Let's Play Together: GM'd Battletech via MegaMek XII

moleymoleymoley · Post by **moleymoleymoley** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:25 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:53 am There's no way for the elementals to hijack Siljanus's mech and use it against us in this battle, is there?

Nope, elementals can do 3 things, srm fire (most damaging), small laser/flamer/mg fire (less damaging), or swarm a mech (most scary). Srms have 6(?) Hex range like regular srms, small arms have 3(?), and swarming has to take place in the same hex as a mech, and I think it gets harder the fewer members of the elemental squad there are (usually 5)?

If they swarm a mech they can start pulling it apart, often causing criticals, which is a fast way to end a mech (and EXTREMELY cool). They are at a severe disadvantage though because they move before we do, so all we have to do is make sure we don't end a turn in the same hex as an elemental (or get knocked out

) and their scariness is significantly reduced. You have a pretty easy regain consciousness roll so we should be ok.

moleymoleymoley · Post by **moleymoleymoley** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:36 am

I think I have 4 options

1. Charge the nobori nin, try and knock it into the water, he has a low movement mod, and a busted hip (does this reduce his chances of evading me?) the breaches in it's torso and leg would surely mean the end of it (and maybe some nice salvage

)

2. Move next to the nobori, fire stuff at the mad cat, kick the nobori

3. Jump next to the mad cat, alpha and melee (he has a modifier of 2 though, may not be a great idea

4. Jump behind the ryoken and start blasting, he has big modifier though so probably a bad idea.

I'm thinking 1. Will leave me open to a lot of fire next round but on the other hand it does seem very fun. Can anyone work out my hit chance charging the nin?

moleymoleymoley · Post by **moleymoleymoley** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:38 am

Also I think we need to worry less about the elementals and just make sure we keep a bit of distance from them. Getting rid of those mechs in the backfield would be a priority I think, save us having to fight in front and behind us.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:33 am

moleymoleymoley wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:25 am If they swarm a mech they can start pulling it apart, often causing criticals, which is a fast way to end a mech (and EXTREMELY cool).

$iljanus does not think this is extremely cool at all…

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:48 am

moleymoleymoley wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:25 am
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:53 am There's no way for the elementals to hijack Siljanus's mech and use it against us in this battle, is there?
Nope, elementals can do 3 things, srm fire (most damaging), small laser/flamer/mg fire (less damaging), or swarm a mech (most scary). Srms have 6(?) Hex range like regular srms, small arms have 3(?), and swarming has to take place in the same hex as a mech, and I think it gets harder the fewer members of the elemental squad there are (usually 5)?

If they swarm a mech they can start pulling it apart, often causing criticals, which is a fast way to end a mech (and EXTREMELY cool). They are at a severe disadvantage though because they move before we do, so all we have to do is make sure we don't end a turn in the same hex as an elemental (or get knocked out ) and their scariness is significantly reduced. You have a pretty easy regain consciousness roll so we should be ok.

So will Siljanus get a chance to make a recovery roll before he gets swarmed?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:13 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:48 am So will Siljanus get a chance to make a recovery roll before he gets swarmed?

I think so, yes. He got KO'd last firing phase so the consciousness check is at the end of this turn after all the movement and firing.

TotallyNotEvil · Post by **TotallyNotEvil** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:42 am

I'm hoping the clanners on our side of the field will soon hit a death spiral, yeah. A lot of banged up mechs on their side, even if still highly functional.

At some point, you hit critical armor loss, and mechs start poping in sequence as fire gets ever more concentrated.

I'm guessing Steffan's AFK move is going for the Thor? As well as the P-Haw, jumping at its back again, firing and meleeing.

Awesome could maybe turn to the Vulture in the open.

>ARC-2R: Get up, MLx2 and kick the Thor.
> Lich: One step forward, alpha the 2134 Ryoken.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:04 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:13 am
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:48 am So will Siljanus get a chance to make a recovery roll before he gets swarmed?
I think so, yes. He got KO'd last firing phase so the consciousness check is at the end of this turn after all the movement and firing.

