NationStates Jolt Archive

No custom Battlemechs. Modifications of regular Battlemechs are fine, but not completely new ones. If you don't know any of them, I can help you there.Just PM me and I can give you a list.

As for a storyline, we can throw one together.

You can have up to 2 main characters plus your squadmates, who don't require a bio. Be sure to include a Comm officer and your squadmates' 'Mechs.

You can also ask another player to join their Lance/Company/Star/Binary/Whatever. If he/she has his squad filled up, ask them to replace one of them with your own character.

You can be a Merc or a soldier, hell, even a cop. I am^^

Bios:

Name:
Origin: (Inner Sphere or is he/she from the Clans?)
Sponsor: (Eradani Light Horse, Kell Hounds, Northwind Highlanders, Gray Death Legion, Wolf's Dragoons, Clans (Pick one), Inner Sphere House (Pick one), Battlemech Police Force (Pick an IS house)?)
Age:
Gender:
Starting Battlemech: (Start out small, no more than a Light or a Medium)
Combat preferances:
Squadmates:
Other notes:
--------
Name: Jordan Earnest Straun, aka "Gauss"
Origin: Inner Sphere
Sponsor: Battlemech Police Force in the Federated Commonwealth
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Starting Battlemech: Argus-Argon Variant (Clan Tech)
Combat preferances: Well-grouped Clan-tech; Gauss Rifles
Squadmates: Sgt. Ken (Lance Leader) (Mad Cat ii)
Lila Brunswik (Comm officer)
Dan Yiff (Catapult-Trebuche Variant (Clan Tech))
Wallace Liku (Cauldron-Born)
Other notes: Jordan is the rookie on his squad. His Sargeant, Sgt. Ken, is his uncle-in-law (His sister's husband's uncle). Jordan had always wanted to be a Davion 'Mech Pilot, but he needed to get some exerience first. He got it when his home city was attacked...

So your allowed to custom equip an existing mech, but not scratch build one, correct?

Is this sort of like Mechwarrior Mercenaries?

I am interested, but I would know what other regulations, if any, there are.

Right, no scratch 'Mechs. Last MW RP I did with scratch 'Mechs became a pain in the arse. And this will be kinda like Mercs. Not everyone will be mercenaries, though.

As for *more* rules and regulations, no killing another character without permission from the character's owner. Not even setting it up for a possibility of killing them w/out permission. Which means if you fight each other, you need their permission to blow up each other's 'Mechs and to shoot the ejection seats. If a 'Mech blows up, we'll consider the pilot ejected and safe.

For a storyline, how about this:
After the FedCom civil War, Liao makes a move on the weakened Lyran Alliance and Federated Commonwealth, aided by the Cappelans and several of the otehr Succesor States, first by striking at the Chaos March and the outer parts of the Federated Commonealth and a few systems of the Lyrans. These strikes have rallied military, mercenary, and clan forces alike.

Where the Clans are concerned, they feel that yet another Inner Sphere civil war will lead to another Clan Loss such as the one in New Exford. Half of the Clans go to aid Steiner, Davion, and the other houses that are being attacked, while the other half of the Clans aid Liao and her allies, feeling that a new rule will unify the Inner Sphere if sealed by the Clans. Finding themselves at odds, the Clans discuss what to do. In the end, they decide each clan will do their own, and if they find their forces at odds in a battle, then let their skills solve it.

So with the weakened Star League under fire by the Liao Coalition and the Clans split in two, the galaxy finds itself once again fighting for control....

Name: Miril Spector
Origin: Clans
Sponsor: Kell Hounds
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Starting Battlemech: ShadowCat
Combat preferances: Clan Tech/Customed Mechs
Squadmates:
Jason Mirli (ShadowCat)
Wika Miran (Comm officer)
Alin Jek (ShadowCat)
Jen Forna (ShadowCat)

Name:Galaxy Commander Gren "Blood Letter" Ward (Beta Galaxy, Clan Wolf)
Origin: Clan
Sponsor: Clan Wolf
Age: 25
Gender:Male
Starting Battlemech:Mad Cat III (Custom, 2x LBX 5, 2x ER Medium Laser, 2x SSRM 4)
Combat preferances: Clan
Squadmates: (STAR MATES FREEBIRTH SURAT!)

