/btg/ is dead, long live /btg/!
Old Thread: >>46510346
===================================
Combat Manuals: Mercenaries (final build)
http://www.mediafire.com/download/62qpwm49e3pjdgn/E-CAT35260_Combat_Manual_Mercenaries.pdf
Touring the Stars Compilation
http://www.mediafire.com/download/p7u9jvxir86862t/Touring_the_Stars_Compilation_%28ver._0.1%29.pdf
===================================
>/btg/ does a TRO:
http://builtforwar.blog(not spam)spot.com/
>How do I do this Against the Bot thing?
http://pastebin.com/pE2f7TR5
>Overview of the major factions?
http://bg.battletech.com/universe/great-houses/
http://bg.battletech.com/universe/the-clans/
http://bg.battletech.com/universe/other-powers/
>How do I find out what BattleMechs a faction has?
http://masterunitlist.info/
>Map of /btg/ players (WIP):
https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=1116217&add=1
>BattleTech Introductory Info and PDFs
http://bg.battletech.com/?page_id=400
>Rookie guides
http://pastebin.com/HZvGKuGx
>Sarna.net - BattleTech Wiki
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Main_Page
>Megamek - computer version of BattleTech. Play with AI or other players
http://megamek.info/
Unit Designing Softwares
>SSW Mech Designer
http://www.solarisskunkwerks.com/
>MegaMek Lab
http://megameklab.sourceforge.net/
>BattleTech IRC
#battletech on irc.rizon.net
>PDF Folders
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/9q792hobnbpw3/Battletech
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/sdckg6j645z4j/Battletech
>>46571120
>namefagging while making a thread
Okay, so I'm not saying anyone has a reason to filter you, but it's a good idea not to do this in case someone is, so they can find the thread in the catalog. Saying "fuck those people" is just being petty. So next time, good form to go anon to do it. That goes for all our namefriends.
>>46571349
Fuck, didn't mean to leave my name on. My bad
>>46571441
S'all good. Nice choice of OP image by the way; the Primitive Emp is sexy.
>>46571536
>the Primitive Emp is sexy.
Yeah. Once the model comes out, I think I'll use it for all of my Emperor needs rather than the 2058 model
Is it odd if the Elementals in this cover art seem larger than they should be?
Or is that a really small mech?
>>46572149
Those are much, much larger than they should be.
>>46572149
Unless the dracs somehow developed a pixie-shaped BA, they're about three times as big as they should be
>>46572149
>#1 animated TV series
I just-
I just want to point out that they printed that.
>>46572370
I was wondering what they were claiming '#1' was representative of.
>>46572916
The #1 show named Battletech!
>>46572916
#1 in Zell?
>>46572149
No, it's not odd because scale in BT art has always been damn near random.
It is odd however that one Elemental apparently is just dancing in the middle of a fight.
>>46572916
>>46572957
>>46573772
Well it was probably the #1 animated giant robot show at the time since Robotech wasn't on the air if I recall and neither was Exo-Squad or Voltron.
>>46574642
he challenged the defenders to a dance off but no one honored his batchall
the surats
>>46574832
They dared refuse his batchall?
Does anyone have that image that shows when tech becomes available to factions? Specifically the new stuff? Wondering when people get ferro-lam, bC3, etc
>>46575268
New stuff is in TRO Prototypes, IIRC
>>46575304
Doesn't have either of those.
>>46575469
Uh, isn't it in TacOps?
>>46575268
this?
>>46575535
How did the Lyrans get the XL engine in 3035 and the Suns didn't have it until AFTER the Dracs, FWL and fucking Capellans did?
>>46575268
Latest tech advancement table is in RS 3145: New Tech New Upgrades.
>>46575268
You mean this? It's listed in TRO: 3145, the Clans somehow have had access to Superheavy Industrialmechs since the 29th century.
>>46575665
Hm, I was hoping for a faction breakdown like >>46575535
>>46575588
because that chart is a shitty pile of halfassed retcons thrown together without any real thinking about it
>>46575535
I realize the Dracs under Takashi were full retard but it boggles my mind that there wasn't more tech cooperation between the Combine and League in the 3040s and 3050s. Like the League not getting C3 until 3060? Just wow.
>>46575588
>and fucking Capellans did?
gee, I wonder who could be behind this?
>>46575739
there are many baffling issues with that chart
>>46575739
>>46575729
No tears, only dreams now
>>46575729
I guess that makes sense.
>>46575780
Right? Think too hard about that chart and you'll lose hair.
Writing the /btg/RO "press release" to be put out ahead of the teaser PDF release, and I figured I'd see if there's anything people want to know beyond what it is and who's working on it. So if you have any specific questions, shoot.
Or if you can think of anything that's important to know but might not be immediately obvious. For example, I just had to make a note to mention that we're releasing this as a PDF and not distributing physical copies, but it's formatted such that it can be printed on American or European paper sizes.
>>46576188
How much PURPLE BIRD bias is there, in Colemans? I'll only make a printout if there's greater than .2 Colemans worth.
>>46576317
I'd say we're sitting at a solid half-Coleman right now.
>>46574642
It'd be funny if the Clan Invasion's early successes were nothing but break dancing victories with Leo Showers leading the dance offs.
Spotlight On: Unending Faith III-Beta is the new product.
The question is, what the fuck is Unending Faith III-Beta part of?
>>46575588
Maybe ComStar had something to do with it?
>>46576863
It's part of the neo-ComGuard, fights the Republic on Epsilon Eridani
>>46576928
I can't see how since the AFFC had formed in 3042. With a single chain of command their tech should likewise be uniform. I mean I could see it being a few years years after the Lyrans, but 13? And 3 after all their neighbors, even chickenshit little CapCon? I'm guessing >>46575729 is right.
>>46576948
Well, it's good that BuhlStar gets some attention. A shame that it's dead, though.
