In reply to Kitten (msg # 829):

Roger that! I'll get it to you asap.

edit: the PDF states that Rank can be bought up at creation using C-Bills, and provided that the prerequisites are met. Does the sentence "Each time a character is promoted, they earn twenty five experience points" apply for rank increases at character creation, or only for those earned during play?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Tue 12 May 2015.

In reply to Alaric Drusus (msg # 830):

It applies during character creation as well.

So if you have the c-bills and the right options (and you spend initial xp on them to where you need it) you can purchase anywhere from 1 to 4 rank bumps and get 25-100 additional experience to spend.

Mind 800 xp is still the current ceiling and between taking 4 ranks and Bug Warrior with a starting character you will be at 500 of 800 possible xp right off.  Nothing wrong with that since xp past 800 is turned into c-bills to buy more stuff and expensive things, just something to think about.

Dont forget to look over Specialties Alaric.

Message 14,15,16,17
link to a message in another game

You're allowed to pick one specialty for each point you have in the option they relate to.

You should post your character here for general review.

I'm notoriously unhelpful for letting players make what ever character they please.

Thank you for pointing out the specialties! It was really helpful! With those in mind, I made a few changes to the initial build I'd sent via PM. I think there's two options here, and I'm not sure which is a better fit for the game.

---

Option 1: Is the more team-centric one, with Tactics to help out the leadership.


That will give him Accuracy 4, Physical 3, Mental 1
Edge 1
Mech Specialist (light mechs, for +1 die size in 10-20 ton mechs)
Energy Weapons 1 (not sure on whether to take the +1 or the die size increase)
Tactics 1 (+1 Initiative)
Rank: SGT
Bank: 537,760cb
Restriction: 20T Mechs (Bug Warrior)
Mech: STG-3G Stinger (https://web.archive.org/web/20...25/bm-Stinger3g.html)

---

Option 2: Is more focused on personal skill and being able to get more mileage out of modifications.


That will give him Accuracy 4, Physical 3, Mental 1
Edge 1
Mech Specialist (light mechs, for +1 die size in 10-20 ton mechs)
Energy Weapons 1 (not sure on whether to take the +1 or the die size increase)
Tinker 1 (+1 bonus when making modifications) [this could also be Cross-Training Technician, thoughts?]
Rank: CPL
Bank: 637,760cb
Restriction: 20T Mechs (Bug Warrior)
Mech: STG-3G Stinger (https://web.archive.org/web/20...25/bm-Stinger3g.html)

Alaric, you can only buy promotions, if you take leadership or noble options, and its only 1 rank per level of each.

I am confused by the table in the PDF, which indicates different requirements for the NCO ranks. Are those the minimums to be promoted during play?

Yes, those are general requirements to meet the rank if you get promoted/buy a promotion during the campaign.

Right above it, it states that a character's starting rank is zero, and maybe improved if the character has noble or leadership. I forget if noble is treated as NCO, I believe it is, as Noble doesn't help with unit leadership.

In reply to Alaric Drusus (msg # 836):

Those are the minimums to allow you to qualify for promotion.  Which actually need to be tweaked a little i think.

qualifying for a promotion and getting one are two distinct statuses.

YOu may only buy promotions at character generation if you have ranks of leadership or noble, and only as many ranks as you have in those options.

During the course of play it's possible to get promotions but because of the perks of rank, they're a hard fought over auction to get.  Keep a roll of CB's in your pocket if you want to get one from auctions cause you have around two dozen other character who will be looking to do the same thing.  {campaign cap of 4 ranks btw}

also keep in mind i said that the pdf was 90% accurate and some rules were phased out or no longer in use.  Like the prestige system doesnt resemble anything close to whats in the pdf at the moment.

Noble doesnt help with leadership, but it does help with getting equipment, which some consider more important if they have no designs on leading.

I will redefine control of the map as having 'superior' ground forces on the map when the mission ends and make decisions case by case, based on BM input on what they believe is fair.


At the moment...

Pussycats (CO) have tactical control over their mission map.

Pussycats (XO) and Ironswords (XO) mission maps are both 'contested', no clear control of the map yet.

Since the Cadets stay behind, if you clear enough of the op force, and then withdraw, it's possible to control the mission map for salvage, as well as withdraw to the academy missions.

Pussycats (CO) are in 7th turn and seem on track to do this.

Pussycats (XO) are in 3rd turn, and seem to be at a slight disadvantage (trading a Valkyrie for a Warrior VTOL)

Ironswords (XO) are in 3rd turn, and seem to be at a slight advantage (taking out the Foxfire and Warrior while taking no losses)
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:37, Tue 12 May 2015.

Thank you both for the explanation! With that in mind, I'll go with the latter option and just drop the last two items:


That will give him Accuracy 4, Physical 3, Mental 1
Edge 1
Mech Specialist (light mechs, for +1 die size in 10-20 ton mechs)
Energy Weapons 1 (not sure on whether to take the +1 or the die size increase)
Tinker 1 (+1 bonus when making modifications) [this could also be Cross-Training Technician, thoughts?]
Rank: CPL PVT
Bank: 637,760cb 737,760cb
Restriction: 20T Mechs (Bug Warrior)
Mech: STG-3G Stinger (https://web.archive.org/web/20...25/bm-Stinger3g.html)

Ohhhh O

Chart user.   :)

Welcome aboard.

I'd recommend considering making your mech a heirloom, to gain the +1 bonus to initiative.

Character is legal, though i feel compelled to point out that you've only developed 3 of 4 possible options and selected no specs.

If youre good with this, i'm good with this.

You'll have an edge of 1 from walking the edge.
Your gunnery is 4, 3 with energy.
Your pilot is 5, 4 with Light mechs.

Cant.  He's taking Bug Warrior and Walking the edge, he can only take two.

Oh, was thinking Bug Warrior was a character option, which was why he only had 3 options listed. Never mind, bad logic on my part.

If all youre using is energy, and all youre piloting is light mechs.

I would consider reducing the Accuracy and Physical numbers and using the saving to pick a fourth option, maybe bump up your options and pick up some specialties.

I think i'm going to call those Archetypes options...

In reply to Penny Plenty (msg # 847):

Thank you! Those are good ideas. :)

Kitten, are these new archetypes replacing the list of character options on page 17 of the RTJ thread, or just moving ones like Bug warrior to be an archetype and leaving the rest there?

Pax o/

Very much a work in progress...

At the moment i let players 'pick' their options.  Really i'm looking into making 'archetypes' though.

I should go through the old Mechwarrior book to see what they have for archetypes.

I wasn't saying not to take rank if you have the cash, but to think about where you ultimately want your character to be.  Since we know that there is a limit of 800 total points you also know you can't be good at everything.  Add in the fact we know how the progression works it was me saying at least roughly plan where you want to go with those points.

:)

Bug Warriors also have a fourth option slot which is a mixed blessing, good cause options are really neat, but bad, cause you still have an 800 point cap and a fourth option slot crying for xp attention.

Penny - thank you for the recommendation on pulling exp out of Accuracy and Physical!

I made some adjustments with that in mind, which freed up space to buy specialties. If the archetypes linked earlier are going to be used, I have that in another tab of my spreadsheet and can post it as well.

Bah, screw hazard checks.  Offense > defense.  Physical Combat Specialist baby!  +1 to KICK!