Author Topic: Harebrained Battletech - Silly rabbit. Mechs are for kids. (Read 30039 times)

Akamia · « **Reply #30 on:** 11 July 2021, 22:59:58 »

BSK-MAZ Bull Shark acquired.

Honestly, I wish I had it during the "Red Hunt" flashpoint. I don't know why I put it off this long. This thing's an absolute monster! ;D

Given its apparent origins, I'd wager its loadout, with the bonuses given to each weapon, is intended to emulate Clan-spec equipment, save for the IS Double Heatsinks. It certainly seems to hit as hard as I expect a Clan 'Mech to.

I put Dekker in mine. He's cleaning house. ;D

I wish it was canon, honestly, even as a unique 'Mech. This would be pretty neat to play.

Amusingly enough, one of the very first enemy 'Mechs I encountered since acquiring it was the BSK-M3 Bull Shark. Kinda throws a monkey wrench in the game's internal continuity, such as it is, but oh well. :P

I kinda wish the Thumper had more range to it, though. I know the ranges in the BattleTech universe are ludicrously short, but it's particularly egregious when my autocannons outrange my artillery piece. ;D At least the said artillery is still dangerous enough to give an enemy lance standing too close to each other a bad time.

Caedis Animus · « **Reply #31 on:** 12 July 2021, 01:36:31 »

I always assumed they were treating the Mortars/Artillery as the snub-nosed Artillery Cannons from tabletop proper, which do in fact have a shorter range than even an Autocannon 10.

Well, the Thumper one does. The Sniper Cannons and Long Tom Cannons don't.

Akamia · « **Reply #32 on:** 12 July 2021, 02:03:41 »

Yeah, it’s my understanding that the BSK-MAZ’s hard-wired Thumper is in fact supposed to be the tabletop’s Thumper. I don’t know how it compares with the ‘Mech Mortar, which also exists in the tabletop according to Sarna. I’m tempted to buy some and try them out in some of my other ‘Mechs. Maybe if I salvage a BSK-M3, I’ll replace the LRM-5s with a mortar and see how it works out compared to the BSK-MAZ’s Thumper.

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #33 on:** 12 July 2021, 09:02:11 »

The tabletop game's Mech Mortars are extremely different from the thing in the video game.

Luciora · « **Reply #34 on:** 12 July 2021, 10:14:37 »

I really didn't care for the origin reveal of the Bullshark. And felt the Thumper really could have used more than 2 shots to make me want to use it as an viable weapons choice for a primary weapons choice for a build.

Akamia · « **Reply #35 on:** 12 July 2021, 18:05:22 »

Quote from: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 12 July 2021, 09:02:11

The tabletop game's Mech Mortars are extremely different from the thing in the video game.

So, are ‘Mech Mortars in HBSTech identical to the Bull Shark’s Thumper cannon? Do they do the same amount of damage? More? Less?

I thought I’d bought one before and just left it sitting in my MechLab, but apparently that didn’t happen. ;D

Quote from: Luciora on 12 July 2021, 10:14:37

I really didn't care for the origin reveal of the Bullshark. And felt the Thumper really could have used more than 2 shots to make me want to use it as an viable weapons choice for a primary weapons choice for a build.

Given I could only fire it every other turn and rarely fought more than two lances worth of ‘Mechs per mission, I didn’t really feel the two shots for the Thumper was all that limiting to be honest. I wouldn’t consider it a primary weapon on anything but a dedicated artillery unit, which probably doesn’t include the Bull Shark on an individual basis. ;D I got more use out of the autocannons anyway, only using the Thumper to soften the enemy up. The Thumper destroys enemy structures like nothing else, though.

With the help of the Black Market, though, it should be possible to fill a whole lance with BSK-MAZs, in which case, you have a total of 8 Thumper shots in theory at least. That is primary weapon material.

Akamia · « **Reply #36 on:** 13 July 2021, 02:26:43 »

So today I took out the command lances of the Bounty Hunters and the Black Widow Company. Scored every kill except one, I think it was the Atlas in the Bounty Hunter’s lance.

I let them engage each other while I closed in with my BSK-MAZ and dropped Thumpers on their heads. Came out of that fight with only my King Crab having suffered internal damage. I feel pretty good about that one. ;D Wish I had another BSK-MAZ or two, but I’ll take it.

Jim1701 · « **Reply #37 on:** 13 July 2021, 18:16:00 »

Quote from: Akamia on 06 July 2021, 23:15:38

Bagged a second AS7-D from the “Red Hunt” Flashpoint. With two AS7-Ds and the AS7-D-HT, I am one Atlas or Atlas II away from a Steiner Scout Squad. :D

I refitted the AS7-D-HT with the weapons loadout of the base model AS7-D-H. I think an LB 10-X AC is probably more useful to me than an AC/20 at this point. ;D

Fighting the Gray Death Legion was fun. Knew most of their names, thanks to reading the books. Too bad I lost the first mission. I was able to take out the secondary lance, and I think half of the command lance, specifically Grayson and Lori, but McCall and Clay finished off their last objective building, handing me the L. I found it slightly amusing that both lances ignored me completely and focused on shooting down buildings. I wonder if I would have been able to beat both lances and gotten the full contract payment… Oh well. Maybe I’ll try again in career mode some day.

On a defend base mission to keep them from focusing on the building you have to shoot at that unit with at least one weapon OR sensor lock it. Then it will ignore the buildings and come after you. This effect lasts a couple turns and it will go after the buildings again if you ignore it too long. This also applies to convoy escort missions too.

Luciora · « **Reply #38 on:** 13 July 2021, 22:55:36 »

Tag something with weapons or sensor lock, the aggro lasts 3 turns.

Firesprocket · « **Reply #39 on:** 14 July 2021, 22:28:24 »

Mortars in Haretech aren't as powerful as a thumper, but their weight makes them a solid one shot option when the opfor group up. You can mount one on a Griffin or a Shadow Hawk and wreck other light and medium mechs. A heavy and assault lance can easily light up the opposition regardless of what they field.

Wrangler · « **Reply #40 on:** 15 July 2021, 08:58:22 »

If superheavy mech were in the game, mortars would murderize a mech with sheer number on it.

Alzer · « **Reply #41 on:** 15 July 2021, 17:12:56 »

I found mortars/thumper best for just pancaking grouped up lights/mediums. I think my record was a full lance obliterated in one shot.

I remember my first run accidentally finding my way into Marauder Headshot nirvana. I figured my CO should have good tactics, and when seeing the MAD-3R as a double PPC mech as my Uziel was missing (I'd only played MW4 within the universe up to this point, didn't know about the eras yet). Grabbed it from the shop over a few missions aaaand ran it for the. rest of the campaign. One of my fav mechs now

Akamia · « **Reply #42 on:** 15 July 2021, 18:45:51 »

Haha, yeah. The Marauder chassis is great like that. I deploy it often as a means to either acquire easy salvage or delete troublesome enemy 'Mechs from the game. ;D Or both!

Alzer · « **Reply #43 on:** 15 July 2021, 19:11:06 »

My salvage supplies went nuts pretty shortly after I got it.

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #44 on:** 15 July 2021, 20:36:29 »

A Marauder with a pilot that has high Tactics is just stupidly OP. Even worse if you can get a Royal Marauder.

Dave Talley · « **Reply #45 on:** 15 July 2021, 22:45:58 »

mortars/thumpers become so much fun on base destruction missions

haven't tried one in a city fight yet

Triptych · « **Reply #46 on:** 17 July 2021, 09:45:21 »

Quote from: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 15 July 2021, 20:36:29

A Marauder with a pilot that has high Tactics is just stupidly OP. Even worse if you can get a Royal Marauder.

All you have to do is put a gauss rifle on any Marauder and it becomes OP. I took out a entire lance of assault mechs with one: 4 headshots in a row and I got a ton of booty.

Elmoth · « **Reply #47 on:** 17 July 2021, 10:34:21 »

If you abuse the aimed shot mechanic yes, the fame is easy as hell. It becomes boring to me.