So just to clarify, this upcoming turn will involve me trying to wake up and nothing more? And assuming I do wake up will I have any penalties in future turns due to being KOd? I feel kind of bad being out of the fight but a shot to the head can do that to a person.

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:11 pm

$iljanus wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:04 pm So just to clarify, this upcoming turn will involve me trying to wake up and nothing more? And assuming I do wake up will I have any penalties in future turns due to being KOd? I feel kind of bad being out of the fight but a shot to the head can do that to a person.

Correct, just waking up. No penalties going forward, other than future consciousness checks will be more difficult.

Feel free to give orders to one of the Kurita mechs meanwhile.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:45 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:11 pm
$iljanus wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:04 pm So just to clarify, this upcoming turn will involve me trying to wake up and nothing more? And assuming I do wake up will I have any penalties in future turns due to being KOd? I feel kind of bad being out of the fight but a shot to the head can do that to a person.
Correct, just waking up. No penalties going forward, other than future consciousness checks will be more difficult.

Feel free to give orders to one of the Kurita mechs meanwhile.

Can we blast this through our mech speakers?

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:10 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:11 pm
$iljanus wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:04 pm So just to clarify, this upcoming turn will involve me trying to wake up and nothing more? And assuming I do wake up will I have any penalties in future turns due to being KOd? I feel kind of bad being out of the fight but a shot to the head can do that to a person.
Correct, just waking up. No penalties going forward, other than future consciousness checks will be more difficult.

Feel free to give orders to one of the Kurita mechs meanwhile.

Oooh, what’s unspoken for?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:28 pm

$iljanus wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:10 pm Oooh, what’s unspoken for?

Shadow Hawk, Wolverine, Marauder, Wolf Trap, Thunderbolt.

Marauder's pretty beat up (only 1 PPC and 2 medium lasers functional, dumping autocannon ammo so can only walk). The others are ok, but need to keep their modifiers up, either by moving/jumping fast or hiding out in the woods/smoke.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:51 pm

In the middle of some things but I'll move one of those by the evening if that's okay? Let me roll a d10 for a random pick...9. Thunderbolt I choose you!

moleymoleymoley · Post by **moleymoleymoley** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 3:23 pm

charge the nobori nin please, if that won't work/has a to hit of >8 run up next to him (South) and fire lazors please

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:15 pm

That Thunderbolt is in a precarious spot. That back of that Loki to the north is a tempting target but I’m concerned that if I move to a good position to take that shot I’ll be exposing my own back to eventual retaliation by the other clan mechs in the area. Is there a safe (or as safe as one can be) move I can make so the Thunderbolt is on the other side of the river? I figure by repositioning across the river the clanners are more or less to the front of me and I can reduce the risk of getting my rear shredded.

If it’s not too doable I can go all Leroy Jenkins and try my best to kill everything on my side of the river…

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 4:39 pm

Crossing the river is a little tricky and will probably take two turns (you can only use walk MP when entering water) - one to step in, one to step out. That particular Thunderbolt does not have jump jets.

The good news is that the clanners aren't focusing their fire as much as we do, so you're unlikely to eat a faceful of laser from the Daishi up top (for example) unless you bother it.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:56 pm

Rather embarrassing but I'm looking at the map on my phone and even zoomed in I can't read the hex numbers very well without my reading glasses (getting old is shit sometimes). So I'd like to move into those light woods near that minefield NW of me and light up that Loki to the north. If I need to be more specific I can use my iPad at home to take a look in a few hours.

It seems like crossing the river is a bit of a chore so I guess I should make the best what little time I have on my side of the river...

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:04 pm

Yeah, that side of the river was not friendly to me. Though it may go a bit easier on you now that the two Vultures are being pressured and not just sitting on their hill having fun.

WestorEast · Post by **WestorEast** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:35 pm

My Kurita P. Hawk will move to engage the Thor on 3514, moving to reduce the elevation difference as practical.