Star Captin Brad Vickers (Shadowcat A)
Star Commander Essex (Mad Cat III Prime)
Star Commander Nilz (Storm Crow Custom, 2 ER PPC's 2 Medium Heavy Lasers)
Star Commander Elen (Packhunter Prime)

I'm sorry, but I can't accept that character. To my knowlege there is no Mad Cat mark 3 and I instructed you to start small with MEDIUMS AND LIGHTS, not Assaults and Heavies.

Bob's
Upchucking
More
Pancakes

Could I join? I might be a nation of machines...but maybe we invaded a Mech's control equipment and took it...
or something.

Name: Unit 1126 PLL "Paul" of the Line
Origin: Luna-14 autofactory
Sponsor: Virus/takeover/MarkI.dap
Age: 2
Gender: Neuter
Starting Battlemech: Vulture (its Medium, right??)
Combat Preferences: Artificial Sentience
Squadmates: None

This could be a pain in the arse... :rolleyes:

I knew you would do that, Concordiat. Here's an idea: Your machine was invented by Liao and unleashed onto their enemies, proving to be deadly enemies.

And Vulture's a Heavy.

I'm sorry, but I can't accept that character. To my knowlege there is no Mad Cat mark 3 and I instructed you to start small with MEDIUMS AND LIGHTS, not Assaults and Heavies.
The Mad Cat Mk.III is actually a medium battlemech (55 tons) that continues the trend of the Mk.II. It's actually from MW Dark Age, and is a product of Clan Sea Fox (formerly Diamond Shark, and before that . . . Sea Fox) that's intended more for IS than clan use, as was the earlier Mad Cat II. Since MWDA has no new technology, it shouldn't be that much of a problem, and as many others have put it, it's little more than a Stormcrow/Ryoken variant that's shaped and equipped like a small Timber Wolf/Mad Cat. If it's still a big deal, he can have a custom Stormcrow that has almost the same loadout (the only thing is he'd have to drop 0.5 tons of lasers for an AMS w/ 1 ton of ammo).


As for the Mad Dog/Vulture, I'm afraid that's indeed a heavy 'mech. The official line for the weight classes is light (20-35 tons), medium (40-55 tons), heavy (60-75 tons), and assault (80-100 tons). In a few of the video games, 60 tons was considered medium, but those always took several liberties, and some of what they had runs contrary to real battletech. That being one such thing.

Starting Battlemech:Mad Cat III (Custom, 2x LBX 5, 2x Heavy Medium Laser, 1x SSRM 6)
Combat preferances: Clan
Squadmates: (STAR MATES FREEBIRTH SURAT!)

Star Captin Brad Vickers (Shadowcat A)
Star Commander Essex (Mad Cat III Prime)
Star Commander Nilz (Storm Crow Custom, 2 ER PPC's 2 Medium Heavy Lasers)
Star Commander Elen (Packhunter Prime)



Well the Madcat III Is a 55 ton medium mech, the Prime Variant has 2 ER Medium Lasers, 2 ER Small Lasers, 4 Micro Lasers, and 2 LRM 20's. The packhunter is a light and just has an ERPPC besides that the rest (Non custom) is standard. in MWDA as far as i know, especially on this mech their is no new non level III Technology.

Sorry, my mistake. I forgot that the Stormcrow and the Ryoken are the same. Damn Inner Sphere, changing the names around like that^^

But one thing that caught my attention was the STAR MATES FREEBIRTH SURAT comment. I'm pretty sure what a Freebirth is, and Star Mates is obvious, but what does Surrat mean and why did you make that comment?

