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The Lords of Ruin -- Battletech/Killzone

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DaLintyGuy said:
As well as the very real danger of concentrated damage over diffuse. Losing two thirds of your overall armor is "fine". Losing a side torso, or all of it's armor to threaten the loss as well as criticals, forces a pilot to back off for repairs back at base. Because personal and force preservation is something that humans will consider in a fight.
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though in this setting they are more worried about losing the mech then the pilot.
 
Adventwolf said:
That would be true if the hits always went to the same place. But they don't. It is called sandblasting for a reason. You use the lighter weapons to strip armor then you follow up with a stronger weapon. Or you just go with stronger weapons in the first place. Also head hits are the hardest and least likely ones to happen.

And in those 2-4 rounds it takes the enemy has already gotten in range and is hitting you back making it even harder to land hits where you want it. Trying to use an assault as a sandblasting mech only is a bad idea as that is not the role they are built for.
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Except that's the thing - the expectation this model is built on is that hits don't always go to the same place. There are only so many spots that damage can be spread out to - if you're firing enough shots you're either going to be hitting everywhere at once or you're going to be focusing fire on target locations (actually both, because 12 hits has to double-triple up in certain spots because there's only 7 spots to hit).

It doesn't matter that 80-90% of your damage is just smashing up armor all over your target, because 10-20% of it is going to be hitting in the vulnerable bits, whether they be armor locations where random chance and variability led to repeated hits (thus wearing away armor) or the head or both.

It doesn't matter if your opponent closes in and returns fire, because their firepower isn't enough to break through this mech's armor before those 2-4 rounds are up. This is just basic math - if it takes 3 rounds for you to punch through their armor and it takes them 4 rounds to punch through your armor, then you finish them off before they can finish you off.

DaLintyGuy said:
Well... No. The use of two dice biases it to "average" values. As there are more combinations that come out to six or seven than two or twelve.
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Sure, but the point here is that hits follow that distribution curve - and that matters a lot more than quibbling over than the exact parameters of said curve. Like, 6/36 shots will hit in the 7 location, 5/36 shots will hit in the 6 and 8 locations, and so on.

A dozen guns is a large enough N-value enough that you can use the expected values and accept occasional off by 1 or off by 2 errors when predicting the damage output. Nobody really cares if the damage isn't perfectly even if they're taking the rough equivalent of a PPC to all of their main armor facings at once.
 
So does anyone think we should use a design action to upgrade the Smilodon dropship to current tech levels next turn?
 
Adventwolf said:
Doing that is fine until we get DHS we aren't making any more ASF as the only two ones remaining need them to be viable.
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I was thinking of going with the H405 Keyzer, upgrading the Smilodon and ether the Wolfhound, Equites or an upgrade of our VTOL transports.

@prometheus110 I just realised that there is no mention of the Smilodon in the order of battle.
 
F0lkL0re said:
I was thinking of going with the H405 Keyzer, upgrading the Smilodon and ether the Wolfhound, Equites or an upgrade of our VTOL transports.

@prometheus110 I just realised that there is no mention of the Smilodon in the order of battle.
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The VTOL is in the middle of being rebuilt for PA(L) equipped troopers. The H405 is the next upgrade for our infantry. And the Wolfhound is being finished and the Equites is ready for use.
 
Someone pointed out that it's been two years since this quest started.

*insert party whistle here*
 
I just had a thought for something to add to the Allan B. Calhamer's Diplomacy write-in, the organising of an underground railroad.

I can't believe how long it took for that to occur to me.

Thoughts anyone?
 
F0lkL0re said:
I just had a thought for something to add to the Allan B. Calhamer's Diplomacy write-in, the organising of an underground railroad.

I can't believe how long it took for that to occur to me.

Thoughts anyone?
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I mean we could but what's the real point if we are planning to take them out anyways and take control of the planet. It could be used as a way to trick the pact into attacking our people while they are helping and give us a reason to attack. Since we did the same thing anyways with the Directorate to get us in the war.
 
