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

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:59 pm

Directly south of 0921 (in 0922) is a height 2 pavement/fortified hex, which is basically a wall that blocks LOS from the Harasser to the south.

Looking at it again, that 'level 2' label is black and obscured by the sandbag-looking things. For the next screenshot, I'm going to see if I can change those 'level' labels to be a little brighter. Sorry about that.

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:51 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:06 pm
gbasden wrote: ↑Tue Jan 26, 2021 11:47 pm Well, partial cover is better than no cover and moving is better than not moving, so I'll take it. And the poor Savannah Master will just keep heading north and try to get behind cover, like 1509 if it can make it.
Turns out that building was height 2, so it would have provided complete cover. Unfortunately, failed PSR = no cover. But hey, prone "bonus" definitely saved your bacon.

Having every single shot hit me doesn't really feel like bacon being saved.

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:54 pm

OK, the Warhammer will attempt to get up, turn north and move as much as possible, and fire every weapon it can into the back of the Vulture in 0424.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:01 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:59 pm Directly south of 0921 (in 0922) is a height 2 pavement/fortified hex, which is basically a wall that blocks LOS from the Harasser to the south.

Looking at it again, that 'level 2' label is black and obscured by the sandbag-looking things. For the next screenshot, I'm going to see if I can change those 'level' labels to be a little brighter. Sorry about that.

The intent was LOS SE through 1021

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:01 pm

gbasden wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:51 pm Having every single shot hit me doesn't really feel like bacon being saved.

Glancing blows saved you ~10 points of damage.

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:04 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:01 pm The intent was LOS SE through 1021

Neither of the mechs to the southeast were in LOS that turn - 1123 and 1223 blocked LOS to those.

Also, remember that unless I call out an ACE, all the hostiles move before you.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:10 pm

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:18 pm

Grasshopper jump to 0518.

Harasser at 0814 or 0915 and provide SE overwatch.

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:23 pm

Can I get to 0719 with BL-KNT?

Condor to 1601 and rapid-fire AC2 at Naga. Obscene range is an only redeeming quality of an AC2

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:03 am

xwraith will jump to 0721 and fire LRMs at the Naga.

pegasus to 1617 and fire at the Naga

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:13 am

gbasden wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:54 pm OK, the Warhammer will attempt to get up, turn north and move as much as possible, and fire every weapon it can into the back of the Vulture in 0424.

How about the Savannah Master?

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:27 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:13 am
gbasden wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:54 pm OK, the Warhammer will attempt to get up, turn north and move as much as possible, and fire every weapon it can into the back of the Vulture in 0424.
How about the Savannah Master?

Oh right. Flee to the north, hoping to be one of the 5 that escapes since it is a useless crushable bug.

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:34 pm

Vote Results:

Spoiler:

Round 3->4:

"Support-three, bail out!" Leraje orders, powering the Black Knight out of the base and hopping down a small incline, our Grasshopper and Xwraith's Catapult following. One of Leraje's pulse lasers connects with the Naga's left torso, frying off a good amount of armor. The 80-tonner itself winds up being more concerned with the Pegasus zipping in, firing all four of its lasers at the small hovertank. The rear drive fans are melted to slag by a slash from the last of said lasers, and the hapless hovertank drops to the ground. Leraje's mech takes a PPC hit from the Loki, but armor holds.

The Falcon meets a similar fate as the Dragonfly zaps it with pulse lasers.

"No can do, sir." comes the response as the immobilized tank swivels its turret and unloads on the Naga moving north. A substantial amount of other firepower is directed at the assault mech, but we're having trouble hitting it.

Wolf grits her teeth as the Warhammer struggles up. "Going somewhere, you little bastard?". The mech's alarms wail as the Madcat fries its right arm armor, then our mechwarrior gets in behind the Vulture and opens up with basically every weapon (except one PPC to avoid excessive overheating) as it lobs LRMs at our fleeing Grasshopper. Most of the weapons fail to connect as the mech rocks, but enough hit that the SRMs are able to penetrate the rear armor, detonating an ammo bin. The right arm goes flying off and the 60-ton mech wobbles, but stays upright and functional, to our mechwarriors disappointment, although it's clearly lost most of its engine shielding.

