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| | [[Future Imperfect|Back to Main Page]]<br> | | [[Future Imperfect|Back to Main Page]]<br> |
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| − | =Equipment Reliability= | + | =A Note on Economies= |
| − | All equipment will be rated for reliability, on a scale of (from most to least reliable) Very Reliable, Reliable, Fragile and Experimental (V-> R-> F-> E). If a letter appears in the breakdown section of the card, check to see if a breakdown or mishap occurs.
| + | The costs listed in this manual all assume a similar marketplace. These costs are likely ''not'' accurate across disparate cultures, especially those which span wildly different tech levels and economic systems. For archaic items, the costs are based on a "modern" economy. In archaic economies, where those items are state of the art, their costs would be much, much higher, similar to the cost of comparable modern weapons. |
| | | | |
| − | To determine if a mishap is possible, check the broken wrench portion of the action card, below armor penetration and above the clock face. If no letter appears, there is no effect. If a letter appears, check if it is either the same or to the left of the given reliability rating. If so, a breakdown is indicated. The exception is the V<nowiki>*</nowiki> card. If that card is drawn, and the equipment being used is very reliable, shuffle that card back into the deck (including all discarded cards, but nothing from the hands of the Master or Crew in play) and draw again. If that card is drawn again, there is a breakdown.
| + | Likewise, "futuristic" items might have an extremely inflated cost. In a tech 5 culture, given the right skill one could conceivably net millions for a fusion pistol. |
| | | | |
| − | ==Catastrophic Breakdown==
| + | Future Imperfect is a game of intentionally flexible (some may say ambiguous) scope. Depending on the nature of the adventures on which the Crew embarks, the handling of money (in the form of credits) could vary widely from game to game. |
| − | Most breakdowns are of the mundane type, such as a weapon jam or a loose wire. If, however, the V<nowiki>*</nowiki> is drawn and the equipment being used is not very reliable, reshuffle and draw again as indicated above. If the card drawn in this extra draw would indicate a breakdown for the equipment being used, then a catastrophic breakdown has occurred. Consult the appropriate table or use Master discretion to determine the effect. Very reliable items never suffer catastrophic breakdown.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | =Armor=
| + | [[Future Imperfect - Economics]] |
| − | [[image:Armor-energy.JPG]] | + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''TECH/9 BSU BELT SCREEN UNIT''': The BSU/9 is a small forcescreen
| + | =Tech Levels= |
| − | generator about the size of several packages of cigarettes and
| + | What follows is a rough approximation of the items available at each tech level. |
| − | is worn on the belt, It generates a standard screen capable
| + | |
| − | of defending against projectiles and energy weapons. Mass = 1
| + | |
| − | kg. Powercell = 6 hr. continuous operation.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | [[image:Armor-flexible.JPG]]
| + | TL 1: Simple machines and tools such as atlatl or knife.<br> |
| | + | TL 2: Forged sword. <br> |
| | + | TL 3: Crossbows and abacus.<br> |
| | + | TL 4: First gunpowder weapons.<br> |
| | + | TL 5: 19th to early 20th century items.<br> |
| | + | TL 6: Current technological levels. <br> |
| | + | TL 7: Genetic engineering, full automation. Lasers, early space travel. Primitive TISA and FTL drives. <br> |
| | + | TL 8: Fusion weapons. Blasters, gauss weapons. Robotic automatons. <br> |
| | + | TL 9: Advanced artificial intelligence.<br> |
| | + | TL 10: Computer self-awareness. <br> |
| | + | TL 11: Partially fucking crazy shit I probably dreamed but forgot. <br> |
| | + | TL 12: Totally fucking crazy shit I havent dreamed up yet. <br> |
| | | | |
| − | '''ARCHAIC ARMOR:''' All early forms of armor protection (pre-
| + | ==Alternate Tech Levels== |
| − | Tech/5) are included in this grouping. Hide, leather, and cloth
| + | Many items change over time, and continue to be staples in economies even after they cease to be modern. Today we have calculators, just like those that cost hundreds of dollars in the 1970s, but now they are more functional, cheaper and smaller. |
| − | armor also includes everyday garments made of such
| + | |
| − | material which are reasonably thick. Heavy fur coats, for
| + | |
| − | instance, are equivalent to Coat/1 hide armor. Similarly, heavy
| + | |
| − | winter cloth coats could be classed as roughly equivalent to
| + | |
| − | quilted cloth armor. Such protection can be obtained in early
| + | |
| − | cultures or may be manufactured to order in advanced
| + | |
| − | societies.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA LIGHT BODY ARMOR:''' LBA is personal armor designed to
| + | It should be assumed that you can buy items of lower or higher tech level than listed. In some cases (such as computers, below) options will be provided. In others, Master discretion will determine the differences. |
| − | protect the torso and abdomen from small arms fire and
| + | |
| − | sometimes from edged weapons in early Tech/5-6 versions.