Name: Snæbjörn Foemangler
Origin: Unknown (Clan Widowmaker)
Sponsor: Gray Death Legion
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Current Battlemech: Stone Rhino Garrison (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/stonerhino.html)
Combat preferances: Anything that will take out the enemy
Other notes: Snæbjörn is the commander of this small unit. His own squad mates know nothing about him. Picture: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/SnbjrnFoemangler.jpg
Squadmates:
Shawn Finnegan (Supernova Garrison (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/supernova.html)) [Male]
Patrick Finnegan (Supernova Garrison) [Male]
Sebastian Blanchard (Dire Wolf Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/direwolf.html)) [Male]
Kallie Waggoner, the Comm officer (Cougar Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/cougar.html)) [Female]
Dimitri Romonov, Foemangler’s Bondsman (A Former Star Colonel of the Steel Vipers) (Lao Hu Omnimech (http://thundernetworks.tripod.com/laohu.htm)) [Male]
James T. Teer (Kraken Omnimech (http://www.brickcommander.com/kraken.htm)) [Male]
Jak Daxter (Cauldron-Born Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/cauldronborn.html)) [Male]
Richard Reynolds (Cauldron-Born Omnimech) [Male]

No Comm officer?

Anyway, we need some Liao-supported characters. I'll make one myself.

Name: Jiang Ao li
Origin: Inner Sphere
Sponsor: Inner Sphere House Liao
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Starting Battlemech: Men Shen; New 'Mech: Cyclops
Combat preferances: Overpower and eliminate
Squadmates:
Primary Lance-
Kong Kang Rui (Lao Hu)(Male)
Teng Tan rui (Comm officer)(Female)
Tan Ai long (Hellbringer)(Male)
Shi Gao Rong (Nova Cat)(Male)
Secondary Lance-
Unit 1126 PLL "Paul" of the Line (Mad Cat)(Robot)(Scout)(Oni Concordiat's character)
Chong shu Hu (Grizzly)(Male)
'Panther' (Vulture)
Ni Cou La (Catapult)
Other notes: A very ambitious Liao soldier who leads his lance with absolute rule and ruthlessness. Strides to become a very high-ranking. Well-known in his rank to be one of the best.

No Comm officer?

It is Kallie Waggoner. Plus, who said that a Comm officer can't have a mech?

Good point. ANyway, I'm starting the IC thread now.

Okay. Plus, what side is my sponsor, Gray Death Legion, on? I have played the game but I have no idea what I'm doing.

Grey Death Legion are mercs.

Sweet, I love mercenaries.

Since we're both on, why don't you take taht 3 mil contract put out to help the Police? I'll have Jiang be there, as well for you to fight or something.

Okay, I will write up the post in a little bit. Plus, I changed my starting battlemech to Wolverine Omnimech.

Oni, your character is going to have to have been invented by somebody, and that person is your backer. He an't be a 'Mech taht goes around destroying otehr pilots unless he's got eight otehrs like him. Even then, it would be impossible for him to transfer from 'Mech to 'Mech unless he, himself, has motor functions. I suggest Liao as a secret weapon, as teh Clanners would be too proud to resort to technology like that and Steiner-Davion would be too beat up to research something like that.

Oni, your character is going to have to have been invented by somebody, and that person is your backer. He an't be a 'Mech taht goes around destroying otehr pilots unless he's got eight otehrs like him. Even then, it would be impossible for him to transfer from 'Mech to 'Mech unless he, himself, has motor functions. I suggest Liao as a secret weapon, as teh Clanners would be too proud to resort to technology like that and Steiner-Davion would be too beat up to research something like that.

I have been RPing as a light recon mech, something an AI would be well-suited for...maybe I started too soon...but I prefer the Owens to many other light mechs as it has a powerful ECM and it is fast, so it is excellent at sneaking around and hit-and-run attacks behind the lines.

I take it he IS a part of Liao, then, right? Good.

Name: Star Colonel Erwin Kerensky
Unit/Sponsor/Origin: 4th Striker Cluster, Alpha Galaxy, Clan Wolf
Age: 24
Gender: Male
'Mech: Stormcrow Custom w/ 8xMedium Pulse Laser, 6xJump Jet, 14xDouble Heat Sink
Combat Preferences: Customized clan 'mechs, and with strong affinity for energy weapons.