>>46576317
>>46576398
Man, if Coleman is your 1.0 on the scale, what would it take to get a score of 2?
>>46577145
Medron Pryde
>>46577145
Medron Pryde
>>46577145
Medron Pryde.
Maybe Master Amaris, but he might actually be higher
>>46577302
Master Arminas is at least 4 Colemans
>>46577596
Yeah, you're right. Maybe 5
>>46577596
I started reading one of his fanfics before I knew who he was. And to be fair it started out interestingly. But now I definitely will remember him.
>MFW Coleman isn't even the best Coleman
Can't that fuck-up do anything right?
>>46577788
Remember how his son used $500 of the patio money to bail his ass out in the match?
>>46577806
Oh, I most definitely do.
>>46577806
I keep hearing this story, but never what happened.
What match?
What patio money?
I'm going on a beer run.
Because today reminded me sometimes not even smashy robots can bring me enough joy.
I'd love to hear this story.
Is there a size chart showing how tall an Elemental is to a Protomech and how large a Protomech is to a regular mech?
bumping with best mech
panther-chan a shit
>>46574642
Goddammit, do you know how hard it was to not bust out laughing and scare the shit out of my SO while she's sleeping?
>>46582131
No need to play pretend with us, anon.
>>46575774
>gee, I wonder who could be behind this?
The international banking conspiracy.
>>46582464
ComStar?
>>46582778
No anon. Jews.
>>46583983
So the... Lyrans?
They did it?
>>46575535
Where is this table from?
>>46584769
Mercenary Supplemental II.
Lists when each faction had enough of an item that they were using it "commonly" which probably suggests limited manufacture and deployment a couple of years beforehand.
>>46577961
CGL vs HBS 3v3 Battletech game as goal/advertising for new Battletech game. It was a charity game, so money could be donated to influence the game. For $500, you could completely repair someone's 'Mech. Someone donated $500 to keep Coleman's Awesome(?) in the game, so the joke is that it was his son donating patio money.
The patio thing is a joke that Coleman embezzeled money from CGL (which really happened) to fund a new patio for his house. Anything referring to a patio with Battletech is automatically embezzelment.
>>46586024
His son donating isn't a joke though, he legit gave Coleman 500 to bring his awesome back from the nearly-dead. That won the game for them, really.
Stat this tonk?
Also saw the Paladium shitmech discussion last thread. Really bro's just be patient and wait for my redesigns. Unless you really like dinosaur mech designs, then sure, but those million part puppies up!
So I just saw Zootopia with my kids and afterwards I started thinking about what mechs law enforcement use.
Now the animal characters at first made me think of Clans, but I'm pretty sure they don't allow non-touman warriors to pilot mechs since even their solahma usually are hurting for them.
But what about law enforcement mechs in the Inner Sphere? Variants of standards mechs, purpose-built light models, what have you?
>>46578531
Master Arminas has written several sizeable BT fan-fics.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/by-the-horns-a-battletech-alternate-universe.261450/
http://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/by-the-horns-story-only-thread.262832/
"By the Horns" has a Taurian battleship from the last days of the Reunification War misjump from 2596 to 3025, complete with a datacore that hasn't been fucked with by Terra or ComStar, which leads to Shitloads of Shenanigans.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/scorpio-ascendant.224738/
"Scorpio Ascendant" has Clan Goliath Scorpion undergoing internal reforms that end up getting them a leading slot in Operation REVIVAL.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/kerensky-and-kurita-book-i-of-the-cameron-legacy.140599/
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/blood-and-steel-book-ii-of-the-cameron-legacy.142450/
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/the-long-road-home.148656/
He also wrote a full trilogy of very long fics, "The Cameron Legacy", where the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine decides to fight Amaris when the Coup starts, rather than tolerate the shame of hostage shenanigans as in canon. When a surviving Cameron heir is located, the DC backs him for First Lord and gears up for a full war against Amaris (and alongside the SLDF) to install him on Terra.
Fair warning: he does write to the 'heroic' end of the spectrum, rather than grim-and-gritty. The unkind might say he writes stomp-fics or even wank-fics. And he certainly has a... strong affection for the Taurians, if "By the Horns" is anything to go by.
>>46586657
>taking your kids to SJW agitprop - the movie
>>46586697
>"Scorpio Ascendant" has Clan Goliath Scorpion undergoing internal reforms that end up getting them a leading slot in Operation REVIVAL.
I remember how munchy that was. A Scorpion pilot taking out like a binary of keshik warriors before succumbing himself or some shit.
>>46586903
I know you're being tongue-in-cheek but it is scary how many neckbeards here believe that.
>>46586657
>But what about law enforcement mechs in the Inner Sphere? Variants of standards mechs, purpose-built light models, what have you?
Securitymechs/policemechs are industrials, often purpose built but sometimes modifications, there's a Cattlemaster securitymech for example.
There's actually a treaty made originally during the first Star League that dictates the limits of what they can carry and such, that has actually been maintained and modified over the years. For instance, they top out at 50 tons, they tend to be limited in what kinds of weapons they use, particular favoring stuff that has non lethal capabilities, for instance mech flamers are and RLs are banned, vehicle flamers are okay, since you can use them as water cannons and the like, while SRMs can chuck out tear gas and smoke. Jihad and on TSEMP and mech tasers have garnered attention too.
TRO Vehicle Annex Revised has a section about it.
>>46586961
>TRO Vehicle Annex Revised has a section about it.
Awesome, thanks.
You wouldn't happen to know of any scenarios that run with law enforcement mechs, would you? IIRC the only one I've seen is in JTP: Atreus.
>>46586947
To be fair, IIRC it was a goddamn Khan from a clan noted for marksmanship, but yeah, it got a bit unbelievable at places. I seem to recall that part got the forums up at arms till he rewrote it to just a star or something.