| + | |
| − | Later models also provide protection against energy fire. Early
| + | |
| − | types are comparable to the rather bulky and heavy ‘bullet
| + | |
| − | proof vests’ and flak jackets of the 20th century on Terra. With
| + | |
| − | Tech/7 technology, a widespread use of lightweight synthetic
| + | |
| − | fibers like Kevlar made fairly compact and effective body
| + | |
| − | armor a possibility.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA/1''' is equivalent to the bullet-proof vest, made of nylon
| + | Some guidelines: When purchasing a technology earlier (generally 1 TL) than it is normally available, assume it costs 10x as much (if being purchased in an economy of the lower tech level), its size would be 1.5-10x as large (or heavy) and the reliability would be F or E. |
| − | reinforced with titanium steel plates. <br>
| + | |
| − | '''LBA/2''' is equivalent to the standard flak vest of the 1940s-1950s,
| + | |
| − | made of ballistic nylon.<br>
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA/3''' is an early Kevlar model, reinforced with ceramic or light
| + | <I>Sid Scorpio is trapped in a remote cantina on Denebola IV, a TL 6 planet, but he knows his only chance of escape is making it to the StarPort, where the Chain Lightning is moored. After doing some schmoozing, he finds word of a scientist who claims to have produced a laser pistol. Great! He loves those. Knowing the level of tech on this planet, he can expect to barter around 10,000 credits worth of goods, and get a 2 kg (approximately) hulk of a handgun. But not only that, it will likely be E reliability, because it is literally experimental. </I> |
| − | metal plates.<br>
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA/4''' is an improved Kevlar
| + | ===Improved Technology=== |
| − | model, reinforced with plates
| + | When buying an item from a culture which enjoys a higher TL than where the item it is generally available, the changes are much less drastic. The cost will be about 85-90% of normal. This is for purchasing a TL 7 item from a TL 8 culture. The item is functionally no different than the standard TL 7 version. |
| − | of high tensile strength alloy.<br> | + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA/5''' is a Nemourelon ballistic
| + | Buying a higher tech version of the same item is slightly different. Items such as this will generally cost 25-50% more than the standard version. No game traits will be altered except the TL (which will improve performance of some items inherently). Upgrading an item 2 TL will increase the cost at least 200%. This is only possible of the given TL of the item does not exist, and must always use the highest tech version of the item as the baseline standard. For example, there are already TL 6 and 7 slugthrowers, so a TL 5 slugthrower cannot be upgraded in this manner. However, you can upgrade a TL 7 slugthrower to TL 8, with a light pistol costing 250-300 credits. |
| − | cloth model, reinforced with
| + | |
| − | light, strong plates of
| + | |
| − | Titanallay and rather resistant
| + | |
| − | to energy fire.<br> | + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA/6''' is an improved
| + | Besides the higher tech level, these improved items also may be more aesthetically pleasing, lighter or heavier (whichever is preferred) and could possible integrate more types of functionality and technology (hey, guess what, my phone has a camera on it!). Be creative! |
| − | Nemourelon model coated
| + | |
| − | with Insular to yield improved
| + | |
| − | anti-energy protection.<br>
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''LBA/7''' is a model of woven
| + | ===Customized Items=== |
| − | Durallay coated with Insular to
| + | Some items may be purchased with custom functionality. Want a laser rifle that folds up to fit into a backpack? How about a multi-vision visor built in to a set of normal sunglasses? These items can be acquired. In some cases, at Master discretion, they may require a higher TL to produce. Remember that we have only gone up 1 TL since the 1940s, and our cell phones have more computing power than the supercomputers that took up entire floors in those days. And yet, our cars are not nearly as upgraded. Sure, they are orders of magnitude more comfortable, and offer greater fuel efficiency and performance, but your grandfather's little deuce coupe could do pretty well against most modern cars in straight line speed. Technology changes in very different ways across disparate machines. |
| − | yield good anti-energy
| + | |
| − | protection.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | [[image:Armor-rigid.JPG]]
| + | It would be impossible to describe all possible equipment modifications. The Master will need to use discretion to keep the game universe balanced with what is available from culture to culture. When designing new and modified equipment, keep the core principles of gear in mind: gear doesn't do stuff on it's own, heroes do stuff. Gear helps heroes do stuff ''better''. And also, if the Heroes can get it, so can the villains...and vice versa. |
| | | | |
| − | '''CBA COMBAT BODY ARMOR:''' All CBA is personal combat
| + | =Equipment Reliability= |
| − | armor designed to protect the entire body under battlefield
| + | All equipment will be rated for reliability, with lower integers being more reliable. If the wrench in the breakdown section is broken, a number also appears. This number is checked against the breakdown value of the equipment to see if a breakdown or mishap occurs. If the breakdown number is equal to or greater than the device's reliability, then consult the appropriate breakdown table (or use Master's discretion). |
| − | conditions. Some forms utilize a cuirass similar to the LBA types,
| + | |
| − | with a lighter armor protecting the arms and legs. Helmets are
| + | |
| − | also included, but these can be purchased separately at about
| + | |
| − | CR 25 plus 10% of the cost of the whole unit.