Wolf's Warhammer does not, the loss of armor unbalancing the mech and sending it to the ground, where the right arm snaps.

Raw Data:

Spoiler:

Battlefield State:

Spoiler:

"Ha! Perhaps I should give your position in my star to this mechwarrior after I have made them my bondsman, to replace you, Claude." comes a laughing taunt from the Mad Cat over the general frequency. "Return to the staging area so you do not lose your mech as well as your dignity."

"Now come, Inner Sphere surat, show me how you can fight when you are not running away like a coward."

The Vulture backs up, slowly and reluctantly, leaving its arm behind.

The Naga takes a brief squat to stabilize itself and fires two enormous missiles off in the direction of our Grasshopper and Black Knight, before stomping over to the LTV-4, with the obvious intent of squashing it.

The Dragonfly zips around to the west side of our three mechs, while the Loki flanks from the right.

Air traffic update:
"Ha, eat dirt, you stupid green asshole!"

"Strike-Leader, he's on your two. Give me a second... got him!"

Unit status update:
LTV-4 immobilized
Falcon immobilized
Pegasus immobilized
Warhammer right arm destroyed

Objective update:
Vulture crippled (1/3 units destroyed or crippled)
Savannah Master escaping this round (1/5 units escaped)
Three hovertanks immobilized (7/10 remaining units)

Movement Modifiers:
Mad Cat: +0
Vulture: +1, crippled, withdrawing
Dragonfly: +4
Naga: +2, +1 if attack comes from level 0 or below through hex 1120
Loki: +3, +1 if attack comes from level 0 or below through hex 1317

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:43 pm

xwraith will jump to 0319. Fire medium lasers at the Dragonfly, and kick it.

The Catapult can't punch on account of the minimal / no arms thing, right?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:50 pm

Yeah, no arms = no punch. Although watching a Catapult try to headbutt something would be amusing.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:52 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:50 pm Yeah, no arms = no punch. Although watching a Catapult try to headbutt something would be amusing.

What happens if arms get rolled as a hit location against a Catapult?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:57 pm

The missile racks count as "arms".

Captainwolfer · Post by **Captainwolfer** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:01 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:52 pm
NickAragua wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:50 pm Yeah, no arms = no punch. Although watching a Catapult try to headbutt something would be amusing.
What happens if arms get rolled as a hit location against a Catapult?

It doesn't have lower arms, so it can't punch, but it still has upper arms, which are where the LRM launchers are.

I guess "my" Mechwarrior will have to stay behind, and keep the Mad Cat distracted. No point in trying to run, the Mad Cat is faster than the Warhammer.

Instead of going for the Dragonfly, I would go for Loki or Naga, they are easier to hit and has much more firepower to use against us.

Also, the Grasshopper and Black knight need to move, they have Arrow IVs incoming against them

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:58 pm

Grasshopper to 0514

Harasser to 0508

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:19 pm

BL-KNT to 0317, turn to face SW, fire 1 LPL at the Viper (or the Timberwolf if it's in range) and ERPPC at Timberwolf, if no decent LOS to the Timberwolf, both LPLs and 2x MLs at Viper.
Condor - retreat

Captainwolfer · Post by **Captainwolfer** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:32 pm

Leraje wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:19 pm BL-KNT to 0317, turn to face SW, fire 1 LPL at the Viper (or the Timberwolf if it's in range) and ERPPC at Timberwolf
Condor to 0512, molest Naga or Hellbringer with AC2

why are you sending the condor back, it can escape.
Also, I would fire at the Naga or Loki with the ERPPC, they only have 8 or 9 tons of armor compared to the 12 tons on the Timberwolf, plus the timberwolf is quite a bit further away, and LOS to it is probably impaired by the buildings.

