Best vehicle/home/mobile base of operations

[Razzinold]

I know that this is very similar to the "What's your favourite vehicle thread". But I'm making this one a little more specific.
Now I have a couple of ideas in mind but I would like your guys thoughts/help. I need a vehicle for 2 -3 people that is a good combination of living space/work space to do some minor adventuring. I say minor so it doesn't need tons of mdc, tons of weapons, or possibly weapons at all.

They are being hired by Lazlo to basically follow a treasure map of sorts and do some relic hunting. So it's going to be a low-medium powered campaign

Any suggestions ? I'm open to any World Book (no dimensional stuff, unless they have established outposts on earth).

Thanks in advance.

[kaid]

I know that this is very similar to the "What's your favourite vehicle thread". But I'm making this one a little more specific.
Now I have a couple of ideas in mind but I would like your guys thoughts/help. I need a vehicle for 2 -3 people that is a good combination of living space/work space to do some minor adventuring. I say minor so it doesn't need tons of mdc, tons of weapons, or possibly weapons at all.

They are being hired by Lazlo to basically follow a treasure map of sorts and do some relic hunting. So it's going to be a low-medium powered campaign

Any suggestions ? I'm open to any World Book (no dimensional stuff, unless they have established outposts on earth).

Thanks in advance.

Mountaineer is a pretty good choice for entry level group moving vehicle with enough room in it to sleep most/all of the party.

Other common one used is converted APC either a black market coalition one or the triax/NGR ones.


Edit I forgot to add the best. The best is the behemoth that thing is a sexy RV with legs.

[Athos]

My favorite is the Mountaineer for general purpose vehicle, but it is too small to really "house" a group. I think it's cargo is only 8'x10' or something like that.

If you are allowed to go with any world book, then I would say the Novyet Explorer-Sku from Warlords of Russia, WB17, is the way to go.

[Razzinold]

Well since I am the GM I am allowing any world book to be used. I am supplying the group with a vehicle to use as their mobile home/base. I've always liked converting the ambulance from triax/ngr but I was looking for something different. It only really has to sleep two and have a small work station. The NPC grackle tooth will either sleep in the pilot cabin or in a hammock outside.
I was thinking of giving them the behemoth but I find the larger the vehicle, the more time players spend in it. I'm basically looking for something they can camp a few nights in (if they had too) plus some room for gear, found treasure and a chemistry set/computer work station.
I will check out the one from Russia when I get home and I'm in front of my books.

[Rockwolf66]

My favorite is the Mountaineer for general purpose vehicle, but it is too small to really "house" a group. I think it's cargo is only 8'x10' or something like that.

If you are allowed to go with any world book, then I would say the Novyet Explorer-Sku from Warlords of Russia, WB17, is the way to go.

They have a "Cargo" version of the Mountaineer for only $20,000 more than the base model. It has three times the cargo space in it. Since it's a conversion of a standard model I think they do so something like what they did with Nuclear attack subs at Mare island.

With the sub they took one class of Sub, cut it in half, slipped in a load of missile tubes and weilded it back together. The Weilders got to go on the shakedown cruise to maximum depth to make sure their wields were good.

With the mountaineer they most likely cut out the cargo floor, cut the rest of the Mountaineer in half, incert a longer cargo floor and extra wall and roof pannels and the weild it back together. The result is a cargo area almost big enough to get a pair of stripped down M113 APC inside(just inches too tall and wide).

[Giant2005]

Stick some Monster Truck wheels on a bus and you are good to go.

[Nightmask]

What about the WR-5054 Mini-Cargo Hauler APC from Triax? Or its larger version the WR-5050 Super Cargo Hauler APC? The 5050 in particular has a cargo area that can be outfitted as you list and has a separate compartment with all the basic amenities so as to not have to risk sleeping outside and being vulnerable to attack.

[Bill]

Big Bertha from revised sourcebook one has been well received by my group. It's basically a giant hover tractor-trailer rig from Northern Gun with all of the standard robot vehicle options, and it sleeps four.

[kaid]

If that sovietski Novyet Explorer-Sku is the one I am thinking of yes it is one of the nicer APC type vehicles for a group party bus. Some combat capability but mostly just a really good solid Vehicle with a decent enough living area in it for a small group to live in.

