That's actually accounted for in the player handicap.

Hey Kitten!

In the Pussycats XO thread for Mission 16 (link to a message in this game), you listed 'half base xp for Alaric and Quinn.' I did not participate in that mission, I am guessing that means I should not be receiving exp from it, is that correct?

Correct was working off a cellphone and mostly looking over completed objectives, i would have caught it come time to work out the contracts, no worries though thanks.

Right.

So here's the deal, been mucking around with the campaign bookkeeping and i have to admit, it's pretty messy.

Long time players know that i usually give players a mulligan to redo their characters to correct mistakes of the past.

Well, after looking over the mess that is the bookkeeping for the campaign, i'm putting it on the table to ask for a campaign mulligan, to just reboot the campaign and start the bookkeeping over.  I have some idea's to streamline the bookkeeping but they're really hard to implement on the patchwork of bookkeeping that's about right now.

At this point it's really easier to scrap it over, start over.

Not asking this lightly to be certain.


Storyline will continue where it is now, i just need to work over the campaign before moving forward.

The main issue is the entire system of personal and unit upkeeping is just too detailed to maintain easily in it's existing format.  It probably does seem bad from your point of view, but from the top to do for over a dozen characters, it feels staggering.

The second issue, is the disparity of power between veteran players and new ones.  It really is huge.  While not as big a concern as the monolithic bookkeeping, it is something that has me concerned.

A 'modest' bonus of cb and xp will be allocated for veteran players, so that they are rewarded for long time attendance in the campaign, but they (myself included) will likely lose more than they gain.

No alts at this time.


The alternative, if theres a serious player uproar of denial to this proposal is to push forward and patch current characters and clear out current bookkeeping which will include hacking away and discarding huge parts of the current system to streamline it.  No complaints as that happens since the opportunity to start over fresh was declined by you already.

Well, they've been rebooting Spiderman, Batman, and Superman for years.  I could live with being considered in such company.

At this point it's due for some serious overhauling, it's not going to be pretty either way, probably prettier (imho) to just burn it all down and start over.

Everyone is closer to a level field, and players can reorganize as they see fit.

Adam and Akarian will be unit leaders again, and people get a chance to reinvent themselves.

After two years, some of you might be looking for an excuse to let go.


Will give it a day or two, for discussion then will make a decision on which way were going based on player input.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:41, Thu 16 July 2015.

As a new-ish player to the game, I will go along with the majority decision.  I have enjoyed the game so far and would like to continue playing either way.  Since I do not have that much time invested(relative), it will not upset me to reset everything. But I can see how others would not like that idea.

 I have no problem with streamlining the book keeping and game system if it helps make it easier for you. So if redoing the system makes it easier..i say go for it.

I am also a newer player and this decision does not directly affect me as strongly as it does more veteran players. I do however support a move toward bookkeeping simplification as it strikes me that this will allow for more time on all sides to just enjoy the game. Moves that increase fun are good ones in my book. :)

In reply to Alaric Drusus (msg # 158):

Yeah, what he said.... MOAR FUN!

Okay, I'm counting five player support, and elsewhere i've got Adam and Akarian's blessing on this.

So i can shed all the old bookkeeping as obsolete and start over.  Mulligan thread is up.  On player... one post.

Keep the old character... make a new one...

Doesnt matter to me.

Old unit formations will stand unless i'm told otherwise.

Units may be renamed... or not.  Old designationations are used, as a reference but may change.  At this time, i am aware of only two players who want to be merc commanders, so we will be on a two unit format.


Ironsword
Adam, David, Teri, Roger, Piotr


Spectre
Akarian, Damien, Joaquin, Svend, Alaric


Freelancers
Regina, Olaf

Familiarity points will depend on the mech you pick.  IF you take something like a locust, that's been around forever  you'll get full FP.  If you take something that's only been around for the last few years, like a Hatchetman or Wolfhound, the FP will be cut down.

