Autoduel Vehicles
by Arthur Samuels
Autoduel, 2nd Edition has a nice selection of sample vehicles. However, who doesn't want more? Presented here is a set of duelling vehicles -- one for each of the common Divisions, an extra one for Amateur Night, and a high-end recreational camper.
All duelling vehicles have the following characteristics: TL 8; Occupancy: short; Passengers: None. No cargo or empty space. They all carry a short-range communicator and a compact fire suppression system (HT 6). They all have clear ablative armor windows (the ones with metal armor have small windows). If using the "Vision" rules on p. VE25, all vehicles are considered to have "Fair" visibility. All have an operating time of 60 minutes and a minimum Top Speed of 90 MPH, to comply with AADA regulations. They all have Ram Plates.
A "Targeting Computer" is a small dedicated computer running the Targeting program. Costs $1200, weighs 1 pound, takes up 0.02 cf. It gives a +4 to hit.
Note that the published damage ratings for most of the rockets in Autoduel, 2nd Edition on page 105 are incorrect. They were designed using TL8 HEAT and HEDP statistics; however, the world of Autoduel has reached only TL7 in the field of HEAT ammo. Here are the revised values:
25mm Mini Rocket:
3d(5) [2d] (as in the book).
40mm Light Rocket:
4d+3(5) [4d].
45mm Medium Rocket:
9d(5) [4d].
50mm Heavy Rocket:
5dx3(5) [4d].
60mm Super Rocket:
6dx6(5) [4d].
And Now, Camelot Motors Presents Its 2053 Line
Division 5 Trike
"The Squire"
This is a typical Amateur Night vehicle. Available in 3 and 4-wheel versions. It carries a 10mm MG in a turret, and a 25mm micro-missile launcher Bo (can be placed in any facing, but is usually in the Front).
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (3), Full-Rotation Turret.
Propulsion: 20 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 5).
Weapons: 10mm MG (Tu F) with 400 rounds; 25mm MML (Bo F) with 10 HEDP rockets.
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization for both weapons.
Controls: Electronic.
Crew stations: Driver runs all systems from cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 72000 KWS HCSB. Powers drivetrain for 60 minutes (HT 5).
Access space: 1.52 cf.
Volume: Body 24 cf; Turret 0.54 cf; Wheels 2.4 cf. Surface Areas: Body 50 sf; Turret 4 sf; Wheels 11 sf; Total 65 sf.
Structure: Light Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Hit Points: Body 38; Turret 3; Wheels 5 each.
Armor: Cheap ablative.
BoF: PD 4 DR 240
TuF: PD 4 DR 240
BoR: PD 4 DR 120
TuR: PD 4 DR 140
BoL: PD 4 DR 120
TuL: PD 4 DR 140
BoB: PD 4 DR 180
TuB: PD 5 DR 140
BoT: PD 4 DR 20
TuT: PD 4 DR 60
BoU: PD 4 DR 40
Wheels: PD 4 DR 20
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 40Surface Features: Ram Plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 861 lbs (0.43 tons); Loaded Weight 1061 lbs (0.53 tons). Volume 27 cf. Size Modifier +1. Price $4578. HT 12.
Ground Performance: Speed 100 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.5; gSR 2. High GP; 1/6 OR speed.
Can also be made into a (very small) four-wheeled car (nicknamed "The Go-Kart Squire"). The only changes are:
Wheel HP 4 each. GMR 1.25; gSR 3.
Division 5 Trike
"The Barbecue Squire"
Here is the Flamethrower-equipped variation. Note that the extra cost/weight of putting full stabilization on the heavy flamethrower meant losing the MML -- as a compensation the turret is sloped. Pick your shots carefully! Remember, just because these two vehicles have fire-suppression systems doesn't mean every vehicle will -- especially in Division 5 . . .
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (3), Full-Rotation Turret.
Propulsion: 18 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 5).
Weapons: Flamethrower (Tu F).
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization for flamethrower.
Controls: Electronic.
Crew stations: Driver runs all systems from cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 64800 KWS HCSB. Powers drivetrain for 60 minutes (HT 4).
Access space: 1.4 cf.
Volume: Body 25 cf; Turret 2.4 cf; Wheels 2.5 cf. Surface Areas: Body 51 sf; Turret 11 sf; Wheels 11 sf; Total 73 sf.
