MechWarrior Second Edition Optional rule.

[victor_shaw]

Wow, the Poll is coming down to the wire.
Just a heads up for anyone following it.
1 of the votes for "A confirmation Roll is required to hit the Head/Crew. Similar to D&D Crit confirmation" was a miss click by me.
It should be "The PC/NPC is required to spend an Edge point to hit the head of an Important NPC or PC".
So that and "Head/Crew Hits follow the normal rules" are neck and neck right now.

[victor_shaw]

Vehicle combat that RPG not table top interesting

Jut to be clear you will still need a hex map for this system, it will just be faster.

[Wrangler]

Jut to be clear you will still need a hex map for this system, it will just be faster.

Funny thing, I was briefly in a group that used the Shadow Run rules for RPG. It was bit rough, but the vehicle combat was pretty good.

[victor_shaw]

Well since 10 is the most votes I have seen, it looks like the norm wins. I will be adding  the Edge rule as an option.

[victor_shaw]

Revised Academy rules. Take two.

Major Academy and University Packages

While there are an untold number of military training facilities across the Innersphere, each of the great and minor houses have academies that rise above the rest. Below you will find the most prominent academies and universities of the Innersphere.
Major Academy and University Rules
Each package is made up of Requirements, Packages, Bonuses, and Courses Provided.
Requirements: These are the Advantages, Life Paths, and Entry rolls required to attend the Academy. Any player planning to enter the academy must spend the required Advantage points and make the Saving rolls at their PCs current attribute level. If a Path is required, the prospective student must have selected the Path in Early/Late Childhood to be eligible for entry.
Packages: These are the Packages available at this academy. No other packages are available. Player wishing to attend the academy must be able to purchase the lowest cost package to attend.
Bonus: Each academy provides rewards for graduating from such a prestigious academy. These rewards come in the form of Bonus Skill points, Assigned skills, Advantages, Disadvantages, and sometimes special rules that follow the PC through out the campaign.
1.   Bonus skills points are “skill points” that may be assigned to any skills within the indicated categories. Examples include Any Skill (Any), Basic Training (BT), Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Field of Study (FOS), or sometime a specific category of skills like: Technician or Piloting.  These bonus skills follow the rules presented on pg. xx for use of bonus skill.
2.   Assigned skills are gained at the level listed, if the PC already has the listed skill these are converted into skill points that can only be assigned to the listed skill. If this raises the skill to the next level the new level is gain, if this falls short, the points are saves until the later phases of character creation. See pg. xx
3.   In this section you will sometimes gain  Disadvantages that are associated with the school, these are not optional and must be addressed in play to be removed (cannot be bought off during character creation).
Courses Provided: This entry shows all (GM may adjust) the Individual training packages provided by the academy. If a MOS/FOS is not listed, then the school does not have a program for that occupation. Note this does not limit the skills available at the academy, Bonus skills (Any) may be assigned to a skill not listed in the packages provided.

Capellan Confederation Schools

All Capellan Academies require the PC to be Citizens.

Capella War College (2270)
The heavy workload of the Capella War College promotes a "sink or swim" attitude among the students, who are among the best the Confederation has to offer. Physical training suffers for the pace, and it is hard for recruits to stand out for special recognition among their peers. The competition is fierce with battlefield camaraderie on the training grounds giving way to jealous rivalries across campus. Despite the pressures, the War College is the most sought-after of the Capellan academies for its training regimen. Its graduates rarely hesitate to rub their pedigree in the face of alumni from other academies, especially the Sian Center for Martial Disciplines.

Requirements: Must have one of the following: Contact (1), Nobility Path, or Military School Path.
Mental Saving roll (+1 TN) Failure = entry denied
Package: Basic or Advanced University
Bonus: SI/Capellan History (1), SI/Capellan Philosophies (2), Well-Connected (1), Quirk/Elitism (-1).
Military: +1 REF, Strategy (1), Tactics/Any (1), SI/Military History (2), Combat Sense (2),
Civilian: +1 WIL, Bonus Skill: +5 (COS/HOS), Natural Aptitude/one core (COS/HOS) skill (2)
Note: For Leadership program, lose Well-Connected (1), Combat Sense (2), attend Sian University
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training (Capellan Confederation), Basic Training (Naval)
MOS: Battlemech Pilot, Aerospace Pilot, Cavalry, Infantry, Dropship Pilot, Marine, Specialist (Recon), Armored Infantry
FOS: Military Science, Jumpship Pilot

Hopefully this is easier to understand

[Daryk]

In the "Assigned Skills" bullet, the verbs need to be "gained" and "saved", though I'll also say there should be an option to spend more skill points to add to those that don't raise a level by themselves.

