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13:40, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

OOC.

Posted by KittenFor group 0
Kitten
GM, 51 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 03:35
  • msg #60

Re: OOC

Engine overhauls are probably a pain for the characters (not player) to do, and i know they are for the game master to do.  The RR probably does not have the resources to do many of these mods, so dont plan too hard on modifying that Whitworth is my suggestion.


If you have alternative concepts, very much i suggest going with one of the others.


So noted Anton, you wont have a lot of fire power but it'll be fun to play with i think...

Look over the infantry rules carefully, in the infantry link.
Kitten
GM, 52 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 03:38
  • msg #61

Re: OOC

btw, it's not noted anywhere, but since you command a lance, it's mandatory for the character to have at LEAST a rank of one.
Kitten
GM, 53 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 03:43
  • msg #62

Re: OOC

Mech Pilots 3 of 12
~ David Crain
~ Lucius McMurphy
~ Olaf Oleeson

~
~
~
~

~
~
~
~




Air Cavalry 0 of 3
~
~
~


Cavalry 2 of 3
~ Lt. Teri Knight
~ Lt. Mikael Blomquist
~

Infantry 1 of 2
~ Lt. Anton Shrike
~

Reserve players ~ Akarian and Piotr
Lucius McMurphy
player, 20 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 03:47
  • msg #63

Re: OOC

Right don't do engine mods.  No Whitworth concept then.
Olaf Oleeson
player, 1 post
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 04:39
  • msg #64

Re: OOC

I didn't mind the Whit, but the 4/6/4 move profile was frustrating when almost everyone else was running 6/9/- or 6/9/6.  I think I'll trot out Olaf as a bugwarrior again.  In tabletop games I always go for bigger machines, so playing a 20-tonner is a new experience.
Lucius McMurphy
player, 21 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 04:43
  • msg #65

Re: OOC

Then the only question for you Olaf is if you want to do the C3 concept that has been floated when it comes to the mechwarriors.  Here is Kitten's comment to what David started...

Kitten:
If you want to experiment with C3, we'll be moving to effectively a (3) mech lances.

The Fourth unit would probably be a 20tn Pegaus Hover tank that avoids combat, which will need 5 tons of space for the C3 master, which wont leave much room for weapons, so you'll be going to, effectively a three mech lance.

The lance would be responsible for picking up the C3 slave units which are 250k CB each, weight one ton and take up one critical as well as the master unit which cost  1.5 million CB.

The cost to 'buy' into this lance would be about 750k cb.  Sorta steep, but the Tech Warrior has 3.5 million at start up, and would have 2.75 million after paying the cost for the C3 equipment, so it's certainly feasible.

If theres really an interest to put C3 in the campaign, i'll designate a lance for C3, and three player mechs that will have to pay 750k cb out of their starting cash to buy the C3 equipment for the lance to use.  This cost is an estimate, and i'm not heartless, if you want to take a Bugwarrior into the C3 lance which has 2.5 million i can bend the budget a little so that you have a little more than 1.75 million to purchase a mech.

So... do you want me to put this lance on the books?

Olaf Oleeson
player, 2 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 05:59
  • msg #66

Re: OOC

I think the trade off of a potential ton of extra armor or additional ML/SL for the slave unit may be worth it in a Wasp or Stinger, but the initial outlay of 750K is daunting considering the bugwarrior's limited funds at the outset.

Maybe I could try running a Mongoose with a scout archetype, buy into the lance and still have enough to buy up fp and bankroll mods?
Lucius McMurphy
player, 22 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 06:23
  • msg #67

Re: OOC

Mercury MCY-98 runs 1,580,440 with two ML and two SL with 4 tons of armour and goes 8/12/0 out of the box.  Pull the two SL for the ton  needed for the Slave unit and slap it in the now open Head crit spot.

She doesn't jump but moves right quick.