>>46586997
Turning Points: Irian is the only one off the top of my head.
>>46587026
For the Turning Points series is there a map legend for what the symbols mean? Empty and filled circles, pentagons, etc?
>>46586960
Randall please keep your SJW shilling on tumblr
>>46587228
>>46587128
Should be on the lower left of the first page of the map.
Here's an example from the first page of HTP: Tortuga.
>>46588264
Oh thanks. I just found it when I got to the record sheets.
That Emperor Mercury Elite really is something, isn't it?
>>46588320
>Emperor Mercury Elite
Holy Terra. Where have you been all my life?!?
>>46588420
Yeah it gets my purple bird on.
>>46588420
Ignored because >FWL
>>46579816
I think I've seen an illustration that has both an Elemental and a ProtoMech. I forget where.
Basically, typical regular 'Mechs are 10-12 meters, for ProtoMechs you halve that, and Elementals are halved again.
Similar to Mechs like the Komodo, could you design a Protomech for hunting down Battle Armor?
And would it be feasible or all that useful?
>>46589994
As far as canon designs go, that's probably the Boggart 2
Or, hell, I think the 1 is good against everything but fire-resistant armor BA.
Any BA hunter worth its salt will be something like the Boggart 2 as well. Highly mobile, hopefully with jets, and with a weapons load that outranges most traditional BA.
Can Protos be swarmed the way tanks and mechs can?
>>46590089
Can they take things like medium lasers?
>>46590419
Wondering that myself now that I think about it.
>>46590089
I suppose I should add to this that 5/8/5, 4/6/4, or 3/5/5 are good enough speeds for ensuring you stay out of the range of all but the fastest BA (IS quads can go 6 hexes with mechanical jump boosters, and I'm sure we're all familiar with the Buraq).
You can also mount things like SRMs (especially with infernos, these get nasty), APGRs, and heavy medium lasers. This will let you kill BA faster, but open you up to a helluvalot more in the way of return fire.
Also, the HML does suffer from having to deal with protomech heat sinks jumping its weight up above the much longer ranged and safer ERML and STILL not killing Elementals in one hit.
LRMs are also an option, as is the (incredibly heavy) ERLL.
>>46590598
>Can they take things like medium lasers?
Yes. However, medium chem lasers might be a better idea; the medium weighs 1750 kilos compared to the MCL's 1000 plus ammo.
We're always talking about favorite mechs, but what are everyone's favorite tanks?
>>46591053
Po.
>>46591407
Saw that coming.
>>46591053
Rommel/Patton. Just exactly what a MBT ought to be. Second is going to be the Partisan, and the Fulcrum for third, just the best scout/fast-attack vehicle
>>46591053
Schreck/Alacorn for pure fire support, Von Luckner is a preferred MBT, and the Tokugawa is just fun.
>>46591053
I'm a big fan of the Ontos for its GLORIOUSLY INCANDESCENT factor.
Am I supposed to be constantly outnumbered when playing against the bot?
>http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=50799.msg1203829#msg1203829
>Word of Blake Name Generator
This is fucking great.
>>46591695
Those are my favorite Taurian tanks.
>>46592038
>Ontos: The reason why Vees aren't allowed DHS
>>46591053
1: Partisan
2: Rommel/Patton
3:Demolisher
4:Fulcrum
5:Tied between the Brutus and Ontos
Gotta love dem heavy/assault tanks
>>46592127
Pretty much, yeah.
>>46592127
Yes, because the bot is hilariously bad and sheer weight of numbers is the only way it can challenge you.
>>46593369
>Likes assault vees
>doesn't mention the Alacorn, Challenger X or Gurty
>Laughing Lyrans.hpg
>>46586438
>>46591053
I like the Moltke, based Merkava mk.IX, Main Gauche, Stygian, and the triple-LGR Ontos.
>>46591053
Can't decide. Am painting some right now though.
>>46591053
Moltke M3
>>46591053
Fulcrum, Pegasus, Scimitar, Saladshooter, Fortune, Typhoon, Joust, Danai.
>>46595518
Can't believe I forgot the Drillson.
>>46591053
Hetzer.
It's pretty much exactly what I want out of a vee. Useful, dangerous, and incredibly disposable. My two complaints are the wheels and the gun not being an LBX.
Which is why the tracked not-Hetzer being an only-Cappie design will forever make me sad.
>>46595709
Which one's the Cappie design?
>>46596173
Wun Hong Loh
>>46596173
The Predator Tank Destroyer.
>>46591407
I heard the Free Worlds bought a number of Po's from the Capellans, giving the battered Confederation much needed funds.
Were the Free Worlds tank forces decimated that badly in the 4th Succession War?
Or was the Po just readily available?
>>46596876
>Or was the Po just readily available?
This. The caps were pumping them out in absurd numbers (think the T34 in WWII), it's cheap, and it's an acceptable tank for garrison work against pirates and raids.
>>46596625
Could do with an MG but damn, that's one hell of a focused design done right.
>>46596876
You can never have enough tanks, and the Po was readily available in large quantities, cheap and had reasonably good performance
>>46597010
The LB-10-X upgrade is almost a no-brainer too.
Po II though is just bad and completely goes against the spirit of the design. It went from being the T-34 to the T-10.
>>46596876
The League was barely involved in the 4th war so no. More likely forces were damaged in the Andurien war, and the plethora of raiding in that decade in the lead up to the War of '39.
>>46597010
>>46597206
Didn't a pissed off Capellan officer drive his Po into his CO's office to kill him?
>>46597029
Xin Sheng, brother :)
>>46589994
Like what's already been suggested, the best way to take out BA with ProtoMechs is with fire. Battle Armor will easily outdamage comparatively BV'd ProtoMechs, so there's no way you can afford to whittle them down through accumulated hits from small or even medium caliber guns from multiple ProtoMechs. Basically, the question you should ask is: "If my opponent brings a Corona Point to the table, how can I take it out without losing too much BV in the attempt?"
