Gear: what happens when game and RL differ?

[cosmicfish]

If it is an issue of an incorrect number (like the masses and magnifications you noted) I go with the real number. As to the difference between the reality and the game abstraction (like the FOV and aircraft detection) I usually let those go simply because that is not what I want my games to be about.

And ArmySGT. is dead right, getting the real numbers can be all but impossible, can't blame authors for going with a best guess sometimes.

[Matt W]

Is the difference in description important to the players? If not, just leave the description in the rulebook.

If it is important, then the PD should make a ruling in accordance with the 3 rules of gaming.

Rule Zero: The PD task is to make the game fun for everybody.

Rule One: The PD is always right.

Rule Two: If the rulebook (or reality) seems to contradict the PD, see Rule One.

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by Matt W

Is the difference in description important to the players? If not, just leave the description in the rulebook.

If it is important, then the PD should make a ruling in accordance with the 3 rules of gaming.

Rule Zero: The PD task is to make the game fun for everybody.

Rule One: The PD is always right.

Rule Two: If the rulebook (or reality) seems to contradict the PD, see Rule One.

Rule Zero - Zero

IT IS A GAME!!!! Relax. Have fun.

My $0.02

Mike

[mmartin798]

Thanks for the replies. I do want to acknowledge those who say it is just a game and things like the AN/PPS-5 is just radar and all radar is pretty much the same except for range and portability. I get that and know that's good enough for many groups. I have player that are well read and love looking up specs. That is why I tend to nitpick the differences. The end result is just to enjoy the game, I do agree.

That being said and for those with players more in my camp, I think the book has the wrong radar listed as the AN/PPS-5. The range is way too short and the unit is way too light. The weight is right in line for an AN/PPS-4, though that only give range and does not give bearing information as it is a hand held radar unit. The illustration looks more like an AN/PPS-6 or AN/PPS-15. Add to that the detection range calculation based on MASS given in the description text and you are in the sweet spot for both of these units. The weight of the AN/PPS-6 and AN/PPS-15 is 15.9kg and 12kg respectively.

[nuke11]

What have your players used the PPS-5 for in the game? I never really found a good use for it as a Recon team, in fact never found a use for it that much at all.

[mmartin798]

There was one encounter where they were in a defensive position at a small community and used it to watch for activity from one of the roads leading in. One operator and they were able to get notification of a small group of the raiders trying to sneak in on them.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by nuke11

What have your players used the PPS-5 for in the game? I never really found a good use for it as a Recon team, in fact never found a use for it that much at all.

Got to agree, radar......we don't need no stinking radar!!!

Can't think of a single game when the radar was present that the players even bothered to unpack it. So why worry about it?

My buck fifty....

[ArmySGT.]

Use the radar for suspense and drama like the ranging units in "Aliens".

Ping.

Ping.


Ping, ping, ping.

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arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh