Arsenal Weapon Mount vs. Smart Firing Platform Options

[kigmatzomat]

Except, theres already weapon mods for vehicles, its called weapon mounts. As it stands, special machinery requires GM approval for anything. I can't think of any sane GM who would allow you to bolt/weld/etc your smart firing platforms on, instead of just pointing you to the weapon mounts instead.

Ah-hah! Now we're back to my original problem.

There's an undefined "weapon mount" in the BBB. There's a well defined "smart firing platform" in the BBB of approximately the same cost. Then there's some well defined weapon mounts in Arsenal that don't make any sense in relation to the smart firing platform, which could have been, but was not, ret-conned by Arsenal, or even recosted.

Which of the Arsenal weapon mounts is the BBB "weapon mount" and why are the Arsenal mounts so craptastic compared to a smart firing platform?

[Tarantula]

Ah-hah! Now we're back to my original problem.

There's an undefined "weapon mount" in the BBB. There's a well defined "smart firing platform" in the BBB of approximately the same cost. Then there's some well defined weapon mounts in Arsenal that don't make any sense in relation to the smart firing platform, which could have been, but was not, ret-conned by Arsenal, or even recosted.

Which of the Arsenal weapon mounts is the BBB "weapon mount" and why are the Arsenal mounts so craptastic compared to a smart firing platform?

My assumption would be that the weapon mounts in arsenal replace the one in SR4, but no where does it say that. As far as a smart firing platform, perhaps it performs better because it doesn't have to have any software to compensate for movement, as its assumed that it will be a stationary object when firing. Since it is explicitly non-mobile, I'd say it doesn't work at all when/if it is being moved.

[kigmatzomat]

My assumption would be that the weapon mounts in arsenal replace the one in SR4, but no where does it say that. As far as a smart firing platform, perhaps it performs better because it doesn't have to have any software to compensate for movement, as its assumed that it will be a stationary object when firing.

Except that the Arsenal says that all weapon mounts suffer from movement penalty, unless they have the Gyrolink upgrade.

[Tarantula]

Except that the Arsenal says that all weapon mounts suffer from movement penalty, unless they have the Gyrolink upgrade.

You mis-read what I said. The smart firing platform is defined as non-mobile. Thusly, if its moving, you can't use it.

[kigmatzomat]

You mis-read what I said. The smart firing platform is defined as non-mobile. Thusly, if its moving, you can't use it.

Why would that happen? Nothing says that the smart platform's AI is any stupider than a regular drone. And, per Arsenal, you could fit the Pilot with a movement system (flying tripod?) and it doesn't require a software update. See the "Pilot Equipped Weapon" which has no movement rate but can be equipped with one.

Would you say that a pilot equipped weapon would be unable to fire while on its own while being carried? So why would the Smart platform, which has an otherwise identical AI?

[Jaid]

it is worth noting that you can, afaict, install a smart firing platform on a vehicle. more specifically, you can install weapons into a weapon mount. weapons can have accessories. weapon mounts do not take up any accessory slots, and do not have any special rules limiting accessories. therefore, you can accessorize a gun with a smart firing platform, and then install it into a weapon mount.

[Tarantula]

it is worth noting that you can, afaict, install a smart firing platform on a vehicle. more specifically, you can install weapons into a weapon mount. weapons can have accessories. weapon mounts do not take up any accessory slots, and do not have any special rules limiting accessories. therefore, you can accessorize a gun with a smart firing platform, and then install it into a weapon mount.

Very nice catch. From now on, all my riggers will be using guns with smart firing platforms mounted on his vehicles. Send out global commands to the smart firing platforms, and now you can have each gun open up at the same time! HUZZAH! Power to the riggers!

[Tarantula]

GMC Bulldog 35,000
16 body

5 Weapon Mounts
3 slots
+normal 1500
+internal 1000
+fixed 0
+remote 500
15,000

5 ares mp-lmg
7,500
+5 internal smartlink mods
7,500
+5 high velocity mods
15,000
+5 smart firing platforms
10,000
++5 rating 4 pilots
10,000
++5 rating 4 targetting softs
8,000

and

1250 rounds of exex
12,500

Being able to have 25 short burst attacks at 10P -2AP per combat turn at chargen? Priceless

[CanRay]

There are some things in life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) can't buy.

For everything else, there's the Rigger from Hell.

Rigger From Hell, accepted on any road that'll accomdate a Van.

[kigmatzomat]

Or use an Everglades and operate on land or water!

Which is what my rigger is using in our "explore the Australian outback while the NPC mage hunts up weird crap for magic" and actually spawned this thread. I'd built the Everglades with a weapon mount using the BBB but then Arsenal showed up Saturday for the game and we all bumped heads over what the rules meant.

And so far it seems to be "Arsenal is completely different and out of whack from the BBB smart platform but there's no good way to rectify the problem.

[Tarantula]

The point was to illustrate the absurdity of allowing the SFP to fire it while its mounted. What makes more sense, is that the SFP's tripod would be moving around, while the weapon was mounted and held steady in the weapon mount.