Haxton: Greetings! I am Haxton Sale Guye! World famous badass and proud owner of the Guye Co. Munitions corp. I have a very important job that requires some crack mech pilots. You see there's a new player in the arms manufacturing business: some upstart start-up by the name of Advanced...energetic...uh.
Jeeves: Advanced Energy Systems Research sir...
Haxton: Right! Those guys think they can cause a "disruption" in the weapons market with their new fangled "cutting edge" technology, well I won't have it! I need you to head down to their factory floor and show them that their "directed energy weapons" are no substitute for punching things in the face! Some people talk about the Market's invisible hand, well I believe in a visible fist!... to the face of my competitors. Ha ha! Free market capitalism at it's finest.
Jeeves: Sir I don't think that consitutes...
Haxton: Quiet Jeeves I' giving a pithy speech here. Anyway most other merc contracts involve a lengthy process of choosing mech loadouts well I'm going to do you a massive favour by providing you the "optimal" loadout for any combat situation:
Pugilist
Hedgehog System
Hp: 16/16
Torso: Extra Punching Arm, Extra Punching Arm
LA: Power Fist
RA: Power Fist
Legs: Juggernaut Mods
There! With a loadout like that there's no need to faff about with arms catalogs. You can now spend the time you'd need to put together a loadout contemplating how awesome I am. You're welcome! Now if you'll excuse me I have a steak dinner to attend. Jeeves here will see to the paperwork.
Jeeves: *Sigh* Well then pilots I shall now present you with the obligatory paperwork, despite the proclamations of our esteemed employer you will indeed need to know how to put together a loadout.
>>44647380
Jeeves: Given the nature of the mission I think we both know that it would be prudent to have more variety than the puglist class. To that end I am opening up the entire Guye Co. catalog for use as well as granting access to Knight Lite Military Supplies.
We've already spent a considerable amount funding this operation so we'll have to limit your budget to 40 Cred.
>>44647437
Jeeves: Guye Co. will of course be supplying extra equipment, gear from Knight Lite and the ever reliable Gavial Global Armaments will also be available. Bear in mind this will count towards your budget limit as well.
>>44647488
Jeeves: It's said that there are three types of aces: those who seek strength in combat, those who live for pride and those who can read the tide of battle... I never really understood what the hell all that meant. Besides there are actually 20 kinds of aces, each with a different combination of skills. Since the mission calls for elite pilots I'm assuming you are an ace, in which case I need you to tell which kind you are...
>>44647515
((Play instructions. For those of you who have played before I've changed the action economy after listening to feedback. You can now use all your mobility when doing run and charge instead of just half. Action limit has been changed from you can't DO the same thing twice to you can't USE the same thing twice, so now you can stand still and blast away if you want.
Finally the drone control command now only lets you issue commands to two drones instead of all of them.))
>>44647437
Is the PU in pugilist the chassis code?
>>44648298
Yes it is.
>>44648393
right. was confused because it says it's a 3 letter code
>>44648582
My bad. The stat cards go through a lot of changes as I make design decisions and sometimes I forget to apply all the details. Guess I forgot to update the chassis codes for these. Just go with two letters for now.
That goes for every aspect of the game. It's become a sprawling beast over the years and it's very easy for me to overlook things. So if you think I forgot something or if something doesn't make sense please let me know.
So it would be like
Jesus is this a quest or a campaign? I like the idea, but how complicated is this going to get?
>>44648906
It looks pretty meaty, but I assume this is a bit like character creation where you spend a lot of time looking at all the options.
>>44648746
Yes, but for this mission you get to be an elite pilot for free, so you'll also need your class code and the two skill codes for your veteran and elite level skills.
Damn I just realized I forgot to mention how the pilot classes work. It's basically like X-COM Enemy unknown.
The classes are arranged in a circle. The centre has the base class skills and each ring is a higher level of that class.
You pick a class, each class has a base skill then after that a choice between two skills at each level. You can choose any combination of skills, you are not locked into any "path" based on your first choice.
e.g: A gunner can choose Marksman and Alpha Strike as his two skills.
>>44648906
This is a one-shot beta test mission for a larger campaign I intend to run at the end of the month. In the actual campaign the content will be introduced at a more gradual rate.
>>44648991
So like this.
>>44649128
Yup...
From that code I can already see what you're thinking... good means the code system is useful.
