Recent Posts

21

The Inner Sphere / Re: Icons of Hubris in Battletech

« Last post by Minemech on 06 May 2024, 22:40:52 »

 I am going to slip in Lombard here. That man would have been fine with Regulus being a Capellan possession if it meant getting rid of a CG he did not like.

22

Ground Combat / Re: Silver Bullet Gauss status?

« Last post by MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 06 May 2024, 22:37:36 »

2 counter-points:

1) The why isn't LB-X Cluster in the same position?

2) Where can I find the rules for the Hyper Velocity Gauss, and what has it been mounted on?

I can also find 10 Mech variants created after Ferro-Lammelar in MegaMekLab's search using the Silver Bullet Gauss, with the last one being the Orochi OR-3K in 3144.

I'm guessing they meant HAGs when they said Hyper Velocity Gauss.  While HAGs are more widespread than SB Gauss are, they're also Clantech and there's no evidence that there's any sort of direct competition between the two weapons.

23

Aerospace Combat / Re: FC Naval Command Decision

« Last post by Minemech on 06 May 2024, 22:26:08 »

Ask yourself this: How did a non-state actor take control of nearly the entire FWL fleet?

The fake Thomas was literally running things from behind unbeknownst to the fake Thomas. He only began to understand the extent of which late. As to why marines did not matter, who knows.

Why has the FWL consistently lost worlds to a nation that trains better officers for the mercenary market, their national rivals, everyone, that is, except themselves?

That is more of a Steiner issue. To clarify, Steiner actually has some of the best officers in the Inner Sphere, but the social generals are the talk of town.

When your two major borders are the CapCon (crippled by top-down organization and economically hampred) and the Lyrans (who tend to train great officers for people who are NOT Lyrans, while keeping the worst they can turn out)?

The Free Worlds League actually broke the CCAF during the First. The work of Lombard successfully hamstrung the FWLM during and after the Comstar War, and may qualify him near the top of the hubristic politicians chart of Battletech.

24

Aerospace Combat / Re: FC Naval Command Decision

« Last post by Minemech on 06 May 2024, 22:22:15 »

 The largest factor in the League underperforming in the 2nd Succession War was a man named Lombard. He is a rarity in League history. Aside from that you had the Home Defense Act tying down precious troops. Both are long dead. During the 3rd the Dragoons did a number on the League, but the Dragoons also held off the entire Davion front forces of the DCMS, and you are not going to tell me those were losers.

25

Aerospace Combat / Re: FC Naval Command Decision

« Last post by Cannonshop on 06 May 2024, 22:20:01 »

Where did you find the implication that the League Militia or navy underperform on the initiative? I do not see it.

Ask yourself this: How did a non-state actor take control of nearly the entire FWL fleet?

Why has the FWL consistently lost worlds to a nation that trains better officers for the mercenary market, their national rivals, everyone, that is, except themselves?

When your two major borders are the CapCon (crippled by top-down organization and economically hampred) and the Lyrans (who tend to train great officers for people who are NOT Lyrans, while keeping the worst they can turn out)?

In the first instance, nobody bothered to ask what those cannisters were or why they were being brought aboard. Nobody took  the initiative to question it.

in the second case, Initiative isn't merely acting, it's knowning WHEN to act, and what to do.  In intensely politicized environments (and you can't tell me the FWL doesn't qualify there) the typical reaction is to withold information and keep your head down, while sabotaging anyone who looks like his success is going to impact yours.
 
Nearly every modern military claims to prize initiative, but there's a significant difference between what's on the letterhead, nd what's in the actions.

26

Off Topic / Re: Armored Fighting Vehicles VI: Eye of the Tiger

« Last post by BairdEC on 06 May 2024, 22:19:11 »

Part of that had to do with some extremely poor translations of the manuals of captured enemy equipment.

I'm guessing you're referring to the Japanese's small 50mm mortar whose base plate fit nicely on the thigh.  The whole thing was about 2 feet long.  These guys have a good write up.

27

Aerospace Combat / Re: FC Naval Command Decision

« Last post by Minemech on 06 May 2024, 22:08:25 »

Initiative is a critical factor in winning both battles and campaigns, yet the FWL underperforms in both on a fairly regular basis, even against otherwise inferior opposition.  as I said, there's the official line, and then, there's what people actually do.

This can usually be sussed by looking at performance in the field.

Where did you find the implication that the League Militia or navy underperform on the initiative? I do not see it.

28

Off Topic / Re: NHL 2023-2024 Vegas Edition: Mojave, Mo' Problems

« Last post by gyedid on 06 May 2024, 22:06:59 »

Well...that was certainly not the expected outcome.  But not entirely surprising. Rested
often = rusty.  Will be interesting to see how ( or if) the Cats rebound from this.

Cheers,

Gabe

29

Aerospace Combat / Re: FC Naval Command Decision

« Last post by Cannonshop on 06 May 2024, 22:03:36 »

Just a quick correction, the Free Worlds League expects and achieves exceptional command initiative from all levels of its officers. In fact, this has led its military forces to have extraordinary adaptability. It also overdecorates them with extraordinary pomp.

Initiative is a critical factor in winning both battles and campaigns, yet the FWL underperforms in both on a fairly regular basis, even against otherwise inferior opposition.  as I said, there's the official line, and then, there's what people actually do.

This can usually be sussed by looking at performance in the field.

30

Aerospace Combat / Re: FC Naval Command Decision

« Last post by Minemech on 06 May 2024, 21:59:44 »

 Just a quick correction, the Free Worlds League expects and achieves exceptional command initiative from all levels of its officers. In fact, this has led its military forces to have extraordinary adaptability. It also overdecorates them with pomp.