[TML] Expanding the turret selection.

[Laning]

   I have had similar thoughts to yours Evyn, and have further explored 
the turret possibilities using MegaTraveller rules.  Don't wince, I was 
one of those who was so thoroughly versed in CT Book 5 (1st & 2nd 
editions), that almost all of the MegaTraveller errata for shipbuilding 
had just seemed blindingly obvious to me.  Thus, as soon as MT was 
published, I could use the rules quite well since I "knew what they 
meant to say".  It has remained my favorite rules set for shipbuilding.

   Using MT, it became obvious that a TL 15 ship could pack a whole lot 
of weapons into one 5t mount if it really wanted to.  This was much less 
true of the weapons that only first become available at TL 14 or 15, but 
for lasers, missiles, and sandcasters, it's impressive.  I am more than 
half convinced that the game designers actually wanted to make it 
possible for enterprising players to start wringing more value out of 
the turrets belonging to their characters' ships.  It can lead to much 
more individualized ships, which is probably desirable.  It also makes 
it possible for the players' group to even up the odds a bit in 
David-vs-Goliath fights.  But only if the player characters have been 
sinking ever more resources into upgunning their ship when opportunity 
permitted.  In other words, it could serve as a very useful money sink 
for referees inclined to run their Traveller games that way.  (Most of 
them.)

   The rules never state a cap on the maximum amount of energy allowed 
for one turret, nor even hint at such a thing.  However, an argument for 
it seems reasonable enough since the number can get rather spectacular.

   This is the first post I've read on this thread.  Now I'll go on to 
see what others have had to say.  I took the gamble that this wouldn't 
be merely an echo of something already said.

--Laning
"Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will 
do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone." 
-John Maynard Keynes