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Volmarias posted:You can choose to load non flak rounds if there is no air threat, or have a smaller loadout of both flak and standard rounds? You have to make the decision beforehand and have to slot ammo in full-ton amounts, so yeah, you can load a bunch of tons of ammo, but then you have to carry a bunch of ammo magazines for an AC/2. Mechs are good at taking hits and traversing wildly varying terrain, but restricting terrain also often protects you from air strikes and you typically want to shoot down fighters without getting shot back, so you aren't really playing to their strengths on the map. In the original feudal metaphor, vehicles were the yeomanry to the battlemech's knight, doing jobs that mechs are "too important" for, like AA fire or being an artillery platform.
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Mar 12, 2024 05:59
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On the subject of autocannons, why aren't ultras allowed to use special ammo types?
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Mar 12, 2024 07:08
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Volmarias posted:I assume the dedicated AA vehicle will be cheaper, but won't be as useful for assaults. You can buy two Partisan anti-aircraft vehicles for the price of one Rifleman, and nearly three for the price of a JagerMech. Weirdly though, despite ostensibly being a dedicated anti-air platform, the Partisan does not actually have the Anti-Aircraft Targeting design quirk, so a single Rifleman / JagerMech might actually be a better investment.
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Mar 12, 2024 08:19
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According to TRO 3026 (revised) the partisan has magic bullets that are flak when aiming at air targets and normal when fired at ground targets
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Mar 12, 2024 08:56
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Scintilla posted:You can buy two Partisan anti-aircraft vehicles for the price of one Rifleman, and nearly three for the price of a JagerMech. Weirdly though, despite ostensibly being a dedicated anti-air platform, the Partisan does not actually have the Anti-Aircraft Targeting design quirk, so a single Rifleman / JagerMech might actually be a better investment. Ok I guess I must submit an errata request on the BT forums for the Partisan because why would it not have that trait 
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Mar 12, 2024 16:00
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Holybat posted:Ok I guess I must submit an errata request on the BT forums for the Partisan because why would it not have that trait It's an even bigger than you might think since the description goes on about how it can track 200 aircraft at once and its guns are sensitive enough to potentially shoot down missiles. But the real kicker is the fact that the Partisan's stripped-down successor, the Partisan AA Vehicle, does have the quirk.
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Mar 12, 2024 17:00
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TheParadigm posted:On the subject of autocannons, why aren't ultras allowed to use special ammo types? From a design standpoint, they were added in FM:FS specifically as a buff to standard autocannons. Since the IS already had the fully array of special ACs and got the RAC in the same book, it's clearly an intentional choice. From a story standpoint, the FS has a boner for standard autocannons and got sad they weren't good, so they spent a bunch of time and money designing special ammo specifically for standard ACs.
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Mar 12, 2024 17:00
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Volmarias posted:Also, the whole concept of using Mechs comes apart if you stare too long at it, just accept that you're getting everything in the Stompiest fashion possible and enjoy your 10m death machines "It's just a show, I should try to relax."
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Mar 12, 2024 19:40
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Defiance Industries posted:From a design standpoint, they were added in FM:FS specifically as a buff to standard autocannons. Since the IS already had the fully array of special ACs and got the RAC in the same book, it's clearly an intentional choice. A more fun explanation would be that the Fedsuns had a lot of military contractors that just didn't want to ever make the Ultracannon switch because that would be expensive so they lobbied for making specialized rounds for their existing stock, kinda like the Excalibur round we have today.
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Mar 12, 2024 19:53
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Scintilla posted:It's an even bigger Lol that rules
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Mar 12, 2024 21:55
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Scintilla posted:It's an even bigger Sounds like they were working on it and nailed it with the next version
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Mar 12, 2024 22:53
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painedforever posted:"It's just a show, I should try to relax." In that spirit we should trade the black knight for an urbanlord
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Mar 12, 2024 23:09
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TheParadigm posted:On the subject of autocannons, why aren't ultras allowed to use special ammo types? UACs don't fire standard shells. They've got weird revolver speedloader shells firing "caseless" rounds. IIRC an autocannon modified to fire caseless ammo can't use variant ammo types either.
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Mar 13, 2024 01:05
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from what ER 2750 says it development of Ultra AC/5s had a two part system. The rounds themselves were lighter due to SL materials engineering that originated with mega-engineering projects and space based stuff. This lighter weight let the shell have a higher muzzle velocity, increasing range. The case for the rounds were then made of a new iron-based alloy that allowed the system to feed and extract being all magnetic, allowing for a higher rate of fire.