Triptych · « **Reply #48 on:** 18 July 2021, 07:57:26 »

I think abuse is too strong a word since its neither a bug or an exploit. I do like to imagine the enemy's shock when they see their lance mates getting head-capped one after the other and wonder just how theyre getting chopped to pieces like that lol. ;D

Alzer · « **Reply #49 on:** 18 July 2021, 12:51:50 »

My favorite "What is the enemy thinking right now?" Moment is always on the "Training Day" missions where you send in a high-end Assault mech.

"Op Command we have enemy mechs on scope, looks like lights, first in is a Commando, a Panther......third unit looks like an Urbanmech, nothing we can't handle. Final radar ping is cresting the hill now aaan......is that a fragging Atlas!?"

Akamia · « **Reply #50 on:** 18 July 2021, 13:40:29 »

The first time I played one of those, the UrbanMech one-shot an enemy Locust with its autocannon. ;D Think I brought my Marauder to that one.

It's a... friendly reminder that the UrbanMech is a 'Mech to pay attention to, despite its unassuming appearance. ;) Lethal Joke Character!

Luciora · « **Reply #51 on:** 18 July 2021, 13:48:31 »

Love bringing an assault or a Marauder to those missions. HOW DARE YOU SHOOT AT MY KIDS!

Quote from: Alzer on 18 July 2021, 12:51:50

My favorite "What is the enemy thinking right now?" Moment is always on the "Training Day" missions where you send in a high-end Assault mech.

"Op Command we have enemy mechs on scope, looks like lights, first in is a Commando, a Panther......third unit looks like an Urbanmech, nothing we can't handle. Final radar ping is cresting the hill now aaan......is that a fragging Atlas!?"

Akamia · « **Reply #52 on:** 18 July 2021, 21:08:29 »

Quote from: Luciora on 18 July 2021, 13:48:31

HOW DARE YOU SHOOT AT MY KIDS!

How it FEELS to play Marauder in HBS BattleTech

Jim1701 · « **Reply #53 on:** 21 July 2021, 18:22:11 »

Before the Marauder came along (and I still do it along with the Marauder) is to arm a Grasshopper with as many ML and SL's as possible then unload on a head shot. That's 12-13 shots at 18% chance with each shot assuming mastery. I had a pretty good success rate doing it that way too.

Another fun tactic is to get a mech on each flank then take the legs out. :D

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #54 on:** 21 July 2021, 19:32:13 »

I still have yet to get a Grasshopper. I was danged close to getting one intact, and then an allied CPU mech shot it in the torso when it was one tap away from losing its head.

Akamia · « **Reply #55 on:** 21 July 2021, 23:32:02 »

Just about finished my campaign playthrough, having finally run out of flashpoints to play. ;D I’m keeping the save file so that I have something to base my TO&E on in my transition to tabletop for my immediate family to interact with when the opportunity presents itself. That’s gonna be posted in the Non-Canon Units board, though, which I already created a thread for.

In the meantime, I started a career save and finished a contract. I was expecting to get a crate or something with potentially good ‘Mechs and equipment thanks to owning Heavy Metal and such, but I guess that’s not something I get immediately? In any case, I’m playing on ironman mode here, so whatever licks I take are gonna stick. Wish me luck. ;D

Triptych · « **Reply #56 on:** 23 July 2021, 01:50:43 »

My last playthrough was a few years ago, but now Im tempted to go back and play the solo campaign after I get a Marauder and put a gauss rifle on it. I have a feeling Ill be able to breeze through those missions with ease no matter what. ;D

Luciora · « **Reply #57 on:** 23 July 2021, 02:20:42 »

One could always mod the .jsn file to start with a royal Marauder. Or 4.

paulobrito · « **Reply #58 on:** 23 July 2021, 02:31:12 »

Quote from: Luciora on 23 July 2021, 02:20:42

One could always mod the .jsn file to start with a royal Marauder. Or 4.

Is much easier to use the save game editor - look on nexus - to create the starting lance of your dreams.

Triptych · « **Reply #59 on:** 23 July 2021, 21:27:09 »

Oh I dont mind grinding at the beginning, at least this way I feel that I've earned the right to headcap the enemy at will afterwards. :))