Adventwolf said:
It could be used as a way to trick the pact into attacking our people while they are helping and give us a reason to attack. Since we did the same thing anyways with the Directorate to get us in the war.
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That was pretty much my intention as I doubt that it will gain much steam before someone starts shooting but at the very least it's a little bit more pressure on the slaver states.
 
Voting will close in 12 hours with an update (hopefully) sometime over the weekend.
 
idea that hit me. The F.A.R. doesn't actually have a crew or weapon, its meant to be attached to Power armor squads to allow them better endurance and faster redeployment and to offer them another escape options from a bad situations. For milita forces its a perfect patrol and recon unit as its fast, cheap, and has such a small heat sig that it can sneak up on near anything in favorable conditions.

the troops its carries are the ones who will drive it and their own weapons will be its offensive options. though you could have the passengers bring a crew served weapon to attach to pintle mounts.
Code: 
Fast Attack/Recon Vehicle

Mass: 5 tons
Movement Type: Wheeled
Power Plant: 30 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-X-D
Cost: 79,950 C-bills

Type: Fast Attack/Recon
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Wheeled
Tonnage: 5
Battle Value: 57

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  0.5
Engine                        30 Fuel Cell          1.5
    Cruising MP: 10
    Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  0.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor                  16                      1

                          Internal   Armor
                          Structure  Value
     Front                   1         5  
     R/L Side               1/1       4/4
     Rear                    1         3  


Weapons
and Ammo                   Location    Tonnage    
Trailer Hitch                Rear        0.0  
Remote Sensors/Dispenser     Rear        0.5  
Infantry                     Body        1.0
 