| + | |
| − | All CBA units have the possibility for optional features to be built
| + | |
| − | in at added cost:
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | Sealed Armor: For CR 1000, the armor is sealed against the
| + | The exception is the 1<nowiki>*</nowiki> card. If that card is drawn, and the equipment being used has a reliability of 1, shuffle that card back into the deck (including all discarded cards, but nothing from the hands of the Master or Crew in play) and draw again. If that card is drawn again, there is a breakdown. |
| − | outside environment, effectively converting it into an armored
| + | |
| − | pressure suit proof against toxic gases and liquids,
| + | |
| − | law pressure conditions, etc. Like support and
| + | |
| − | breathing apparatus must be purchased separately.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | Rad Shielding: For CR 750 per rad factor, CBA can
| + | ==Catastrophic Breakdown== |
| − | be shielded to the levels indicated in the tables
| + | Most breakdowns are of the mundane type, such as a weapon jam or a loose wire. If, however, the 1<nowiki>*</nowiki> is drawn and the equipment being used is not reliability 1, reshuffle and draw again as indicated above. If the card drawn in this extra draw would indicate a breakdown for the equipment being used, then a catastrophic breakdown has occurred. Consult the appropriate table or use Master discretion to determine the effect. Very reliable items never suffer catastrophic breakdown. |
| − | below. The mass of the unit is Increased by +2 kg
| + | |
| − | per rad factor of protection.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Other equipment-com gear, vision aids, jump packs, etc, can
| + | |
| − | be added at additional expense, It should be noted that the
| + | |
| − | overall mass of the armor will quickly increase as optional
| + | |
| − | features are installed and battle efficiency will eventually be
| + | |
| − | impaired by overloading.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''PAPA POWER ASSISTED PERSONAL ARMOR:''' Some of the earliest
| + | |
| − | forms of Power Armor to appear in science fiction are the
| + | |
| − | battle armor types in ‘Doc’ Smith’s Lensman series. Robert A
| + | |
| − | Heinlein’s Starship Troopers and Joe Haldeman’s Forever War
| + | |
| − | provide more recent and detailed examples. Power Armor is a
| + | |
| − | heavily armored exoskeleton employing servomechanisms to
| + | |
| − | magnify the wearer’s strength. The result is that the CAP
| + | |
| − | (Combat Armor, Powered) Trooper becomes, in essence, a
| + | |
| − | one-man tank. Since the PAPA unit itself provides the power for
| + | |
| − | normal actions, with the wearer providing control rather than
| + | |
| − | ‘muscle,’ heavy activity can be performed for a considerable
| + | |
| − | period of time before the wearer becomes fatigued. When the
| + | |
| − | powercell is exhausted, the wearer will be unable to move the
| + | |
| − | suit by himself.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | All PAPA units should be considered as armored vacuum suits
| + | |
| − | or armored space suits with mech strength. It is fully self-contained,
| + | |
| − | with electrically powered life support systems
| + | |
| − | capable of operation for up to 5 times the period indicated if
| + | |
| − | the suit powercell is replaced or recharged. Life support systems
| + | |
| − | include a heating/cooling unit to maintain livable conditions
| + | |
| − | inside the suit in all environments, waste reclamation of recycle
| + | |
| − | water and dehydrate solid wastes, air purifiers and a 4-hr.
| + | |
| − | emergency oxygen tank, self-sealing system to close hole and
| + | |
| − | leaks (some units have ‘nipper’ joints which can completely
| + | |
| − | close points on the limbs when sections are totally blown away,
| + | |
| − | while cauterizing the end of an amputated arm or leg), and
| + | |
| − | food and water for designed suit duration (5x powercell
| + | |
| − | duration). Food is in the form of concentrated ration pellets,
| + | |
| − | while water is recycled except for a 2 liter emergency tank.
| + | |
| − | Power Armor divides into 3 basic classifications: Scout,
| + | |
| − | Marauder, and Assault BattleArmour. Scout PAPA units are
| + | |
| − | typically used as ‘light’ reconnaissance armor by the military.
| + | |
| − | Civilians may be able to obtain Scout armor as well. A degree
| + | |
| − | of protection is sacrificed in the general interest of speed and
| + | |
| − | endurance. Marauder armor is standard BattleArmor typically
| + | |
| − | issued to Mobile Infantry. Assault BattleArmor is extra-heavy
| + | |
| − | Power Armor developed for very specialized use by the Terran
| + | |
| − | SpaceForces and the IPA. Armor protection in such Units may
| + | |
| − | attain heavy tank levels. However, Assault PAPA units are
| + | |
| − | exceedingly costly and therefore will never be encountered as
| + | |
| − | general issue items.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Model: The type of armor. <br>
| + | |
| − | TL: Tech Level <br>
| + | |
| − | Material: The type of material the armor is crafted from. <br>
| + | |
| − | Impact: Armor value versus impact weapons. <br>
| + | |
| − | Pierce/Slash: Armor value versus piercing and slashing weapons. <br>
| + | |
| − | Energy: Armor value versus energy weapons. <br>
| + | |
| − | Type: The armor classification (Flexible, Rigid, Energy)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | =Ranged Weapons= | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Tech Level 5==
| + | |
| − | [[image:TL5-weapons.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Tech/5 firearms represent a further increase in general
| + | |
| − | performance of small arms. Ranges of most rifles have
| + | |
| − | increased, while many accept clip ammunition. A good range
| + | |
| − | of handguns will be available, all of them double-action
| + | |
| − | weapons with an excellent rate of fire. Military arms evidence a
| + | |
| − | significant number of fully automatic weapons.
| + | |
| − | While the civilian rifles and pistols largely speak for themselves,
| + | |
| − | the military weapons deserve some comment. The standard
| + | |
| − | infantry arm is the semi-automatic M-1 rifle, while the M-4
| + | |
| − | carbine is a light, fully automatic weapon designed for use by
| + | |
| − | officers, etc. Both will accept a bayonet. The machine pistol is a
| + | |
| − | mini-submachine gun derived from the 9mm pistol. The SMGs
| + | |
| − | are modelled after the Schmeisser and the Thompson. The | + | |
| − | Thompson .45 can also accept a 50c. The LMG or light machine
| + | |
| − | gun is comparable to the U.S. BAR or the British Bren. When fired
| + | |
| − | with bipod support, it has LMG range. Fired from the hip or
| + | |
| − | shoulder, it has only an effective R.2 rifle range. The MMG
| + | |
| − | medium machine gun and HMG heavy machine gun must be
| + | |
| − | mounted on tripods or TE/Mech mounts. Tripods include vehicle
| + | |
| − | pedestal/post mounts as well as actual tripods used for field
| + | |
| − | mounts. The TE/Mech mount is a traversing and elevation mount
| + | |
| − | or else a coaxial mounting in a weapon turret. Such mounts
| + | |
| − | confer certain benefits with respect to accuracy over long
| + | |
| − | range.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Tech Level 6==
| + | |
| − | [[image:TL6-weapons.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Tech/6 civilian weapons differ little from those of Tech/5. However, Military small arms have improved considerably.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The SAR or semi-automatic rifle is the standard infantry
| + | |
| − | arm in Tech/6 cultures. It is fitted with a shoulder sling,
| + | |
| − | accepts a bayonet, and can be fitted with Scope sights,
| + | |
| − | infra-red visors, night visors, and other specialized
| + | |
| − | sighting equipment. It has a 30-round clip (30c) which
| + | |
| − | can be inserted beneath the weapon to the front of the
| + | |
| − | pistol grip/trigger guard. Reloading can be
| + | |
| − | accomplished in 1 combat turn, and a rifleman with
| + | |
| − | expertise/8-10 can even fire 1-2 shots as well in the same
| + | |
| − | turn. Automatic rifles (ACR) are merely the fully
| + | |
| − | automatic version of the SAR and can fire in bursts of up
| + | |
| − | to 10 rounds in a combat turn. Assault rifles are
| + | |
| − | shortened versions of the ACR, combining the lightness
| + | |
| − | of the SMG with some of the accuracy of the carbine.
