Quick question about the Argo - I assume it can’t enter atmosphere, right? It’s too big?
That's implied, but not outright declared. For example, the moon where you pick it up is airless, and ships like the Behemoth can land there as well, IIRC.
I view it as a DropShip that violates the Gravdeck rule. Easiest thing to do.
I see utility for it within the exploratory framework.
- Having a mothership that can stay in orbit indefinitely is useful
- Gravdecks allow you to acclimate your crew to differing gravities without relying on thrust to do that job
- Being able to dock and support smaller DropShips is very desirable in situations where you're the only vessel for lightyears (beyond the JumpShip that's a week or more away from you)
Basically, an Argo is as all-in-one as they could make it, bringing the capabilities of a large vessel to the relatively small and mobile package of a DropShip. You send one of those along with an Invader, and that expedition can do everything.
On another note - my Argo has a zero-G pool...
It will every time it's in orbit and the decks don't spin. ;)