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Mar 13, 2024 03:36
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Holybat posted:from what ER 2750 says it development of Ultra AC/5s had a two part system. The rounds themselves were lighter due to SL materials engineering that originated with mega-engineering projects and space based stuff. This lighter weight let the shell have a higher muzzle velocity, increasing range. The case for the rounds were then made of a new iron-based alloy that allowed the system to feed and extract being all magnetic, allowing for a higher rate of fire. Uh That's Steel Iron alloys are Steel
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Mar 13, 2024 04:48
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wiegieman posted:Uh Nah, there's lots of different iron alloys. Invar isn't a steel but it's an iron alloy. Same with ferroalloys. Though steel's a broad category.
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Mar 13, 2024 06:37
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PoptartsNinja posted:IIRC an autocannon modified to fire caseless ammo can't use variant ammo types either. Caseless Ammo is one of those weird ammo types whose trade-offs put them right on the borderline of usefulness. It lets you take twice the ammount of ammo per ton, which sounds great, but you can't use any other ammo type, and if you roll snake eyes the gun jams and takes an automatic crit.
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Mar 13, 2024 08:51
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also make sure to get case for your caseless ammo, just in case
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Mar 13, 2024 14:59
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Alright, Option D has a pretty unassailable lead and the voting seems to have died down, so I'm going to call the vote now. I'll reveal the traded mech at the beginning of the next intermission, but it won't be available until the start of the next contract (the NAIS need time to verify that the salvage is legit after all). In the meantime I'll let you guys decide who is going to pilot the Ostroc. Here's our current roster: Sable Lance (centre) will be deploying for the next mission, so choose one of them if you want to put it into action right away.
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Mar 15, 2024 08:04
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At a glance, it's got the same weapons as the BJ-1DB but adding on an SRM-4. It's faster, but doesn't jump. Not sure where it should go, but if it's got more armor and a better heat capacity (the Sarna page doesn't specify HS) it might be suitable to replace the BJ-1DB. It could also replace either the SHD or GLD in Sable Lance as both of them are similar.
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Mar 15, 2024 13:30
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I'd personally swap it for the SRM Trebuchet in Sable Lance. Neither jump, but the Ostroc is hardier and less dependent on getting in close.
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Mar 15, 2024 14:25
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I'd say drop the Blackjack for the Ostroc. It's a straight upgrade in pretty much every way. Same weapons plus an SRM4, more armor, faster speed, plus it has Narrow Profile which we have seen is an absolute god-tier Quirk. The only bad part is the ammo in the CT, but that is hardly a problem that is localized to the Ostroc. The only real advantage the BJ has is Jumpjets, and even then, 4 jump range doesn't really compare to a 5/8.
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Mar 15, 2024 18:13
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Replacing the BJ seems logical to me
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Mar 15, 2024 18:54
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A quick mini-update while I write the next intermission. As we enter December of 3016 Wolf's Dragoons notch up another series of victories.  Repair work on the Ostroc progresses. Being out in the Periphery made finding a spare 60-ton Gyro and a pair of arms pretty difficult, but Johann was eventually able to source them from a supplier in the Capellan Confederation. The arms in particular take nearly two months to arrive, slowing repairs down significantly.  It's not all bad news, though, since, one of our Green Techs finally gains enough XP to level up and become a Regular Tech!  Well done Vasil Gralho. I may have to assign you a portrait and a proper character bio at some point. Stepan Mrazec, one of our other Green Techs, is also just 1 XP away from becoming a Regular. I can almost taste the unbroken components. In what is very nearly a Christmas miracle, the Ostroc is fully repaired on December 23rd. The work was pricey, and the company's coffers are now down to 1,536,778 C-Bills.
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Mar 15, 2024 20:41
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Scintilla posted:In what is very nearly a Christmas miracle, the Ostroc is fully repaired on December 23rd. The work was pricey, and the company's coffers are now down to 1,536,778 C-Bills. Every time I'm reminded of our C-Bills I feel a little bad. Like, our finances are fine because we're not in the red. We're still making money. But we don't have much capacity to replace expensive components or buy new mechs. Granted most of our new mechs will come from salvage and stuff. It's probably fine, but we're still one bad mission away from being semi crippled.
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Mar 15, 2024 23:16
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glwgameplayer posted:Every time I'm reminded of our C-Bills I feel a little bad. Like, our finances are fine because we're not in the red. We're still making money. But we don't have much capacity to replace expensive components or buy new mechs. Granted most of our new mechs will come from salvage and stuff. It's probably fine, but we're still one bad mission away from being semi crippled. That's pretty much the default state of most merc companies, as I understand it.
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Mar 15, 2024 23:37
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glwgameplayer posted:Every time I'm reminded of our C-Bills I feel a little bad. Like, our finances are fine because we're not in the red. We're still making money. But we don't have much capacity to replace expensive components or buy new mechs. Granted most of our new mechs will come from salvage and stuff. It's probably fine, but we're still one bad mission away from being semi crippled. How many Mechs do we have in storage?
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Mar 15, 2024 23:51
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Lemniscate Blue posted:That's pretty much the default state of most merc companies, as I understand it. Indeed. 40% of units don't last six months. Within a year 60% of units are defunct. 83% of mercenaries are killed in action within a ten-year career. There's not a lot of roads to being a successful mercenary unit.