| + | |
| − | The weapons these types are modelled after are the FN
| + | |
| − | FAL. 7.62 and M-14 semi-automatic rifles, The FN Fal 7.62
| + | |
| − | and M-14 automatic combat rifles, the AK-47 and M-16
| + | |
| − | assault rifles, while the SMG is the Israeli ‘Uzi.’ The LMG is
| + | |
| − | a modified automatic rifle, bipod stabilized and having
| + | |
| − | a receiver for belt ammunition. The MMG it a NATO 7.62mm
| + | |
| − | automatic support weapon, while the HMG is an improved .50
| + | |
| − | cal. with ranging machinegun long-range fire capabilities.
| + | |
| − | The Magnum handguns represent the latest in heavy revolver
| + | |
| − | and automatic side arms. The AutoMag ranges are increased
| + | |
| − | somewhat over actual performance to. reflect an improved
| + | |
| − | weapon which does reach current target pistol accuracy.
| + | |
| − | These become standard military and police issue in the later
| + | |
| − | part of a Tech/7 development period.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Tech/6 civilian weapons differ little from those of Tech/5.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Tech Level 7==
| + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Slugthrowers.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Tech/7 firearms represent the farthest advance in the
| + | |
| − | development of the traditional small arm. Virtually all the rifle
| + | |
| − | and carbine types are on the fully automatic rifle
| + | |
| − | model and bear a close resemblance to the Tech/6
| + | |
| − | military weapons. The pistols are capable of delivering
| + | |
| − | a considerable amount of hitting power and have
| + | |
| − | excellent range and penetration power:
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Gauss.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The ‘Recoilless’ rocket-firing weapons are Tech/7 descendants
| + | |
| − | of such experimental guns as the Gyrojet rifles and pistols
| + | |
| − | developed on Terra during the middle of the 20th century. The
| + | |
| − | ammo consists of small, spin-stabilized rocket rounds which
| + | |
| − | gather speed as they accelerate away from the muzzle of the
| + | |
| − | weapon.
| + | |
| − | Recoilless weapons have the advantages of ‘no kick’ or recoil,
| + | |
| − | while the slugs themselves will attain very high .velocities and
| + | |
| − | deliver excellent hitting power against the target once the shells
| + | |
| − | have reached full velocity. A Recoilless weapon can be fired
| + | |
| − | under water (50% range divisions). Recoilless small arms have
| + | |
| − | enjoyed popularity as rocket shells are unaffected by smoke
| + | |
| − | and aerosols, which attenuate Laserfire. They do not drop off in
| + | |
| − | velocity, unlike slugs fired by cartridge weapons, because the
| + | |
| − | rockets fire throughout their flight. They continue in use in some
| + | |
| − | regular forces, numerous militias, and training units. Civilian use is
| + | |
| − | widespread in some areas. Long guns are sometimes referred to
| + | |
| − | as ‘Cone Rifles’ because of the generally conical shape of the
| + | |
| − | rocket rounds.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | All recoilless weapons will have a reduced penetration
| + | |
| − | capability at point-blank and short range because the rocket
| + | |
| − | rounds have not attained maximum velocity and are still
| + | |
| − | accelerating. The 20mm lnfR and 40mm InfR rocket shells
| + | |
| − | contain explosive charges, as these weapons are actually
| + | |
| − | automatic cannons which were expressly designed for anti-tank
| + | |
| − | and anti-aircraft fire. Infinite Repeaters actually put out a high
| + | |
| − | volume of fire and only ‘area’ autofire is possible against
| + | |
| − | infantry, while autofire is used to score hits on any vehicle
| + | |
| − | Because of their good underwater performance, they are often
| + | |
| − | mounted in submarines and submersibles as close range
| + | |
| − | offensive armament.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | One of the lines of weapon development led to the application
| + | |
| − | of the linear magnetic accelerator to accelerate non-metallic
| + | |
| − | slugs encased in discarding steel sabots to hypervelocity's,
| + | |
| − | often in excess of 5000m per second. The main thrust was
| + | |
| − | toward the development of heavy anti-tank cannon, but the
| + | |
| − | bipod heavy gauss anti-tank rifle was developed for use by
| + | |
| − | infantry. The gauss ‘rifle’ is clip-loaded with 20 hypervelocity
| + | |
| − | rounds. Each round contains a mini-cell which powers the
| + | |
| − | accelerator field, so it is unnecessary to provide a powercell
| + | |
| − | with the weapon itself.