[victor_shaw]

In the "Assigned Skills" bullet, the verbs need to be "gained" and "saved", though I'll also say there should be an option to spend more skill points to add to those that don't raise a level by themselves.

Not sue what the disconnect is here?
There is nothing stopping you from  spending skill points to increase the skill.
Anyway it is explained. In more detail on pg. xx earlier in the chapter "gaining skill levels".
I will post that tonight.

[Daryk]

I was just thinking "later phases" was less clear, that's all.

[victor_shaw]

In the "Assigned Skills" bullet, the verbs need to be "gained" and "saved", though I'll also say there should be an option to spend more skill points to add to those that don't raise a level by themselves.

This is explained in the preceding Gaining Skills section which is what both references to pg. xx would lead to.

Gaining Skills pg. xx
During the the course of the Character creation system, PCs will gain skills from multiple sources. These gains come in 3 main categories.
Assigned Skills: These are skills gain in full level increments. They will be displayed in the format "Skill Name" (1) with the number in brackets indicating the level achieved. Assigned skills are mostly gain during the Affiliation, Childhood, and Educations sections of the character creation process. Since these skills are full levels, they can not simple be added be added together. For example, Due to how skill advancement works during character creation gaining Strategy (1), then Strategy (1) again does not equal Strategy (2). Instead the character would have Strategy (1) with 1 Bonus skill point assigned to Strategy.
Bonus Skill Points (BS): These are Skill points gain mostly during the Education and Previous Experience sections of the character creation process. The can be assigned to specific skills or given in free to assign groups. Typically, bonus points will be gained when a Assigned Skill is awarded (See above). The second way a bonus skill is gained is when a Package or Path provides a group of bonus points. These groups are normally given an assignment restriction when awarded. All bonus points are accumulative, thus when the bonus points gain in a skill equal the points needed for the next level, the PC gains the new level in the skill.
Previous Experience Points (PXP): These are points gained only during the Previous Experience sections of the character creation process. 1 PXP can purchase 5 Bonus Skill points.

[Daryk]

That should be clear enough, yeah!  :thumbsup:

[victor_shaw]

I am coming closer to finishing the School section update.
Next I will be working on the Previous Experience section.
There is a new poll to determine what path this section update should take.

[DOC_Agren]

I am coming closer to finishing the School section update.
Next I will be working on the Previous Experience section.
There is a new poll to determine what path this section update should take.

because I am way from my home machine where all this stuff is... could u show an example on what was there

[victor_shaw]

because I am way from my home machine where all this stuff is... could u show an example on what was there

Schools or Previous Experience?

[victor_shaw]

So I hit two snags today with the Schools.
1. The points need to be scaled back
2. I needed to do and overhaul of the Skill Packages

[Daryk]

How much did we overshoot? ???

[victor_shaw]

How much did we overshoot? ???

It needs to be one set number for all the Schools the extra points for the University package where to much.

[Daryk]

Makes sense...

[victor_shaw]

Makes sense...

A middle ground number of 4 CP seems to be a good point.
It was also what I set the Clan Training Centers at so it should be even across the board

For reference:
1 CP = 1 Advantage Point, 1 Attribute Point, or 3 Skill Points

[Daryk]

3 skill points seems low, but I trust your math.

[DOC_Agren]

Schools or Previous Experience?

The new school update if done
and the link to prior experience

[victor_shaw]

The new school update if done
and the link to prior experience

The New School update is getting an overhaul due to some math errors.
The Prior Experience system is in the current version of the Book up on the link in my Signature.
It has not had any work done on it yet, as it is next up for a update.
Hope that helps.

[victor_shaw]

Also a side note.
The poll was written on my phone and auto-correct reared its ugly head.
The second line should read "Should the entries be a mix of flexible and set bonuses"
It is corrected now, but if people want to change their vote let me know in the thread.
I can either leave it as is and you can change your vote in the thread or I can reset the poll.
Let me know.

[victor_shaw]

So to answer some questions about the School update.
1. Every school will get the treatment including the FASA and generic ones.
2. Schools will be balanced on a point system.
    a. Each will receive 4 CP.
    b. 1 CP= either 1 Advantage point, 1 Attribute point, or 3 Skill points.
    c. Most bonuses will be "Bonus Skills: +3 (BT or MOS), Bonus Skills: +3 (MOS or FOS), and a 1 point Advantage or 3 set skills.
    d. Any Disadvantages gain will reward the school with +1 CP.
3. School entry will be by saving roll and/or by fulfilling the listed requirements.
4. The Course list is based on the MOS/FOSs provided in official sources.

[DOC_Agren]

The New School update is getting an overhaul due to some math errors.
The Prior Experience system is in the current version of the Book up on the link in my Signature.
It has not had any work done on it yet, as it is next up for a update.
Hope that helps.

Thank you

[victor_shaw]

Last Poll: Mixed rewards won
New Poll
So after some play testing my group made some suggestions on how to display skill bonuses gain in the Academy packages.
Academies currently award Bonus as such:
1. +1 REF, Bonus Skill: +3 (BT), Bonus Skill: +3 (MOS), Tactics/Any (1), SI/Military History (1), Strategy (1)

the second option would make the Skill point use more noticeable
2. +1 REF, Bonus Skill: +3 (BT), Bonus Skill: +3 (MOS), Tactics/Any (+1), SI/Military History (+1), Strategy (+1)

The third option changes the entries to allow for more flexibility when skills are gained twice.
3. +1 REF, Bonus Skill: +3 (BT), Bonus Skill: +3 (MOS), Bonus Skill: +3 (Any)
Required Skill Levels: Tactics/Any (1), SI/Military History (1), Strategy (1)

[victor_shaw]

Last Poll: Mixed rewards won
New Poll
So after some play testing my group made some suggestions on how to display skill bonuses gain in the Academy packages.
Academies currently award Bonus as such:
1. +1 REF, Bonus Skill: +3 (BT), Bonus Skill: +3 (MOS), Tactics/Any (1), SI/Military History (1), Strategy (1)

the second option would make the Skill point use more noticeable
2. +1 REF, Bonus Skill: +3 (BT), Bonus Skill: +3 (MOS), Tactics/Any (+1), SI/Military History (+1), Strategy (+1)

The third option changes the entries to allow for more flexibility when skills are gained twice.
3. +1 REF, Bonus Skill: +3 (BT), Bonus Skill: +3 (MOS), Bonus Skill: +3 (Any)
Required Skill Levels: Tactics/Any (1), SI/Military History (1), Strategy (1)

So as I'm going to call the last poll finished, as I have decided to change my vote after some review, giving option two 3 votes.

I have also decided that this format will be used through out the book to keep a cleaner and clearer presentation.   
No new poll yet, as I have not come across anything I need to address yet.

Update news
1. Other then changing the skills entries to match the new format, Schools are done.
2. Clan Training centers should be done this weekend.
3. Skill section has had a complete overhaul. (New skills, cleaner format, some major changes to skills old and new) 
4. Computer has become a Cascade skill with 5 subskills: Operation, Programing, Security/Infiltration, "Vehicle System, Networking.
5. Marital Arts have been added.
6. New Advantages and Disadvantages.
7. 2nd attempt at the Random Tables.
8. Field Packages have been updated and new ones added for both Military, Intelligence, and Civilians
10. Major rework on all Clan Warrior and Civilian Packages
11. Independent schools added to the School section (Dragoons training, Northwind)

[Daemion]

For the poll:  I like the idea of the information being rather relevant for the game.  So, I prefer seeing the skills as a modifier for the appropriate roll. 

[victor_shaw]

For the poll:  I like the idea of the information being rather relevant for the game.  So, I prefer seeing the skills as a modifier for the appropriate roll.

?
The poll is about how skill points/full levels awarded in character creation are displayed.
Not sure where the modifier come into this?

[Daemion]

Aren't skills values used to modify the results of a particular die roll?  Display the relevant value, ie the modifier.

[victor_shaw]

Aren't skills values used to modify the results of a particular die roll?  Display the relevant value, ie the modifier.

Not in MechWarrior 2.

The formula in MW2 is

18 - (1st attribute + 2nd Attribute) = TN(X)
Then TN - Skill level = Final TN.

So, for example:

18 - ( ITN (5) + REF (5) ) = TN 8
Then TN 8 - Piloting/Mech (4) = Final TN 4

This is normally display on the character sheet as:
Piloting/'Mech  4    (4+)