A 3/4 Corona Point costs 800 BV. You won't be able to outrange them with most Protos, and those that do mount LRMs and the like will usually take too long to render the entire BA point combat ineffective. Instead, I'd say your best bet is to go the route >>46590089 mentioned and use the standard Boggart. Using the Boggart 2 is asking for trouble, though. It's great against 'Mechs, but crumbles against deadlier Clan BA. Otherwise, go for SRMs. The Delphyne 3, Gorgon 3/4, and Orc 1/3 are what I'd consider to be the premier anti-BA Protos. Mount infernos, focus fire with as many SRM tubes as possible, and hope for the best.
If your opponent brings Fire Resistant BA, like say, an Ironhold (Anti-Tank) Point? You're kind of fucked. It sucks, but BA are hell for Protos to deal with. You'll have to bring in some main combat Protos, those mounting ER Mediums or Medium Pulse Lasers, and slam the BA point with as much damage as humanely possible in one go.
>>46597516
I thought it was a member of the Big Mac that did that?
So what are the advantages of the Daishi over other 100 Ton mechs?
And which Non-Clan Inner Sphere power utilizes them the most?
>>46598998
Its clan tech, it has more tonnage dedicated to guns than the rest of the mech weighs, while still having the same speed and armor as an atlas.
>>46598998
Battletech's huge boom, near-death, and struggle to survive is fascinating
>>46598998
Ded killy, Omni. The only comparable design I can think of is the Tomahawk II, which is basically a Dire Wolf II.
And the Dracs should have the most, after wilping out the Jags and looting everything.
>>46599857
Gotta catch 'em all!
>>46598502
>Big Mac
>not Cappies
[XIN SHENG NOISES]
But seriously, the Big Mac are practically state troops. Like the Northwind Highlanders were supposed to be, until they kept selling everyone out.
>>46600296
Northwind Highlanders are honourable mercenaries though.
>>46600296
it's kinda interesting how pretty much every state has those, even the tiny ones.
like, aside from the dracs, OA and marian hegemony, I can't think of any faction that DOESN'T have at least one merc unit that's been with them from 3025/1986 to the present or from their date of creation forwards
>>46600412
MH was basically founded by mercs/"pirates"
>>46600463
wasn't that the Circinus Federation?
I thought the marians were founded on germanium money and the leftovers of the old ATC by a wandering trader
>>46600580
Yeah and guess who he hired to prop up his state
>>46600412
I think all the League's original mercs were wiped out in the Jihad.
>>46600643
yeah, though mercs weren't directly the founders like the circinus federation. but this is splitting hairs, really.
also, the marians really don't hire many mercs until the '60s, oddly enough. so it seems like they relied on mercs at first before giving up on them once they'd built up their own military
>>46600697
yeah, shit, I think you might be right.
Is "Objectives: Periphery" not in the folders? I can't seem to find it.
>>46600697
The FWL let a lot of its mercs go from '55 on.
Some hired on with individual provinces, most probably wound up in the (ex) FedCom or working for the WoB.
>>46600907
>Dracs go DEATH TO MERCENARIES, nearly lose capital
>FWL lets go of mercenaries, collapses in Jihad
>CC is letting go of mercenaries in dark age
Hmmmm.
AU idea: (fake) Thomas Marik accepts the title of Primus-in-Exile from the WoB.
>>46601048
>gets assassinated by Sixth of June because "muh blake something something third transfer"
>reading through the Intelligence Operations Handbook
>SAFE has nearly 4 regiments as a security force
Jesus Christ.
>>46601245
what?
>>46601330
8 perimeter defense bunkers with a mech battalion each. Central 'Citadel' with a whole regiment.
>>46601385
Here's a screencap.
>>46601385
I found it, page 95. Shit.
I remember seeing a conversation about this a month ago. Looks like >>45853174 >>45853846 >>45854006 were right.
So where the fuck were these guys during the Blakist takeover of Atreus? For either side, I mean, subverted or loyalist.
Probably CGL forgetting FWL stuff exists.
So what's an 'anti-vessel firehold'?
>>46601539
Surface to orbit bunker?
>>46600907
I think they just forgot that mercs worked for the FWL
>>46601839
>I think they just forgot ... the FWL
fixed
>>46601539
>So what's an 'anti-vessel firehold'?
My guess is STO nuclear missile silos
>>46601539
The more you look into it the more these little gaps appear, like Paul Marik being able to organise a coup despite having literally no authority or power to broker into influence as minister of intelligence.
>>46602430
He used the 4 regiments of SAFE security?
>>46602430
>in charge of the intel division
>not in charge of covert ops
>not sitting on top of a mountain of blackmail material
holy shit nigga what are you doin
since we've been talking tanks, let's post tank designs of our own, post-one-review-one
>>46604210
It's a Chemical Laser Galleon. Not that much to say.
>>46604210
I came here to laugh at anything that flies
>>46604570
like you said, there isn't much to say about it. pretty tough for a light tank, which is good. chem lasers seem like a decent primary weapon, though their being clan only is completely asinine
>>46605160
Shallow bins, to my eyes. That's only 15 shots per gun. And HMV too, which is getting increasingly harder to read the less I use it.
>Pic related
It's the Zhukov everyone wanted, but for some reason never bothered to be smart and build.
>>46605262
>Shallow bins, to my eyes. That's only 15 shots per gun
yeah, but the Partisan has the same round-per-gun count for the LBXs. for something primarily intended as an AA tank, I don't see it as a terribly big issue
>but for some reason never bothered to be smart and build.
the problem with FCEs in my opinion is that they're just objectively better than ICEs without the fluff constraints that SFEs and XLFEs for tanks suffer prior to the 3050s. they just feel like a completely unnecessary addition to the game that just make a lot of older designs look like they were irrationally badly designed, for no good reason
also, on the subject of
>refits that everyone wanted, but for some reason never bothered to be smart and build
here's a Von Luckner refitted to 3058 standards
>>46605262
>That's only 15 shots per gun.