[Nekira Sudacne]

One group I played in made good use of the Triax moble medical center for a group transport. called it the M.A.S.H.

[Colonel_Tetsuya]

Stripped out/knocked off Mark V APC (without the weapons). Plenty of room to store stuff, doesn't carry overwhelming firepower, and plenty of space inside. Alternatively, if you dont want the PCs to be at risk of getting sidelined by the CS during an unlucky traffic stop cruising through CS territory, give the same treatment to the Leopard APC from Triax.

[MikelAmroni]

Well it's not in the books, but you could easily make a RV out of the cargo version of my Rhino-Buffalo vehicles: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=117264&p=2588629#p2568021
I haven't actually priced them yet, but it's looking like the price will be near that of a Iron maiden.

Our group on EU actually uses a Snow Leopard APC (Canada p. 190) - here's the internal layout: http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff24 ... Layout.jpg

The Iron Maiden APC (Iron Heart; page 111) is also a good one; They are specifically mentioned in the descriptions of some of the merc companies that they can be converted to RVs, with the weapons intact. Page 66 is just one example of this.

For rock bottom pricing, you can also go with the GAW M-113 Improved. For 80,000 credits you get a diesel engineAPC that can comfortably seat 24 heavy infantry or 14 power armor. Spend a little money converting it to electric (or if you have a mage, TK),

If you have Rifter 50 and 51, then have them create their own, or create one for them.
Using that, you could use this as a good way of deciding how much it takes to trick out any of the above: Sleep 4 with a kitchenette, shower, toilet, and water storage, purification, and recycling. 100,000 (25000 per bed; provides 15 MDC per bed to the camper area; +40 lbs total; 5000 credits for the standard family kitchen, with a table (folds up when not in use; +100 lbs), 1000 credits for a shower stall (+40 pounds), 1200 for the deluxe toilet that creates odorless sanitized bricks suitable for burning (20 lbs), and a 20 gallon water system costs 20,000 credits and adds 200 lbs. While we're at it, we can add that greatest of needs, an e-clip recharger (can charge 4 E-Clips at a time, takes 6 hours; 12,000 credits and 10 pounds). If you have a nuclear vehicle, you're set. if you have an electric or diesel engine, then you'll need a portable power generator (a 8 unit solar cell system should do nicely; 18,800 credits; built into the roof; 40 MDC plexi covering protecting the solar cells)

So the GAW M-113 would cost you 238,000 credits tricked out for camping/long trips. in comparison, the Iron Maiden costs 1 million for the gas version, or 1.3 million for the electric engine with no infantry weapons included. 14 million with a 15 year nuclear engine and full armaments, and that's before the 139,200 for the sleeper components as above (you don't need the extra generator with the nuclear option, 158,000 with the generator). A vehicle like the Snow Lion would cost 600,000 for the diesel or electric version, 1,600,000 for the nuclear version, and the living quarters for 8 only costs 30,000 on this vehicle. The GAW vehicle is hands down the cheapest.

[Zamion138]

the overly powerfull version is in naruni wave 2, they have an rv with a toilet and forcefields,

[Colonel_Tetsuya]

Electric engines can also (fairly cheaply) be converted over to TW engines, providing effectively unlimited range if you have a psychic or mage in the group.

[DhAkael]

the overly powerfull version is in naruni wave 2, they have an rv with a toilet and forcefields,

The Naruni Hover RV; which can be tricked out to the buyer's specifications (all extras at added cost). That is my fave-to-date.

The Behemoth is okay but I have never had a practical purpose for it in my games...yet.

I also like the Triax WR-5050 Cargo Hauler, with all the bells & whistles.

For multi-dimensional / space stuff, nothing beats the 'Typical Runner Ship'

[Athos]

Electric engines can also (fairly cheaply) be converted over to TW engines, providing effectively unlimited range if you have a psychic or mage in the group.

Good point. I love to convert electric engines to TW and run them with a call lightning iirc, it's a month or 1000 miles they go for one charge of 15 ppe.

[Akashic Soldier]

I currently use the Road Hammer Transport from Black Market with a few extra modifications from Triax 2.
I am in the process of saving up for a NG-EX Explorer for the team but they're very expensive.

[Subjugator]

I adore the MKV APC. Always have.