Plus, remember splitting fire normally makes shots less accurate, as far as I remember

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:35 pm

I don't suppose the LTV can self destruct?

If the Falcon can engage anything go for it. Hopefully it can distract someone while everyone else makes their escape.

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:41 pm

Captainwolfer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:32 pm
Leraje wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:19 pm BL-KNT to 0317, turn to face SW, fire 1 LPL at the Viper (or the Timberwolf if it's in range) and ERPPC at Timberwolf
Condor to 0512, molest Naga or Hellbringer with AC2
why are you sending the condor back, it can escape.
Also, I would fire at the Naga or Loki with the ERPPC, they only have 8 or 9 tons of armor compared to the 12 tons on the Timberwolf, plus the timberwolf is quite a bit further away, and LOS to it is probably impaired by the buildings.

Plus, remember splitting fire normally makes shots less accurate, as far as I remember

Naga and Hellbringer would not be in the firing arc from that position. Added an edit if Timberwolf is obscured.
Condor - is there doing what AC2 does best - praying for a lucky crit.

Captainwolfer · Post by **Captainwolfer** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:03 pm

Leraje wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:41 pm
Captainwolfer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:32 pm
Leraje wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:19 pm BL-KNT to 0317, turn to face SW, fire 1 LPL at the Viper (or the Timberwolf if it's in range) and ERPPC at Timberwolf
Condor to 0512, molest Naga or Hellbringer with AC2
why are you sending the condor back, it can escape.
Also, I would fire at the Naga or Loki with the ERPPC, they only have 8 or 9 tons of armor compared to the 12 tons on the Timberwolf, plus the timberwolf is quite a bit further away, and LOS to it is probably impaired by the buildings.

Plus, remember splitting fire normally makes shots less accurate, as far as I remember
Naga and Hellbringer would not be in the firing arc from that position. Added an edit if Timberwolf is obscured.
Condor - is there doing what AC2 does best - praying for a lucky crit.

The Condor is all the way up at 1601. If you move it back down, we can't have it escape to be 2/5 units that need to escape. That's more important than some dinky AC-2 shots, since the only other hovercraft still mobile is the harasser, and getting both the condor and Harasser out would mean only two of our mechs need to get out to "win"

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:58 pm

Captainwolfer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:01 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:52 pm
NickAragua wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:50 pm Yeah, no arms = no punch. Although watching a Catapult try to headbutt something would be amusing.
What happens if arms get rolled as a hit location against a Catapult?
It doesn't have lower arms, so it can't punch, but it still has upper arms, which are where the LRM launchers are.

I guess "my" Mechwarrior will have to stay behind, and keep the Mad Cat distracted. No point in trying to run, the Mad Cat is faster than the Warhammer.

Instead of going for the Dragonfly, I would go for Loki or Naga, they are easier to hit and has much more firepower to use against us.

Also, the Grasshopper and Black knight need to move, they have Arrow IVs incoming against them

Where would you send the Catapult? Part of the thinking is that jumping behind the Dragonfly is a little bit safer in terms of limited people who can hit the Catapult there, plus getting a kick in.

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:12 pm

Can you give me an idea of where the Warhammer might have any armor left? What would be the best facing to the Madcat? As noted, there isn't much chance of getting away, so I might as well keep it distracted while the rest of the lance flees. If possible, it will stand up and get adjacent to the Madcat so it can melee with it's remaining arm and use whatever weapons it can without overheating, other than the PPCs, of course.

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:27 pm

Captainwolfer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:03 pm The Condor is all the way up at 1601. If you move it back down, we can't have it escape to be 2/5 units that need to escape. That's more important than some dinky AC-2 shots, since the only other hovercraft still mobile is the harasser, and getting both the condor and Harasser out would mean only two of our mechs need to get out to "win"

Good point.