My H-H will engage either the N-N, Mad Cat or Battle Armors, depending on positioning.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Wed Oct 20, 2021 7:58 pm

Ahh, finally at home so…

Kurita Thunderbolt moves from 2009 to light woods in 1710, turns and fires at Thor in hex 1806

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:14 am

What I've got so far, waiting on El Guapo:

BL-KNT >> 3924, face N, fire ErLL x2 @ Stormcrow 3806
ON1-K >> chase Stormcrow 3806, plot the best course through the woods, preferably ending turn in them for cover.
Crusader "THEMIX" >> jump to 2510 and turn towards the west; fire LRMs (if worth it) at Loki 1806, fire MLs and SRMs (if worth it) at elementals 2109
Kurita Crusader >> move to 2702, turn to the west; fire at Mat Cat 2403
ARC-2R: Get up, MLx2 and kick the Thor.
Lich: One step forward, alpha the 2134 Ryoken.
Moley charge the nobori nin if possible/8+ to hit; otherwise run up and laser
Kurita P. Hawk will move to engage the Thor on 3514, moving to reduce the elevation difference as practical.
H-H will engage either the N-N, Mad Cat or Battle Armors, depending on positioning.
Kurita Thunderbolt moves from 2009 to light woods in 1710, turns and fires at Thor in hex 1806
Thug on the top of the hill at 2423 and engage the best target of opportunity.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:18 am

I didn't bold it, because I was waiting to see if anyone disagreed, but I think sending detonate commands to the decoys in 2008 and 2110 might be worth it. We might be able to take out that group of elementals.

Or, if anyone has a free control move (i.e. isn't doing anything with one of their two primary mechs), maybe have the decoy in 2110 attack the elementals directly?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:57 am

Marauder: I think I can hit the Mad Cat in 2227 (that is, I think the LOS has two forest hexes in the way, not three).
If I can, hit it with my PPCs and Gauss. Stay where I am unless I'm exposing myself to crazy risky fire.

The Kurita Awesome will target the Ryoken in 3806 - position myself wherever I can avoid getting exposed to backshots. I think I can run to get to the heavy forest in 2913 which seems reasonably safe.

moleymoleymoley · Post by **moleymoleymoley** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:17 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:14 am What I've got so far, waiting on El Guapo:

BL-KNT >> 3924, face N, fire ErLL x2 @ Stormcrow 3806
ON1-K >> chase Stormcrow 3806, plot the best course through the woods, preferably ending turn in them for cover.
Crusader "THEMIX" >> jump to 2510 and turn towards the west; fire LRMs (if worth it) at Loki 1806, fire MLs and SRMs (if worth it) at elementals 2109
Kurita Crusader >> move to 2702, turn to the west; fire at Mat Cat 2403
ARC-2R: Get up, MLx2 and kick the Thor.
Lich: One step forward, alpha the 2134 Ryoken.
Moley charge the nobori nin if possible/8+ to hit; otherwise run up and laser
Kurita P. Hawk will move to engage the Thor on 3514, moving to reduce the elevation difference as practical.
H-H will engage either the N-N, Mad Cat or Battle Armors, depending on positioning.
Kurita Thunderbolt moves from 2009 to light woods in 1710, turns and fires at Thor in hex 1806
Thug on the top of the hill at 2423 and engage the best target of opportunity.

Oops, I meant less than 8 to hit, doh

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:31 pm

TheMix continues evasive maneuvers - with the Vulture dislodged from its perch on the hilltop and having taken damage to the arm, it will hopefully be able to deliver a little less damage. The woods prevent him from targeting anything directly across the river, but do protect against the worst of the Vulture's fire and even lands a few LRMs on the enemy mech.

El Guapo's line of fire to the Mad Cat to the southwest is blocked by smoke, but he's able to draw a bead on the hilltop Vulture that's been giving TheMix a hard time, also taking a couple of pot shots at the Elementals approaching Siljanus' mech with pulse lasers. The Elementals ping a few rounds of small arms fire off the Marauder's armor to little effect, and one of them takes both small laser bursts, dropping to the ground. El Guapo's PPC and gauss round both land on the Vulture, blasting armor off. To our mechwarrior's relief, the rest of the Elemental squad opts to disengage - there being only two left and one with a visible hole in his armor. The two battle armor troopers jump west to the woods they came from, firing their small arms and lasers to provide some pretense of cover. Our mechwarrior frowns as the woods he's been using for cover catch on fire.