I'm looking at a Commando COM-3A myself.  Less armour at the start but dual SRM6 with a ML and Flamer.  Drop the ML for the Slave unit and keep the Flamer for anti-infantry duty.
Akarian
player, 1 post
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 08:48
  • msg #68

Re: OOC

Hmm yeah lots to think about here, *waves*

C3 is an interesting idea, though at this weight class, I do wonder if there is enough benefit to be gained from it, vs cost and reduced effectiveness in general. (this also depends on how missions sorte, if there is multiple lances out at once and there is buy in from other mechs than it starts to become more appealing.)
Kitten
GM, 55 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 13:04
  • msg #69

Re: OOC

Another way to look at it, is as really really really expensive TAG.

The weight for both is the same?

It'll give commanding officers an incentive to look harder at, and use Copper Heads, Hawkeyes, and on occassion Arrow IV.

The Infantry Company automatically has some LRM (hawkeye) support (really modest support) for their TAG weapons (if they go that route).

I know Teri was looking at SRM and LRM carriers, if she plunks down even on LRM carrier, that could work really well for C3/TAG assistence to help offset the small size and limitation of firepower.

You're all veterans of the game, you know how much damage the hawkeyes can do when they focus and hone in on one target.
Anton Shrike
player, 2 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 13:34
  • msg #70

Re: OOC

I was looking at some of the options and might make a true mobile strike force. Jump troopers and Engineers to harass conventional support. Infantry have such a hard time against mechs until they get big experience gains or sweet equipment. Make something similar to ODST or the Stormtroopers from 40k Imperial Guard.

How can my infantry best support the mechs?
Kitten
GM, 56 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 14:54
  • msg #71

Re: OOC

Infantry is never ever going to be known for being heavy hitting damage on the map.

Their best function, will be for the less obvious combat rolls.

Advance infiltration, spotting for indirect support, and the destruction of combat targets like buildings, that will allow the mechs to free up their fire power to things that are shooting back at them.

They have a role, they're just not going to ever be known as front line fighters.

Eventually... you're going to have to look at dealing with elementals, which will be interesting as conventional infantry deals with powered armor.

Really really really down the line, you may look at power armor options as the inner sphere catches up with clan technology.

All your troops start off as 'green', but you can buy their expereince up at the start (akin to buying mechs for mechwarriors), and spend money on your rank bumps (1000 gp for a level of rank from leadership/noble).  Keep in mind making money is going to be rough on infantry though.  You just dont have the firepower to take out units to earn combat salvage so be prepared to work with a really small budget.  Repair pools to replenish things like hawkeyes for your AMCs are going to be important.
Anton Shrike
player, 3 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 17:19
  • msg #72

Re: OOC

That's why I was looking to have my support squad take the salvage perk. That will at least help claim salvage and maybe earn a finders fee.

As far as the role goes, that's why I want to focus on them as a mobile, tough, pathfinder type platoon. Guys that can go in and blow up a building or seed a mine field. This is my rough outline.

2nd Kavaller ~ 325th Infantry Company ~ 2nd Platoon
Nickname: The Warbirds
Platoon Commander- LT Anton Shrike
            Perks- Toughness, Hazard, Leadership, Edge
Veteran Squad 1(Line)- Jump Troopers, Armory
Veteran Squad 2(Line)- Jump Troopers, Engineers, MG
Regular Squad 3(Line)- Scouts, Rifle
Regular Squad 4(Support)- TAG , SRM
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Sun 06 Mar 2016.
Kitten
GM, 57 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 17:42
  • msg #73

Re: OOC

That's removed...

no astech, no salvage, youre a combat infantry unit.  (i thought i took those perks off already)

The rules need to be looked over and edited, but on a mixed unit focus i dont want them used for astech work or salvage, they'll be busy with infantry stuff.




It should be noted that the commanders perks are used for option slots, of which you have 3 plus edge, you still write out a full character sheet for yourself, you just lack a unit to work from, you do get to pick where you are in the field, either one of your squads to personally lead (adding an eighth man to the squad), or in the somewhat reletive safety of one of your light conventional units that will get assigned to you as needed for missions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Sun 06 Mar 2016.
Anton Shrike
player, 4 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 18:13
  • msg #74

Re: OOC

Made some adjustments to the load out. I'm looking into more ammo and armor for stockpile
Akarian
player, 2 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 18:21
  • msg #75

Re: OOC

Will ask here, so its public and as others are doing cavalry it should help to.

