merashin
Jun 21 2009, 07:12 AM
oh yeah tom, should living starship just be like a percent of the ship's original cost like prototype is. Living vehicle is on page 69 of legacy.
Rad
Jun 22 2009, 10:55 PM
Gah, too many replies...
..I'm short on time, so I'll make this quick:
As I said, I took the +50% crew requirement as the prototype penalty, and the double weapon bonus. Since you can take two sets of boni/penalties, and take the same one's twice (the example ship does this) I took the +50% Crew/x2 weapon twice, for +100% crew requirement/+ 2 weapons, then stripped out two 5-point ion cannons for a total of 10 emplacement points. It's all there in the math I included, under "Aftermarket Modifications"
I may have messed up on the BAB for triple attack, I'll take a look at it, and at Garret's proposed droid rules, when I get the chance. As it stands I used the HK-24 for my base cost and only used modifications there were listed prices for.
As for the programming, I reverse-engineered HK-24's level advancement and then re-did it, swapping feats and the position of some of the ability scores, although the values were not changed. (Changes to the final values are due to choice of level-based increases and the enhancement mod.)
The most controversial thing I did was swap one of the soldier levels for a level of scoundrel. I reverse-engineered the HP and found that it was approximately average, so I removed 6 hit points for that level and rolled for the scoundrel level as normal. I got a 6, so it didn't change the total.
Speaking of such: I'd like to make one last retcon to my character. I want to trade in two of my noble levels for soldier levels, dropping the wealth talent and picking up light armor training. I only took the wealth talent because I thought we were going to need the cash for our ship, but then two other people took it and it wasn't necessary. Now we're all millionaires and it really isn't necessary. Also, it makes more sense that I would have taken soldier levels and armor training while hanging out with the freaking Mando'ade than levels in Spoiled Rich Kid.
If it's okay, I'll pay back the 90k I got from that talent and buy some damn armor.
merashin
Jun 22 2009, 11:23 PM
Reverse engineering and modifying something is generally something you should ask tom about beforehand, disregard this if you did and i didn't know. If you switch a soldier level for a scoundrel you don't roll hp, you determine hp for that level same as it was determined for the soldier level, so it would change the total.
Poit-Narf
Jun 22 2009, 11:34 PM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 22 2009, 04:23 PM)

If you switch a soldier level for a scoundrel you don't roll hp, you determine hp for that level same as it was determined for the soldier level, so it would change the total.
Specifically, since NPC droids go by average hp, and you're swapping a d10 for a d6, you just reduce the hp by 2.
Matsci
Jun 23 2009, 04:13 AM
QUOTE (Rad @ Jun 22 2009, 02:55 PM)

Gah, too many replies...
..I'm short on time, so I'll make this quick:
As for the programming, I reverse-engineered HK-24's level advancement and then re-did it, swapping feats and the position of some of the ability scores, although the values were not changed. (Changes to the final values are due to choice of level-based increases and the enhancement mod.)
The most controversial thing I did was swap one of the soldier levels for a level of scoundrel. I reverse-engineered the HP and found that it was approximately average, so I removed 6 hit points for that level and rolled for the scoundrel level as normal. I got a 6, so it didn't change the total.
Speaking of such: I'd like to make one last retcon to my character. I want to trade in two of my noble levels for soldier levels, dropping the wealth talent and picking up light armor training. I only took the wealth talent because I thought we were going to need the cash for our ship, but then two other people took it and it wasn't necessary. Now we're all millionaires and it really isn't necessary. Also, it makes more sense that I would have taken soldier levels and armor training while hanging out with the freaking Mando'ade than levels in Spoiled Rich Kid.
If it's okay, I'll pay back the 90k I got from that talent and buy some damn armor.
You do that. Also, Droids only use average HP.
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 04:34 AM
My character is going to have serious problems with the droid you have. It has a heuristic processor allowing it to think, but is forced to work for you with no other option. IE slavery, and i have an organization against that. I suggest you get him a basic processor.
removed1
Jun 23 2009, 04:40 AM
Say, how much XP did we get for the big...whatever it was last game?
Matsci
Jun 23 2009, 05:44 AM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 22 2009, 08:34 PM)

