Re: Battle for the Lytherian astroid

    Regarding the range discrepancy: How about allowing larger weapons to
use the ammunition of smaller weapons with a resultant increase in range to
make up for the difference in mass.  For example, a light catapult can use
light missiles while a medium catapult may launch medium missiles at normal
range or light missiles at greater than normal range.  This would be a
simple fix without making the rules too complicated.  The only question
would be how much of a bonus to give an engine for using a smaller missile.
A +1 range adjustment for each step down in missile size would equalize the
ranges for catapults and jettisons while a +2 range adjustment would be
necessary for ballistae.  A larger adjustment could be provided if the GM
wished to make the larger weapons more destructive.  Any thoughts?
    Regarding scro and orc tactics: I have a simple solution to this--don't
stereotype.  I have always tried to avoid the image of humanoids as simple
enemies (low intelligence, savage, unhygenic, and of course, evil).  I don't
blindly follow MM stats, instead rating all humanoids as classes, just as I
do for humans and demi-humans.  There are smart, highly organized orcs and
stupid barbaric ones.  In my campaign, the scro are simply a political and
religious organization whose race happens to be orcish.  I know this doesn't
jive with TSR, but it certainly leads to more interesting campaigns when PCs
can't just point at one race and know that they're automatically enemies.
    Regarding "national fighting characteristics": These characteristics are
simply generalizations due to tactics developed to take advantage of local
terrain and resources.  Some social stigma may interfere as well, but none
of this means that they are unable to adapt to other situations.  Note,
however, that in a fantasy game such things may be possible due to highly
differing physiology or thought patterns.  Creating such a race would take
some work and would have to be used consistently to be effective.  There
would also have to be some explanation on how the race managed to evolve so
far without having to be adaptable to new situations.

John McCloud
jmccloud@????????.???.net