Structure: Light Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Hit Points: Body 38; Turret 8; Wheels 6 each.
Armor: Cheap ablative.
BoF: PD 4 DR 300
TuF: PD 4 DR 250
BoR: PD 4 DR 160
TuR: PD 4 DR 150
BoL: PD 4 DR 160
TuL: PD 4 DR 150
BoB: PD 4 DR 200
TuB: PD 4 DR 150
BoT: PD 4 DR 40
TuT: PD 4 DR 50
BoU: PD 4 DR 40
Wheels: PD 4 DR 20
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 40Surface Features: Ram Plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 971 lbs (0.49 tons); Loaded Weight 1171 lbs (0.59 tons). Volume 32 cf. Size Modifier +2. Price $4768. HT 11.
Ground Performance: Speed 90 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.5; gSR 2. High GP; 1/6 OR speed.
Four-wheeled version. The only changes are:
Wheel HP 4 each. GMR 1.25; gSR 3.
Division 10 Car
"Excalibur"
The Excalibur carries a high-capacity Vulcan MG (with enough ammo for 20 seconds of continuous fire) and two layers of armor -- metal over ablative. This makes it tough when facing those low-caliber, high ROF weapons like machine guns, but you have to be extra careful when facing HEAT ammo -- one good shot can punch right through!
Show them who the once and future king of the circuit is -- when you draw the Excalibur!
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (4), Full-Rotation Turret.
Features: Body has 60 degrees slope on its Front and 30 degrees on its Back facing. Turret has 60 degrees slope on its Front facing and 30 degrees slope on R, L and B.
Propulsion: 30 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 6).
Weapons: 10mm VMG (TuF) with 640 rounds; 45mm Rocket Launcher (Bo F) with 10 HEAT rockets.
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization and cyberslaves for both weapons.
Instruments and Electronics: Targeting computer.
Controls: Electronic
Crew stations: Driver operates all systems from a cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 108,000 KWS HCSB. Powers drivetrain for 60 minutes (HT 6).
Access space: 2.1 cf.
Volume: Body 37 cf; Turret 1.8 cf; Wheels 3.7 cf. Surface Areas: Body 67 sf; Turret 8.8 sf; Wheels 14 sf; Total 90 sf.
Structure: Light Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Structural Options: Radial Tires.
Hit Points: Body 50; Turret 7; Wheels 5 each.
Armor: Cheap metal over cheap ablative.
BoF: PD 6 DR 60/300
TuF: PD 6 DR 60/300
BoR: PD 4 DR 20/100
TuR: PD 5 DR 30/150
BoL: PD 4 DR 20/100
TuL: PD 5 DR 30/150
BoB: PD 5 DR 45/225
TuB: PD 5 DR 30/150
BoT: PD 3 DR 10/50
TuT: PD 3 DR 10/50
BoU: PD 4 DR 10/50
Wheels: PD 2 DR 5/25
Wheelguards: PD 3 DR 10/50Surface Features: Ram plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 1612 lbs (0.81 tons); Loaded Weight 1812 lbs (0.91 tons). Volume 42 cf. Size Modifier +2. Price $9781. HT 10.
Ground Performance: Speed 90 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.25; gSR 4.
High GP; 1/6 OR speed.
Division 15 Car
"Falcon"
The Falcon carries the powerful Heavy Machine Gun (statistics for it at the end of the description). It has improved suspension, radial tires, and all-wheel steering, to be nimble as a cat. Who will be driving circles around the competition? You will . . . in a Falcon!
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (4), Full-Rotation Turret.
Features: Turret has 150 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on R, L, and B) and body has 90 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on B).
Propulsion: 55 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 8).
Weapons: 13mm HMG* (TuF) with 400 rounds; 45mm Rocket Launcher (Bo F) with 10 HEAT rockets.
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization and cyberslaves for both weapons.
Instruments and Electronics: Targeting computer.
Controls: Electronic.
Crew stations: Driver operates all systems in a cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 198,000 KWS HCSB. Powers drivetrain for 60 minutes (HT 9).
Access space: 3.5 cf.
Volume: Body 41 cf; Turret 2.5 cf; Wheels 4.1 cf. Surface Areas: Body 72 sf; Turret 11 sf; Wheels 15 sf; Total 98 sf.
Structure: Medium Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Structural Options: All-wheel steering, radial tires, improved suspension.
Hit Points: Body 110; Turret 17; Wheels 12 each.
Armor: Standard metal over standard ablative.
BoF: PD 6 DR 120/600
TuF: PD 6 DR 100/500
BoR: PD 4 DR 50/250
TuR: PD 5 DR 75/375
BoL: PD 4 DR 50/250
TuL: PD 5 DR 75/375
BoB: PD 5 DR 90/450
TuB: PD 5 DR 60/300
BoT: PD 3 DR 10/50
TuT: PD 3 DR 10/50
BoU: PD 3 DR 10/50
Wheels: PD 3 DR 10/50
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 20/100Surface Features: Ram plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 3158 lbs (1.58 tons); Loaded Weight 3358 lbs (1.68 tons). Volume 48 cf. Size Modifier +2. Price $14,449. HT 11.
Ground Performance: Speed 105 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.75; gSR 5. Very High GP; 1/8 OR speed.
* Heavy Machine Gun 13mm. Damage 6d×2. SS 20; Acc 13; 1/2D 1000; Max 4800. RoF 20. Empty Weight 29. Cost $1600. WPS 0.14; CPS 0.56.
Division 20 Car
"Lacelot"
The Lancelot carries the new Light Autocannon (LAC). You're ready to win the favors of the lovely maiden -- driving a Lancelot!
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (4), Full-Rotation Turret.
Features: Turret has 150 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on R, L, and B) and body has 90 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on B).
Propulsion: 45 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 7).
Weapons: 20mm LAC (TuF) with 400 rounds (HT 7); 45mm Rocket Launcher (Bo F) with 5 HEAT rockets.
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization and cyberslaves for both weapons.
Instruments and Electronics: Targeting computer.
Controls: Electronic.
Crew stations: Driver operates all systems in a cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 162000 KWS HCSB Powers drivetrain for 60 minutes (HT 7).
Access space: 2.9 cf.
Volume: Body 40 cf; Turret 5.7 cf; Wheels 4.1 cf. Surface Areas: Body 70 sf; Turret 19 sf; Wheels 15 sf; Total 104 sf.
Structure: Medium Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Structural Options: Radial Tires.
Hit Points: Body 110; Turret 29; Wheels 11 each.
Armor: Cheap fireproof ablative
BoF: PD 6 DR 800
TuF: PD 6 DR 600
BoR: PD 4 DR 300
TuR: PD 5 DR 450
BoL: PD 4 DR 300
TuL: PD 5 DR 450
BoB: PD 5 DR 600
TuB: PD 5 DR 450
BoT: PD 4 DR 50
TuT: PD 4 DR 50
BoU: PD 4 DR 50
Wheels: PD 4 DR 50
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 100Surface Features: Ram plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 2645 lbs (1.32 tons); Loaded Weight 2845 lbs (1.42 tons). Volume 50 cf. Size Modifier +2. Price $19,296. HT 12.
Ground Performance: Speed 90 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.25; gSR 4. Very High GP; 1/8 OR speed.
* Light Autocannon 20mm. Damage 6dx3. SS 20; Acc 14; 1/2D 1300; Max 5500. RoF 20. Empty Weight 68. Cost $7600. WPS 0.26; CPS 1.
Division 25 Car
"Black Knight"
The Black Knight mounts the powerful 50mm Recoilless Rifle. It has a gunner to get the most out of its solitary weapon. Note that the weapon does not have a cyberslave; it's just too expensive on a weapon that heavy.
The crew of the Black Knight should pick their shots carefully, and the driver needs to work closely with the gunner to set up targets of opportunity -- they can't take those cyberslaved snap shots like most other drivers can, but their shots will punch through a lot of armor and do internal damage.
Note that the entire vehicle uses Expensive Laminate Ablative armor, so its DR is doubled against anyone else using shaped-charge munitions.
None shall pass you -- in a Black Knight!
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (4), Full-Rotation Turret.
Features: Turret has 150 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on R, L, and B) and body has 90 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on B).
Propulsion: 45 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 7).
Weapons: 50mm Recoilless Rifle (TuF) with 20 HEAT rounds (HT 15).
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization for RR.
Instruments and Electronics: Targeting computer at Gunner station.
Controls: Electronic.
Crew stations: Driver operates vehicle controls in a cramped crew station (Bo); Gunner operates weapon in a cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver and Gunner.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 162,000 KWS HCSB. Powers drivetrain for 60 minutes (HT 8).
Access space: 2.9 cf.
Volume: Body 68 cf; Turret 9.3 cf; Wheels 6.8 cf. Surface Areas: Body 100 sf; Turret 27 sf; Wheels 22 sf; Total 149 sf.
Structure: Light Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Structural Options: Improved Suspension; Radial Tires.
Hit Points: Body 75; Turret 20; Wheels 8 each.
Armor: Expensive laminate ablative.
BoF: PD 6 DR 800
TuF: PD 6 DR 800
BoR: PD 4 DR 300
TuR: PD 5 DR 525
BoL: PD 4 DR 300
TuL: PD 5 DR 525
BoB: PD 5 DR 600
TuB: PD 5 DR 525
BoT: PD 4 DR 50
TuT: PD 4 DR 50
BoU: PD 4 DR 50
Wheels: PD 4 DR 50
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 100Surface Features: Ram plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 2344 lbs (1.17 tons); Loaded Weight 2744 lbs (1.37 tons). Volume 84 cf. Size Modifier +2. Price $23,515. HT 10.
Ground Performance: Speed 105 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.5; gSR 5. High GP; 1/6 OR speed.
Division 30
"Merlin"
The last of the Division-play vehicles, the Merlin mounts an alternate version of the standard Laser. (It doesn't do a prime number of dice, so players can roll reasonable numbers of dice with a multiplier.)
Command the powers of light -- with the magic of the Merlin!
Subassemblies: Standard Wheels (4), Full-Rotation Turret.
Features: Turret has 150 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on R, L, and B) and body has 90 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on B).
Propulsion: 45 KW wheeled drivetrain (HT 7).
Weapons: Laser* (TuF) (HT 8).
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization and cyberslave for Laser.
Instruments and Electronics: Targeting computer.
Controls: Electronic.
Crew stations: Driver operates all systems in a cramped crew station (Bo).
Crew: Driver.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 300,000 KWS HCSB. Powers drivetrain for 111 minutes (1.85 hours) (HT 12). Each laser shot reduces operating time by 52 seconds. A burst at full ROF drains just about 6.5 minutes of operating time. Can fire 14 bursts at full RoF, leaving over three minutes operating time for the drivetrain (long enough for almost any conceivable duel).
Access space: 4.3 cf.
Volume: Body 44 cf; Turret 6.0 cf; Wheels 4.4 cf. Surface Areas: Body 75 sf; Turret 20 sf; Wheels 16 sf; Total 111 sf.
Structure: Medium Frame, Very Cheap materials.
Structural Options: Improved Suspension; Radial Tires.
Hit Points: Body 110; Turret 30; Wheels 12 each.
Armor:
BoF: PD 6 DR 1400
TuF: PD 6 DR 1200
BoR: PD 4 DR 500
TuR: PD 5 DR 675
BoL: PD 4 DR 500
TuL: PD 5 DR 675
BoB: PD 5 DR 900
TuB: PD 5 DR 675
BoT: PD 4 DR 50
TuT: PD 4 DR 50
BoU: PD 4 DR 50
Wheels: PD 4 DR 75
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 150Surface Features: Ram plate.
Statistics: Empty Weight 2567 lbs (1.28 tons); Loaded Weight 2767 lbs (1.38 tons). Volume 54 cf. Size Modifier +2. Price $28,881. HT 12.
Ground Performance: Speed 105 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 10; gMR 1.5; gSR 5. Very High GP; 1/8 OR speed.
Laser: 1300 KJ; 6dx3; RoF 8; SS20; Acc 18; 1/2D 1800; Max 3600; Wgt 72 lbs; $11,000. Consumes 2600 KWS per shot (20,800 KW to fire at full RoF).
The Happy Camper
Finally, to round out the selection with a non-arena vehicle: this is a top-end camper. It is suitable for a retired successful professional duellist who wants a vehicle to get away from it all. It can be mostly self-sufficient in a pinch with its solar panel and lasers, although the rockets are expensive to replace and it is much easier and faster to get a recharge.
If the GM is feeling generous, the PCs can stumble upon this vehicle after its original owner mysteriously disappears (they find the camper, a campsite, and some clues about what happened to the original owner -- will they try to find out what happened or just take the camper and run?). If the GM wants to complicate things, the clone of the original owner can show up with proof of ownership! What exactly are the salvage rights in a case like that? Who is going to enforce them?
The IR laser and SALH rockets (and launcher) are new: statistics at the end of the writeup.
Subassemblies: Off-Road Wheels (4), Full-Rotation Pop Turret.
Features: Turret has 150 degrees slope (60 on F, 30 on R, L, and B) and body has 30 degrees slope on F.
Propulsion: 200 KW all-wheel-drive wheeled drivetrain (HT 21).
Weapons: IR Laser* (TuF). 50mm SALH Rocket Launcher* (BoF) with 10 rockets
Weapon Accessories: Full-stabilization, universal mount, and cyberslave for Laser.
Instruments and Electronics: Targeting computer; Standard communicator; minicomputer and 2 terminals; navigation instruments; GPS; HUDWACs for both crew stations; Radar/Laser detector; Sound System. 4 mile PESA and 2 mile AESA in turret. AESA draws 1 KW of power -- approximately three hours of continuous use drains one minute worth of range.
Miscellaneous Equipment: Compact fire suppression system; 200 square foot retractable solar panel on super-light frame(HT 4, generates 8 KW).
Controls: Computerized.
Crew stations: Driver and Gunner operate vehicle systems in roomy crew stations (Bo). Since the controls are computerized, either station can operate any system. NBC kit rated for occupancy of five.
Accommodations: Bunk (100 cf).
Crew: Driver and Gunner. In a pinch, a passenger could ride in the bunk. You could pack two in that bunk, but it would be pretty cozy.
Power System: None. Energy Bank: 4,000,000 KWS Rechargeable Power Cell. Powers drivetrain for 5.56 hours (HT 16). Each laser burst at full RoF drains 104 seconds worth of operating time.
Access space: 12 cf. Empty space: none. Cargo space: 40 cf.
Volume: Body 290 cf; Turret 8.4 cf; Wheels 58 cf. Surface Areas: Body 260 sf; Turret 25 sf; Wheels 90 sf; Total 375 sf.
Structure: Medium Frame, Expensive materials, Responsive structure.
Structural Options: All-wheel steering, improved suspension, improved brakes, smartwheels.
Hit Points: Body 400; Turret 37; Wheels 68 each.
Armor: Standard laminate over expensive fireproof laminate ablative. PD 4 DR 50/200 on body and turret (PD 6 DR 100/400 on TuF; PD 5 DR 75/300 on TuR, TuL, TuB, and BoF). PD 4 DR 20/50 on wheels; PD 4 DR 40/100 wheelguards.
BoF: PD 5 DR 120/480
TuF: PD 6 DR 200/800
BoR: PD 4 DR 50/200
TuR: PD 5 DR 60/240
BoL: PD 4 DR 50/200
TuL: PD 5 DR 60/240
BoB: PD 4 DR 70/280
TuB: PD 5 DR 60/240
BoT: PD 4 DR 30/120
TuT: PD 4 DR 30/120
BoU: PD 4 DR 20/80
Wheels: PD 4 DR 20/50
Wheelguards: PD 4 DR 40/100Surface Features: Ram plate, sealed.
Statistics: Empty Weight 10,955 lbs (5.5 tons); Loaded Weight 12,155 lbs (6.1 tons). Volume 356 cf. Size Modifier +4. Price $348,569 plus computer software. HT 11.
Ground Performance: Speed 110 MPH; gAccel 5; gDecel 20; gMR 2.0; gSR 5. Moderate GP; 1/4 OR speed (25 MPH).
Water Performance: Will float (Flotation 17,107). wThrust 440 lbs; Speed 5 MPH; wAccel 0.7; wMR 0.75; wSR 5; wDecel 10.
IR Laser: 1300 KJ. RoF 8. Dmg 6dx3. SS 20; Acc 18; 1/2D 1500; Max 3100. Wgt 72 lbs. Cost $11,000. Energy per shot: 2600 KWS. A full burst drains 20,800 KWS.
50mm SALH rocket launcher: RoF 1. Rating 10 lbs. SS 17. $940. Weight 25 lbs.
50mm SALH rocket: HEDP Damage: 8dx2(5)[4d]. HE Damage: 7dx10. Speed 200. End 17. Max 3400. No 1/2D or Max since they are guided. WPS 10. CPS $1400. Skill 12.
Article publication date: February 7, 2003
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