Starmates:
Mechwarrior Kenneth Vickers (Shadow Cat B)
Mechwarrior Ocilee (Saber Dog Prime)
Mechwarrior Clinton Ward (Battle Cobra Custom w/ 6xER Medium Laser, 1xER Small Laser, ECM Suite, TAG, Targeting Computer, 6xJump Jet, 13xDouble Heat Sink)
Mechwarrior Raidou (Adder G)



Regarding some previous things:
I noticed a question regarding the word "Surat"
A Surat is an ape-like creature found on many of the Clan home worlds, and the term is a common clan insult. Other very common insults would include freebirth and stravag.

For West Osea's app:
The Mad Cat III and Pack Hunter are second-line battlemechs, not omnimechs. I'm mentioning this mostly because of the "prime" in the designation, which is used only to denote omnimech loadouts, and there might be some confusion.

For The Transylvania's app:
The Wolverine is also not an omnimech. There are over a dozen variants of the unit, but that's because it's a staple design dating back to the Star League (even the clans have variants) and every IS house has had versions produced to accommodate their own specifications and technologies. I have seen a Wolverine omnimech, but this can't be it since it was a submitted (unofficial) design, and was 65 tons anyway.
It would also be greatly appreciated if the specific variant was mentioned, though judging from the point about extra armor, this should be based on the WVR-6M, WVR-6R, WVR-7M, or WVR-6RR model. The other 12 or so versions all have close to the max armor for the weight class. Either way though, when you add armor like that, you have to state how much extra armor, and what you're taking off to accommodate it. Can't go over the weight limit after all.


Custom Battlemechs VS Custom Omnimechs
The staple of the omnimech is adaptability. Though hardly superior to the regular battlemech in weapons, armor, etc, it has the advantage of modular weapons bays, allowing its armament to be changed in the field (so I can switch an ER PPC for a Large Pulse Laser, or 3 Medium Pulse Lasers, etc). Regular battlemechs are designed from the beginning for a specific weapons load, and after they're built, the weapons can only be changed with an extensive series of modifications, and with much more limited choices than for omnimechs. If not modified like that, they must be built from the ground up, which is even more expensive because it requires new R&D and retooling of a production facility (extremely costly when only one or two of the design are churned out - think of the soaring price for the F/A-22 with the slashed orders: from $70 million each to $200+). Because of that, custom battlemechs are extremely expensive and exceedingly rare, since few would be willing and able to pay for them. While I know of dozens of custom omnimech configurations, I can only think of two custom battlemech ones. Just some food for thought.
Also, omnimechs can only swap weapons and equipment (lasers, autocannons, jump jets, ECM, tag, etc). The type and amount of armor, type of internal structure, and type and size of the engine are all fixed into the base design, and cannot be changed without a special custom unit requiring the same cost and commitment as a regular battlemech.


Also, for those who want a good reference for the various designations and their specifications, the best source I have is Megamek (http://megamek.sourceforge.net), which, as an online version of the board game, includes virtually all canon and semi-canon 'mech variants. Some other sites do have them all, but usually not quite as well sorted, often by TRO and/or weight rather than designation, forcing one to often look harder for a specific design. The info here makes it a lot easier to differentiate, especially with the huge numbers of variants on some IS staple designs like the Atlas, Centurian, Marauder, and Locust.

If there are other questions, feel free to ask. While I'm sure someone can pop a few that I can't answer, I know enough that I should be able to help with most.

The Wolverine is also not an omnimech. There are over a dozen variants of the unit, but that's because it's a staple design dating back to the Star League (even the clans have variants) and every IS house has had versions produced to accommodate their own specifications and technologies. I have seen a Wolverine omnimech, but this can't be it since it was a submitted (unofficial) design, and was 65 tons anyway.
It would also be greatly appreciated if the specific variant was mentioned, though judging from the point about extra armor, this should be based on the WVR-6M, WVR-6R, WVR-7M, or WVR-6RR model. The other 12 or so versions all have close to the max armor for the weight class. Either way though, when you add armor like that, you have to state how much extra armor, and what you're taking off to accommodate it. Can't go over the weight limit after all.

Hey man, I said I only played one Mechwarrior game so I don’t know what I’m really doing. About the Wolverine, I saw the picture with that big auto cannon and said “Now, that is what I want to pilot.” I’m going to use what ever is on that Website that I link with the name.