I know it's a vee and therefore doesn't have the same problem with over-ammoing that a mech does.
But still, 15 shots is pretty standard. It's not the 20 that you might be used to on the 10, but I know for a fact that it works just fine on the 20.
>>46605405
>the problem with FCEs in my opinion is that they're just objectively better than ICEs without the fluff constraints that SFEs and XLFEs for tanks suffer prior to the 3050s. they just feel like a completely unnecessary addition to the game that just make a lot of older designs look like they were irrationally badly designed, for no good reason
Actually it's more that the only Zhukov that really deviates from the norm is the WoB version, which slaps on an XLFE and two VSPLs. And the other two variants just downgrade the SRM for C3 gear while swapping to LB-10s. Which are now far too light on ammo for me. 5 shots per gun per ammo type is Enforcer tier husbanding.
>here's a Von Luckner refitted to 3058 standards
I'd move some of the weapons out of the turret. You're one crit away from being unable to respond with quite literally all of your guns if an attack comes from a bad direction.
>>46605442
The main issue I have with the 15 shots is that I play a lot of campaign games where you roll up with half ammo to a fight after a previous one. Also, the armor is lopsided to favor the sides over the turret, which seems odd.
Anyway, have a Society/Homeworlds tonk. One of several I made.
>>46605549
>Also, the armor is lopsided to favor the sides over the turret
The vee hit location chart supports it though.
>>46605549
>I'd move some of the weapons out of the turret. You're one crit away from being unable to respond with quite literally all of your guns if an attack comes from a bad direction.
true, but the Luckner traditionally has a very turret-heavy gunload (aside from the baffling rear-mounted LRMs, seriously, who thought that was a good idea?)
>>46605549
>The main issue I have with the 15 shots is that I play a lot of campaign games where you roll up with half ammo to a fight after a previous one
again, it's a defensively oriented vehicle, and in past campaigns I've almost always had time to reload vehicles in between fights. for mechs, from time to time you'd get chase scenarios where you've GOTTA GO RIGHT NOW and don't have time to reload, and even that's rare, since it takes a hot fifteen minutes to reload, but with vees, which I typically use defensively it's not happened in a very long time that I can recall
I think it's just differing campaign scenarios; i play almost entirely mercs campaign-wise so my optempo is probably lower than whatever you do
(I'm also in the habit of parking spare ammo and a repair platform or two not far behind the lines, or sometimes having the DS leapfrogging behind the units if there's no enemy AAA in the nearby area, so as to keep repairs and ammo close at hand)
>>46605707
CA plays shitfests where battalions get nuked to death
If anything everyone should die too fast to run out of ammo
>>46595709
>the tracked not-Hetzer
Why go with tracks when you can have legs with Quickscell!
Tempted to start playing AtB again but last time I tried balance was all over the place.
Have they done anything to bring it back to a reasonable level? Last time I tried it was either super easy or suicidal
>>46600735
>the marians really don't hire many mercs until the '60s, oddly enough
Not all that odd, really. Working for what was for some time basically a pirate state is bad business for a merc, so even if the Marians were looking to hire, they would have had few takers. It was around the late 30s and into the 40s that the push to legit state really started, and it would take time to shake the rep outside the realm, and Julius taking power and instituting further reforms in 3063 was probably the last thing that secured them as a real nation.
>>46605549
Looks fun, but anything sneezing loudly in it's direction looks to hole it. Be interested to see what it's supposed to party with.
Because there is pretty much no VTOL that uses a mast mount for anything productive, have one.
>>46606319
If you don't want to be "suicidal" then don't take contracts against opponents who are better than you?
>>46607645
You want a challenge, make a mech or vee that uses a recon camera well
>>46602566
>>46604203
Minister of Intelligence has no authority over SAFE, covert ops or anything...
>>46608175
>CGL not being aware of things written by FASA
nothing new there
>>46604203
>pages with SAFE info get pointed out
>still make that post
holy shit nigga what are you doin lol
>>46608055
Have a containerized recon payload for the Bishop VTOL featuring a recon cam and room for some PAL's or jump infantry a long time ago. I think mechanically it should work, but not sure. Essentially go be sneaky, drop off PAL to do dirty work, while the eye in the sky watches for traps. (A purpose designed unit with vehicular stealth and all would be better, I know, but I was on a container building craze)
>>46608055
That would be >>46607645, but with a recon camera in the mast. And maybe TAG too, for all around spotting ability.
>>46591053
I've never used tanks much. Aside from the Galleon and Ontos what were the FWL's main tanks before the Clan Invasion?
>>46608395
Aforementioned container spree. I'd like to put together a whole fleet of containers, so that an entire command post/small base could be dropped off by Bishops and quickly relocated should need arise. Some of them would double as disaster relief type things as well.
>>46608409
Vedette.
Seriously, everyone's tank forces had the Vedette as their major component.
>>46602430
It wasn't an internal FWL coup, though. It was a WoB powergrab that just happened to use Paul Marik as its figurehead. Even if Paul hadn't been there the Wobbies would have found someone else to lead the charge. Paul just gave the movement a sheen of legitimacy that could be used to sway the public opinion and the loyalty of certain League commands.
>>46608962
Paul still literally organised it, through means we're never told because they wouldn't stand up to scrutiny. Whether he was a figurehead is irrelevant.
>>46609179
>Paul still literally organised it
I would have to disagree. The introductory story to JHS:3070 basically states that the Master ordered Paul to launch the coup that got the rogue Thomas Halas off of the throne.