| + | |
| − | Gauss weapons are exceedingly expensive and have a
| + | |
| − | somewhat slow rate of fire. However, they are devastating
| + | |
| − | against even well-armored infantry, and even a light tank is
| + | |
| − | not immune to its fire. The 20mm rounds can be obtained in
| + | |
| − | ‘solid-shot’ and ‘APDSV explosive’ form. (APDSV = armorpiercing-
| + | |
| − | discarding-sabot, hypervelocity round): A Tech/10
| + | |
| − | pistol version has been developed for the Terran Space-Forces,
| + | |
| − | but it is not available to civilians.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Laser.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Laser enjoyed a short period of dominance as the chief
| + | |
| − | battlefield weapon of late Tech/6 and early Tech/7 cultures
| + | |
| − | before it was replaced with the Blaster. However, it can
| + | |
| − | still be found in the armaments of many planetary
| + | |
| − | defense force militia units, especially on colony planets,
| + | |
| − | and it remains a very common civilian small arm.
| + | |
| − | Lasers suffered from a number of disadvantages. Smoke and
| + | |
| − | light-dispersing gases can attenuate laserfire. The amount a
| + | |
| − | laser beam is weakened depends on the type of smokes gas,
| + | |
| − | fog, or anti-laser aerosol the beam travels through to reach the
| + | |
| − | target.
| + | |
| − | The advantages of laser weapons almost outweigh the
| + | |
| − | disadvantages. Lasers are silent. The beams cannot be readily
| + | |
| − | detected unless it is dim or dark, or if there is dust or smoke in
| + | |
| − | the air to reflect a portion of the beam and so render them
| + | |
| − | visible to observers. Certain laser wavelengths are effective
| + | |
| − | under water (all range increments at 50%), which makes them
| + | |
| − | an effective submarine weapon. Their lack of recoil also makes
| + | |
| − | them a preferred weapon for combat in low pressure
| + | |
| − | atmospheres and airless conditions in low/null gravity fields. Because
| + | |
| − | it is inadvisable to fill spacecraft with smoke from anti-laser aerosol grenades, lasers remain a standard boarding
| + | |
| − | weapon.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Needlers.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ‘Needlers’ were developed as lightweight, ‘tamper-proof’
| + | |
| − | Tech/7 military weapons. Operated by a mechanical spring
| + | |
| − | device wound by hand or with a small but powerful torque
| + | |
| − | wrench supplied with the gun, the weapons are totally silent at
| + | |
| − | distances over 10m. Thus the position of the firer cannot usually
| + | |
| − | be determined by sound. All needle guns fire 3m flechettes at
| + | |
| − | high velocity which do surprising damage. The flechettes are
| + | |
| − | sharp-edged and spin furiously upon penetrating the target,
| + | |
| − | slashing through muscle, sinew, and even bone with awesome
| + | |
| − | violence. It is a popular hunting weapon in the colonies,
| + | |
| − | however, because it has fully automatic capabilities and is | + | |
| − | relatively inexpensive to operate. Thus colonial militias will
| + | |
| − | evidence a good number of such weapons. It is also an
| + | |
| − | excellent personal defense weapon.
| + | |
| − | Drugged and poisoned needles are available, but these will not
| + | |
| − | penetrate armor over class 4 (chain-mail equivalent). Thus
| + | |
| − | their use is restricted to ‘soft’ targets in limited or no armor. See
| + | |
| − | Chapter XX Poisons & Drugs for details.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Misc.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Shock Darts:''' Shock Darts are 5mm projectiles designed to impart an electric
| + | |
| − | and hydrostatic shock to the system of a victim. The Shock Dart
| + | |
| − | projector is itself a ‘hold-out’ weapon, usually disguised as some
| + | |
| − | innocent and functional personal item, such as a pen. Modified
| + | |
| − | Shock Darts are also available for Dart Guns. 100 darts mass
| + | |
| − | 500gm and cost CR 7.5 each. Shock Darts are available in late
| + | |
| − | Tech/7 and early Tech/8 cultures.
| + | |
| − | The range of a Shock Dart is only 5m (point-blank range), but it
| + | |
| − | can be affixed to a Dart Rifle round to a crossbow quarrel
| + | |
| − | (giving it the range of the appropriate weapon delivering it).
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Tanglers:''' The Tanglegun is a Tech/7 police weapon about the size and
| + | |
| − | general configuration of a SMG. It fires a burst of synthesilk fiber
| + | |
| − | which wraps around a target and effectively ties him up.
| + | |
| − | Synthesilk fiber cannot be snapped except by power armor
| + | |
| − | (one turn doing so) because of its strength, but will readily
| + | |
| − | ‘relax’ when a droplet of KMC is touched to a strand. A
| + | |
| − | Tanglegun ammo capsule can be fitted in one combat turn.
| + | |
| − | Tanglestrands will continue to constrict a victim as long as he
| + | |
| − | struggles, hugging tighter and tighter until no movement other
| + | |
| − | than breathing is possible. Normally, such restraint is non-lethal,
| + | |
| − | but a tangleround fired into a person’s mouth (a nasty trick
| + | |
| − | practiced by some planetary police forces in autocratic
| + | |
| − | cultures) will effectively strangle a victim because the
| + | |
| − | tanglestrand will react to the swallowing and gagging reaction,
| + | |
| − | forming a ball in the process which blocks the breathing
| + | |
| − | passage.
| + | |
| − | Tanglerounds must be aimed at the upper or lower body, so a
| + | |
| − | victim will either have his hands or his feet (or equivalent)
| + | |
| − | restrained. Large creatures and silicate beings will probably
| + | |
| − | require several rounds to restrain them. Amoeboid life forms can
| + | |
| − | ‘flow’ through the strands and are thus unaffected by them.