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Mar 15, 2024 23:54
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Otter Madness posted:How many Mechs do we have in storage? That is fair. We have a pretty decent stock of replacement mechs. But still.
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Mar 16, 2024 00:09
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glwgameplayer posted:That is fair. We have a pretty decent stock of replacement mechs. But still. We are coming close to a full lance right? Maybe time to sell one or two. I can't imagine a situation where replacing 4 damaged or destroyed mechs with reserves is going to happen, or at least if it happens that we still have the rep to get decent contracts.
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Mar 16, 2024 00:12
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Defiance Industries posted:Indeed. 40% of units don't last six months. Within a year 60% of units are defunct. 83% of mercenaries are killed in action within a ten-year career. There's not a lot of roads to being a successful mercenary unit. Sounds like most businesses. The first year is always the hardest.
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Mar 16, 2024 01:01
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glwgameplayer posted:Every time I'm reminded of our C-Bills I feel a little bad. Like, our finances are fine because we're not in the red. We're still making money. But we don't have much capacity to replace expensive components or buy new mechs. Granted most of our new mechs will come from salvage and stuff. It's probably fine, but we're still one bad mission away from being semi crippled. If we could only have found a way to get a few million recently
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Mar 16, 2024 01:11
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I think we'll be ok. The 3-4 units we have as spare is our real rainy day fund. If we lose a few units from each Lance on a botched mission, we can still keep rolling into combat to make up that loss. Having a deep bench in fully operational 'Mechs, pilots and parts is worth more than cash on hand as long as you're not already in debt. Being able to deploy right after a bad drop is what keeps the income incoming. I would like to build up some more spares of the common stuff we need though. Could use a couple PPCs/MLAS and other parts a lot of our units share.
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Mar 16, 2024 01:24
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Clients are supposed to cover most of your losses via battle loss compensation, but that assumes your employer agreed to it in the contract, hasn't decided to let you die to avoid paying, and is still around to pay after a rough fight.
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Mar 16, 2024 01:26
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wiegieman posted:Clients are supposed to cover most of your losses via battle loss compensation, but that assumes your employer agreed to it in the contract, hasn't decided to let you die to avoid paying, and is still around to pay after a rough fight. Yes, but they give you C-Bills as compensation, unless I'm misunderstanding how that works. We can be rich in cash, but if we can't take to the field after a beating, we're useless to our employer. That's why having a deep bench is important. Being able to let the A-team units repair while we send the spares out to play is how we maximize our income.
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Mar 16, 2024 02:03
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Amechwarrior posted:Yes, but they give you C-Bills as compensation, unless I'm misunderstanding how that works. We can be rich in cash, but if we can't take to the field after a beating, we're useless to our employer. That's why having a deep bench is important. Being able to let the A-team units repair while we send the spares out to play is how we maximize our income. Yup. The worst place a company wants to be is in not earning money, in debt, and having payday hit when people are in the hospital and parts are delayed in shipping, with no hot spares. We're none of those things! I'd also like to point out that ostroc2c is worth about 5 mil retail according to sarna, so we actually gained value - its just held up in equity. Sure, we could have doubled our money, but this is a net gain too!
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Mar 16, 2024 02:38
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Azhais posted:If we could only have found a way to get a few million recently 
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Mar 16, 2024 04:49
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painedforever posted:Sounds like most businesses. The first year is always the hardest. There's a reason that, other than the GDL, large and successful units only have one of two origin stories: army unit gone rogue (ELH, Hansen's, 21st Centauri) or beneficiary of a powerful noble or corporation (Kell Hounds, MAC, Storm's Metal Thunder, Romanov's Crusaders). Or you can be the Dragoons and be both at once. If you don't want to be one of those two things, you can hope to be the next GDL and effectively win the lottery.
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Mar 16, 2024 07:56
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Defiance Industries posted:There's a reason that, other than the GDL, large and successful units only have one of two origin stories: army unit gone rogue (ELH, Hansen's, 21st Centauri) or beneficiary of a powerful noble or corporation (Kell Hounds, MAC, Storm's Metal Thunder, Romanov's Crusaders). Or you can be the Dragoons and be both at once. If you don't want to be one of those two things, you can hope to be the next GDL and effectively win the lottery. Or there's, like, Specter, but he's dubiously canon, is sort of running a franchise of a bigger unit anyway, and is possibly some kind of WoB sleeper agent. So yeah, you just have to be an unbeatable 0/0 main character.
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Mar 16, 2024 08:24
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wiegieman posted:Or there's, like, Specter, but he's dubiously canon, is sort of running a franchise of a bigger unit anyway, and is possibly some kind of WoB sleeper agent. also be able to respawn and reset missions infinitely lol
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Mar 16, 2024 15:28
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