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:29 pm

gbasden wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:12 pm Can you give me an idea of where the Warhammer might have any armor left? What would be the best facing to the Madcat? As noted, there isn't much chance of getting away, so I might as well keep it distracted while the rest of the lance flees. If possible, it will stand up and get adjacent to the Madcat so it can melee with it's remaining arm and use whatever weapons it can without overheating, other than the PPCs, of course.

Left torso is in the red (2 points left), left arm is in yellow (8 points left), right leg is in the yellow (15 points left). Right arm (and attached PPC) is gone, but right torso armor is still green (19 points left). Center torso and left leg are "green" (23 and 25 points respectively). Rear armor is "full" (7/10/7). If the incoming fire passes through the three hexes in front of the mech, it's rolling on the front table. The hex to the left and back rolls on the left side,
hex to the right and back rolls on the right side. Melee isn't possible this turn - the clanner has perched two levels up.

The side tables are weighted towards the side the shot is coming from, but it's still possible to take a hit to the other side, just a lot less likely.

If you want to take a hit to the left side table, you can head to 0428 or 0429. If you want to take a hit on the right side, 0727 is your best bet. If you want to maximize weapon accuracy on your short range guns, 0528 will do that.

Captainwolfer · Post by **Captainwolfer** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:31 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:58 pm Where would you send the Catapult? Part of the thinking is that jumping behind the Dragonfly is a little bit safer in terms of limited people who can hit the Catapult there, plus getting a kick in.

That makes sense, although it means the catapult is unlikely to do any damage this turn:
- Catapult is gonna have a +7 to hit with its Medium lasers (16% chance to hit), and won't be able to hit with its LRMs at all
- I don't remember exactly how kicks work, but if you fail a kick you have to make a pilot skill roll, and if you fail that you fall over. We may not want to risk that. I don't know how likely we would be to miss though.

I think 0319 would be the best spot to jump to, it should block LOS from the Naga and I think would make it harder for the Loki to shoot at us.

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:58 pm Grasshopper to 0514

Harasser to 0508

Just noticed, you are running (sprinting? not sure) the Grasshopper and not firing. Instead, I would walk north, torso twist to the right, and fire at either the Naga or the Loki. We can't outrun them, we need to damage them enough that they won't kill us before we can get out. This also helps keep our mechs together better

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:41 pm

I have two of the fastest units on our side and a straight-line shot for the GH to the North border with decent terrain cover.

Leraje · Post by **Leraje** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:46 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:41 pm I have two of the fastest units on our side and a straight-line shot for the GH to the North border with decent terrain cover.

When jumping you can do a 180 turn without any penalties, so you can proceed north by jumping ass-backwards... "ass-forward" actually

Captainwolfer · Post by **Captainwolfer** » Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:12 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:41 pm I have two of the fastest units on our side and a straight-line shot for the GH to the North border with decent terrain cover.

All of our mechs are slower than the enemy mechs, we have a 4/6 movement (4/6/4 for Catapult and Grasshopper), compared to 5/8 for the clan heavies. So, if we want to have a chance at getting the Black knight out as well, we will probably need to cripple the Loki or Naga, since they have quite a bit of firepower and can keep up.

Also, not torso-twisting or turning at all will make it easier for them to shoot the grasshopper in the back, rather than having shots hit the side of the mech.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:25 am

Captainwolfer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:31 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:58 pm Where would you send the Catapult? Part of the thinking is that jumping behind the Dragonfly is a little bit safer in terms of limited people who can hit the Catapult there, plus getting a kick in.
That makes sense, although it means the catapult is unlikely to do any damage this turn:
- Catapult is gonna have a +7 to hit with its Medium lasers (16% chance to hit), and won't be able to hit with its LRMs at all
- I don't remember exactly how kicks work, but if you fail a kick you have to make a pilot skill roll, and if you fail that you fall over. We may not want to risk that. I don't know how likely we would be to miss though.

I think 0319 would be the best spot to jump to, it should block LOS from the Naga and I think would make it harder for the Loki to shoot at us.