Cavalry Archetypes

Options     ~ (3) + Edge
Starting XP ~ 350 xp / {800xp max.}
Starting CP ~ 320,000 cb ~ (Used to purchase Characters Starting Conventional)(Cavalry ranks cost 10k cb)
(0) Availability Rolls

Limitation ~Well rounded and require Accuracy and Physical, min rating of (2) and a mental rating of (1).  Limited x-training allowed.

Allowed X-train
~ X-train in Aero, Allow Conventional Ground characters the option to use VTOLs.
~ X-train in Conventional, Allow VTOL pilots the option to use Conventional ground units.


Is the (0) Availability rolls correct, and is the CB spend for starting conventional correct?
I'm assuming the CB spend portion isn't correct, given 30-33 ton tanks cost more than 320k cb, and Air Cavalry VTOL types are already specified.

Also i'm assuming we're late 3040's, is tech like Stream SRM2's (Re-invented in the 30's), ER Large Lasers (3037) now available as "standard equipment" without need for availability rolls? I know this was asked earlier a bit, but it seemed to be talking about Endo/Fib and more late stage/beta level tech.
Kitten
GM, 58 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 20:05
  • msg #76

Re: OOC

Akarian:
1) Is the (0) Availability rolls correct, and is the CB spend for starting conventional correct?
2) I'm assuming the CB spend portion isn't correct, given 30-33 ton tanks cost more than 320k cb, and Air Cavalry VTOL types are already specified.

3) Also i'm assuming we're late 3040's, is tech like Stream SRM2's (Re-invented in the 30's), ER Large Lasers (3037) now available as "standard equipment" without need for availability rolls? I know this was asked earlier a bit, but it seemed to be talking about Endo/Fib and more late stage/beta level tech.



1) I consider the starting availability roll for cavalry to be fair, i am letting them pick out their lancemates, which would normally be an availability roll each.  For Air Cavalry it's a less fair in that you only have a wingman, so i will grant Air Cavalry Archetypes (2) Availability rolls.

2)Starting CB is incorrect.  I'm going to reduce it to 160k cb.  This should be sufficient to cover rank bumps (which for cavalry is only 10k cb), and leave them enough CB lying about for modest weapon twinks.  This works because i'm assigning them a limited choice of conventionals to just 'pick'.  At this stage, price is not an issue, and may never be.  We're no longer a merc unit, so availability of equipment and how you go about gathering parts may be less nickel and dime counting and might simply be related to something simplier.  This is definitely going to be the case for conventional units.  I'm not sure if it'll be so with mechs.

I'm looking at options to reduce the overhead bookkeeping, while keeping the flavor and challenge of previous campaigns.  I'm taking this new campaign reset opportunity to really look at things from the ground up, which is why assumptions of what was allowed in previous campaigns (like engine modifications) should not be presumed a part of this campaign.  I really do try not to make the same mistakes twice.

3)  I presume that streams, is a typo and should be Streak.  While Stream SRMs actually sound sort of cool, i've never heard of them before.  As for the rest  A little of both.  Advance stuff will cost you an availability roll, but for start up i'll presume you instantly make your roll.  Real Ferro Armor and Endo Steel is in use now, not that bastardized beta crap.  Players may start and refit as much standard armor as they want with Ferro Fib, at the cost of 1 availability roll for 5 tons of Ferro Fib.  Two availability rolls should cover most units.  They may also use 1 availability roll for 1/2 ton of Endo Steel.  Two availability rolls will endo a but, three will cover a valk.

For those of you going the C3 Route,  I'm going to charge you (2) Availability rolls for the concept, one for the slave, and one for the master.  Dirt cheap when you consider the availability of the stuff by the old rules.

Anything else you ask, and i'll tell you.  Stuff that are not in use... off the top of my head... power loaders are gone, plug suits, are gone.  If they appear it'll be in game.

