Using the old Vehicles rules, at TL10 and below flight capability for
powered armor or battlesuits comes with serious drawbacks. Ducted fans
and power cells are heavy, fusion rockets have a bad infrared (and
visual) signature. At TL12 and above contragrav and reactionless
thrusters are so effective that any suit would have either internal or
detachable flight packs.
That leaves TL11. Flight capability will take a serious bite out of the
mass for armor, stealth, or armament, but it can be done. Is it worth it?
A related question is how much stealth a 'credible' battlesuit needs.
With stealth, I mean radar stealth, emission cloaking, sound baffling,
etc. With an area of 45 sf, basic stealth, basic emission cloaking,
basic sound baffling, and intruder chameleon are 81 lbs. Almost the
weight of four spare rE cells on hardpoints ...
Scenario 1: Flight is suicide, and stealth stops to work the first time
the suit goes prone in the mud. Armor and armament are the main priorities.
Scenario 2: Flight is still suicide, but TL11 stealth should be workable
for suits. Perhaps it includes some self-cleaning top layer. Being
unseen is at least as important as being bulletproof.
Scenario 2a: As above, but with maneuvering thrusters for zero or very
low gravity. The Space Marine variant?
Scenario 2b: Flight packs are an optional extra, they can be swapped for
heavier weapons or more endurance.
Scenario 3: Two-dimensional maneuver is outdated. If you cannot fly, you
will be outflanked by those who can.
Any thoughts?
Regards,
Onno
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