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:58 pm Grasshopper to 0514

Harasser to 0508
Just noticed, you are running (sprinting? not sure) the Grasshopper and not firing. Instead, I would walk north, torso twist to the right, and fire at either the Naga or the Loki. We can't outrun them, we need to damage them enough that they won't kill us before we can get out. This also helps keep our mechs together better

Yeah, but it's +8 to target the Loki with LRMs, if I understand Nick's movement penalties correctly, since I wouldn't be firing from level 0 or below and I'm at medium range. Plus I think I'd be hitting the Dragonfly (if I do hit) in the back. So I'm inclined to stick with targeting the Dragonfly.

Nick, what are the odds on a kick? I'll include it if it's ~50% or better (7+ish).

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:43 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:25 am Nick, what are the odds on a kick? I'll include it if it's ~50% or better (7+ish).

4 (piloting skill) + 3 (attacker jumped) + 4 (Target jumped 7+) - 2 (kicking) = 9+

On the other hand, your PSR for a failed kick succeeds on a 4+, so it's a pretty low-risk move. And if you roll a 3, you only go "hull-down" rather than fall.

BTW, from 0319, attack vs Loki with LRMs is:
3 (gunnery skill) + 3 (attacker jumped) +3 (defender ran) +2 (medium range) = 11+
(no partial cover, you're higher than him)

attack vs Dragonfly with medium lasers is:
3 (gunnery skill) + 3 (attacker jumped) +4 (defender ran) = 10+

The trick is that the Dragonfly is Narrow/Low Profile, so you'll likely be doing either half or quarter damage even if you do hit.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:18 am

Ugghh, stupid Clan mechs. Stick with the firing and kicking at the Dragonfly.

Captainwolfer · Post by **Captainwolfer** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:19 am

so a 29% chance to hit a kick, and a 16 % chance to fall over if we miss the kick.

And yeah, I do agree that firing the MLs at the dragonfly is the best choice from 0319

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:30 pm

NickAragua wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:29 pm
gbasden wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:12 pm Can you give me an idea of where the Warhammer might have any armor left? What would be the best facing to the Madcat? As noted, there isn't much chance of getting away, so I might as well keep it distracted while the rest of the lance flees. If possible, it will stand up and get adjacent to the Madcat so it can melee with it's remaining arm and use whatever weapons it can without overheating, other than the PPCs, of course.
Left torso is in the red (2 points left), left arm is in yellow (8 points left), right leg is in the yellow (15 points left). Right arm (and attached PPC) is gone, but right torso armor is still green (19 points left). Center torso and left leg are "green" (23 and 25 points respectively). Rear armor is "full" (7/10/7). If the incoming fire passes through the three hexes in front of the mech, it's rolling on the front table. The hex to the left and back rolls on the left side,
hex to the right and back rolls on the right side. Melee isn't possible this turn - the clanner has perched two levels up.

The side tables are weighted towards the side the shot is coming from, but it's still possible to take a hit to the other side, just a lot less likely.

If you want to take a hit to the left side table, you can head to 0428 or 0429. If you want to take a hit on the right side, 0727 is your best bet. If you want to maximize weapon accuracy on your short range guns, 0528 will do that.

Can I go to 0528 facing SE so my right side is more presented and then open up on him?

NickAragua · Post by **NickAragua** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:23 pm

gbasden wrote: ↑Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:30 pm Can I go to 0528 facing SE so my right side is more presented and then open up on him?

You can, but that'll still be on the front arc.

For what it's worth, that opens up the opportunity for you to, next turn, assuming the mech remains functional, and the other guy stays up there, get up to the ledge and start kicking and punching.

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:51 am

I was mistaking the Vulture for the Mad Cat.

Let's try 0727 and keep the right side towards him.

Hyena · Post by **Hyena** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:42 am

Sheesh, no wonder they swept the inner sphere...they got cheat code mechs...