Since I have just completed the character mulligan discussed previously, can I simply keep that and call it done? Do I need to redo the availability rolls or are those good as they stand? Is it acceptable to assign the "up to 1 fp" to the Jenner I went with on the Mulligan?

Yes, you may keep your current character, it has minimal effect on you.

mostly you have one familiarity point with your character, and a few more xp and cb to start with.  Just update the character and post it in the campaign mulligan thread and it'll be fine.

Roger just found 26 xp and 260k cb.

He can have 3 fp's for his wolfhound, but that's it.  It hasnt been around all that long, and 3 fp is generous for such a new mech.

He does not have to spend any of these, and he too can repost Mikael with the new additions and be considered done with the process.

Kitten any idea how we are handling conventional combat units going forward? Should we simply consider them off the table for now?

Looking at rebuilding again, and as always a ferret or two starts to look like it would be in the plan. Need to plan availability rolls and all.

Characters allowed one conventional unit, for each point of rank that they have.  Not to exceed the characters mech weight.  Characters that are considered officers may select Conventional 'Unit support' units.  Each unit is allowed (2) Officers.  Everyone else is considered a normal Mechwarrior who promotes as a NCO.

Transports are going away.

Will allow characters without rank to purchase a single squad of infantry.

All conventional units will be consider 'regular' and will improve over time.


Holding off on rolling for conventionals, since i have to adjust the rolls and accomodate new rules for them.

Base availbility {Round all fractions up}

Tracked  ~ Unit weight / 5    + 0
Wheel    ~ Unit weight / 4    + 2
Hover    ~ Unit weight / 2.5  + 3
VTOL     ~ Unit weight / 1.5  + 4

Conventional Unit Support  +2
Conventional EW            +2

ie
5 ton ferret
5 / 1.5 = 4 + 4 = Base tn 8+


12 ton warrior
12 / 1.5 = 8 + 4 =  Base tn 12+


adjusted as normal with character stuff like mental, rank and options.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:56, Thu 16 July 2015.

Thanks Kitten,

Seems like tracked availability rolls got a lot easier. By that formula I could pick up a 30 ton LRM carrier (not that I would) on a 6 before character mods. Makes sense that tracked things would likely be the most common around though.

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 167):

Yes.

You could, but that would also eat up 30 tons of your allowed available conventional.

So... you need to balance that into the consideration too.

Heirloom mech perks, do they start at rank 1 or 0?
Can they be upgraded with xp or have specialities as any normal option can?

It seems like most folks are in favour of a reboot so I'll throw my 'aye' in as well if that makes life easier for you Kitten.

Now to look over the templates to see if there's one I like or just keep David as-is...

Heirloom perks are level one, and never go up.

YOu may use it as a basis to learn specialty, but if you lose the mech/perk, you lose the specialty till you can find a new mech to relearn the perk.

---

The new archetypes are pretty cool David.  You've been with me forever, and i know youre losing a lot so i appreciate it.  Look at this as an opportunity to try something different?

Is all infantry now "regular" level only as well for initial purchase?

For instance, if I want to purchase a Ferret scout TN8, and roll a 12, can I spend another 35k to buy a squad of elite infantry to go with the ferret, or am I only allowed to purchase regular infantry?

In reply to Akarian Euclid (msg # 172):

Infantry is all regular, and prices for them need to be adjusted, as well as reworked.

Things like ast tech and scavenger arent going to be infantry skills anymore.

Should be noted were in the middle of a contract bookkeeping, so players will get 2 availability rolls on top of the ones they get from archetype.


David, Teri, Penny, Akarian, Damien, and Joaquin.  Your new character may.

They may select anything with an availability roll of tn 10+ and purchase it as one of their contract availability rolls with out rolling (your academy bonus)

or...

You may try and roll for something harder, with a bonus of +4 to your die roll to reflect your academy bonus.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Thu 16 July 2015.