Many questions about steam powers, particularly rotor flight
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:32 pm
I’m somewhat confused about flying mechs and steampower rotor arms. A rotor arm is described as being able to provide lift for 40 lbs. (presumably its own weight of 10 lbs counts against this) at a speed of 40 ft. Non-flying creatures fly with clumsy maneuverability, but can spend 1 skill point to improve their maneuverability, up to good. Steam Warriors table 6-7 (page119) states that the speed should be 10 ft. (clumsy). Which is correct? Can characters spend skill points to improve their flight maneuverability with the other flight methods given on table 6-7? If so, is the limit “good”, or +3 categories?
Will a flywheel increase the speed of rotor-powered flight?
Can flying mechs/steam powers hustle (x2 move), run (x4 move)? The Monster Manual says creatures with natural flight can run if they fly in a straight line.
I assume the Falcon’s winged flight ability (mech manual 21) supersede table 6-7 where they may conflict. I do have a question about the falcon, however. A mech using winged flight must be clockwork-powered, but requires 5x normal fuel. Clockwork mechs consume negligible fuel, so this seems a strange restriction. Could a reasonable interpretation be that such a mech’s spring must be wound 5x as often?
Can mech weapons of personal scale (a personal buzzsaw for example) be mounted on an iron jacket? Oh, and I assume that iron jackets do not require metal legs in order to walk.
How much damage does an iron arm or hydraulic arm do with unarmed strikes?
A pilot light’s fuel source holds enough fuel for “10 shots”. This makes sense if the PL is combined with a pump to form a flamethrower, but what does it mean generally? Is a pilot light/pump flamethrower always on (presumably for 10 rounds) if it lacks a nozzle? Does the user of such a weapon make ranged touch attacks (like the Scorching Ray spell)?
Will a flywheel increase the speed of rotor-powered flight?
Can flying mechs/steam powers hustle (x2 move), run (x4 move)? The Monster Manual says creatures with natural flight can run if they fly in a straight line.
I assume the Falcon’s winged flight ability (mech manual 21) supersede table 6-7 where they may conflict. I do have a question about the falcon, however. A mech using winged flight must be clockwork-powered, but requires 5x normal fuel. Clockwork mechs consume negligible fuel, so this seems a strange restriction. Could a reasonable interpretation be that such a mech’s spring must be wound 5x as often?
Can mech weapons of personal scale (a personal buzzsaw for example) be mounted on an iron jacket? Oh, and I assume that iron jackets do not require metal legs in order to walk.
How much damage does an iron arm or hydraulic arm do with unarmed strikes?
A pilot light’s fuel source holds enough fuel for “10 shots”. This makes sense if the PL is combined with a pump to form a flamethrower, but what does it mean generally? Is a pilot light/pump flamethrower always on (presumably for 10 rounds) if it lacks a nozzle? Does the user of such a weapon make ranged touch attacks (like the Scorching Ray spell)?