| + | |
| − | Synthesilk is heat-sensitive, and thus a low-setting on a laser,
| + | |
| − | Blaster, fusion gun, flamer, etc will readily melt the tanglestrands
| + | |
| − | and release a victim. However, the technique should be
| + | |
| − | restricted to personnel in armor protection classes C or higher.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Flamer.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-APRO.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | APROBDIF projectors are Anti-Robot Positronic Brain Disrupter
| + | |
| − | Field weapons used to disable the Positronic systems of robotic
| + | |
| − | and other forms of computer equipment. Thus the weapons
| + | |
| − | can be used to reduce the capacities of combat computers by
| + | |
| − | knocking out special HUD targeting bonuses and reducing the
| + | |
| − | computers to more-or-less standard functions. Combat use of
| + | |
| − | mini-computers and multi-computers is thus necessarily limited in
| + | |
| − | that personnel do not place full reliance on them and will resort
| + | |
| − | to the least vulnerable of all fire-control and general decision making
| + | |
| − | systems, namely the well-trained combatant.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | APRO weapons come in pistols, rifle, support weapon (MG),
| + | |
| − | heavy vehicle projector, and area defense generator versions.
| + | |
| − | All portable weapons and the heavy projector fire a beam of
| + | |
| − | positrons which disrupt the higher level ‘discretionary’ functions
| + | |
| − | of a Positronic brain,’ reducing it to a standard computer which
| + | |
| − | must be directed to perform actions which it previously could
| + | |
| − | decide for itself. In other words, a Robot affected by an APRO
| + | |
| − | hit will still function if direct control is taken by its controller
| + | |
| − | (‘Move 50m forward. Fire weapon at Target ‘X’. Assume prone
| + | |
| − | position. Five rounds grenade fire at bunker ‘V’. Assume
| + | |
| − | standing position. Withdraw at ‘A’ speed.’) In effect, a
| + | |
| − | controller will be able to operate only 1 unit per level of
| + | |
| − | expertise he possesses in Military Programming. etc. (See 5.12
| + | |
| − | Robots), and all bonuses for targeting, as well as all combat
| + | |
| − | ‘expertise’ possessed by the robotic equipment will be lost.
| + | |
| − | If an APRO penetration occurs, the functions of the Positronic | + | |
| − | brain will be affected in one of the following ways.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-Disruptors.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL7-SMD.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Disruptors are weapons which interfere with the normal
| + | |
| − | molecular resonation of matter;
| + | |
| − | Sonic Protein Disruptors are lethal versions of the sonic Stunner
| + | |
| − | and require identical conditions to be effective. The weapons
| + | |
| − | are effective against all hydrocarbon animal life forms but have
| + | |
| − | no effect against silicate,
| + | |
| − | cold planet, or other
| + | |
| − | ‘exotic’ life forms. Nor will
| + | |
| − | an SPD have any effect on
| + | |
| − | a metal or plastic target. | + | |
| − | They work only in
| + | |
| − | atmospheres over 250mm
| + | |
| − | pressure.
| + | |
| − | Sonic Metal Disrupters are
| + | |
| − | specifically designed to
| + | |
| − | disrupt the circuits and
| + | |
| − | servos of Robots, Power
| + | |
| − | Armor, and electrical
| + | |
| − | systems of lightly armored
| + | |
| − | or un-armored vehicles.
| + | |
| − | Upon a SMD penetration
| + | |
| − | occurring, there is a 25%
| + | |
| − | chance that the systems
| + | |
| − | will ‘go down’ temporarily
| + | |
| − | for 3d6 combat turns (18- | + | |
| − | 108 sec.) until internal
| + | |
| − | automatic resetting
| + | |
| − | interlocks can restore the affected systems to normal function.
| + | |
| − | Metal Disrupters will also affect silicate life in the same way that
| + | |
| − | SPDs affect hydrocarbon life forms. They have sonic weapon
| + | |
| − | limitations.
| + | |
| − | Energy Disrupters are beam projectors which combine all the
| + | |
| − | functions of SPDs and SMDs, with the added advantage that
| + | |
| − | they also affect cold planet and other ‘exotic’ life forms. When
| + | |
| − | autofired, they have the added advantage of producing the
| + | |
| − | equivalent of explosive effects if aimed at a single target (1 shot
| + | |
| − | only in this instance) will cause the target to ‘disintegrate’ if its
| + | |
| − | defensive capacity is exceeded. The ED weapons ‘phased’ to
| + | |
| − | the molecular resonation of the target, and thus the weapons | + | |
| − | are called ‘phasers’ in some starcultures. For an additional +25%
| + | |
| − | of cost, a Stunner setting can also be obtained. They are usable
| + | |
| − | in vacuum.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Tech Level 8==
| + | |
| − | [[image:TL8-Blasters.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The moment Blasters appeared, they began to replace the
| + | |
| − | Laser. Blasters fire a series of pulses of Nova-related energy (see
| + | |
| − | Nova Guns in the Space Combat section).
| + | |
| − | Blasters are unaffected by smoke, haze, fog, aerosols, etc.,
| + | |
| − | except insofar as such conditions affect the firer’s ability to see
| + | |
| − | his target. Blasters also create ‘fog’ when their beams hit
| + | |
| − | significant amounts of standing water (but not when firing
| + | |
| − | through mere fog or rain). When fired at flammable targets,
| + | |
| − | Blasters have a 5 to 20 chance of igniting flammable materials
| + | |
| − | and will create plenty of smoke.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Blasters have a limited range under water (10% range
| + | |
| − | increments) and comparable liquids. They have a slight but
| + | |
| − | significant recoil, so only EVA/5-10 personnel may employ them
| + | |
| − | in freefall without the possibility of ‘tumbling’ and other
| + | |
| − | unwanted effects. The beams are plainly visible in all conditions
| + | |
| − | as bolts of brilliant bluish-white or violet light. The position of a
| + | |
| − | firer can be determined quite readily, making mobility a
| + | |
| − | necessity. The Blaster emits a sound reminiscent of sharply torn
| + | |
| − | cloth blended with the whining scream of a ricocheting bullet.