The other Vulture moves forward, aiming at Siljanus. One of its pulse lasers strikes the head, somehow managing to not evaporate the cockpit or the mechwarrior, while LRMs strike a weak joint in the right arm, blasting it off. The pain from the laser burns jolts our mechwarrior awake. "Hey, who turned the fan off?" he quips.

Moley considers trying to charge the Nobori-Nin, but decides he won't be able to reach it in time, but should still be able to deliver a kick or a push. He briefly glances to the right, watching Isgrimnur cresting the hilltop, unloading the Thug's PPCs and SRMs on the Nobori-Nin as well. The Nobori-Nin returns fire, stitching pulse laser shots across the Thug's upper torso - a good number of pulses cluster around the head while an LBX slug breaches the armor on the left arm. Moley slices the Nobori-Nin's right arm off, crippling the right torso. Isgrimnur's wepaon fire takes off the left arm and torso. Between the two attackers, the Nobori-Nin is missing about 60% of its power plant, which isn't really enough to keep a mech running, so it drops to the ground, disabled. So does Isgrimnur's mech, falling backwards on top of the hill. Not the best place to be, especially with a squad of Elementals hopping on top of the hill and beginning to climb up the downed mech.

WestOrEast moves south to engage the Mad Cat, ducking under a gauss round but taking several LRMs and a series of pulse laser blasts to the right section, armor there becoming worryingly thin. The Hatamoto-Hi returns fire, breaching the armor on the 75-ton clan mech's left arm with a PPC blast.

Lich steps forward, engaging the Ryoken circling around the short hill to the west, taking a large laser blast to the right arm and observing with some disdain the pitter patter of auto-rifle rounds against the back of his Griffin. The Griffin's extended-range PPC blasts through the Ryoken's left torso, causing the mech to spray toxic-looking bright blue heat sink fluid behind it. A laser slices a good chunk of armor off the center of mass in the rear torso.

Leraje moves north, engaging the damaged Ryoken all the way in the northeast quadrant of the battlefield. One of the Black Knight's lasers severs the right leg at the hip, bringing the 55-ton mech to the ground in a cloud of dust - our mechwarrior smirking as the Kurita Orion adds a little firepower before it disappears behind the hilltop, blasting through the right torso armor. The mech twitches briefly, then lays still. Sensors indicate the power plant is still active, meaning the mechwarrior must have briefly blacked out.

Leraje also briefly observes the Thor's continuing troubles, as the mech is charged by the Archer and the Kurita Phoenix Hawk continues hounding it. The clan mechwarrior avoids the Archer's more hefty kick, delivering a good amount of damage with its LBX autocannon and LRMs, but the Phoenix Hawk sneaks up behind the clan mech and stomps on its foot. Sparks fly off the right leg and the Thor drops to the ground, crunching its left arm.

Current Battlefield State:

Spoiler:

Raw firing/melee/heat data:

Spoiler:

Movement mods:
Black Hawk is ACE (movement: 5/8/5)
Daishi: +0
Thor: +2, unless attacker is adjacent, which case I think it's a +0
Ryoken 1629, Vulture 2016, Mad Cat 2503, Loki 2003: +3
Mad Cat 1829, Ryoken 1212: +2
Vulture 0914: +1
Mad Cat 2403: +0
Isgrimnur-swarming Elementals: +2
All Other Elementals: +4

Objective update:
Ryoken (3806) crippled and "withdrawing" (4/20)
Elementals (2623) crippled and withdrawing (5/20)
Nobori-Nin destroyed (engine kill) (6/20)

Status update:
Siljanus wakes back up (3 pilot hits). Bonus cockpit ventilation.
Isgrimnur unconscious (3 pilot hits). Right arm, left arm, armor breached.
Hex 3021 has caught on fire, El Guapo will have +2 heat this turn.
Kurita Orion - armor red/yellow

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:56 pm

Next turn:

Freyland · Post by **Freyland** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:26 pm

If it helps, Izzy, I would have imagined you with bigger "junk".

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:32 pm

Freyland wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:26 pm If it helps, Izzy, I would have imagined you with bigger "junk".

Bigger "junk" was left behind with Hatchetman.