>>44649249
Has part of the 40 Cred budget already been spent on the Mech and weapons?
My current Cred would be 13?
>>44649384
Uhh... the 40 Cred budget is for your mech chassis, weapons and any extra equipment you want to mount.
For example:
Puglist Chassis: 15 Cred
2x Power Fist: 10 Cred
2x Extra Punching Arm: 6 Cred
Juggernaut Mods: 3 Cred
Hedgehog System: 3 Cred
Total: 37 Cred
Wimp Chassis: 15
Bullet Hose x2: 12
Juggernaut Mods: 3 (legs)
Ablative Armour: 2
Hedgehog System: 3
Hunter-Killer Missile: 3 (chest)
Sensor Pod: 2 (chest)
Total 40
>>44650008
You can't have ablative armour and a hedgehog system. They're both armour upgrades, you can only have one.
>>44650239
oh I see.
Wimp Chassis: 15
Bullet Hose x2: 12
Juggernaut Mods: 3 (legs)
Ablative Armour: 2
Hunter-Killer Missile: 3 (chest)
Sensor Pod: 2 (chest)
Anti-Mech Mine: 3 (chest)
Total 40
>>44650333
Approved!
... Anyone else? <.<
>>44650443
Just leave me a second to build, boss
> I'm not alone
>>44651136
Sure thing.
Lord (14 credits)
>RA : Lancer Cannon (5 credits)
>LA : Marksman Rifle (4 credits)
>Torso : ECM Pod (2 credits), Sensor Pod (2 credits), Stiletto Targeting Suite (3 credits)
>Legs : No hardpoints
>Armor upgrade : Stealth armor (6 credits
Total : 36 credits
Very well ! Ready to go !
>>44651646
Approved.
K it's getting late and I don't have all night, so I'll start writing the briefing. If anybody else wants to jump in between now and then, that would be great.
>>44651803
Breifing: A.E.S.R is about to unveil it's catalog of mechs and weapons to the world. The 3 prototypes for their combat mecha are being kept in a hardened underground hanger in northern Molvania. Guye Co has basically hired a small army to storm their test facility. Our forces will keep any defenders busy while you breach the hanger and destroy the prototypes.
I can't really provide you with much intelligence since details of the hanger's internal layout. We don't know much about prototype's capabilities beyond rumors. All we know is that the three models specialise in support, close combat and long range fire support respectively. The fire support model is armed with a new kind of experimental cannon while the close combat unit has somekind cutting edge armour system and an area affect attack it will use at close range.
((Mission commencing shortly.))
>>44652311
Can we assume they will be going to pack a lot of energy weapons ? We can hack these, right, boss ?
>>44652370
They will indeed be packing a lot of energy weapons, no reason to believe we can't hack their mechs but there's no telling what kind of counter-measures they have.
>>44652566
Operator: Alright we're in. Those are the prototypes at the far end of the hanger, don't even seem to be active yet. Is that a hadron collider in the centre of the hanger? It'll block your line of sight but you should be able to jump over it if you have the right equipment. Just be careful about damaging it. It's basically a ring of powerful magnets, blowing one up could cause an electrical discharge that will disrupt nearby electronics.
Gasolina you're mech number 1 and Kail you're number 2.
HealBot: Hey I'll be your back up for this mission, callsign: HealBot. No I am not an actual robot, if a drone could pilot a mech we'd all be out of a job. I'll be keeping you healthy with my repair drones, I'm also mounting a tac-net hub so you can share locks with each other if you stick close to me.
((Declare your actions people.))
>>44647437
Mech
>HP: 14
>Mech Chassis: Errant
>Armor: Stealth Armor
>Torso: Stiletto Targeting System, Sensor Pod
>Right Arm: Canister Gun
>Left Arm: Cross Bow
>Legs: NA
Pilot: Hetros Jistin
>Command, Concealment, Ambush
Like this?
The thick outlines indicate walls?
And the brown boxes are cover?
What are the yellow lines around the Prototypes?
>>44653012
oh, missed 40 cred budget, one second, fixing.
>>44652873
Very well, boss. I'll scout ahead.
>enter stealth
>move 4N
>run 4NE
Do they know we're here ?