/Sub

[Rockwolf66]

Well it's not in the books, but you could easily make a RV out of the cargo version of my Rhino-Buffalo vehicles: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=117264&p=2588629#p2568021
I haven't actually priced them yet, but it's looking like the price will be near that of a Iron maiden.

Our group on EU actually uses a Snow Leopard APC (Canada p. 190) - here's the internal layout: http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff24 ... Layout.jpg

The Iron Maiden APC (Iron Heart; page 111) is also a good one; They are specifically mentioned in the descriptions of some of the merc companies that they can be converted to RVs, with the weapons intact. Page 66 is just one example of this.

For rock bottom pricing, you can also go with the GAW M-113 Improved. For 80,000 credits you get a diesel engineAPC that can comfortably seat 24 heavy infantry or 14 power armor. Spend a little money converting it to electric (or if you have a mage, TK),

If you have Rifter 50 and 51, then have them create their own, or create one for them.
Using that, you could use this as a good way of deciding how much it takes to trick out any of the above: Sleep 4 with a kitchenette, shower, toilet, and water storage, purification, and recycling. 100,000 (25000 per bed; provides 15 MDC per bed to the camper area; +40 lbs total; 5000 credits for the standard family kitchen, with a table (folds up when not in use; +100 lbs), 1000 credits for a shower stall (+40 pounds), 1200 for the deluxe toilet that creates odorless sanitized bricks suitable for burning (20 lbs), and a 20 gallon water system costs 20,000 credits and adds 200 lbs. While we're at it, we can add that greatest of needs, an e-clip recharger (can charge 4 E-Clips at a time, takes 6 hours; 12,000 credits and 10 pounds). If you have a nuclear vehicle, you're set. if you have an electric or diesel engine, then you'll need a portable power generator (a 8 unit solar cell system should do nicely; 18,800 credits; built into the roof; 40 MDC plexi covering protecting the solar cells)

So the GAW M-113 would cost you 238,000 credits tricked out for camping/long trips. in comparison, the Iron Maiden costs 1 million for the gas version, or 1.3 million for the electric engine with no infantry weapons included. 14 million with a 15 year nuclear engine and full armaments, and that's before the 139,200 for the sleeper components as above (you don't need the extra generator with the nuclear option, 158,000 with the generator). A vehicle like the Snow Lion would cost 600,000 for the diesel or electric version, 1,600,000 for the nuclear version, and the living quarters for 8 only costs 30,000 on this vehicle. The GAW vehicle is hands down the cheapest.

Unfortunatly the GAW M113 does not have the Volume to fit all of that inside it. Even with the extra five feet of lenght. Whoever wrote up that cargo description has no idea how crampt the M113 really is with a full load of troops. Simply put adding 1/3rd to the lenght of the vehicle does not give you the internal volume to double the number of troops.

[Razzinold]

Appreciate all the help guys, keep it coming. I have a lot of the books, but not black martket so I can't check out Gruiz's ride. I hope to get black market soon though

[MikelAmroni]

Unfortunatly the GAW M113 does not have the Volume to fit all of that inside it. Even with the extra five feet of lenght. Whoever wrote up that cargo description has no idea how crampt the M113 really is with a full load of troops. Simply put adding 1/3rd to the lenght of the vehicle does not give you the internal volume to double the number of troops.

I am going off the book stats. Right or wrong, they are something we all have access to. You can house rule from there.

[Faceless Dude]

Personal favorite is the reloader hover vehicle from free Quebec. It's hover, which has its own benefits. It's sturdy, can pack the gear that you would need for repairs and comes with its own eclip charger. Cannot be beat

[dragonfett]

What about the Triax MZ-10 Wilderness Crusader? It's on p. 138 of Triax/NGR.

Also there is the NG-EX Explorer, which, if it's the one that I am thinking of, is the one from Sourcebook 1: Revised and Expanded, just before it talks about the Big Bertha cargo hauler (which, if I may add, doesn't seem like it would be able to sleep more than one person, and even that would seem to be uncomfortable. They only attach to their cargo container much like big rigs do, which you could in theory turn that into living quarters and still have room for a kitchenette and a lab).

[Razzinold]

Well I decided to spoil them (since it is my 10 year old's first time ever playing) and I'm giving them the 12 million credit Naruni RV. Well technically it belongs to the city of Lazlo, they just get to borrow it. I am going to take the RV option that eliminates 6 of the 12 bedrooms to make a proper kitchen and lounge. Plus I would probably eliminate another room or so to make a lab/work station.

