	Fri, 8 Sep 1995 15:03:17 -0700

> --Nick

New name/account, Jani? :)

>>1) What is the initiative of drones that are being driven by their
>>auto pilot?
>I couldn't find it in the RBB or Black Book. Maybe Autopilot Rating
>+ 1D6?

Actually I believe it's 10+1d6

<snip (#2 I agreed with gurth)>

>>3) The RBB p122 "Remote Turrets" sez that "A remote turret may be
>>operated by a separate gunner or by the rigger. In the latter
case, >>however, each counts as one drone against his control
limit."
>>What is this control limit ?
>Probably (I couldn't find it again) a number of drones equal to
>the rigger's Intelligence.

His Int is the number of things he can have going at one time.
His Control limit is the number of ports on his Remote Control Deck.

>>Does this mean that the rigger has to spend
>>one action per turn for the turret in order to keep it operable ?
>Yes, I'd say.
*Agreed.

>>If yes
>>then what is the logic behind this, after all gunners using the
>>turret only have to spend one action to target and shoot.
>The turret doesn't have an autopilot of its own, so it doesn't
>follow commands like a drone would. (Hey, maybe build one into
>a turret and it will...)

Which is why it's better to have someone else running the guns.
(someone with a datajack, and a decent gunnery.)
*besides how many samurai's do you know that can hide an Autocannon
and a Missle launcher in their jackets.

>>4) Are fixed arc weapons mounted on firmpoints/hardpoints
>>conlealable/supposed to be concealed anyway ?
>I take it that they are, at least on civilian vehicles and
>within reason. No way to conceal that Ares Kinetic Rail Gun
>you fixed onto your Americar :)

*suggestion*
I haven't seen anything in this area, I would have to say
that it's first of all, up to you if you want them hidden.
Then you must us a cf = to the weapon points (listed in the
turret section) (i.e. 1 = SMG,LMG,2 = HMG,Rocket,3=missle,4=
autocannon) *once you do this* the perception target# is
the weapon conceal + unmodified body of the vehicle.
*maybe even +20% of mount per. xtra conceal rating*

>>If yes what is their concealability rating ?
>I don't know. Maybe the GM should assign it, based on the player's
>explanations of how it is hidden. Or maybe you can say it's the
>base Conceal of the weapon.
*see suggestion

<snip (again agreed. for 5,6,7)>

>>8) Which vehicles have VCR equipment installed and which dont. We
>>assume that none have, but what about drones ? Drones cant only
>>be driven remotely and most of them dont have enough space (CF)
>>to install the VCR gear. Does that mean that drones are not
>>operable, or does it mean that all vehicles have the nececery
>>equipment (thus making it not worthy to mention)?
>I rule that all drones have remote-control gear already installed
>(though the text doesn't mention whether it is or not). I'd say
>you have to add VCRs separately.

Unless a vehicle states it has a VCR it doesn't.
Drones are a differnt story - I would also rule that drones
have remote gear.

>>9) The RBB makes it clear that an autopilot with a rating less
>>than 3 is incapable of driving a vehicle. So does that mean that
>>all drones (as drones have autopilots of 1 or 2) canot operate on
>>their own despite the fact that the RBB and SRII expressly say
>>that a rigger can order them around ?
>I never looked at it that way, but it sure looks like it. Internal
>consistency is somewhat lacking in the vehicle department, I think.
>(Stephanos, are you reading this? If you are I think you know what
>I'm getting at :)

ERRRrrrrttt. The autopilot of a vehicle and drone behavior are 2
different things. You can tell a car with an autopilot or 3 or more
to drive around the block for 5 minutes and stop in front of the
building, wait for 5 minutes then go home. The commands a rigger
gives a drone is go straight 40 feet turn right 90deg. go straight
for 20 feet stop wait for elevator door to open enter and shoot
the next person to enter the elevator.
By making drones with autopilots of less than 3 their saying a
drone can't travel down a street in heavy vehicle traffic.
(without rigger help)

>>10) Can a rigger that utilises full cybernetic control fire his
>>weapons optically ? Or is opticall targeting just restricted to
>>non-cybernetic drivers.
>GM's call, IMHO.

I would guess so but why that's what sensors are for.
If your jacked in you target from your cars/drones sensors.
Although I would rule that you could - you would just get
no sensor bonus.

<snip section on Engines>
The RBB is too vague. The small list of engines listed in the back
don't compare to the vast variety of engines on the listed vehicles.
(no real easy workaround)

Thanks
Gary C.