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Hey Poptarts, longtime fan of your STO and Battletech LPs! I had a question: Will there be a way for more pilots/ mechwarriors to enter the campaign, or is this a largely focused story on these 4 specific Mechwarriors from this SLDF Lance and their wacky adventures? TulliusCicero fucked around with this message at 19:16 on Jul 21, 2023 |
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Jul 21, 2023 18:56
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We're only playing for this mission, we'll get a new batch of players for the next one.
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Jul 21, 2023 19:20
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Defiance Industries posted:We're only playing for this mission, we'll get a new batch of players for the next one. It's strongly implied that it will be the same characters/expedition, though.
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Jul 21, 2023 19:36
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so who's going where? just so we don't logjam each other out of places
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Jul 22, 2023 15:14
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oops
ilmucche fucked around with this message at 15:25 on Jul 22, 2023 |
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Jul 22, 2023 15:16
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Oh man, ballsy move there. A DFA, and it hits. Though it does feel like this is one of those "realism vs gameplay" things, because you'd think that dropping a 'mech onto someone's head is an instant game over, but here, it's a bit of damage to you, a bit of damage to them, and then you walk it off.
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Jul 22, 2023 23:32
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I'm just standing and cluster blasting the running Javelin. Easy choice. PTN, I might have labeled my orders turn 9 instead of 8 btw.
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Jul 26, 2023 00:14
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Ah I went to 0504 to leave you 0604. Fired all I could to stay under 14 heat and threw in a kick. It ain't back arc but will hopefully do good damage
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Jul 26, 2023 00:18
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Gwaihir posted:PTN, I might have labeled my orders turn 9 instead of 8 btw. I've got everyone's orders, I've just had a series of stupid evening shifts that have prevented me from doing updates. I should be able to get it finished tomorrow or Thursday. Sorry for the delay, everyone.
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Jul 26, 2023 01:47
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The update got lost in the deep periphery. It will return bringing improvised melee weaponry and one-shot rocket salvos.
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Jul 26, 2023 02:48
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Into the Unknown 1-9 The supposed Javelin managed a wild spread of SRMs before it pirouetted in place as its left leg came off at the mid-thigh. Theo had been intending to shoot the fleeing ‘Mech in the back, but he fired anyway as it came around. The ‘Mech’s front armor was more a memory than protection, and a half-dozen of the LB-X autocannon’s submunitions buried themselves in the ‘Mech’s torso and detonated in and among its vital components. “I think that’s the gyro gone,” Rampart cheerfully—but unnecessarily—announced, as the Javelin’s gyro tore itself apart. Chunks of spinning metal threw themselves out of the gaping holes in the enemy ‘Mech’s chest. For good measure, she drew her Blackjack’s foot back and stomped heavily on the enemy ‘Mech’s chest, collapsing the last of its frame members and choking the engine exhaust ports. The fusion engine shut down without so much as a cough. “Hey, careful,” Prodigal’s tone was more amused than cautionary. “That one might still be alive. Call the Dimetrodon and see if we can’t get some technicians and medtechs down here to pry that cockpit open. With luck the techs’ll be able to figure out exactly what we were fighting. Grandpa, Ironhead: you’re both injured, so stay suited up. Rampart, you’re with me. Let’s see what these pirates were protecting.”    Movement Phase [n/a] Shooting Phase Mongoose (Player) - Fires ER Large Laser at Javelin?: (4 gunnery + 0 range + [1] movement + 0 enemy movement = 5): rolled 5, deals 8 damage to Center Torso (5/12 structure remaining)! Crit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Center Torso: rolled 6, no critical hit sustained! - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin?: (4 gunnery + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement = 6): rolled 8, deals 5 damage to Left Leg (3/10 structure remaining)! Crit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Center Torso: rolled 7, no critical hit sustained! - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin?: (4 gunnery + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement = 6): Rolled 10, deals 5 damage to Head! Pilot hit! - - Javelin? must pass a 7+ consciousness test: rolled 8, succeeds! - Fires Small Laser at Javelin?: (4 gunnery + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement = 6): rolled 8, deals 3 damage to Left Arm! - Javelin? must pass a piloting test or fall (5 piloting + 1 took 20+ damage in 1 phase + 1 actuator damage = 7): rolled 7, succeeds! Sentinel (Player) - Torso-twists to threaten hex 0804! - Fires Ultra Autocannon/5 [Ultra Mode] at hex 0402: no effect! - Fires Streak SRM-2 at hex 0402: nothing to lock-on to, failed to lock-on! Blackjack (Player) - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 9, deals 5 damage to Left Arm (1/6 structure remaining)! Crit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Left Arm: rolled 2, no critical hit sustained! - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 7, deals 5 damage to Left Arm (0/6 structure remaining)! Arm blown off! - - 4 damage transfers to Left Torso (7/10 structure remaining)! Crit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Left Torso: rolled 9, 1 critical hit sustained! Rolled 1, heat sink destroyed! - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 11, deals 5 damage to Left Leg (0/10 structure remaining)! Leg blown off! - - 2 damage transfers to Left Torso (5/10 structure remaining)! Crit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Left Torso: rolled 10, 2 critical hits sustained! Rolled 4, SRM-6 destroyed! Rolled 2, Heat Sink destroyed! - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 6, deals 5 damage to Left Torso (0/10 structure remaining)! Torso destroyed! - Fires Flamer at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 5, missed! - Fires Flamer at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 8, deals 2 damage to Head Pilot hit! TAC! - - Javelin? must pass a 9+ consciousness test: rolled 4, failed! - - Javelin? suffers a through-armor critical chance in Head: Sensors damaged! - Fires Flamer at Javelin? (4 gunnery + 0 range + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 heat = 6): rolled 6, deals 2 damage to Center Torso (3/5 structure remaining)! Crit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Center Torso: rolled 4, no critical hit sustained! - - Javelin? falls on its back in hex 0603, facing hex 0604! Suffers 4 damage in the fall to Rear Center Torso! - - - Javelin? must pass a piloting test to avoid pilot damage (5 piloting + 1 took 20+ damage in 1 phase + 1 actuator damage + 2 avoiding pilot damage = 9): automatic failure, pilot unconscious! Hoplite (Player) - Fires LB 10-X Autocannon [Cluster] at Javelin? (2 gunnery + 0 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 light woods - 1 cluster = 2): automatically hit, with a cluster roll of 8: 6 submunitions deal 1 damage each to Center Torso (4/10 structure remaining (Crit!), Right Torso, Center Torso (3/10 structure remaining (Crit!), Center Torso (2/10 structure remaining (Crit!), Center Torso (1/10 structure remaining (Crit!), Right Arm (2/6 structure remaining (Crit!))! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Center Torso: rolled 8: 1 critical hit sustained! - - - rolled 1, rolled 6: gyro hit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Center Torso: rolled 10: 2 critical hits sustained! - - - rolled 6, rolled 3: engine hit! - - - rolled 3, rolled 2: engine hit! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Center Torso: rolled 9: 1 critical hit sustained! - - - rolled 4, rolled 1: gyro destroyed! - - Javelin? suffers a critical chance in Right Arm: rolled 7, no critical hits sustained! - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin? (2 gunnery + 0 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 light woods = 3): rolled 12, hit Right Torso - Fires Medium Laser at Javelin? (2 gunnery + 0 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 light woods = 3): rolled 6, hit Right Leg! Unknown Mech #2 - Fires SRM-6 at Sentinel (4 gunnery + 2 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 10): rolled 11, with a cluster roll of 8: 4 missiles hit Right Arm (6/8 armor remaining), Left Arm (4/8 armor remaining), Head (5/9 armor remaining (Pilot hit!)), Right Torso (6/10 armor remaining)! - - Sentinel must pass a 5+ consciousness test: rolled 5, succeeded! - Fires SRM-6 at Sentinel (4 gunnery + 2 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 10): rolled 6, missed! - Fires Medium Laser at Sentinel (4 gunnery + 2 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 10): rolled 6, missed! Melee Phase Blackjack (Player) - Kicks Javelin? (4 piloting + 1 movement + 0 enemy movement = 5): rolled 5, hit Center Torso (0/7 structure remaining)! ’Mech destroyed! Heat Phase Mongoose (Player) - Gains 21 heat, sinks 20! Sentinel (Player) - Gains 4 heat, sinks 10! Blackjack (Player) - Gains 26 heat, sinks 18! Hoplite (Player) - Gains 10 heat, sinks 16! Unknown Mech #2 - Gains 11 heat, sinks ??! End Phase Unknown BattleMech #2 - Morale Breaks! Unknown Vehicle #2 - Morale Breaks! Next Turn’s Movement Phase: Javelin? - attempts to stand (5 piloting + 1 actuator damage = 6): rolled 11, succeeds! Stands facing hex 0603! Unknown Vehicle #2 - Flees the engagement!   