Attack

Mounted Weapons: Vehicle occu-
pants can attack with the vehicle’s
built-in weapons, provided they are
manning weapon stations. At TL6+,
many armed vehicles have targeting
systems (optical sights, radar, com-
puters, etc.) that add a bonus to the
gunner’s effective skill, just like a tel-
escopic sight. Most of these systems
only work if the gunner takes an Aim
maneuver. A good TL6 optical sight
might add +2 to skill. A typical TL7-8
system, with computerized laser- or
radar-directed fire control, would
give +3.
Ramming: The vehicle operator
can use the vehicle itself as a weapon;
see Collisions and Falls (p. 430).
Melee Attacks: If the vehicle has
arms or legs, the operator can use it to
punch, kick, grab, etc. as if it were an
extension of his body.
Handheld Weapons: The viability of
handheld weapons depends on the
vehicle and the situation. Shooters in
or on open vehicles, like jeeps and
motorcycles, can fire in almost any
direction. Occupants of enclosed vehi-
cles must shoot through or lean out of
an open window, door, hatch, port, or
firing slit. Shots fired through a glass
windscreen “star” it, rendering it
opaque; it takes a Ready maneuver to
clear away the broken glass. Shooting
through a window is unwise if the
vehicle is sealed, pressurized, or has
vacuum support – it may result in a
leak or explosive decompression!
If the operator fires a handheld
weapon, he must take a Move and
Attack maneuver. This gives him -2 to
hit or a penalty equal to his weapon’s
Bulk, whichever is worse – his atten-
tion is divided between driving and
shooting. Do not apply this penalty to
mounted weapon attacks, ramming
attempts, or vehicular melee attacks.