My character is going to have serious problems with the droid you have. It has a heuristic processor allowing it to think, but is forced to work for you with no other option. IE slavery, and i have an organization against that. I suggest you get him a basic processor.
Ooooh, a In-character fight! Awesome!
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 02:10 PM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 22 2009, 09:34 PM)

My character is going to have serious problems with the droid you have. It has a heuristic processor allowing it to think, but is forced to work for you with no other option. IE slavery, and i have an organization against that. I suggest you get him a basic processor.
And getting a basic processor instead would do what, exactly?
A droid is still fully sentient and self-aware if it only has a basic processor. This is evidenced by the fact that a droid PC can have a basic processor. Upgrading to a heuristic processor only gives the droid creativity.
If anything, your anti-slavery organization should be opposed to basic processors, not heuristic ones. A heuristic processor means that the droid may, at some point, develop a personality and free will (but not necessarily). A droid with a basic processor cannot do this - so a basic processor really serves no purpose other than to
program a droid to forever accept being used as a slave.
So lay off on Rad. When it comes to droids, both basic and heuristic processors can be considered slavery. Heuristic processors are just the lesser of the two evils.
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 06:20 PM
how exactly is a droid with a basic processor sentient and self-aware, the way i understood it a basic one puts the droid at a level lower than most animals except they understand orders as they have been programmed to. It appeared to me that they were unable to learn anything new unless it was programmed into them.
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 06:29 PM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 23 2009, 10:20 AM)

how exactly is a droid with a basic processor sentient and self-aware, the way i understood it a basic one puts the droid at a level lower than most animals except they understand orders as they have been programmed to. It appeared to me that they were unable to learn anything new unless it was programmed into them.
Seeing as a droid with a basic processor can be played as a PC and gain levels, I don't think that's true. Hell, it's not even that difficult to have a droid with a basic processor and a 20 Intelligence, so saying a basic processor = animal intelligence is definitely wrong.
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 06:54 PM
A basic processor even says that they can't do creative thought or problem solving, it says they can only do what they are programmed to do. As for being a player character i never really understood how it could be one if it can't have a personality or do anything it isn't programmed to do. I see it more like a computer, smart can mean calculating power and processing power and not actual thinking.
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 08:03 PM
Regardless of the fact that a droid with a basic processor has no creativity or personality, it can still learn new things. If it couldn't it couldn't gain levels during play. But this is becoming tangential to the issue at hand.
All droids with a basic or heuristic processor are self-aware (let's not even discuss remote processors). You're saying that creating a self-aware, reasoning being (a droid with a heuristic processor) for the purpose of serving somebody is a violation of that droid's liberty. Even if I accept that, I would still contend that creating a self-aware being that is incapable of understanding anything other than servitude (a droid with a basic processor) is much worse. I mean, not only is it serving someone, but it's designed to be unable to want anything other than serving someone.
I'm not saying that your view (specifically, the view that a droid with a heuristic processor serving somebody is analogous to slavery) is incorrect. I"m just saying that if you hold that view, you should see basic processors as an even worse alternative, not a better one.
Yay for philosophy in gaming!
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 08:50 PM
ok, i never thought of them as self-aware for basic processors. This means that the droid would have to be a willing worker for rad. Which means, Tom...
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 08:57 PM
So, does this mean that your anti-slavery organization is opposed to any droid not being independent?
As for Rad's droid, I doubt being willing will be a problem. I mean, HK-24 droids are somewhat outdated, and he's refurbishing it so that it can be a copilot for a ship designed to destroy capital ships. For an otherwise-unused droid whose purpose is to kill, that's not a hard sell, especially for someone with a good Persuasion skill (which Rad has).
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 09:08 PM
if the droid can thnk for itself. i don't want to think about things like basic computers being slaves, so i'll just stop it with heuristic processors.
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 09:22 PM
So, if a droid is created with the inability to want freedom (whether that's done by installing a basic processor or by making that part of its programming), you're fine with it being used as a servant?
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 09:27 PM
because i don't want to think about it, yes it is fine.
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 09:30 PM
Very good. I shall make sure to program the droids I'm making so that they don't think they're slaves.
merashin
Jun 23 2009, 10:05 PM
wouldn't you do that anyway?
Poit-Narf
Jun 23 2009, 10:31 PM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 23 2009, 02:05 PM)