Map Link Objectives Primary Objective - Defeat or Drive Off All Enemies (3/3 BattleMechs, 2/2 Vehicles) OR - Destroy All Shelters (0/4 Shelters) Player Status:     Ally Status: n/a OpForce Status:      Special Rules Going In Blind - Enemy units that are not in Line of Sight appear as blip markers, obscuring their facing. Their facing is still being tracked. After-Action Report: A good starter mission. I lost my toughest unit right out of the gate, but that’s BattleTech. This would’ve been a touch rougher if that Wolverine had had more time to do work; but at the same time the Whitworth held out way longer than I was expecting. They’re not very good, but the Whitworth and Clint have always been two of my favorite low-end mediums. There was a question in the thread about whether or not we’d be getting more pilots; and I can say the answer is ‘yes.’ We’re just probably not going to be ‘recruiting’ pirates into the SLDF. At least not unless things get really desperate. That said: salvaging ‘Mechs for player use is a definite possibility. Everything on this mission got pretty well annihilated but if an enemy unit ever does get taken out largely intact the thread will be given the option to recover it (if recovery is possible). Mission 1 MVP Vote
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Jul 26, 2023 23:44
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good job, team
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Jul 26, 2023 23:50
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TAC to the head with a flamer 
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Jul 27, 2023 00:02
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ilmucche posted:TAC to the head with a flamer aaag
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Jul 27, 2023 00:09
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ilmucche posted:TAC to the head with a flamer 
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Jul 27, 2023 00:15
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PoptartsNinja posted:“Hey, careful,” Prodigal’s tone was more amused than cautionary. “That one might still be alive. Call the Dimetrodon and see if we can’t get some technicians and medtechs down here to pry that cockpit open. With luck the techs’ll be able to figure out exactly what we were fighting.” weird, the medtechs say some kind of big bird was in the cockpit. Pilot must've gotten out somehow 
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Jul 27, 2023 00:17
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I'd give the MVP vote to the Sentinel's Streak launcher if I could, but since that isn't an option I gave it to Ironhead 
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Jul 27, 2023 01:24
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Great work guys, you really showed those pirates the power and might of the SLDF.
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Jul 27, 2023 05:46
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PoptartsNinja posted:Everything on this mission got pretty well annihilated we dont need new mechs if we just keep doing this.
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Jul 27, 2023 09:29
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PoptartsNinja posted:
Thanks for the answer Poptarts!  I was hoping this was the case.
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Jul 27, 2023 15:54
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Long time lurker of your BT threads, seems like I found this one just in time. Excellent as always. Are sign ups for the next mission open?
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Jul 30, 2023 02:32
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Not yet, I'm still working on the downtime. Work and illness are slowing me down.
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Jul 30, 2023 02:58
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feel better soon!
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Jul 30, 2023 23:28
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Yup, be nice to yourself, our insane mechlust can wait, or at least simmer.
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Jul 31, 2023 00:44
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Downtime #1 Pirate Stockpile HR8482 – Unnamed Star System Spinward Periphery – Draconis Reach February 12th, 2763 Rampart whistled as she stared into the open door of the last of the four prefabricated warehouses. “This one’s full too,” she called out to Prodigal, who was inspecting the third warehouse. The Mongoose’s beagle probe hadn’t detected any living thing bigger than a rat; and with Grandpa and Ironhead still in their ‘Mechs, the two Mechwarriors felt relatively secure on foot. Even so, they both had their sidearms drawn. Beagle Probes weren’t perfect. She jogged closer. “All infernos, if the ‘Danger: Infernos!’ stencils are accurate.” Prodigal pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “Same in this one. Four warehouses with nothing but SRM ammunition. Either these pirates have a lot of launchers and not much of anything else or we just interrupted some sort of arms deal.” Rampart considered that, “Maybe a pirate group had a windfall and was trying to sell some of their excess?” “With so little security?” Prodigal asked. “This doesn’t feel like a swap meet. It feels like we stumbled on something that wasn’t supposed to be found.” “No computers or logs.” Rampart shivered. After a few minutes of combat, the wind felt cold. HR8284 looked like a warm desert from space, but the system’s primary was dim. Even with sunset hours away the weather was starting to turn. “Maybe we can get something out of one of the pirates