[Subjugator]

I once had Lyboc provide my players with a very nice, brand new Mk V APC to drive from Chi-Town to Juarez. They thought they had it made in the shade...nothing big happened on the way, and they pulled up to Juarez intact and happy. When they got there, they were directed to a big old garage. They got out of the APC and found themselves surrounded and arrested.

Lyboc stepped out, confiscated the drugs under the floor panels, chastised them, and said that drug smugglers made him sick.

He then sold the drugs, bribed the prosecution to bungle the case, and had them in his pocket to do whatever he wished.

/Sub

[Colonel_Tetsuya]

Juarez is in CS jurisdiction?

[Subjugator]

1. CS jurisdiction is wherever they say it is.
2. When you're part of the CS military, you're always in CS jurisdiction.

[Razzinold]

I once had Lyboc provide my players with a very nice, brand new Mk V APC to drive from Chi-Town to Juarez. They thought they had it made in the shade...nothing big happened on the way, and they pulled up to Juarez intact and happy. When they got there, they were directed to a big old garage. They got out of the APC and found themselves surrounded and arrested.

Lyboc stepped out, confiscated the drugs under the floor panels, chastised them, and said that drug smugglers made him sick.

He then sold the drugs, bribed the prosecution to bungle the case, and had them in his pocket to do whatever he wished.

/Sub

VERY nicely done sir!
First time out I don't think I'll be that sneaky, who knows about later though after she's had some time under her belt , I just figured that Lazlo owning the vehicle could justify the 12 million credit price tag for two 1st level characters.
Any repairs will be up to them to cover but it the vehicle cost and starting mods will be covered by Lazlo. I also haven't decided if it will be brand new or not, I wasn't thinking falling apart old, but perhaps a little less MDC maybe a few quirks/hiccups. Or I could just be really nice and make it brand new just rolled off the assembly line condition. I don't see it being a gamebreaker, this first game isn't going to be really combat heavy anyway.

[Akashic Soldier]

Appreciate all the help guys, keep it coming. I have a lot of the books, but not black martket so I can't check out Gruiz's ride. I hope to get black market soon though

Honestly, its just a big ass truck. One step down from the big burther. Nothing mind blowing but it does its job.

[kaid]

If you're feeling pretty ballsy, you can try to find a Coalition Death Head APC. It has more than enough room for a small to medium (3 to 7) man party with enough cargo left over for nearly a months worth of supplies. it is relatively fast, well armored, and has extremely powerful defences.
I.E. Parking it with two guys operating the weapon systems while the others deploy a perimiter can fend off one or two dragons. It's a little OP, however the extra heat that it brings by coalition soldiers wanting to recover it, and the mild distrust it invokes with other GM controlled NPCs balances it out.

A death head APC is awesome but the problem with them is its just to easy to skip past the adventure heheheh. They can fly so fast at such high altitude you kinda have to get cheesy if you are trying to set some specific adventure. If you are willing to just let them globe trot though its pretty amazing.

[Razzinold]

Basically the premise is they are leaving Lazlo on an expedition to find an ancient relic. They will have a map, of course it won't lead them straight to it what kind of fun would that be?, like a treasure map with clues and riddles, something along the lines of National Treasure/Indiana Jones. So they will be hopping around from place to place following the clues. Once they have find the place where it's hidden they will now have to make it through to the relic itself, past traps, puzzles etc.

As it is the vehicle I chose is going to attract attention, bandits will assume they are loaded because of the cost of the darn thing. So it will have to be guarded, I don't think they need the extra hassle of it being stolen Coalition property. As it is one player is a Rogue Scientist (high on the CS public enemy list) from Lazlo so that's strike 1, other players are D-bees so there's strikes 2 and 3 right there. Now imagine all that piled on top of being in possession of stolen CS Tech ? Technically speaking the CS should be trying to confiscate the vehicle as is because they hate Aliens (but I'm willing to overlook that for sake of smooth game play for now).

[Akashic Soldier]

Enhancer is right. If they're leaving Lazlo give them one of the transport barges (Federation of Magic). They're easy to fight on, a target for bandits, and very cool.