We're RPing to write the next book in the Battletech series, we're just trying to have a fun RP. Honestly, I don't see a big difference between Battlemechs and OmniMechs. Omnimechs are more flexible for customization, so what? I can scrap the PPCs on an Uziel and mount ER PPCs and save 2 tons I can use for Heat Sinks or ammo. The Uziel's a Battlemchs, is it not? I don't see why we should make a difference between them. In Mechwarrior 3 you could scrap the whole standard weapon systems and put in different weapons, regardless of what types of weapons it had before stripping. Let him have his Wolverine, I honestly don't care what his loadout is, as long as it's realistic to the tonnage of the 'Mech.

Let him have his Wolverine, I honestly don't care what his loadout is, as long as it's realistic to the tonnage of the 'Mech.

I added another link about my Wolverine.

http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~jkettune/battletech/Wolverine_WVR-6R.htm

We're RPing to write the next book in the Battletech series, we're just trying to have a fun RP. Honestly, I don't see a big difference between Battlemechs and OmniMechs. Omnimechs are more flexible for customization, so what? I can scrap the PPCs on an Uziel and mount ER PPCs and save 2 tons I can use for Heat Sinks or ammo. The Uziel's a Battlemchs, is it not? I don't see why we should make a difference between them. In Mechwarrior 3 you could scrap the whole standard weapon systems and put in different weapons, regardless of what types of weapons it had before stripping. Let him have his Wolverine, I honestly don't care what his loadout is, as long as it's realistic to the tonnage of the 'Mech.
Fair enough.
Though I have found that as more limits are imposed, things tend to get more interesting (you start having to think and learn more). And as for Mechwarrior 3, that's exactly what I mean when I say the games took extreme liberties and aren't accepted by true battletech players. A great deal of the customization that can be done in MW3 can't be done even with level 3 battletech rules, and much of the remainder requres that. The people who play the original game tend to cringe whenever one of the video games is mentioned like that, and Mechwarrior 3 in particular. You'll also notice that even the developers seem to admit they went overboard. Just look at the much more limited customization in MW4.

At least I now know what's expected, though I may wait a bit before seeing if I'll really join. I'm more of a hardcore player, and tend to be a bit of a purist, and don't want to bother anyone any more if it's not wanted. The board gamer VS video gamer is an old feud, and I'm sure you can guess which side I tend to gravitate towards.

Fair enough.
Though I have found that as more limits are imposed, things tend to get more interesting (you start having to think and learn more). And as for Mechwarrior 3, that's exactly what I mean when I say the games took extreme liberties and aren't accepted by true battletech players. A great deal of the customization that can be done in MW3 can't be done even with level 3 battletech rules, and much of the remainder requres that. The people who play the original game tend to cringe whenever one of the video games is mentioned like that, and Mechwarrior 3 in particular. You'll also notice that even the developers seem to admit they went overboard. Just look at the much more limited customization in MW4.

At least I now know what's expected, though I may wait a bit before seeing if I'll really join. I'm more of a hardcore player, and tend to be a bit of a purist, and don't want to bother anyone any more if it's not wanted. The board gamer VS video gamer is an old feud, and I'm sure you can guess which side I tend to gravitate towards.
:)
I haven't played the board game, but I have done my best to get ahold of a set for it. Honestly, I like Battletech for the storylines, but it's really hard to keep track of. REALLY hard to keep track of. And since I haven't played the board game, I'm trying to stay as close as I can to the books and the games.

As for the customization, he hasn't played many of either. I'm just sticking to the regular fitting, except for later when I introduce the Thor Fafnir variant. Hehe. I love that thing.

And for the record, Mechwarrior 3 sucked ass. MW4 is muuuch better.

I, myself, have only played MW4 and the Mechassault for Xbox (hated it...). I also am being a tad liberal in my modificiations. However, a Machine in my position in close-to-real-life would make similar liberal modifications...even if the board game and/or the videogame says its impossible.

Like adding ECM to a Madcat, and turning it into a more quick-strike mech.