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  • Voting
    • Scheduled vote count started by prometheus110 on Jan 14, 2021 at 5:46 AM, finished with 253 posts and 24 votes.
    • [X] Plan: Diplomacy and light navel build up
      -[X] Independence Day
      --[X] Accepting Independence's offer
      -[X] Atlas Shrugged
      --[X] Write-in: Send in a negotiator first to try to persuade the "settlers" to come quietly use messages from friends and loved ones, the lack of resources and resupply, any pre-existing medical conditions, the unknown dangers of Charybdis's biosphere and offers of clemency in court (they are trespassing after all) for anyone who comes peacefully, if/when people reject this offer send in the police equipped with the best gear and protection to limit the risk and with orders not to use deadly force unless absolutely required and anyone who resists arrest will have the book thrown at them.
      --[X] While this is happening start a media campaign to discredit the idea of starting more such wildcat settlements and present the "settlers" as the foolish irresponsible headaches that they are, use facts about the potential dangers of an unexplored world, the massive costs and effort such an endeavour requires and point out that if people want to leave Helghan or even the Republic there proper channels to go through.
      --[X] No matter how it happens the would be colonists and anyone who sets foot on the Charybdis will be going into quarantine until we can be sure no one has picked up anything dangerous from the planet.
      -[X] Allan B. Calhamer's Diplomacy
      --[X] Write in: Refuse to return the refugees or pay reparations then send in intel operatives to find anything that can be used to justify a proper take over of the planet while spreading positive rumours about the Republic (for example "They live on a death world but live better lives then us", "Their so rich some of them take leisure trips to other worlds", "worlds that join the Republic become rich too", etc) backed up by "smuggled out" evidence and starting an underground railroad.
      -[X] Subsidised arms sales: By selling Rockwellawan's government high-quality arms at rock bottom prices, the Republic can engender goodwill with the system.
      -[X] Upgrade Mechdur's factories to Helghan Standards. [Progress: 4/5 turns]
      -[X] Negotiate Visa Deal: developing a visa system with the Aurigans will help people from both nations mingle.
      -[X] Entice Taurian Companies: By offering generous grants and tax rebates to the Concordat's major companies, it may be possible to tempt them to set up satellite facilities on Helghan and Mir. If successful, this may help improve Helghan R&D and will secure a supply of items at lower prices.
      -[X] Entice Canopian Companies: By offering generous grants and tax rebates to the Magistracy's major companies, it may be possible to tempt them to set up satellite facilities on Helghan and Mir. If successful, this may help improve Helghan R&D and will secure a supply of items at lower prices.
      -[x] Expand FTL Comms Network: Having had to promise to link Canopus to the Republic's own FTL communication network to secure the Canopian vote for the Mutual Defence Pact, we should build said link ASAP. [Progress: 1/5 turns] [4 Turns Remain Until Negative Effects Occur] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Invest in Battlemech Construction and Maintenance Facilities: Though the Republic currently has a standing force of battlemechs on Helghan, the parts needed to maintain and repair these vehicles must be custom made to order or else purchased from our neighbours. With the help of some additional funding, we can order work to begin on a factory complex specially designed to construct battlemechs. [Progress: 0/3 turns] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Construct a Hasta-class cruiser Squadron: Task your shipyards with constructing Three Hasta Cruisers. [Can be taken up to multiple times a turn] X2
      -[X] Design write-in: Adventwolf's Damascus class carrier
      -[X] Colonize Rogue [Progress: 281,198/500,000] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Research
      --[X] double heat sinks [0.1/--] Write-in: Invite ORDI members to join the effort
      --[X] Advanced Petrusite Theory [1.8/6]
      --[X] Basic Power Armor [1.38/5]
      --[X] Anti-senescence Therapies [1.05/4]
      --[X] Terrain Engineering [1.05/3]
      -[X] T7 Arc Cannon: Based on a recovered design first made by Stahl Arms, T7 Arc Cannons fire a short-ranged, highly-charged bolt of irradiated petrusite which can vaporise full-grown adults through steel plating.
      -[X] Combat Vehicle Design: Lynx MBT
      -[X] ASF Design: Serpent multi-role fighter
      [X] Plan Colonies, Armor and FTL
      -[X] Accepting Independence's offer
      -[X]Have a cruiser in orbit Wait for the setters to call for help and then rescue them
      -[X] Refuse to return the refugees or pay reparations
      -[X] Subsidised arms sales: By selling Rockwellawan's government high-quality arms at rock bottom prices, the Republic can engender goodwill with the system.
      -[X] Negotiate Visa Deal: developing a visa system with the Aurigans will help people from both nations mingle.
      -[X] Upgrade Mechdur's factories to Helghan Standards. [Progress: 4/5 turns]
      -[X] Broach topic of recovering Tyrlon VI Anomaly: With the Tyrlon VI anomaly located off the coast of the nearest landmass, perhaps the Aurigan Reach could use some help recovering it...
