[DS 2] design question - a little 1 capacity question.

Okay, we discussed if a Fire team counted towards the 1 weapon per vehicle
size class (page 11) included Fire Teams (I went with the "No" group since
like Cargo it wasn't a "weapon.")

Now the question has come up (and it seems to follow the same types of
logic) that a Command/Communications system should or should not be
counted as a 'weapon' system either. Basically there are two schools of
thought here - one says it doesn't directly kill a vehicle/fire team so
it doesn't count as a weapon system but the second says that it (like your
brain which is one of a warrior's most powerful weapon [right up there with a
radio]) and, unlike the mass for a Fire Team or Cargo space, it actively
participates in the combat process. Unless I hear a great reason for counting
it as a weapon then I am going with the former position.

The difference is as follows:

Class 1 - never mind.

Class 2
HQ System = 8 Capacity - 1 weapon
LAD or PDS/Basic = 2 for a total of 10 - 2 weapons and no room for
debate

Class 3:
HQ System = 8 Capacity - 1 weapon
PDS/Superior = 4 [subtotal 12] capacity - 2 weapons
LAD = 2 [subtotal 14 capacity] - 3 weapons
1 capacity unused {emphasis not volume intended} UNLESS
HQ/Communications
Systems are not weapons then you get a APSW or APFC with one unused
capacity. Or you could substitute  PDS/Basic for the PDS/Superior and
get
room for a GMS/L for a 'fourth' weapon.

*** At Class three this becomes a somewhat significant issue. The
'fourth' weapon (GMS/L) makes every HQ vehicle a potential combatant.
***

Class 4:

HQ SYStem = 8 capacity - 1 weapon
PDS/Basic = 2 [subtotal 10] -  2 weapons
LAD = 2 [subtotal 12] - 3 weapons
GMS/L = 2 [subtotal 14] - 4 weapons
1 capacity unused {emphasis not volume intended} UNLESS
HQ/Communications
Systems are not weapons then you get a APSW or APFC. personally I would
upgrade to PDS/Enhanced...

Class 5
HQ SYStem = 8 capacity - 1 weapon
PDS/Basic = 2 [subtotal 10] -  2 weapons
LAD = 2 [subtotal 12] - 3 weapons
GMS/L = 2 [subtotal 14] - 4 weapons
* ADS/Basic = 10 [subtotal 24] - 5 weapons
1 capacity unused {emphasis not volume intended} UNLESS
HQ/Communications
Systems are not weapons then you get a APSW or APFC. personally I would
upgrade to PDS/Enhanced...

* Or  those 15 points becomes a MDC-3 or HKP-3 or yada-yada-yada and the
"HQ Combattant" is just that, a highly expensive, potentially vulnerable
secondary AFV.

Not a big issue and I am willing to allow HQ/Communication system to not
count as a weapon towards the 1 weapon per Vehicle Class size in design but if
anyone has a good argument that it 'should' count as a weapon design then posy
a reply please.

Gracias,

> From: ~ On Behalf Of warbeads@juno.com

> Okay, we discussed if a Fire team counted towards the 1 weapon

Glenn, could you quote that thread subject please? I can't pick it up from my
own archives or Firedrake.

> Now the question has come up (and it seems to follow the same

> Basically there are two schools of thought here - one says it

<snip analysis of impact by class>

> Not a big issue and I am willing to allow HQ/Communication

I've flipped through the rules including the blurb on C&C at the front, and I
don't think there's anything to help clarify.
The Command / Control Centre is listed as a system rather than a
weapon, but so are GMS in places.

I'd say it isn't weapon for the purposes of vehicle design. I have a nagging
feeling that the list has discussed the reasoning behind the "no more weapons
than size class" rule, but if so then I can't recollect the explanation that
was given. I'd expect the volume
rules to make it unnecessary (unless someone tried a 15-barrel
HEL/1 in playtesting).

For DS III I'd favour a larger, more expensive and _mandatory_
command centre (field a backup if you think you can afford it). Let's give
those VTOLs a baggage camp to loot! (It's safer than shooting up some
artillery parks.)

Nathan "how many chits are in there?" Girdler

G'day,

> Now the question has come up (and it seems to follow the same types of

For what its worth we don't count it as a weapons system.

Cheers

On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:54:51 +0100 "CS Renegade"
> <njg@csrenegade.demon.co.uk> writes: