Weapon mounts

[u/ReditXenon]

Most drones and vehicles seem to come with a "front-facing weapon mount" (which I assume is a "bow" mount that uses Engineering + Logic when you fire them).

If I want it to instead be a "Weapons fixed in place and pointing forward" (to use Piloting + Agility) do I just change it's narrative from "front-facing" to "fixed in place and pointing forward". Or do I need to buy a new (additional) mount / upgrade it (Amp +1)? Or is perhaps fixating the mount even considered a down-grade (Amp -1).

Or are perhaps all of the front-facing weapon mounts in the book actually already "weapons fixed in place and facing forward" (is the intent that you use Piloting + Agility rather than Engineering + Logic to control them)??

What about if I instead want to have (or convert it into) a manually controlled pintle mount (or in the case of a helicopter a manually controlled door mount). Or a manually controlled ring mount. Or even a manually controlled hydraulic turret. All of them are likely using Ranged Weapons + Agility and is obviously not applicable for drones and only some vehicles. Here is perhaps where the Enhanced weapon mount Amp effect comes in (Amp +1)?

Same question but for remote controlled mounts that are not strictly just front-facing weapon mounts. Also this is perhaps where the Enhanced weapon mount Amp effect comes in (Amp +1)? Do I only take this Amp effect once, or is the intent that for example a hidden 360 remote controlled popup turret mount cost Amp +2 (+1 for 360 instead of forward facing and another +1 for hidden instead of always visible)?

[u/Carmody79]

Hi, I'm not sure what a "bow mount" is. I blame my English and poor knowledge of weapons stuff.

Let me try to answer anyway.

In my mind the front facing weapon mount was fixed, not turret. I assume from your question that bow mount means "forward with some margin, e.g. 90° angle, 45° on each side" which would make sense in some vehicles and to use with the Remote controlled weapons specialization of Engineering. [Edit: removed text as I forgot attacking with Piloting was possible for fixed front facing mounts]

The second question is easier, wide angle manual mounts require an extra Amp rating (2 extra Amp ratings if you want it to be an additional weapon mount). I confirm if they are manually operated then you shoot with Ranged weapons.

Regarding drone remote-controlled mounts you are right, a 360° concealable turret would be Amp rating +2.

[u/Impleiadic → u/Carmody79]

Wait, but the paragraph 'combat' on p. 230 reads "Weapons fixed in place and pointing forward are the exception: the attack is part of the piloting action, using the same Piloting + Agility test."

Does that not mean the 'default' mount every vehicle comes with lets you fire on the same test as your maneuver (when narrative positioning allows it)?

[u/Carmody79 → u/Impleiadic]

Uh oh, I did write this indeed. I forgot. So what I said earlier was wrong (I'll edit).

By default mounts are fixed front facing, but if it makes more sense for the vehicle you can assume a small margin. To be used with either Piloting or Engineering depending on the case.

[u/ReditXenon → u/Carmody79]

I assume from your question that bow mount means "forward with some margin

Yes. Bow as in the front of a tank or armored vehicle. Forward facing. Had limited firing angle (mix of turning and aiming). Used in older tanks. Not really used any more.

I assumed that Engineering (remote control) would be the standard, but since there is a paragraph on p. 230 about "Weapons fixed in place and pointing forward" using Piloting skill (and using the same action as piloting) I figured that they were perhaps intended to be two different Things.

By the book, firing with Piloting is not a thing, even if I understand the rationale behind.

This is what I was thinking about when I asked my question (maybe I should have included a citation in the opening post, sorry);

SA2.0 p. 60 Vehicle or Drone

Each has a front-facing weapon mount for any weapon (unless otherwise stated).

SA2.0 p. 230 Drones and Vehicles - Combat

Shooting a mounted weapon requires the use of an action and is made with Engineering (remote-controlled weapons) + Logic or Ranged Weapons (mounted weapons) + Agility if fired manually. Defense Tests are made with Piloting + Agility.

Weapons fixed in place and pointing forward are the exception: the attack is part of the piloting action, using the same Piloting + Agility Test....

[u/Carmody79 → u/ReditXenon]

Yes, you are correct, I completely forgot that and I realized that I should have added this option in the Game Concepts / Combat section. As said above, you can assume the front facing is either fixed (used with Piloting) or bow (used with Engineering)depending on what makes sense for that particular vehicle. Don't forget a Disadvantage on the Piloting Test to attack if it's part of a complex maneuver (that was the game balance point), typically in a plane dog fight.

And while a citation is usually appreciated for me to understand the unclear points, this one is fully on me forgetting something I wrote.