:)
I haven't played the board game, but I have done my best to get ahold of a set for it. Honestly, I like Battletech for the storylines, but it's really hard to keep track of. REALLY hard to keep track of. And since I haven't played the board game, I'm trying to stay as close as I can to the books and the games.

As for the customization, he hasn't played many of either. I'm just sticking to the regular fitting, except for later when I introduce the Thor Fafnir variant. Hehe. I love that thing.

And for the record, Mechwarrior 3 sucked ass. MW4 is muuuch better.
If you're looking for the board game, that's often a bit difficult to find, but I'll direct you again to http://megamek.sourceforge.net, which is a rapidly improving online version. There's still quite a bit to work on there, but the game's already got most of the stuff down, and thousands of infantry, battle armor, vehicle, 'mech, protomech, and VTOL units and variants to choose from, and includes a hefty dose of optional rules. There are a few bugs, but the next stable release should come out soon, and the only thing really missing is aerospace forces. I'll certainly cherish the day I can stick nasty things like fighters and dropships into the battlefield. Some of the unit-specific house rules from the Field Manuals might also be nice, but I'm not that picky.

To be honest, my first games were on smaller maps printed from online pictures, as I couldn't print standard size map sheets, and I used whatever I could come up with as markers. I've come a long way since then, but still, it just takes some effort and patience.

I'm not supposed to download anything, it's bad enough I snuck Game Maker on. As much as I want to download it, I think it would be safer if I bought the rulebooks first or something.

Well, you might be in for a long haul there. Even the link on the official site from the distributer doesn't work . . .
Your best bet is to try for the Classic Battletech Box Set on something like ebay, half.com, or amazon.com, all of which I've seen with it at one point or another, though it's still rather uncommon. Either that, or pray there's a specialty store in your area. I've done a lot of looking, and most stores simply can't get it. Heck, even field manuals and TROs are hit or miss (usually the latter).

Hmm. Maybe if I can convince my dad...But still, this sounds liek something that would be fun to teach my friends, sit down, and play together.

The Clans have taken sides in the new war:
Davion-Steiner:
Clan Jade Falcon
Clan Wolf
Clan Hell's Horses
Clan Nova Cat
Clan Ghost Bear
Clan Snow Raven
Clan Coyote
Neutral:
Clan Blood Spirit
Liao-Allied:
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Clan Steel Viper
Clan Star Adder
Clan Ice Hellion
Clan Diamond Shark
Clan Cloud Cobra
Clan Fire Mandrill

If tehre are any edits I ought to make to that, please let me know.

Name: Snæbjörn Foemangler
Origin: Unknown
Sponsor: Gray Death Legion
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Current Battlemech:Dire Wolf Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/direwolf.html)
Combat preferances: Anything that will take out the enemy
Other notes: Snæbjörn is the commander of this small unit. His own squad mates know nothing about him. Picture: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/SnbjrnFoemangler.jpg
Squadmates:
Shawn Finnegan (Cauldron-Born Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/cauldronborn.html))[Male]
Patrick Finnegan (Cauldron-Born Omnimech) [Male]
Sebastian Blanchard (Lao Hu Omnimech (http://www.brickcommander.com/laohu.htm)) [Male]
Kallie Waggoner, the Comm officer (Cougar Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/cougar.html)) [Female]

Other mechs:
A Wolverine Battlemech
Links:
http://www.brickcommander.com/wolverine.htm
http://www.cs.joensuu.fi/~jkettune/battletech/Wolverine_WVR-6R.htm
Two Black Lanner Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/blacklanner.html)
A Nova Omnimech (http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/mechbay/nova.html)

Updated my list. Plus, I need four more squad mates for Foemangler‘s unit. Can I recruit them off the planet?

Well, I plan for the General and his men to be decimated. You could get two or three of his men after their defeat and beat the Steel Viper's leader and he'll join you as a Bondsman, which is good since you don't have to pay him, just feed him.

Well, I plan for the General and his men to be decimated. You could get two or three of his men after their defeat and beat the Steel Viper's leader and he'll join you as a Bondsman, which is good since you don't have to pay him, just feed him.

Okay, so how about we do that then.

Updated my list again.