wouldn't you do that anyway?
Actually, I'd prefer to have my droids free-willed, but wanting to serve me. That way, if someone kills me and takes my droids, they're able to dislike my killer.
But that's likely a rare case. Really, I just don't like the idea of someone helping me for no reason other than not knowing better,
merashin
Jun 24 2009, 09:18 PM
i was wondering whether people would be fine with my backup being a crimelord
merashin
Jun 24 2009, 11:45 PM
oh yeah, rad on your ship the shields cost twice as much money and ep because of shields being non-standard for a starfighter
Poit-Narf
Jun 25 2009, 01:27 AM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 24 2009, 04:45 PM)

oh yeah, rad on your ship the shields cost twice as much money and ep because of shields being non-standard for a starfighter
No they don't. I'm building his ship, and I have the Starship Designer feat, which says (this is from memory, as I'm not at home) that no modifications I make are ever considered nonstandard.
merashin
Jun 25 2009, 02:31 AM
i guess that means we had like 34 days of downtime, that's more than i thought we had.
Poit-Narf
Jun 25 2009, 03:04 AM
Didn't Tom say we had about a month?
merashin
Jun 25 2009, 03:47 AM
he did? oh well, guess i was spacing out. I thought it was a week.
Poit-Narf
Jun 25 2009, 05:19 AM
Hey, you might be right. Maybe the month of downtime was before the AI ship job? I dunno.
Anyway, Tom, are my droid creation rules alright to use?
Matsci
Jun 25 2009, 05:45 PM
I said as much time as you need.
Also, Sheilds are not non-stadard on starfighers. They are non-standard on existing ships that don't have them.
merashin
Jun 25 2009, 06:46 PM
well, he got a stock ship which would have made it nonstandard without starship designer.
Poit-Narf
Jun 25 2009, 06:51 PM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 25 2009, 11:46 AM)

well, he got a stock ship which would have made it nonstandard without starship designer.
And since I have Starship Designer, that doesn't matter.
Matsci
Jun 26 2009, 06:04 PM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 25 2009, 10:46 AM)

well, he got a stock ship which would have made it nonstandard without starship designer.
True, but the only way to choose a stock ship is to know someone with starship designer.
Matsci
Jun 26 2009, 06:07 PM
Also, is it just me or has Jer fallen off the face of the earth?
Dark Talon
Jun 26 2009, 11:50 PM
I have indeed fallen off the face of the earth.
I will be there tonight, however it will be my last time attending in person, and for a while. I'm gonna be traveling a lot over the next few weeks/months. Catching up visiting people and going places since I haven't been able to for the past several years
Rad
Jun 27 2009, 12:11 AM
Seems that way. Gonna suck if I can't have that epic, redeeming battle with my brother.
As for the droid--turns out the table in the Saga Edition book is wrong. It says +9 BAB for Triple Attack, while the actual listing says +11. I'll have to redo that. Might forget about swapping in the scoundrel level anyway. I was only doing that because I originally planned to have the droid be my backup character, and wanted some out-of-ship functionality. It's not going to be very useful if Tracyat never leaves the cockpit tho...
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 22 2009, 08:34 PM)

My character is going to have serious problems with the droid you have. It has a heuristic processor allowing it to think, but is forced to work for you with no other option. IE slavery, and i have an organization against that. I suggest you get him a basic processor.
1) Bring it.
2) He's not a slave. He's been programmed to follow the Mandolorian traditions, and considers himself my "adopted son" in the Mando'ade sense. I am Tracyaat's mentor, not his owner or master.
QUOTE (Poit-Narf @ Jun 20 2009, 04:32 PM)