| + | |
| − | Heavy weapons have the undulating howl of a banshee as the
| + | |
| − | pulse-bursts of. energy tear across the intervening distance to
| + | |
| − | the target.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Blasters are universally regarded as military
| + | |
| − | weapons, but in a universe in which most
| + | |
| − | spacefarers will serve as some form of naval
| + | |
| − | auxiliary or reserve force, the Blaster is fairly easy to
| + | |
| − | acquire. At the same time, many starcultures
| + | |
| − | frown upon possession of such destructive
| + | |
| − | weaponry by persons clearly not in the military or else
| + | |
| − | ‘approved’ as responsible citizens. In autocratic nations like the
| + | |
| − | Azuriach lmperium or the Galactic Peoples Republic, possession
| + | |
| − | of Blast weapons is a serious offence unless licensed by the
| + | |
| − | governing authority (a rarity).
| + | |
| − | Blast weapons come in pistol, carbine, rifle, and machine gun
| + | |
| − | versions.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL8-Fusion.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Fusion guns are advanced energy weapons related to the
| + | |
| − | Flamer and to the Blaster. They project an actively fusing
| + | |
| − | plasma which will splatter when the bolt hits, producing
| + | |
| − | secondary incendiary effects in the general vicinity when
| + | |
| − | autofired.
| + | |
| − | @The Fusion MG is a tripod-mounted support weapon, while the
| + | |
| − | Hv. Fusion Gun is a regular light, turret-mounted, vehicle
| + | |
| − | cannon.
| + | |
| − | Fusion weapons tend to be employed only by the Terran Union
| + | |
| − | or the Azuriach lmperium. Some AFV with 20mm Hv. Blasters
| + | |
| − | may substitute the 25mm Hv. Fusion Gun.
| + | |
| − | It should also be noted that the Fusion weapons produce hard
| + | |
| − | radiation (Rad Level) at the surface of the target hit by the
| + | |
| − | main bolt, but not the splatter. If a penetration occurs, this
| + | |
| − | radiation will affect the personnel inside the target, whether in
| + | |
| − | personal armor or in a vehicle. Armored personnel in a
| + | |
| − | vehicle may apply the armor protection against radiation to
| + | |
| − | defend against this hard radiation.
| + | |
| − | All Fusion weapons employ a powercell to energize their firing
| + | |
| − | systems. The capacity of the powercell is given in the ammo
| + | |
| − | column. All other specifications are as given for Laser
| + | |
| − | powercells in 6.15 Lasers.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL8-Stunners.JPG]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Stunners are Tech/7-8 weapons designed to incapacitate
| + | |
| − | rather than to injure or kill, Stun weapons come in a sonic and
| + | |
| − | an energy version. Sonic stunners will function only in an
| + | |
| − | atmosphere between 260mm and 300mm pressure. The sonic
| + | |
| − | vibration will also travel through water to other similar liquids for
| + | |
| − | up to 100m. Energy Stunners fire a beam and are capable of
| + | |
| − | functioning in low pressure and vacuum, but are ineffective
| + | |
| − | under water.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A weapon will have
| + | |
| − | 5 settings built in (custom order). The weapon is placed at the
| + | |
| − | desired stun setting and, upon penetration, has the same effect
| + | |
| − | as the corresponding effect, only the effect will take place
| + | |
| − | instantly. The standard antidote to a Stun beam is a charge with
| + | |
| − | the reverse setting.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[image:TL8-Stat_Rifle.JPG]]
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | The Stat rifle is a logical development of the Recoilless
| + | =Equipment Attributes= |
| − | rocket guns. The Stat ‘Penetrator’ is designed for
| + | Many types of equipment have attributes which describe the way they interact with the environment. Some of these attributes have given effects which are predefined. Many attributes can be invoked by players as necessary during the course of the game. In general, spending a bump on an attribute can trigger an effect defined by the player. See chapter XX Attributes. |
| − | maximum projectile penetration of armor using a low
| + | |
| − | velocity rocket shell with a shaped Viradex V explosive
| + | |
| − | charge. The +2500°C gasses produced by the Viradex
| + | |
| − | V detonation can effect a ‘burn through’ of the
| + | |
| − | armor. The Stat Rifle is, in effect, a re-chambered
| + | |
| − | heavy Cone Rifle using 15mm rocket rounds. Ammo
| + | |
| − | masses 3500gm per 100 rounds and costs CR 450.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | Note: Stat
| + | =Equipment Lists= |
| − | weapons are strictly military arms and rarely find their way into
| + | What follows are a set of sample equipment lists within a given consistent economy. The Master is free to design whatever equipment fits the universe of his game, or use what is provided. |
| − | civilian hands. They are available in Tech/8 cultures.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ==Tech Level 9==
| + | [[Future Imperfect - Weapons]] <br> |
| − | [[image:TL9-Disruptors.JPG]] | + | [[Future Imperfect - Armor]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Personal Locomotion]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Vehicles]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Computers]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Cybernetics]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Robots]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Starships]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Medical Supplies]] <br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Communications]]<br> |
| | + | [[Future Imperfect - Other Gear]] |
| | | | |
| − | ROF: Rate of fire. If selective fire, all modes are listed. <br>
| + | '''Game Designers Note:''' I really enjoy big equipment lists and lots of options. One thing that must not be forgotten, however, is that equipment does not move the story, players do. Even though we could legitimately expect to be able to create equipment, even in the pretty near future, that could automatically do a lot of what happens in the game, as players we should not expect, nor even want, such things. The reason is that in so doing the characters become superfluous, and instead of driving the story, they will steer it, or in a worst case, just be along for the ride. In a science fiction setting especially the Master and Crew should take great care to ensure that equipment is used to enhance what characters do, not to do in it's own right. |
| − | Ammo: The type of ammunition the weapon uses. <br>
| + | |
| − | TL: Tech Level <br>
| + | |
| − | PB: Point blank range, in meters. <br>
| + | |
| − | Short: Short range, in meters. <br>
| + | |
| − | Med: Medium range, in meters. <br>
| + | |
| − | Long: Long range, in meters. <br>
| + | |
| − | Ex: Extreme range, in meters. <br>
| + | |
| − | Pen: Penetration value of the weapon.
| + | |
The costs listed in this manual all assume a similar marketplace. These costs are likely not accurate across disparate cultures, especially those which span wildly different tech levels and economic systems. For archaic items, the costs are based on a "modern" economy. In archaic economies, where those items are state of the art, their costs would be much, much higher, similar to the cost of comparable modern weapons.