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:42 pm

BL-KNT >> 3925, face NW, fire ErLL x2 and ErPPC @ Timberwolf 1829. Failing that same for Summoner 3614
ON1-K >> about-face and engage Timberwolf 2403. I assume downed Strormcrow has no LOS to ON1 due to being prone and is not going anywhere

WestorEast · Post by **WestorEast** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:21 pm

The Kurita P. Hawk will continue ganging up on the Thor it's kicking. Though if it gets destroyed, I'll advance northwards, towards those two Mad Cats.

The H-H will move west, firing on either the Ryoken or the Mad Cat (they brought a ton of those, huh?), whichever one lets me bring more weapons to bear/is easier to hit.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:24 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:56 pm Next turn:

Hey! I've actually been there!

Also, did we "win" that round? I'm not sure.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:30 pm

Advice help
Would it be better for the Kurita Crusader to stay still in the woods, or move? Movement means harder to hit. Staying in place means better accuracy? Or was there something about shuffling in place? I suspect until help arrives, it's going to get pretty rough with 2 Mad Cats.

Oh. I just noticed that there are woods in 2602. So maybe moving up into melee range is the best move?

Thoughts?

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:38 pm

Next question

First, Mad Cats can't jump, right?
Second, if I jump to 2307 or 2407, will I be able to hit target the Loki in the back? (Oh, just noticed my facing is wrong. So I'd need to jump to 2407 to be able to rotate, right?) Or is there no LOS?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:50 pm

TheMix wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:38 pm questions

Melee is always a good option. You need to move at least 3 hexes in order to get a movement modifier (the magic numbers are 3/5/7), so anything less than that is just repositioning for better firing options.
These Mad Cats can't jump, no.
You can face any direction at the end of a jump (yet another reason why jumping is so good). It's basically just 1 MP per hex moved.
2407 you can target the Loki, 2307, LOS is blocked.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:04 pm

Thanks, Nick.

Then I'm going to "sacrifice" the Kurita Crusader to keep the Mad Cats busy. Hopefully.

I hope some of the other Kurita mechs can help soon. At the moment he's the only thing keeping our flank from being overrun.

Kurita Crusader >> move to 2602; alpha Mad Cat 2503 (assuming that the Mad Cat 2403 doesn't present a better target)
Crusader "THEMIX" >> jump to 2407 with north west facing; attack Loki 2003 (if I can split targets, and it makes sense, I'll also target either the elementals @ 2206 or the Mad Cat @ 2403)

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:04 am

Move Mackie from 3023 to 2625 and fire at Mad Cat in hex 1829

Move Kurita Thunderbolt from 1710 to 1707 (unless I’m short an MP). If I have LOS to Loki in 2003 take a shot

That minefield turned out to be a pain in the ass for maneuvering.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:51 am

So I'm down to one ER PPC, right? I know a Marauder got its arm blown off earlier, but wasn't sure whether it was mine or the Kurita one, but seems like it's mine, right?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:46 am

Nah, you’re fine. The other Marauder is beat up.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:10 am

NickAragua wrote: ↑Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:46 am Nah, you’re fine. The other Marauder is beat up.

Oh. I was confused by this:

Weapons fire for Mad Cat (Timber Wolf) A ID:12 (Clan Smoke Jaguar)
ER PPC at Marauder MAD-3R ID:24 (1st Octopus Overlords); needs 9, rolls 6 : misses

Checking for accidental fire; needs 3 or below, rolls 8 : no fire..

Medium Pulse Laser at Marauder MAD-3R ID:24 (1st Octopus Overlords); needs 8, rolls 9 : - Glancing Blow due to Narrow/Low Profile - hits RA
Marauder MAD-3R ID:24 (1st Octopus Overlords) takes 3 damage to RA.
3 damage transfers to RT.
Marauder MAD-3R ID:24 (1st Octopus Overlords) takes 3 damage to RT.
10 Internal Structure remaining.
Critical hit on RT. Roll is (6-2) = 4; no effect.

Are the Kurita mechs under the "1st Octopus Overlords" name in MegaMek?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:23 am

Yeah, I put them on the same player so I could manage them more easily.