OK, I've spent the past few hours looking at various droids, doing some multivariable regressions on their costs (after removing their systems and equipment) to try to come up with an equation for droid prices in terms of level and stats (measured by point buy).
I've made one definite conclusion so far: there's no consistency at all throughout the books (or even within a single book) when it comes to pricing droids. Of course, this could be attributed to the fact that most droids (but not all) are mass-produced, which makes them cheaper to make, but that also makes it very difficult to design your own droids - which is something I'd like to do, since I can now make the DC 40 Mechanics check needed to do so.
So, I decided to come up with my own system for assigning a cost to custom droids.
What do you guys think?
Oh, and I'm sure this is a complete coincidence, but the custom droid that Rad posted yesterday had a listed cost (before being modded via Tech Specialist) of 24,600 credits. Calculating the cost of that same droid using my system gives a cost of 24,780 credits. That's really damn close.

Well, some of it seems a bit arbitrary, and I haven't given it a good rundown yet, but it seems workable at first glance. I've got lots of money to throw around and it would be nice to be able to get exactly what I want in a droid instead of getting as close as I can get by tweaking a base model.
merashin
Jun 27 2009, 07:40 PM
garrett you should add the cost modifier from size -1 to the dc
Rad
Jun 28 2009, 01:26 AM
I take it back, Garrett's droid rules are awesome.
New stats for Tracyaat:
[ Spoiler ]
-Tracyaat [Artillery]- CL 10?
Medium Droid (4th-degree) nonheroic 6/Soldier 6/Scoundrel 1
Init: +11
Senses: Low-Light Vision
Perception: +11
Ref: 22 (flat-footed 19)
Fort: 23
Will: 19
HP: 51
DR: 5
SR: 15
Threshold: 22
Speed: Walk 6 squares, Fly 12 squares
Melee: Unarmed + (1d3+3)
Ranged: Blaster Carbine +14 (3d8+3) or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine +15 (3d8+4) with point blank shot or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine + 9 (3d8+3) with autofire or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine +10 (3d8+4) with point blank autofire or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine +12 (3d8+3) with braced autofire or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine +13 (3d8+4) with braced point blank autofire or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine + 9 (3d8+3) and Blaster Carbine + 9 (3d8+3) with dual weapon mastery I or
Ranged: Blaster Carbine + 4 (3d8+3) and Blaster Carbine + 4 (3d8+3) with dual weapon mastery I autofire
Ranged: Blaster Carbine + 7 (3d8+3) and Blaster Carbine + 7 (3d8+3) with dual weapon mastery I braced autofire
-ect-
Base Atk: +11
Grp: +14
Atk Options: Autofire, Burst Fire, Dual Weapon Mastery I, Double Attack, Triple Attack
Special Actions:
Str: 14 +2
Dex: 16 +3
Con: --
Int: 20 +5
Wis: 12 +1
Cha: 8 -1
Talents: Armored Defense, Spacehound, Battle Analysis