>>44653012
Mech
>HP: 14
>Mech Chassis: Errant
>Armor: Stealth Armor
>Torso: Stiletto Targeting System
>Right Arm: Canister Gun
>Left Arm: Decoy Drone
>Legs: NA
Pilot: Hetros Jistin
>Commando
Total Cost:40
Fixed
Rolled 15 (1d20)
>>44653323
Fucked up Trip. Okay, ready to go. Postin action as well.
>Enter Stealth
>Move 6N
>Overwatch Canister gun onto torso of anyone who comes within range.
>>44653012
>>44653156
You seem to be within the budget, remember the pilot class is free for this mission.
Anyway. I'm approving you, you can declare actions this turn. Start in the hex above HealBot.
>>44653128
Generally the thick outlines do indicate walls, the grey boxes are pillar that block all movement and line of sight. The coloured boxes are cargo crates, they provide cover and can be moved through but at cost.
>Move 1 N
>Move 6 NE
>>44653442
Using both actions
>>44653377
oh it is?
All the stages of it or just the first?
Either way.
Mech
>HP: 14
>Mech Chassis: Errant
>Armor: Stealth Armor
>Torso: Stiletto Targeting System, Decoy Drone
>Right Arm: Canister Gun
>Left Arm: Marksman Rifle
>Legs: NA
Pilot: Hetros Jistin
>Commando, Concealment
Total Cost:40
I'm assuming we get two skills per: >>44648991
You might want to put job titles onto the circles somehow? Ace, Elite, Legendary, etc.
>>44653504
Okay, misread that area. I think I got it now.
Mech
>HP: 14
>Mech Chassis: Errant
>Armor: Stealth Armor
>Torso: Stiletto Targeting System, Decoy Drone
>Right Arm: Canister Gun
>Left Arm: Marksman Rifle
>Legs: NA
Pilot: Hetros Jistin
>Commando, Concealment, Ambush
Total Cost:34
>>44653504
All the Pilot Skills are free this time.
>>44653442
Oh I forgot the yellow lines represent wires. They're purely decorative.
((Standby for enemy phase))
>>44653640
"I'll flank around the other side guys."
>>44653690
"Alright, be careful out there, don't try to play hero, 'kay ?"
>>44653640
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sImUdlucJrc&list=PL86B01520A0E84F93&index=20
Operator: I'm getting some active sensor contacts, the prototypes are powering up! I'm also showing increased noise all along the radioactive spectrum.
HealBot: I'll just stay behind you guys for now.
((Declare your actions, you have until this song plays once: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqTpnli3q58))
>>44653944
((Damn it, forgot the pic.))
"How far are y'all moving"
Using both actions
>Move 3 N
>Move 2 NE
>Move 1 NW
>>44653977
>>44653944
>stay cloaked
>move 1NE
>move 3N
>move 4N
"I have a visual on two of them. These should be Support and Melee. We should fan out.
Healbot, try to keep your drones out of Support's range, chances are he has and ECM module."
>>44654149
Time's up, processing...
>>44653977
>Enter Stealth if not already in stealth (is there some way to designate we're stealthed?)
>Send Drone on ahead of me NW
>Move as far North West as I can manage
>Try to get behind NW most pillar
"Switching to radio silence"
>>44654149
>>44654264
Dashed circle around your mech means it's cloaked.
((Standby for enemy phase.))
>>44654396
Operator: I'm reading some kind of radiation spike, watch yourselves.
HealBot: Holding position, going on overwatch.
((Declare your actions. You have until this song plays once: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrFvyYCRp0w&list=PLw3O67fyLZC4g5mUmqtGP8VgAKvXdomMW&index=4))
>>44654603
>Send Decoy out 8NW
>Move 1SW
>Move 6NW
>Move 3 N
Rolled 5 (1d20)
>>44654603
>Move 3 N
>Move 1 NE
>Fire at the rightmost Prototype with Hunter-Killer missile
Rolled 18, 9, 19 = 46 (3d20)
>>44654603
"Engaging hostiles ! I'm leaving concealment !"
>hack the rightmost hostile disrupt his movement, melee, and electronic equipment
>shoot the Marksman rifle at the closest enemy
>shoot the Lance Cannon at the closest enemy
First roll is for the hack second for the rifle, and third for the cannon
>>44654650
>>44654688
>>44654773
Actions received, processing...
>>44654806
Operator: Holy Shit! It's using some kind of beam cannon! Thing punched straight through the pillar.
