In reply to GM (msg # 15):

Do you need any further input from me?  Regarding character bio or do you have it from Facebook?

No, you guys are fine.

If we get the whole fourteen players you'll be having two vehicles to start with, an M113A3 APC w/ M2HB .50 and an M998A1 HMMWV cargo bed with a pintle M240B. Both weapons have a spare barrel, vehicle gun shields and tripods (I'm just researching the correct vehicle loadouts). The M2HB is the old version that needs head spacing (takes 3 rounds and a weapon task: Easy). If we don't get any more players you'll just have the M113A3.

Note that as we're using the FNFF rules the M2HB is a god among weapons. The M240B can blow through a lot of cover but the M2HB can defeat a lot of the cover you'll be encountering and can essentially cause panic just by going into action. Of course it pays for this by being tactically immobile.

As mentioned earlier everyone will have the standard load-out, MOPP/NBC gear, and a few other bits and bobs. Most gear will be group gear that you hand around as needed. If we get the extra players there will be three NVGs, only two with the players we have.

With no more players Logan will be in charge. I'm assuming you'll do a lot of talking about group aims on this thread and not leaving the command just up to Logan. However it's likely your characters will follow orders.

I'll give it two more days and then post a reminder on the list. Some people hate getting pestered and drop out if you send them too many shout outs.

In reply to GM (msg # 17):

Just a question: do we need character sheets and if so, what version are we using?

As noted, we're using a different system entirely but it's very similar to Twilight 2000 v2.2. It's the Cyberpunk 2020 system without classes or class abilities.

The reason this other system is used is because it is much more deadly, a pistol round can drop you in one shot with a good roll, and it has far better automatic fire rules. The first combat episode will essentially be a walkthrough to get you up to speed but I'm sure you'll find it easy. There's one drawback though; suppression is a very effective tactic so it does mean players might use a lot of ammunition when at close range . . .

I'll be getting your sheets together for you based on the character backgrounds you gave me. After I issue them you can ask for modifications, I want you to have PCs you like. As noted before you'll be very skilled, lower ranks even more so.

It has been over 20+ years since I played T2k and Cyberpunk2020.

I might need a refresher on the system, so I apologize ahead of time if my questions bog things down.

In reply to Dane Hakala E3 (msg # 20):

No, that's fine. I'm going to ease everyone into it.

As I said, it's almost the same as twilight 2000 v2.2 being a Statistic (1-10)+ Skill(1-10) + Dice Roll (1-10) against a Target Number.

In reply to GM (msg # 19):

OK, works for me. Never played Cyberpunk before.

In reply to GM (msg # 19):

Testing to see if I'm here.

In reply to John Edward Betros E1 (msg # 23):

You do appear to exist.

Or maybe not...

https://www.newscientist.com/a...w-do-i-know-i-exist/

In reply to Karol 'Lolek' Kazimierz Zalewski E2 (msg # 24):

Not sure I exist either. Feeling rather virtual today, as if someone was deciding my every move, like I am a character in a story. Now you got me wondering......

In reply to GM (msg # 14):

My character is an E4. If you need him to be a junior NCO to make up the numbers then I'm okay with that. Otherwise happy to remain a Specialist.

David

Okay guys, we seem to have everyone. Unfortunately Alexandr's player has had something come up and will come in later so I'll be NPCing him for now (I have this nifty function that let's me post using a player's handle but I rarely use it unless they're NPC'd and it's urgent).

I hope everyone's read the variant backstory. It's vague enough that any unit can be in it so don't worry about violating canon in your personal story.

We have 15 players, enough for roughly two sections/squads. Now, there's enormous variation in how these are set up and no doubt the war would create new variants so you can don't have to follow strict rules on your squad make up. Stax has requested the position of squad gunner already but I'm leaving allocation up to you guys, however it's considered normal that senior NCOs and officers do not service heavy weapons. Remember that your LMG and your HMG do double duty, they are also your vehicle weapons so when on vehicles they may have different operators.

I do very detailed equipment sheets but you don't have to interact with them too much, just use them as you wish.

So, now I leave a lot of the organising up to you. in this section your are still players, the ranks don't mean all that much so everyone has an equal say.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:00, Thu 25 Mar 2021.

Lt. Ryan Burris, representing the Chair Force. Started pilot training, but by the time I got in, there weren't enough planes left to fly.

I don't have any strong preference for organization, I'd say that skills should dictate where people go.

In reply to Ryan Burris O1 (msg # 28):

As a reformed LAV driver/gunner I assume I might be driving one of our two vehicles or manning its weapon, as needed. (Although I assume anybody could manage the Humvee)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Thu 25 Mar 2021.

Good afternoon!  Late comer but, I would like a position as the squad gunner with an M240 if possible?

In reply to Michael 'Stax' Stachion E3 (msg # 30):

It occurs to me it might help us to decide who's doing what if everyone could make sure their character details are available (under "The Cast" link above). That way we'll kind of know who everyone is and what their background was coming into this goat rope...

In reply to Michael L. Dombrovsky E4 (msg # 31):
I will try and do that tonight or tomorrow, Friday

Test post...

In reply to Michael L. Dombrovsky E4 (msg # 31):

I'll be getting you your sheets ASAP, and as this is point-buy don't go using the T2K systems. I've got to get out to get some stuff done today (it's 7:00am) and have family tonight but we should be well into it after that.

A big point is I often allow a task reduction if a character has credible experience in the area in their backstory. If the PC has "drove M113s since he got in" then that's a good example.

An important note is don't try shoehorning in survival/combat stuff into your civilian backstory like "professional hunter", "SWAT cop" or similar. You'll be shorting yourself because of the large amount of skills I give you anyway (about 120% of a T2K SpecFor veteran archetype). An good example would be the guy who chose "chef" in our voice game and has stopped everyone dying twice just in his ability to know proper food preservation (he also has considerably raised the group's NPC's morale and thus output). I can even find ways for a stay at home mom to have bonuses.

M1064A4 and the M106A2 mortar carriers are both on the M113 chassis; if you need someone to drive the M113, I'll volunteer.

Also, if we just so happen to come across any mortars, let me know.

Looks like we have the following sorted out so far:

M998A1 HMMWV w/ M240
Driver: Dombrovsky
Gunner: Stax
Commander: Sgt. Logan

M113 w/ M2HB
Driver: Hakala
Gunner: Cox
Commander: Lt. Burris

Sgt Logan, as our ranking NCO, would you like to be in the Humvee?

Who wants to run the Ma Deuce?

We should also sort out who is going to be the assistant gunners for the heavy weapons. Any volunteers for that?

Do we need to assign any other roles to the vehicles? Do either of these have radios?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Sat 27 Mar 2021.

In reply to Ryan Burris O1 (msg # 36):

I can man the fifty-cal in the M113.

In reply to Ryan Burris O1 (msg # 36):

"Check that, sir. I babysit the Hummer."

In reply to Ryan Burris O1 (msg # 36):

Are we adding improv armor to the M998? Because by 2000, four years into the war, that's got to be common. Thoughts?

In reply to Samuel Lawson E4 (msg # 39):

My main concern with up-armoring the humvee is that we might lose the extra mobility it has over the M113. What does everyone else think?