or one of their ‘Mech DI computers,” she paused, looking at the burning wreckage of the Wolverine. “If anything survived.” “We’ll blow the warehouses too,” Prodigal decided after a little more consideration. “We don’t have a pressing need for SRM ammunition and I’d rather not pack any of Dimetrodon’s holds full of Infernos. We’ll deny them this stockpile. Whoever ‘they’ are, and whatever they wanted them for.” Post Mission Gain: Obligation Lance gains 2 shared XP Mission MVP: Ironhead gains 1 personal XP Captives - One pirate, badly injured (unconscious, critical condition) Notable Salvage - None Evidence Collected 1) [Pirates] are using HR8482 to stockpile SRM and Inferno ammo (Conclusive) 2) The Draconis Combine is conspiring with [Pirates] in the Draconis Reach (Inconclusive) 3) [An unknown party] is pretending to be the SLDF in the Draconis Reach (Inconclusive) 4) [An unknown party] is pretending to be the Draconis Combine in the Draconis Reach (Inconclusive)  Primary Downtime Action 1) Return Evidence to Epsilon Pegasus - - You probably don’t have enough evidence to accomplish anything with this yet. 2) Ready one of the Spare ‘Mechs (2/2 remaining) - - The longer you can resist doing this, the better the ‘Mech you get will be. This will be performed for free if you lose a ‘Mech in combat. 3) Reassign Mechwarriors - - Assign your Mechwarriors to different BattleMechs. They’ll need training time to get accustomed to their new rides. 4) Train Mechwarriors - - Spend shared or personal XP to improve stats or gain SPAs 5) Focus on Recovery - - Spend extra time resting to help injured warriors recover 6) - - No options available 7) - - No options available (I mean technically you could kill your unconscious pirate captive but c’mon, I’m not allowing that.) Downtime Vote PoptartsNinja fucked around with this message at 23:15 on Aug 2, 2023 |
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Aug 2, 2023 22:42
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For now no real need to go anywhere. Folks can train, swap mechs, or focus on healing. Without knowing if there's a period for rest needed in game mechanics if done, I think that training is the best bet for now. Hopefully the pirate will recover and he can be interrogated - but if he was just a grunt he may not have much useful to say. So without knowing how 'downtime' things work here I think training is best to help long term.
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Aug 2, 2023 22:58
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I managed to not paste in the actual lance/pilot status. Fixed that, sorry!
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Aug 2, 2023 23:16
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All right Obligation lance! I think the best activity to take for now is extra rest and healing, just to make sure we're not carrying any lingering injuries in to a future mission. We don't really have enough XP built up to make it worth spending a downtime on, and I think Mech assignments are pretty much fine. Grandpa is the powerhouse pilot, and leaving him with an LBX10 to reach out and touch someone with is probably our best bet.
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Aug 2, 2023 23:42
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voted training, not sure what else of value there is at this point?
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Aug 2, 2023 23:43
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Well, I'm glad I resisted the urge to shoot those buildings at point-blank range
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Aug 2, 2023 23:55
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They would have exploded, yes. Edit: Speaking of exploded, these will be our new mech sheets going forward: 
PoptartsNinja fucked around with this message at 00:04 on Aug 3, 2023 |
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Aug 2, 2023 23:57
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digging the evidence list and whether or not it's conclusive
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Aug 3, 2023 00:09
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I say we train to get our power level (aka skills) as high as possible while we're travelling through deep space. If Goku were in charge it's what he'd do.
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Aug 3, 2023 01:17
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I've decided not to obscure OpForce armor. It's not really significant, obscuring what weapons they have until they fire is far more fun.
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Aug 3, 2023 01:36
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PoptartsNinja posted:They would have exploded, yes. ooo, is that a heat tracker running around the edge of the paper doll? nifty layout i like it
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Aug 3, 2023 03:45
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propatriamori posted:digging the evidence list and whether or not it's conclusive Yeah same
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Aug 3, 2023 04:06
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Voted to train and focus on recovery. Reassigning our mechwarriors doesn't seem productive at this point, nor does grabbing a spare mech from storage.