Hetros: Action limit reached, unable to complete movement.
Gasolina: Target lock required to fire, attempting lock... lock failed.
Kail: Hack successful! Critical hit!
((Standby for enemy phase))
"Oh my fuck, boys"
>>44655197
"Man. They don't fuck around."
>>44655197
>Maintains radio silence but proceeds to curse profusely from inside of the cockpit
>>44655197
Operator: Looks like the Decoy did it's job, I hope you know what you're doing Hetros...
((Declare your actions people. You have until this plays once: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhDvQIqEkuI))
Rolled 7 (1d20)
>Move 3 N
>Move 1 NE
> Attack mid prototype with Bullet Hoses
"Eat shit, Commie"
Rolled 19, 12 = 31 (2d20)
>>44655643
"Hahahahahahah, that's right, you better run ! I'll crush you guys !"
>hack the enemy shooting at me (hack equipment, hack movement and melee)
>reload the Lance Cannon
>try to get a lock on the enemy shooting me
Rolled 18 (1d20)
>>44655643
>Fire on nearest drone (the more easternly drone north of me) with Canister Gun. Silenced weapon should prevent me from breaking stealth
>Move 5 west (1NW, 1SW, 1NW, 1SW, 1NW)
>>44655742
>>44655843
>>44655936
Actions received, processing...
>>44655959
Shit guys, my Adobe illustrator just crapped out on me and I didn't save which means I need to reconstruct the battle from scratch, which means processing this turn could take a while...
I'mma take a shower then
>>44656082
It's fine man. I got all night.
>>44656082
Hm, I'm, getting pretty sleepy over here, so if I don't come back by the time you are done rebuilding the map, I'll probably be asleep.
The others can bot me if they want, or I can retreat me if someone else want to take my place.
Hopefully I'll manage to stay awake, or be back in time though.
Well I'm back
>>44656082
Aaaand we're back!
Operator: Just because it's called the bullet hose doesn't mean you should spray and pray, oh for... what did I say about shooting the giant magnets!?
Gasolina: EMP shock! Sensor pod offline, reduced to one action a turn.
Kail: Hack successful!, Lock Successful!, Cannon loaded.
((Standby for enemy phase...))
>>44656525
Operator: We have them on the back foot! Keep pushing!
((Declare actions. You have until this plays twice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PJxzxP3_RY&index=6&list=PL6KPOE-E2r7Su8hWrewfg_z1N53G3NQfB))
>>44656690
>Move 3 N
[Chassis Type] – WIMP [15]
Armor Upgrade
HP 14/14
Torso: Canisterate [2]
LA: ([Boom Stick] [3] [Boom Stick]){Linked} ([Boom Stick] [3] [Boom Stick] [3]){Linked}
RA: ([Boom Stick] [3] [Boom Stick]){Linked} ([Boom Stick] [3] [Boom Stick] [3]){Linked}
Legs: Juggernaut Mods [3]
Class: Gunner
>Vigilance
>Suppression
>Alpha Strike
Points spent: 38
>>44656823
Approved. There's still time to declare actions. You may come in from any of the ramps.
>>44656906
Enter East/Right ramp.
1. Move 5 Hexes North/West
2. Lock onto the red mecha right/east of the square building
>>44656765
>>44657037
Actions received, processing...
((Someone should probably bot Kail.))
>>44657124
Operator: Another guy made it inside. Boom Boom, I'm designating you number 4 on the display.
((Standby for enemy phase.))
>>44657267
Kail: EMP Shock! Sensor Pod and ECM offline! Limited to one action a turn.
((Declare actions, you have until this plays twice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNocsgOj8qI&list=PLM5uqhUfi2nc7jP7VO2qzihG6XDIOzCle&index=7))
>>44657267
didn't he say to enter from the other ramp?
>>44657267
Why didn't I shoot the drone? Oh well.
>Move 3N, 2NW
>Fire on Nearest drone with canister gun.
>>44657536
A shit I just realised I fucked up big time. Give me a moment to re-process the turn.
>>44657267
I noticed I started on the west/left ramp instead of east/right. But I am totally fine with this.
>>44657525
Also oh shit I got fucked up. er, yeah. . .now I kinda do want to start in the east heheh.
>>44657599
Okay, fixed.
NOW everybody can declare their actions, same song twice BTW.