>>46609292
Ordered is different from organised m8. Paul was the one that had to set up military forces and government support to prevent an immediate counter-coup since the Director of SAFE was loyal to Thomas, the local garrison was handpicked by Thomas and the palace guards were handpicked by Thomas.
And this was after the FWL Supreme Court ruled Thomas was the legitimate Captain-General.
So like I said, this writing doesn't really stand up to scrutiny.
>>46609341
I'd really suggest taking a look at that intro I spoke about. Here's a quote:
>"They’re Blake Militia, a gift, so don’t hope they have any residual loyalty to you. And you really have no idea how ill-liked you are, do you, Captain-General? Of how little support you have in the military. I didn’t need to engineer a coup. I just gave my approval and allowed matters to take their course. Adam simply made sure people we could trust were in the right place at the right time.”
>Thomas pondered. Adam Tam, Chief Armorer. His Blakist sympathies were an open secret, but Thomas had thought—had hoped—he’d been isolated from them. Like Paul? The mistakes were compounding."
So it looks like there were other Blakist sympathizers that Paul could work with, elevating his role from just a figurehead to being a component of a larger Blakist plot.
>>46609429
Every source refers to it as Paul's coup. His little jabs at Thomas in anger aren't really objective facts, nor do they discount the points I brought up.
Adam Tam is the big connection that allows any credibility, but it still strains belief. Blake Militia? From where? How did they get in without Cherenkov or Palace Guard, some of whom were knights, raising an alarm? Where was SAFE's security forces at all?
Given how the writers previously completely forgot how the FedSuns government works so that the FCCW could take place I can see how they'd drop the ball with the forgotten FWL.
>>46609429
>>46609486
Not that this is really even a big deal as far as lore discussion goes, but this:
>Paul’s betrayal had been the weak spot. Having your Minister of Intelligence side with the enemy was just a small inconvenience, Thomas thought wryly.
Kinda proves the point that the writers were operating under mistaken ideas about the extend of the MoI's power within the League government, not realizing he basically has none.
What's the iconic mech in each weight class for your favorite faction?
>>46610206
>Kit Fox
>Stormcrow?
>Either Summoner or Hellbringer
>Either Warhawk or Turkina
>>46610283
I can think of 2 named Jade Falcons who piloted Black Hawks in the novels. They seem to prefer the Nova over the Ryoken.
>inb4 muh novels
>>46610283
>green bird player
>>46610317
Nothing wrong with novels.
>12 ER medium lasers
I need that Nova Cat SURGE pic
>>46610283
>>46610317
What about the Black Lanner?
>>46610367
Whoops, did not mean to post that gif.
>>46610206
Iconic? Assault's a bit murky, but light, medium, and heavy are all pretty obvious.
>Raven
>Vindicator
>Cataphract
>Pillager or Cyclops
>>46610367
If we're talking around Bulldog/Serpent, then you could argue for the Cougar or Fire Falcon over the Uller as well.
But Black Lanner is definitely more Falcon than the Black Hawk.
>>46610367
Black Lanner is definitely more 'Falcon' than the Nova. If we're talking around FCCW for the Falcons then the Cougar and Fire Falcon are more iconic than the Uller.
>>46610381
Yu forgot the Yu Huang.
>>46610381
I would posit that the Urbanmech and Men Shen could compete for the iconic Light and Medium slots for the Caps. The Emperor could also put up a fight for the Assault slot.
The discussion last week on the Magistracy's potential locations to raid and its defenses really came in handy. While doing some digging I found that the Canopians surprisingly didn't base any regular troops or major mercenary commands on Dunianshire, despite that world being the home of the second of their only two mech factories. If I could find that out, I suspected SAFE could, and so that is where our raid took us. Gamma battalion, supported by elements of its organic convention forces, staged an objective raid on Majesty Metals and Manufacturing. I'll keep this one brief. As usual I was Moretti, and had gained a Blackjack omni that I used the B variant for (wanted a gauss rifle). We still had the Wraith and Phoenix Hawk, and Zippo swapped out his -2S for the -5S Hermes II.
With no regular garrison, the initial opposition was elements of the under-equipped planetary militia who foolishly chose to attempt and rebuff the 1st Rangers at their landing zone. After trampling some mud-crunchers and shooting up their light armor, Bravo Lance joined its company in moving on the factories. There a security detachment proved the first hindrance, in the form of a lance of Po tanks built on location. Supporting Bravo lance was the four remaining squads of the IS Standard BA platoon that helped out on Lopez. For the record two of the squads were equipped with Light Recoilless Rifles, and each mechwarrior got to have one squad attached to command, making it some fun combined arms play.
>>46612036
As you can guess the Po's proved a challenge in the hands of an experienced player, but Moretti was able to make the first kill on one. Bravo focused its fire on a second, that Moretti got the kill for too. That's when the Po's backup arrived in the form a lance of mechs piloted right off the lines by Canopian contractors there: two Shadow Hawks and two Locusts. Dingo focused on one of the Locusts, burning it down with his Pixie's lasers pretty quick before it could do much. The remaining two Po's tried to close with Moretti's Blackjack but were held up by Zippo and two squads of BA. The Shads moved in too and hosed Zippo's Hermes II with fire, wrecking his autocannon and forcing him to pull back (he took a nasty hit and failed a PSR, remaining blacked out for the rest of the fight). But Dirty Harry and Dingo lept in to help. The BA squad with Dirty Harry actually got the kill on one Shad for him, taking it down with LRRs. The other Shad and Po tried to pull out (one Po was lit up by DH's Wraith, and the remaining Locust by Dingo's Pixie) but concentrated fire brought them down, and the gates to the factories were opened. Zippo recovered but his Hermes II is in shit condition now.