Feats: Skill Training (Knowlege: Tactics, Stealth), Vehicular Combat, Weapon Proficiency (Rifles, Simple Weapons), Burst Fire, Armor Proficiency (Light), Point Blank Shot, Double Attack (Heavy Weapons), Dual Weapon Mastery (Rifles), Triple Attack (Heavy Weapons)
Initiative: + 11
Knowlege (Tactics): + 13
Mechanics: + 13
Perception: + 11
Pilot: + 11
Stealth: + 11
Use Computer: + 13
Systems: Walking locomotion, flight locomotion, 2 hand appendages, 2 stabilized tool appendages, heuristic processor, improved Sensor package, internal comlink, sheild generator (15), vocabulator
Possessions: 2 Blaster Carbines, Light Beskar'gam Armor
Availability: Military
Cost: 75,743 (73,943)
------------------------------------------------
Point Buy (25): + 9,000
Levels (6 NH + 7 H): + 9,000
Walking Locomotion: + 360
Secondary Flight Locomotion: +29,300
Hand Appendage: + 50 5 kg
Hand Appendage: + 50 5 kg
Stabilized Tool Appendage: + 60 10 kg
Stabilized Tool Appendage: + 60 10 kg
Internal Comlink: + 250 0.1 kg
Vocabulator: + 0 0.5 kg
Heuristic Processor: + 2,000 5 kg
Improved Sensor Package: + 200 2.5 kg
Shield Generator (15): + 7,500 30 kg
Blaster Carbine: + 900 2.2 kg (Taken from stock)
Blaster Carbine: + 900 2.2 kg (Taken from stock)
Subtotal: 59,630 72.5 kg
Enhanced Int Mod: + 5,963
Light Beskar'gam Armor: + 3,500 10 kg
Armorplast: + 900 -5 kg
Neutronium Reinforcement: + 3,000+ 5 kg
Dual Gear (Power Generator): + 1,750+15 kg
Agile Armor Trait: + 1,000
Total Cost: 75,743
------------------------------------------------
25 point buy + 4th-Degree + Enhanced Intelligence Mod:
Str: 13 +1
Dex: 14 +2
Con: --
Int: 18 +4
Wis: 12 +1
Cha: 8 -1
-Feats/Ability Increases- -Talents- -Skills-
Level 1: (N1) Skill Training (Mechanics) Initiative, Mechanics, Pilot,
(N1) Simple Weapons Proficiency Perception, Stealth, Use Computer
(N1) Vehicular Combat
Level 2:
Level 3: (L3) Weapon Proficiency (Rifles)
Level 4: +1 INT
Level 5:
Level 6: (L6) Burst Fire
Level 7: (S1) Armor Proficiency (Light) (S1) Armored Defense
Level 8: +1 DEX, +1 INT (S1) Spacehound Knowlege (Tactics)
(S1) Point Blank Shot
Level 9: (S2) Double Attack (Heavy Weapons)
Level 10: (L9) Dual Weapon Mastery I (Rifles) (S3) Battle Analysis
Level 11: (S4) Accelerated Strike
Level 12: +1 STR, +1 DEX (S5) Indomitable
Level 13: (S6) Triple Attack (Heavy)
Got the Beskar'gam at -30,000 credits due to my Mandalorian connections. If that's not cool, I'll just have Andrew get it for me, since he's an actual Madalorian (and a Taung at that.) I'm also going to want a suit for myself, for--ah--
special occasions. 
Not sure what the CL should be, it seems like it's 1 CL for every three nonheroic levels, plus 1 per heroic level, so that's what I went with. Also not totally sure about that level 12 soldier feat, Improved Armored Defense, Tough as Nails or Devastating Attack might be a better choice--any thoughts?
Poit-Narf
Jun 28 2009, 03:09 AM
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 27 2009, 12:40 PM)