I am thinking that i will allow players to spend two availability roll at start up to allow a rank buy up, for 100k cb.  Something ive never allowed before, but seems reasonable to allow some diversity of rank among characters.
Kitten
GM, 59 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 21:20
  • msg #77

Re: OOC

Feed back from players seem to be towards an agreement that a simpified bookkeeping system might be good, i'm inclined to agree.

Instead of tracking the nuts and bolts of cost, i might just accumulate the concept of using availability rolls as a form of currency.  Accumulate a few every mission.  Roll to see if what you want is available and if so it's yours, if not.  SOL.

working this concept around in my head at the moment, i have to admit as a game master simplier bookkeeping would be a godsend.
Lucius McMurphy
player, 23 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 21:22
  • msg #78

Re: OOC

So we're looking more like a reserve military unit with little in the way of enhancements to be fielded compared to other 3050ish front line units that have the common advanced tech that the Five Great Houses have funding for.

We're the poor mans unit.
Kitten
GM, 60 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 21:29
  • msg #79

Re: OOC

More like the RR is a poor man 'House', it doesnt have the economic background the other houses does.  Fewer planets, shorter history, and what resources they have is spent on a violent wars for freedom, and independence between the fourth Succession Wars and Ronin wars, really, think about it, they are probably more concerned with fielding any sort of military unit that the newest and greatest.

It's a military unit, not a merc unit.  Instead of counting the bottom line, knowing who to go to and what favors to spend to get what you want are more important than the bottom line paycheck.




This isnt just good for me, it's good for players too.

I'm sure we've lost good players that just didnt want to deal with the intense details of the campaign.  it's more time on the battlefield for fun, and maybe roleplaying and less nuts and bolts accounting.  I can realy appreciate that, so i'm looking into the novel concept.  Less focus on money and cb tweaking, and more on missions and playing for fun.

The more i think about this, the more i'm convinced this is the way to go.  I can, and so can many of you, keep up with the bookkeeping, but really, is it necessary?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:32, Sun 06 Mar 2016.
Anton Shrike
player, 5 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 21:37
  • msg #80

Re: OOC

I'm all for a simpler system. It works for tons of different systems just fine and makes players even more apt to get into the role play. Maybe as a reward for objectives or instead of salvage? Instead of mission bonuses, each mission has a 'reward' bounty of availability rolls. Bonus objectives get bonus rolls that go into a pool for the unit. Salvage could work the same concept?
Akarian
player, 3 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 21:57
  • msg #81

Re: OOC

Yep Streak SRMs not stream, though stream SRMs do sound cool agreed.

That all seems fair to me. I also am on board with a simpler system, I was thinking it earlier before all the other posts popped up. Reality wise we're a official unit, it's much more likely to be general budget per lance or air wing, perhaps with some bonuses and such thrown in.

Moving to just straight up rolls as currency for advanced tech (Or reknown/etc), and most basic equipment freely available doesn't seem like a terrible idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:12, Sun 06 Mar 2016.
Kitten
GM, 61 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 22:28
  • msg #82

Re: OOC

I'm thinking there will be two sets of availability rolls, one for players, and one for the 'unit'.  Players roll for stuff they need, while the unit rolls for on mission assets, like extra support fire, or assistance from units outside of the company's listed units.
Kitten
GM, 62 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 22:30
  • msg #83

Re: OOC

I will accept the use of CB's for mech generation, mostly as a point of character balance, look at the cash left over, and probably assign a value to what's left, maybe... something along the lines of a cash ~> availability/favor conversion.

Tracking abstract favors seems much better than availability rolls.
Lucius McMurphy
player, 24 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2016
at 22:40
  • msg #84

Re: OOC

I don't mind simpler at all either.  I'm just trying to wiggle around and get the right feel for the...ambiance...of the campaign as you see it Kitten.  That makes it easier for me to do things that don't raise your hackles or give me the Kitten stare of death and want to kill my PC...something you are quite apt at doing ;)
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