Re: [OFFICIAL] new ideas!

In message <199702222314.XAA08769@gate.flexnet.net>
jon@gzero.dungeon.com (Ground Zero Games) writes:
> >On Sat, 22 Feb 1997, Chad Taylor wrote:
> 
> >I would be very careful with the design of this system.  At the
moment it
> >seems that it is a simple matter to decide what mass of ship is the
most
> >effective in a given size class.  This would effectively give us one
size
> >class and I am concerned that one mass would stand out (if even only
> >slightly) as the best of all the others.  
> 
> The whole problem with the original system seems to be precisely that:
some
> players maximise their ships to use the biggest available hull size in
the
> class group, and this is where the problems occur (ie: biggest Escort
is
> better than smallest Cruiser etc.). Losing the distinction would, I
> believe, actually help to keep things much more balanced.
> >
> >I rather like the current system of having the mass of ships broken
up
> >into various hull sizes.  I would like to see a few more than the
three we
> >have, my preference being at about five-six or so.  It allows the
idea of
> >each size class having something that "it" is a little better at
doing
> >than the rest.  Besides, having the given names for each hull size
was
> >great for description purposes (standard names = standard reference).
> >
> The names will still be there, and they'll still refer to the same
mass
> groups - they will all just use the same construction formulae. I
think
> increasing the number of groupings would simply make the original
problem
> of the break points far worse...

There are a couple of possibilities which I've seen used in the 
Traveller ship-design system.  First, "standard" hulls which are of 
specified size and cost a little less than custom-built hulls which can 
be of any size.  I'm not sure if that is entirely practical in the 
scheme you have in mind.

Second, as used in the High Guard starship design/combat version of the 
Traveller system, put a limit on the number of pilots.	This could 
certainly be appropriate for fighters, if not for the larger ships, 
depending on just how you want to visualise the talents used to manouver

a ship in combat.

The second might be a more appropriate limit for a competition than for 
general use.

-- 
David G. Bell -- Farmer, SF Fan, Filker, Furry, and Punslinger..