garrett you should add the cost modifier from size -1 to the dc
Two questions:
1. Add that to which of the DCs (the one for stats or the one for class levels)?
2. Why? Isn't the increased cost for not-medium droids handled by their systems being more expensive? I dunno why their size would make their programming more expensive.
merashin
Jun 28 2009, 05:36 AM
for stats i would think garrett, for physical stats i could see it being harder, i don't know what made me think it should apply. Rad, i don't think that andrew will be any help with getting beskar'gam, because being a true mandalorian he would probably want you to earn the right to wear beskar'gam.
removed1
Jun 30 2009, 02:44 AM
I won't be playing this week. A relative's coming to town and my family is hosting a dinner for him. Tom, I think I sent you my character sheet, so I think you can control him.
merashin
Jun 30 2009, 04:22 AM
polycon...
removed1
Jun 30 2009, 08:32 PM
#&$*@.......
QUOTE (merashin @ Jun 27 2009, 09:36 PM)

Rad, i don't think that andrew will be any help with getting beskar'gam, because being a true mandalorian he would probably want you to earn the right to wear beskar'gam.
Someone hasn't been paying attention.

I
did earn it.
For those that are going to be there (especially Tom), any special info on Polycon? polycon.org is blocked from the office for some bizarre reason so I haven't been able to check up, and there doesn't seem to be alot of readily-available info when I
could get to the site so I'm wondering if there's anything I need to know as I'm running a game friday.
IE: Do we need to show up at a certain time, is there some kind of special procedure we're supposed to go through, or is it just show up before your game's supposed to start, pay the fee minus the discount for running a game, go to your table and start running?
Communication's been pretty half-assed about this, so I thought I'd check with you guys and see if there was anything I'm supposed to know.
merashin
Jul 2 2009, 03:12 AM
the con starts at noon on friday, goes to 4 on sunday, you can show up at any time, preferably a little bit before your game so people can find the room or ask you questions about the game before it starts. As for the fee you just go up to the front desk and tell them you need to pay and your a gm, tell them how many games and name and they'll look it up. Then pay them $30 - games x $10 and you'll get a badge.
edit: it's not up to you to determine if you earned it, Andrew is the arbiter in who earns what among mandalorian things.
Poit-Narf
Jul 2 2009, 07:38 AM
Not quite Jason. Registration for the con starts at noon on Friday. You pay your registration fee (the full amount) and get your badge. You get your GM refund (for running your game) on Sunday before the auction. Rad, your game is from 2-6pm on Friday.
By the way, back when I lived on campus, I had trouble with polycon.org being blocked as well. Try using the alternate URL:
http://polycon.punk.net/
Huh, it's less than I expected--that's good.
Also, you really haven't been paying attention: I joined the Mando'ade after my master was killed on Dxun and fought with them for several years. Kal and I left together, after growing disillusioned with Mandalore the Ultimate and the changes he was bringing to our people's culture.
Being a Taung doesn't make Kal any more of a Mandalorian than I, but I wouldn't expect and outsider like you to understand our ways.
Oya Manda!
[edit]Poit-Narf postsniped me there...
...ah, so I have to be there on Sunday to get the refund. At what time? I already have to cab back home on the fourth, and with the bus schedule getting back Sunday could be difficult without another cab ride. Kind of a bass-ackwards way of doing things.
[Edit 2] Hey thanks for the link, that one works here. Heh, I may have to hit that Gurps DBZ game--just out of principle. Is the registration and fee for the whole thing, as in, could you leave and come back at a later time? 'Cuz there's no way I'm missing 4th of July in Pismo, but otherwise I wouldn't mind cabbing home on saturday night and then coming back in the morning.
merashin
Jul 2 2009, 07:56 AM
when did you say any of that? i'm pretty sure you haven't said your back story out loud to the group, or at least the whole group.
Poit-Narf
Jul 2 2009, 08:19 AM
QUOTE (Rad @ Jul 2 2009, 12:43 AM)

[edit]Poit-Narf postsniped me there...
...ah, so I have to be there on Sunday to get the refund. At what time? I already have to cab back home on the fourth, and with the bus schedule getting back Sunday could be difficult without another cab ride. Kind of a bass-ackwards way of doing things.
[Edit 2] Hey thanks for the link, that one works here. Heh, I may have to hit that Gurps DBZ game--just out of principle. Is the registration and fee for the whole thing, as in, could you leave and come back at a later time? 'Cuz there's no way I'm missing 4th of July in Pismo, but otherwise I wouldn't mind cabbing home on saturday night and then coming back in the morning.
That I did.

If you're not planning to come to the con on Sunday, you can probably ask for your refund on Friday after your game. OK, actually, I have no idea if you can do that, but if I was running the con this year, I'd totally let you.

The registration fee is for the whole weekend: noon on Friday to the end of the auction (~5pm) on Sunday.
Also, if you're not planning on coming on Sunday, I'm not sure why you just didn't get a 1-day pass...
[edit][edit][edit]/ragequit.
Okay, found the info about the day passes--hadn't seen any of this yet. Like I said I hadn't been able to access the site and for someone who signed up to run a game the info I've been given has been ridiculously sparse. So I take it the badge will let me back into the con if I have to leave and come back later?
Like I said, none of this is made clear, even on their website.
Poit-Narf
Jul 2 2009, 03:20 PM
If you have a pass for the whole weekend, of course you can come and go as you wish. Just make sure to wear your badge while you're at the convention.
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