One downside of raiding Dunianshire is that the Canopians are still mostly tech-backwards and don't build anything sweet to loot in terms of mechs. Our game session was abbreviated due to the combined effects of spring break ending and poor weather. So far most of the loot is fluffy material: PPCs, Manticores, AC-10s and LRMs, etc. A lot of vehicles and weapons, essentially.
I'm toying with the idea of turning the tables and making them defend the site as their leadership wants them to wait for a dropship to arrive to strip the factories, and a Canopian force arrives in response.
Thoughts on follow up game ideas?
Also does anyone else drink when they play or do you wait until after? We had a long discussion while rolling some bad rolls on if drinking makes you better.
>>46606036
That's just your opinion man. At any rate, I haven't used WMDs in a game since... mid-March, when we declared a moratorium on them after one player decided the use of 25 Thermobaric bombs was acceptable in a friendly game. I'd still take that over 2x2 "Let's have a friendly match!" games forever.
>>46605707
>i play almost entirely mercs campaign-wise so my optempo is probably lower than whatever you do
A fair chunk of mercenary campaigns, as well as SLDF and inflated CI games. One that really sticks out is that I had 16 real time hours to invade 4 cities with a reinforced regiment of 4 battalions, where each city was defended by a battalion of their own.
After each city was taken I had a mandatory 2 hour forced march to get to the next one, and so we could set the city sheet up differently and have a small break, so there went 6 hours. The cities themselves were 6x5 mapsheets, with the city being 5x4, and the border map on each side. I got to reload in the middle of it, after wiping out two battalions. And I had to leave a company behind at each objective. With 20 minutes to spare, my last demi-company managed to "secure" the final objective... mainly by destroying the city and herding the opfor into fire zones.
>>46612072
>Also does anyone else drink when they play or do you wait until after?
I like to have a beer or two or maybe even three if I'm not taking it seriously during the game, but I save the bourbon for afterwords.
>Thoughts on follow up game ideas?
What about pirates/Marian raiders/disgruntled Froncs showing up, having planned to raid the factory themselves?
This could mean a fight, but it could ALSO mean a chance to cause the canopians even more grief if they can think fast and talk faster
>>46612818
>Marians show up
>offer them a share of the loot, as well as whatever manufacturing gear they want
>>46571120
So, /btg/, what are some AARs/LPs of MM/MHQ AtB you'd recommend people check out? What are some tips you'd give in regards to making one?Thinking about posting one to Something Awful and wanted to get some ideas as to what people actually would read
How do I effectively use artillery as a clanbusting technique?
>>46614628
>pretend to honor Zell
>get ~10 homing Arrow IVs in the air at once
>TAG their biggest shitbrick the turn they all land
>>46614700
You can also do time-on-target shenanigans if you have a fast enough artillery vehicle.
>>46614628
>Field proper numbers of Arty.
>12+ Thumpers, 8 Snipers/Arrows, or 4-8 Longtoms
>Forget about direct targeting of enemies unless you have TAG+AIV
>Smother potential strong points, deny avenues of escape/or flanking, and obliterate cover.
>Use it as a shield.
>Pray they don't have their own arty or air support.
TAG+AIV/Copperheads is American style. Massed fire on locations is Soviet style. Frankly massed fire is cheaper and easier and doesn't require FOs with TAG. Mount a vet pilot in a cheap VTOL, like a Ferret, and use them as spotters from safe distances.
I've done this once in a multi company game and it just utterly demoralized anyone that came under my fire. Kept the enemy mobile and spread out which made them easy pickings for my allies once my fire moved on. One enemy got it and moved into knife fighting range with an allied company. Allied company had 2 TAG units so I switched to copperhead rounds and showed them that even grabbing out belts to keep us close didn't work.
Oh and it works on clanners and IS alike.
>>46614628
Bring enough for the first thing; you can pick up at least a company of snipers for the price of a single clan mech, and you're gonna want at least 12 tubes per star of enemy mechs, maybe more. You can do some pretty terrifying things if you can get a battalion or more into play; those suckers bring major heat. If you can, have presighted barrages pointed at chokepoints on the map where you expect them to go. If you're going to do this, LRM carriers with FASCAM can be incredibly useful for herding purposes. Also, be sure to bring some flak to cover your arty park in case they've brought fighter cover
>>46614628
https://20thcenturywargaming.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/why-cold-war-warsaw-pact-tactics-work-in-wargaming/
Good write up on the sorts of tactics IS forces facing Clanners should use. Soviet doctrine is great for this sort of thing.
>>46614700
>>TAG their biggest shitbrick the turn they all land
Made me giggle picturing a grizzle arty NCO muttering "fuck clanners" as his shots go out.
>>46615468
>Soviet doctrine is great
fixed.
>>46614628
One thing to keep in mind for when you're planning your artillery fuck against the clans is to bring a couple ASFs with Alamos or a couple of ground-launch Peacemakers for when the tubebabbys get butthurt and call in an orbital strike on your artillery
>>46615645
>tubebabbys
You dare to dishonor their batchall?!
>>46615910
I DARE
>>46615468
Thank you for sharing this, it's a great read.
>>46616526
>Providing solid reads for my fellow anon.
My work here is done.
>>46616643
If you have any more like it with Soviet Cold War tactics I'd appreciate it.
>>46598998
>That cover
Ugliest Daishi I ever saw--and it even has the wrong insignia!
>>46617301
Pretty sure that's supposed to be VSD in his Daishi.
>>46615468
>While NATO is planning the position of each smallest unit, the Russians simply decide the correct Axis of advance and then all the armour lines up behind the lead vehicle.
Whelp, I guess that's why they figured that atomic bombs would be their best bet.
>>46617149
I don't personally have them as i'm out on my phone atm but i'm sure someone here has a copy of the soviet doctrine manual if you're interested.
>>46617377
Also why the A-10 was invented
>>46615468
Needs the response article because the original doesn't actually convey Soviet tactics particularly well, especially the rapid shifts in roads used.
