43 minutes ago, Dafydd said:

The Lambda isn't really a dedicated cargo shuttle. It's a multi-purpose vessel that can be reconfigured for as a small cargo hauler, passenger shuttle, VIP transport or even a troop lander. Even in full cargo mode, it isn't really big enough to warrant a full-time loadmaster.

It can carry more than many light freighters, especially if no passengers are carried. Of the roles you mention for it to fill, all would benefit from a loadmaster or steward.

Well Light Freighters often aren't really optimized for cargo capacity.

I mean, just take a YT-1300. They are not optimized at all for cargo carrying. There are 3 cargo holds, one of which can only be accessed by walking through the main hallways, and their total space is only about maybe 1/4 of the interior space of the ship. You can't roll a Forklift or any large(like Semi-truck sized) containers into the ship.

Heck, simply reorganizing the interior so it had one big cargo hold instead of 3 small ones would greatly improve efficiency.

Light Freighters are basically the SUVs of Star Wars. They can carry some cargo, they can carry some passengers, they can carry a decent weapon compliment. They can even do all 3 of these simultaneously. But they are not particularly good at any of these things. So they are ideal for your typical party, but they're not anywhere near as good as a ship dedicated to cargo hauling, transporting passengers, or combat.

The Lambda shuttle might not have as much total space, but it is more efficiently laid out so it can carry bigger items.

A big problem with the Encumbrance system is that it doesn't distinguish between the Physical dimensions of an object and its Weight. It would have been better if they had simply given the dimensions of the various holds, as well as the access ports to those holds. And also given a total gross weight capacity.

Because its kinda silly that technically the Millenium Falcon can only carry 22.5 Heavy Blaster Rifles before it's carrying capacity is maxed out. When in reality, 22 heavy blaster rifles would only be a couple medium sized crates which weigh maybe 150kg total. Realistically, a YT-1300 should be able to haul at least 1200-1500 heavy blaster rifles, even just based on weight alone.

I'm sure there's rules somewhere for packing items in crates rather than loose, but I think they're in a sidebar somewhere and so are a bugger to search for.

I think the packing rules were a podcast suggestion n not a gray box in the books.

1 minute ago, 2P51 said:

I think the packing rules were a podcast suggestion n not a gray box in the books.

There are also the TARDIS-like boxes called Specimen Containers that are in Enter the Unknown. One of them can hold 15 EC internally (in stasis no less!) and only takes up 5 EC.

On 8/5/2018 at 2:29 PM, BadMotivator said:

Truthfully the ship rules are a little broken when you try to get crunchy with them.

That's like saying Harvey was a little wet

Quote

I mean, just take a YT-1300. They are not optimized at all for cargo carrying. There are 3 cargo holds, one of which can only be accessed by walking through the main hallways, and their total space is only about maybe 1/4 of the interior space of the ship. You can't roll a Forklift or any large(like Semi-truck sized) containers into the ship.

Perhaps I am wrong but as I understand it, the number for cargo the YT-1300 can carry refers only to the cargo qty. stored inside the ship. Bigger Cargo is meant to be pushed.