Quote from: Brad;665492I do think it's humorous when games try to directly model real combat, mostly because unless you've actually been hit with a sword (not SCA, sorry) or shot at with bullets, you have no idea what combat is like. Marc Miller was in Vietnam, so at least he has a legitimate base of experience; Stephen Cole was in the Army. No idea what Richard Tucholka's background is, but I'm led to believe he might have a background in forensics, or at least read a lot of medical journals. That doesn't make for a fun game, mostly because real war fucking sucks ass. Give me D&D's simple roll-to-hit and that's as close to real-life combat I need.

I would go so far as to say the average person (including myself) has about as much clue what real combat is, as.....

Professional Wrestling is real combat!

Some people of course do have real combat experience. But I do not.

Quote from: 1989;665480Dudes, this is crazy talk.

I just want to say, "I hit him with my sword."

In my experience, that is not generally a successful tactic in a battle between space ships. YMMV, of course.

Quote from: Brad;665492I do think it's humorous when games try to directly model real combat, mostly because unless you've actually been hit with a sword (not SCA, sorry) or shot at with bullets, you have no idea what combat is like. Marc Miller was in Vietnam, so at least he has a legitimate base of experience; Stephen Cole was in the Army. No idea what Richard Tucholka's background is, but I'm led to believe he might have a background in forensics, or at least read a lot of medical journals. That doesn't make for a fun game, mostly because real war fucking sucks ass. Give me D&D's simple roll-to-hit and that's as close to real-life combat I need.

One of my players was in Iraq, and suffers (rather badly) from PTSD. If we tried a game that was actually even a little realistic, I doubt he'd be able to play.

Quote from: Bill;665517Professional Wrestling is real combat!

Yeah, that's why it's governed by the Entertainment Commission, not the Sports Commission. We all know that Hollywood movies are all documentaries, filmed in real life combat conditions.

Quote from: Bill;665517Some people of course do have real combat experience. But I do not.

Nor do I want any. And if I did, I wouldn't be playing roleplaying games to get it.

Quote from: taustin;665540In my experience, that is not generally a successful tactic in a battle between space ships. YMMV, of course.

I dunno, a 4kg sword shot from a railgun at 2500km/sec has the destructive equivalent of close to 3 kilotons of TNT.

Traveller, with physics FTW.

Quote from: jeff37923;665553Traveller, with physics FTW.

In space, no-one can hear you scribble.

Quote from: jeff37923;665553I dunno, a 4kg sword shot from a railgun at 2500km/sec has the destructive equivalent of close to 3 kilotons of TNT.

I suspect 4 kg of u-238 would be even more entertaining, though. Plus, he didn't say "I fire my sword at him at relativistic speeds," he said "I want to hit him with my sword." Ships are always her.

Quote from: jeff37923;665553Traveller, with physics FTW.

Dude, that's just wrong. And by wrong, I don't mean "incorrect," I mean morally wrong. Sinful. You'll be punished in your next life for even thinking it. There's a special place in Hell for people like you. Unfortunately, it's probably a management position.

Quote from: taustin;665540In my experience, that is not generally a successful tactic in a battle between space ships. YMMV, of course.

This makes me think of good space opera, with swashbucklers on spaceships. Pretty much Star Wars.

Quote from: Koltar;665398Why are people going on and on about boardgames, miniatures games (like Starfleet Battles), and wargames - when the title of the thread clearly says :...most Complicated RPG You ever Played...?

Just Curious.

- Ed C.

Well, if we're comparing RPGs to Star Fleet Battles, I never actually played the original Prime Directive, but it looked complicated enough.

JG

Quote from: jeff37923;665553I dunno, a 4kg sword shot from a railgun at 2500km/sec has the destructive equivalent of close to 3 kilotons of TNT.

Traveller, with physics FTW.

"Isaac Newton is the deadliest son-of-a-bitch in space."

Quote from: James Gillen;665683"Isaac Newton is the deadliest son-of-a-bitch in space."

Mind == Fuckin' Blown

Quote from: Brad;665654This makes me think of good space opera, with swashbucklers on spaceships. Pretty much Star Wars.

Star Wars is, in fact, an classic example of a space opera movie. And, yes, a good one.

Quote from: James Gillen;665683"Isaac Newton is the deadliest son-of-a-bitch in space."

Especially when fired out of a rail gun at 2500km/sec.

Quote from: taustin;665614I suspect 4 kg of u-238 would be even more entertaining, though. Plus, he didn't say "I fire my sword at him at relativistic speeds," he said "I want to hit him with my sword." Ships are always her.

2500 km/sec isn't considered relativistic speed. For that you would have to be travelling at least 30,000 km/sec (10% C). At that speed, that same 4kg sword impacts with the energy equivalent of 430.21 kilotons of TNT.

Using U238 instead of iron doesn't matter at that speed. The U238 will not detonate on its own without a constructed implosion trigger to create a prompt critical reaction. I also don't think that Uranium is magnetic, but I'd have to check.

Admiral Foley, of the Naval Review and Annapolis Instructor fame has remarked on naming ships in the feminine:

Quote from: Admiral FoleyShips are referred to as "she" because men love them, but this encompasses far more than just that. Man-o'-war or merchantman, there can be a great deal of bustle about her as well as a gang of men on deck, particularly if she is slim-waisted, well-stacked, and has an inviting superstructure. It is not so much her initial cost as it is her upkeep that makes you wonder where you founder.

She is greatly admired when freshly painted and all decked out to emphasize her cardinal points. If an aircraft carrier, she will look in a mirror when about to be arrested, and will wave you off if she feels you are sinking too low or a little too high, day or night. She will not hangar around with duds, but will light you off and launch you into the wild blue yonder when you muster a full head of steam.

Even a submarine reveals her topsides returning to port, heads straight for the buoys, knows her pier, and gets her breast-lines out promptly if she is single-screwed. On departure, no ship leaves port asleep, she always leaves awake. She may not mind her helm or answer to the old man when the going gets rough, and can be expected to kick up her heels on a family squall.A ship costs a lot to dress, sometimes blows a bit of smoke, and requires periodic overhauls to extend her useful life.

Some have a cute fantail, others are heavy in the stern, but all have double-bottoms which demand attention. When meeting head-on, sound a recognition signal; whistle! If she does not answer up, come about and start laying alongside, but watch to see if her ship is slowing . . . perhaps her slip is showing? Then proceed with caution until danger of collision is over and you can fathom how much latitude she will allow.

If she does not remain on an even keel, let things ride, feel your way, and do not cross the line until you determine weather the "do" point is right for a prolonged blast. Get the feel of the helm, stay on the right tact, keep her so, and she will pay off handsomely. If she is in the roaring forties, however, you may be in the dangerous semi-circle, so do not expect much "luff," especially under bare poles. She may think you are not under command or control and shove off.

If she edges aweigh, keep her steady as she goes, but do not sink into the doldrums. Just remember that "to furnish a ship requireth much trouble, but to furnish a woman the cost is double!"

The Admiral isn't very politically correct....

Quote from: taustin;665614Dude, that's just wrong. And by wrong, I don't mean "incorrect," I mean morally wrong. Sinful. You'll be punished in your next life for even thinking it. There's a special place in Hell for people like you. Unfortunately, it's probably a management position.

During the Mongoose Traveller demo at Free RPG Day, I explained some of Traveller's heavy ordinance. When I got to Meson Guns, one Player grabbed his head and melodrammatically declared, "Oh, fuck! Traveller kills people with science!"

I think Exalted, the layout was just horrid and made it too complicated to run to me, so I got rid of it.