      -[X] Expand FTL Comms Network: Having had to promise to link Coromodir to the Republic's own FTL communication network to secure the Aurigan vote for the Mutual Defence Pact, we should build said link ASAP. [Progress: 0/2 turns] [4 Turns Remain Until Negative Effects Occur] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Expand FTL Comms Network: Having had to promise to link Taurus to the Republic's own FTL communication network to secure the Taurian vote for the Mutual Defence Pact, we should build said link ASAP. [Progress: 0/3 turns] [4 Turns Remain Until Negative Effects Occur] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[x] Expand FTL Comms Network: Having had to promise to link Canopus to the Republic's own FTL communication network to secure the Canopian vote for the Mutual Defence Pact, we should build said link ASAP. [Progress: 1/5 turns] [4 Turns Remain Until Negative Effects Occur] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Survey Helghan for Additional Petrusite Deposits: With the news that Petrusite deposits will eventually regenerate, now is the time to resurvey old mining sites and look for new ones. [Progress: 0/5 turns] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Invest in Battlemech Construction and Maintenance Facilities: Though the Republic currently has a standing force of battlemechs on Helghan, the parts needed to maintain and repair these vehicles must be custom made to order or else purchased from our neighbours. With the help of some additional funding, we can order work to begin on a factory complex specially designed to construct battlemechs. [Progress: 0/3 turns] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Contact the inhabitants of New Oslo
      -[X] Colonize Rogue [Progress: 281,198/500,000] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      -[X] Research
      --[X] KF-Drives [0/--]
      --[X] Advanced Petrusite Theory [1.8/6]
      --[X] Basic Power Armor [1.38/5]
      --[X] Anti-senescence Therapies [1.05/4]
      --[X] Terrain Engineering [1.05/3]
      -[X] T7 Arc Cannon: Based on a recovered design first made by Stahl Arms, T7 Arc Cannons fire a short-ranged, highly-charged bolt of irradiated petrusite which can vaporise full-grown adults through steel plating.
      -[X] Combat Vehicle Design: Matriarch Defense Tank
      -[X] Combat Vehicle Design: leo LEO-1H
      [x] Accepting Independence's offer
      [x] Arrest the Settlers
      [x] Refuse to return the refugees or pay reparations
      [x] Caliban Write-in: Drop and station an army with additional aerospace support in your enclave and wait for any of the Caliban Factions to do something stupid (for them) after you rejected the Prospero Pact's claims outright and unequivocally.
      [x] Expand FTL Comms Network: Having had to promise to link Coromodir to the Republic's own FTL communication network to secure the Aurigan vote for the Mutual Defence Pact, we should build said link ASAP. [Progress: 0/2 turns] [4 Turns Remain Until Negative Effects Occur] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      [x] Entice Taurian Companies: By offering generous grants and tax rebates to the Concordat's major companies, it may be possible to tempt them to set up satellite facilities on Helghan and Mir. If successful, this may help improve Helghan R&D and will secure a supply of items at lower prices.
      [x] Expand FTL Comms Network: Having had to promise to link Taurus to the Republic's own FTL communication network to secure the Taurian vote for the Mutual Defence Pact, we should build said link ASAP. [Progress: 0/3 turns] [4 Turns Remain Until Negative Effects Occur] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      [x] Entice Canopian Companies: By offering generous grants and tax rebates to the Magistracy's major companies, it may be possible to tempt them to set up satellite facilities on Helghan and Mir. If successful, this may help improve Helghan R&D and will secure a supply of items at lower prices.
      [x] Invest in Battlemech Construction and Maintenance Facilities: Though the Republic currently has a standing force of battlemechs on Helghan, the parts needed to maintain and repair these vehicles must be custom made to order or else purchased from our neighbours. With the help of some additional funding, we can order work to begin on a factory complex specially designed to construct battlemechs. [Progress: 0/3 turns] [Action Point Locked Until Completed]
      [x] Construct a Toxotai-class Guided Missile Cruiser Squadron: Task your shipyards with constructing a squadron of Toxotai Guided Missile Cruisers. [Can be taken up to two times in a turn]
      [x] Colonize Charybdis [Progress: 0/500,000]
      [x] H11 Accelerator Rifle: Redeveloped by Hephaestus Ltd. after acquiring copies of the VC39, the H11 Accelerator Rifle energizes and fires a burst of Irradiated Petrusite at targets up to 300 meters away to devastating effect.
      [x] H405 Keyzer: A worthy successor to the venerable StA-52, the Keyzer continues with Helghast weapon design tradition by melding a bullpup rifle with a high-capacity drum magazine to create something halfway between an assault rifle and a light machine gun. Taking into account feedback from the Helghan military, Hephaestus has motorized the magazine to allow for faster reloading and have introduced a variety of attachments ranging from ACOG scopes to underslung missile launchers.
      [x] ASF Design: (Design a Helghan VTOL-version of Sabre SB-2x optimized for assembly-line construction methods having rough field capability using an XL engine whilst maintaining utmost parts compability with the original Inner Sphere SB-26/SB-27b/SB-28/SB-29 designs. It was/is already being produced in the Magistracy by MMM and in the Taurian Concordat by Pinard Proctorates so these be approached for purchase of design specs. The Goal of this design activity is to eventually embark on a massive program of ASF expansion by providing multiple massive fighter wings for each member world of the Helghan Republic. Due to the XL engine alone this is a longterm project requiring multiple turns)
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