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Aug 3, 2023 05:14
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Voted to train and recover. No reason to risk more injuries, and unit needs some more cohesion under the new CO
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Aug 3, 2023 12:33
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Downtime #1B Downtime Vote Results: Train Mechwarriors  Mission Log #8 Confederate-class DropShip Dimetrodon HR8744 – Unnamed Star System Spinward Periphery – Draconis Reach February 27th, 2763 Locked-down BattleMechs in microgravity make poor replacements for simulator pods or real maneuvering. I know that isn’t exactly news, but it has made training difficult. As good as the linked computers are at simulating combat, it’s hard to take things seriously when there’s no sense of motion or impact. I’d ask if the captain would let us strap on the hooves for EV training but I’m not sure the Dimetrodon’s mechbay can be properly sealed and depressurized I know the new Leopards can’t. I’ve got no complaints about Theo Key’s ability. He’s an excellent shot at all ranges and quite calm, but he’s not much of a risk-taker. In the simulator he’s a bit of a cold fish, he’s seen enough combat that I’m sure it just doesn’t feel ‘real’ enough for him to take seriously. I’m not sure how to push him, or if I should even try. The others are almost as green as I am, but I also feel like they have more—I hesitate to say ‘potential’ but something close to it. They’re less set in their ways so it’ll be easier for all of us to help one another improve. Still, they’re not without potential. Zawadi Stewart may have the makings of a sharpshooter. She prefers to keep her distance and engage from relative safety. If I help her focus on her natural tendencies, we can probably improve her performance over the long term. Alternatively, I could help her break that habit with some intensive melee-focused training. She’ll be less nervous if she knows how much she can really do at close range. Vladyslava Havrylyuk is a little harder. She’s eager, but her fundamentals still need work. As do mine, admittedly, but she’s the farthest behind. I feel like she could really grow as a pilot with a little intense focus, the trick is going to be getting her to take the simulator session seriously. She’s just as bad as Theo in that regard and I’m worried if I don’t ride her she’ll pick up some ‘veteran soldier’ bad habits without actually earning them. I’ve also noticed that she seems to really enjoy firing off the Sentinel’s ultra autocannon. It probably wouldn’t take much convincing to train her up to the expert level. That could help her get an early edge while her fundamentals are still relatively weak. I’ll only be able to focus on one training plan, but I think most anything would be beneficial. There’s no telling what we’ll really find out here, and the presence of a fairly new Kuritan prototype in our last mission has me nervous. Until—and unless—our prisoner wakes up, we have no idea what the Dragon’s interest out here is; or if it was just some random exile playing pirate. I have a few choices to make myself. Captain Bergfalk of the Key Largo has sent along a general invitation to dine at the Captain’s Table aboard the Key Largo along with the other DropShip commanders. It’s an informal invitation so I’m not really required to attend; but as a junior officer this is a good opportunity to learn from experienced officers. Who knows? I might even figure out a way to motivate Theo. Dining at the Captain’s Table will be a big time commitment though, and it might be better to use the time studying the ship’s copies of the Jane’s Almanac. The last fight showed me we’ve got a severe lack of intelligence gathering in this lance, and as the driver of the unit’s only scout ‘Mech it feels like it’s my responsibility to personally rectify that shortcoming. The captains won’t mind my absence; and knowing what we’re fighting could make any future battles far easier for us to win. Zawadi would probably respect the time spent researching to keep the lance safer. Or I could spend some extra time in the simulator, working on my own fundamentals. I’m not as good a shot as I’d like to be and that’s definitely going to be a problem if I let it persist long-term. I’m a Moon, so I should have good potential; but it feels like my progress stagnated on the trip out to the deep periphery. I don’t want to grow indolent, but it feels selfish to focus on myself when the rest of the lance needs so much attention. At least I can try to convince myself that it may be easier to teach Vladyslava if she seems me working my own rear end off. Lance Status  Downtime 1 Training Vote Theo Key – No training options available 1) Zawadi Stewart – 2/3 progress towards Sniper SPA (2 shared XP spent) 2) Zawadi Stewart – gains Melee Specialst SPA (1 shared XP spent) 3) Vladyslava Havrylyuk – Become autocannon specialist (2 shared XP, 1 personal XP spent) 4) Vladyslava Havrylyuk – Improve Piloting to 4 (2 shared XP, 1 personal XP spent) 5) Syntyche Cameron-Moon – 2/4 progress towards Gunnery 3 (2 shared XP spent) 6) Hold off on specialty training (0 experience spent) Vote Here! Lance Leader Focus 1) Dine at the Captain’s Table – 1/3 progress towards Unknown SPA 2) Study Jane’s All The Galaxy’s Fighting BattleMechs – 1/3 progress towards Human TRO 3) Spend extra time in the simulator – 1/4 progress towards Gunnery 3 Vote Here! PTN’s note: I meant to have this out a little sooner, but Baldur’s Gate III. I’m sorry for the delay, but not that sorry PoptartsNinja fucked around with this message at 23:42 on Aug 9, 2023 |
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Aug 9, 2023 23:25
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| # ? May 19, 2024 09:04 |
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Vote autocannon. Vote BOOM
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Aug 9, 2023 23:34
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