Likewise, "futuristic" items might have an extremely inflated cost. In a tech 5 culture, given the right skill one could conceivably net millions for a fusion pistol.
Future Imperfect is a game of intentionally flexible (some may say ambiguous) scope. Depending on the nature of the adventures on which the Crew embarks, the handling of money (in the form of credits) could vary widely from game to game.
What follows is a rough approximation of the items available at each tech level.
TL 1: Simple machines and tools such as atlatl or knife.
TL 2: Forged sword.
TL 3: Crossbows and abacus.
TL 4: First gunpowder weapons.
TL 5: 19th to early 20th century items.
TL 6: Current technological levels.
TL 7: Genetic engineering, full automation. Lasers, early space travel. Primitive TISA and FTL drives.
TL 8: Fusion weapons. Blasters, gauss weapons. Robotic automatons.
TL 9: Advanced artificial intelligence.
TL 10: Computer self-awareness.
TL 11: Partially fucking crazy shit I probably dreamed but forgot.
TL 12: Totally fucking crazy shit I havent dreamed up yet.
Many items change over time, and continue to be staples in economies even after they cease to be modern. Today we have calculators, just like those that cost hundreds of dollars in the 1970s, but now they are more functional, cheaper and smaller.
It should be assumed that you can buy items of lower or higher tech level than listed. In some cases (such as computers, below) options will be provided. In others, Master discretion will determine the differences.
Some guidelines: When purchasing a technology earlier (generally 1 TL) than it is normally available, assume it costs 10x as much (if being purchased in an economy of the lower tech level), its size would be 1.5-10x as large (or heavy) and the reliability would be F or E.
When buying an item from a culture which enjoys a higher TL than where the item it is generally available, the changes are much less drastic. The cost will be about 85-90% of normal. This is for purchasing a TL 7 item from a TL 8 culture. The item is functionally no different than the standard TL 7 version.
Buying a higher tech version of the same item is slightly different. Items such as this will generally cost 25-50% more than the standard version. No game traits will be altered except the TL (which will improve performance of some items inherently). Upgrading an item 2 TL will increase the cost at least 200%. This is only possible of the given TL of the item does not exist, and must always use the highest tech version of the item as the baseline standard. For example, there are already TL 6 and 7 slugthrowers, so a TL 5 slugthrower cannot be upgraded in this manner. However, you can upgrade a TL 7 slugthrower to TL 8, with a light pistol costing 250-300 credits.
Besides the higher tech level, these improved items also may be more aesthetically pleasing, lighter or heavier (whichever is preferred) and could possible integrate more types of functionality and technology (hey, guess what, my phone has a camera on it!). Be creative!
Some items may be purchased with custom functionality. Want a laser rifle that folds up to fit into a backpack? How about a multi-vision visor built in to a set of normal sunglasses? These items can be acquired. In some cases, at Master discretion, they may require a higher TL to produce. Remember that we have only gone up 1 TL since the 1940s, and our cell phones have more computing power than the supercomputers that took up entire floors in those days. And yet, our cars are not nearly as upgraded. Sure, they are orders of magnitude more comfortable, and offer greater fuel efficiency and performance, but your grandfather's little deuce coupe could do pretty well against most modern cars in straight line speed. Technology changes in very different ways across disparate machines.
It would be impossible to describe all possible equipment modifications. The Master will need to use discretion to keep the game universe balanced with what is available from culture to culture. When designing new and modified equipment, keep the core principles of gear in mind: gear doesn't do stuff on it's own, heroes do stuff. Gear helps heroes do stuff better. And also, if the Heroes can get it, so can the villains...and vice versa.
All equipment will be rated for reliability, with lower integers being more reliable. If the wrench in the breakdown section is broken, a number also appears. This number is checked against the breakdown value of the equipment to see if a breakdown or mishap occurs. If the breakdown number is equal to or greater than the device's reliability, then consult the appropriate breakdown table (or use Master's discretion).
The exception is the 1* card. If that card is drawn, and the equipment being used has a reliability of 1, shuffle that card back into the deck (including all discarded cards, but nothing from the hands of the Master or Crew in play) and draw again. If that card is drawn again, there is a breakdown.
Most breakdowns are of the mundane type, such as a weapon jam or a loose wire. If, however, the 1* is drawn and the equipment being used is not reliability 1, reshuffle and draw again as indicated above. If the card drawn in this extra draw would indicate a breakdown for the equipment being used, then a catastrophic breakdown has occurred. Consult the appropriate table or use Master discretion to determine the effect. Very reliable items never suffer catastrophic breakdown.
Many types of equipment have attributes which describe the way they interact with the environment. Some of these attributes have given effects which are predefined. Many attributes can be invoked by players as necessary during the course of the game. In general, spending a bump on an attribute can trigger an effect defined by the player. See chapter XX Attributes.
What follows are a set of sample equipment lists within a given consistent economy. The Master is free to design whatever equipment fits the universe of his game, or use what is provided.