Rolled 15 (1d20)
>>44657726
I blast that nigga on the right
Rolled 20, 13, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 20 = 103 (8d20)
>>44657726
1.
Activating Alpha Strike
Firing [2 Twin-Linked Boom-sticks] as a single weapon attack
Firing [2 Twin-Linked Boom-sticks] as a separate single weapon attack
2.
Activating Alpha Strike
Firing [2 Twin-Linked Boom-sticks] as a single weapon attack
Firing [2 Twin-Linked Boom-sticks] as a separate single weapon attack
Locked on Target
---
"Guy Co. postal service. I have a delivery of EXPLOSIONS and FUCK YOU!"
>>44657726
>Fire Canister gun on Drone to East of me.
>Move 2NE, Move 3N
>Whistles to self happily in radio silenced cockpit while picking off Drones then moving safely to new position.
Mech Link:>>44653504
Rolled 13 (1d20)
>>44657856
fuck forgot roll
>>44657775
>>44657827
>>44657856
>>44657877
Processing...
Operator: Target eliminated. Wow... there's double tapping then there's... what you did.
Standby for enemy phase...
>>44658040
Hetros: They've detected you! EMP shock, stealth offline, stiletto offline! Reduced to 1 action per turn.
... you also have 1 HP left.
Kail: Rekht! Mech non-functional, pilot has bailed out.
((Declare your actions people. You have until this song plays twice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LehMuyIkxNE&list=PL1tFM4hAoC6VGoSUQBWXdykwzjT96cYeb&index=12))
Rolled 15 (1d20)
>Move 3 W
>Fire both weapons
>>44658272
>Reactivate stealth
>Move 2NE, 3N, 1NE
>>44658370
At the closest enemy mech
>>44658456
Nice save. Here I was thinking you were firing them into the air for shits and giggles.
>>44658393
Actions received, processing...
Operator: Well, you certainly hosed that guy.
((Standby for enemy phase))
>>44658661
Operator: Looks like the last guy is escaping. We need to retreat too. The Molvanian military is closing in and we can't hold them off any longer.
Mission Over!
Pretty good. I wasn't sure how it would go with two Bullet hoses because they do have a limited magazine. But the damage output is pretty good so long as you hit.
Woops, disconnected or a bit.
>>44658806
A great first run! Now that we know how to play it, I can imagine the next game will be even better.
>>44658806
>Woops, disconnected or a bit.
Any word on when a full campaign is coming?
>>44658806
Haxton: I have to say I'm disappointed in you mercs. 2 out of 3 targets isn't bad but I didn't get where I am by having mediocre standards.
Even so you will all be getting paid... except for you Hetros. Boom Boom and Gasolina killed off the targets the Guye Co. way. And Kail at least had the decency to get wrecked for his incompetence. You on the other had snuck around shooting drones with a potato gun instead of smashing the snot out of that fancy pants laser mech like I asked. Now get out of my sight all of you!
Jeeves: *Discretely hands Hetros a check.*
((Well that's the mission everyone. I hope you enjoyed it. I will stick around for a bit of Q&A.
Firstly apologies for my sloppiness at processing the game sometimes. I have a few questions for you.
How do you like the system so far? Is there anything in the stat cards and instruction cards you felt was intuitive or hard to understand?
What do you think of the pilot classes, do any of them feel useless?
Finally (and this didn't really come up this session but for my previous players) do you think I should remove the hard requirement for you to lock on to your targets in order to fire missiles? Instead giving a penalty to hit if you don't have a lock.))
>>44659017
End of the month. Have exams over the next 2 and a half weeks so I have to go cold turkey on internet distractions, but after that the real campaign shall finally commence!
>>44659021
I think a hard penalty for missiles rather than lockons would be appropriate and make missiles more attractive.
>>44659021
I think the problem with missiles isn't them requiring a lock to function. It arguably could make them strong with a certain type of mech.
The problem with building your mech around missiles is that it simply isn't as effective as strapping a huge cannon to your arm.
Buying missiles is not really cost and space efficient, since you depriving yourself of one hardpoint on your mech for one missile, and this missile propaply won't even kill an enemy mech.
And once you exhausted your supply of missiles, you have to either keep on fighting with just your backup weapon, making you weaker than most, or go back the resupply point, and that's at least two or three turns spent not shooting at the enemy.
At least, that's my take on it.