>>46617441
I remember reading this. This guy is pure autism even if he is right.
>>46617319
now how do you explain the backwards legs, mister smarty pants man?
>>46617620
He's Victor Steiner-Davion. He will come to your planet and fuck all of your women. And you're wondering why his Daishi's legs are backward? He's the Goddamn First Prince.
>>46617588
You know what? That sort of thing is one of the very few situations where autism is a valuable resource
>>46617441
Yes he makes good points. I didnt have it on hand to throw in with the original though.
>>46617149
FM 100-2 series (100-2-1, 100-2-2, 100-2-3) are a good start.
This is some great stuff guys, keep it up.
Now, a big, strategic-scale question for all the cold warriors here: say the entire Clan Smoke Jaguar Touman minus WarShip and DS assets is sitting at the Fulda Gap, up against the battletech-ified soviets. Nukes are off the table. Can they hold it?
>>46617868
Are they following Zell.
>>46617999
Maybe for the first 30 seconds, but not really
>Idea: Clans enforce Zellbringen with immediate orbital strikes rather than harsh language.
How much would this have changed the Clan Invasion?
>>46617868
Tanks+Infantry+artillery+aircraft equal to the numbers and composition the soviets had in position, without BV or tonnage to limit them?
No.
>>46617999
>Zell
>meaning against tanks and infantry
>>46618048
It would have turned it into what amounts to reunification war 2.0, campaignanon would masturbate for a week straight and absolutely nobody else would have any fun with it
Ok so I really want to try my hand in a campaign.
Chaos campaign looks awesome and I want to try that.
Do I need to purchase a bunch of Word of Blake Mechs to make it work though?
I only have the minis from the 25th anniversary.
>>46618052
>without BV or tonnage to limit them?
Nope, just that all soviet units are introtech only
>>46618048
It would have been pure clanfag masturbation, even more than it already is.
>>46618106
Nope, no need to buy WoB mechs, since the game is not wysiwyg. Use whatever, just make sure that the proxies don't play the shuffle game.
>>46618048
Zell didn't really last all that long against the IS in the Invasion anyway, so, Turtle Bay all day every day, instead of just once.
>>46618097
Closer to the First Succession War, but y'know, whichever.
>>46618171
Since you seem to know a bit about campaigns, what would be a good start to hook my group into a Btech campaign? Is Chaos Campaign the best for newbies? I'm the only one of the group who played the game before.
>>46618436
Depends. Chaos Campaign/Total Chaos is set in the Jihad, so there's more options, but the missions can overall be more difficult. The "starter" campaign book is nominally Sword and Dragon, which is a 3039 setting book. Less options, but less difficulty as well.
>>46617868
What era? Revival beginning? Bulldog?
>>46618116
I was thinking that, and it won't matter. The combined arms capabilities of the multiple tank and motor rifle regiments, especially with all the artillery and air support puts the clan force into a very uphill battle as they're far overweighted on the direct combat arm of mechs.
>>46618554
Ok, all four initial invader clans.
>>46618436
I would seriously recommend against jihad-era stuff for beginners; 3025-era stuff would be a far, far better idea
>>46617808
Muninn posted one of those the other day, check last thread
>>46612818
>>46612837
Gaffa's Ghost, that's cool idea. I think the FWLM is flexible enough to not a have a problem cooperating with Marians or Froncers in an objective raid, but pirates might be right out.
Does the Canopian military have any regiments known for being rapid reaction forces? I know the TDF has the Red Chasseurs.
>>46617441
What an incoherent ramble over nothing.
>>46620079
>Does the Canopian military have any regiments known for being rapid reaction forces?
I don't believe so. Despite it's size, their military is pretty anemic compared to IS units or even the taurians
>>46571120
I would like to play a mechwarrior pencil and paper RPG with a focus on combat rather than politics.
Which systems mods and fan-created stuff should I be looking into?
>>46620079
I would think that Marians would be right out as well. They've been a thorn in the side of the FWL for their entire existence and besides which, they're slavers, and the FWLM don't go for that sort of thing.
The best options would probably be Froncs, mercs mutinying over a contract dispute or a group of "privateers"; pirates would be unacceptable, but privateers might be just barely acceptable
>>46620838
>They've been a thorn in the side of the FWL for their entire existence
To be honest I couldn't think of a single interaction they had pre-Jihad.
>>46620870
Non-stop low-level raids, nothing major but still a big issue
>>46620901
Makes sense but I guess I always thought of the Marians as more a hassle to the Lothians and Canopians since the 8th Orloff Grenadiers alone could level the Hegemony.
I'll have to go with Froncers.
>>46620692
One of the official RPGs with CBT integration, since they have plenty of combat (and desu how much combat you get into is entirely up to your GM). MW3 is considered most balanced and has a ton of extra content, but A Time of War is newer. AToW is also notorious for convoluted chargen, but it's supposed to be fine after that.
>>46620901
Even with that they were still considered major trading partners, the Marians would buy FWL tech and weapons, and sell them Germanium for the FWL Jumpships and Warships.
So the occasional border-hopping and slave raids were considered inconsequential compared to the shear worth of Germanium, however if the Marians were caught they were treated as the pirates they were.
>>46620692
>Which systems mods and fan-created stuff should I be looking into?
Any particular reason you think you should be?
I mean, non combat focus is more the exception than the rule with the RPG component of BT, the RPG integrates with the wargame part for a reason.
Though for maximum smashy robot fun, just have a game set on Solaris, where the games allow for all the mech mashing, no politics necessary.
>>46621115
cause most the stories I hear about battletech rpg talk about the batshit insane politics, favor currying, and assassination attempts.
>>46620079
As a subset of the Froncs suggestion, since I remember a bunch of folks suggested something to do with taurians last time, what about an extra-disgruntled group of *pro-taurian* Froncs?
