So the Ghostbusters used proton packs that basically grabbed the ghosts until they could slide the containment device under it. They push a button, and the ghost gets sucked into the device.
Why go through the trouble of having the proton packs that immobilize the ghosts? Why not just change their proton packs into a containment style weapon? That way they could simply aim at the ghost, fire, and suck it up into their packs.
I realize by asking this question I’ve entered a new level of geekdom.
[venkman]
It’s technical.
[/venkman]
or
[venkman]
Back off, man, I’m a scientist.
[/venkman]
or
[venkman]
We can cause more damage that way.
[/venkman]
My sense was that the temporary storage was easily done on a NiCad powered backpack suction unit. The long term storage was done in that uniquely designed Storage Grid, which apparently sucked up a lotta Con Ed’s finest.
[venkman]
Okay, I admit it. She’s a dog.
[/venkman]
What 'Toon said. The containment device can be used on its own (rember the jogger?) but combining it with the proton packs would require a massive amount of power. Those packs are powered by a mini-reactor so pack/containment devices for all four probably would require a power plant the size of Ecto-1. Certainly not something that could easily be lugged up to the top of a skyscraper.
[venkman]
We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!
[/venkman]
I haven’t checked my Ghostbusters RPG rules in a while, but IIRC they said the proton packs were used to weaken the ghosts so they couldn’t break out of the (temporary) portable containment unit. For long-term storage, of course, you used the grid.
I recommend the Ghostbusters RPG if you want easy, beer 'n pretzels, no-rules-munchkinizing role-playing, though I think the Ghostbusters International sequel wasn’t as good. Unfortunately, I don’t think either of them are in print any more…
There’s always eBay.
I have absolutely nothing of value to add to this thread.
[Venkman]
It’s true, your honor. This man has no dick.
[/Venkman]
[stantz]
Do not look directly at the trap!
[/stantz]
The proton packs also seem to trap the ghosts such that they can be moved towards the containment unit. I think it’s basically that the containment units might only have enough power to function once, so you have to use the proton packs to make damn sure the ghosts can’t escape its area of effectiveness.
[Winston]
Ray, when someone asks if you’re a god, you say YES!
[/Winston]
[venkman]
I looked at the trap, Ray.
[/venkman]
Doesn’t Egon says that line?
[Venkman]The flowers are still standing!![/venkman}
[Venkman]Nimble little minx, isn’t she?[/venkman]
[Venkman] Egon remember the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. [/Venkman]
[Egon]That would have worked if you hadn’t stopped me. [/Egon]
[Egon]Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
[/Egon]
[Venkman]Okay, important safety tip. Thanks Egon [/Venkman]
[Venkman] This chick is TOAST! [/Venkman]
[Ray] It’s the Stay-Puft marshmallow man. [/Ray]
[venkman] Generally you don’t see that kind of behavior in a major appliance [/venkman]
[v] Now there’s something you don’t see everyday[/v]
[venkman]I feel so… funky.[/venkman]