Author Topic: Money for Mercing: The home of Mercenaries  (Read 9886 times)

Drewbacca

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Money for Mercing: The home of Mercenaries
« on: 14 February 2018, 08:45:49 »
Seeing as most if not all other fractions have a thread, do the Mercs have one, or are there only threads for specific Merc units?
« Last Edit: 07 March 2018, 15:56:39 by Drewbacca »

Colt Ward

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #1 on: 14 February 2018, 17:54:19 »
We did have one, but since we have not had story advancement past TRO3150- which was just vague hints- its sort of hard to keep faction specific threads going.  Especially one that deals with a bunch of independent types.
Colt Ward
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truetanker

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #2 on: 14 February 2018, 19:52:13 »
Drewbacca!

You just started one...

Which one(s) did you want to talk about.. the more people talk, the higher it stays at the top of the forum thread!

TT
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Drewbacca

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OK, trying to change the title to reflect the thread's status as the new Merc home and to correct my poor spelling.

Drewbacca

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #4 on: 15 February 2018, 03:06:42 »
Ok, I am not sure but I don't think that worked.

Colt Ward

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #5 on: 15 February 2018, 11:03:38 »
You may not be able to change the original thread title
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

truetanker

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #6 on: 15 February 2018, 13:55:36 »
Unless a mod does it, no.

But I wish Barbra's Marauder II's was still around in 3150... what would they use?

TT
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That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units.Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid
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Colt Ward

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #7 on: 15 February 2018, 17:03:48 »
Whatever Marauder II Cs, Marauder IIC and Marauder II are available . . . nothing says you cannot have a PC visit Irian . . . I mean, the -6S is a pretty solid machine.  Interesting enough, while production started in late (Fall?) Nov 3133 and the world kept distant from Oriente and the neoFWL for a while the -6S is not on FWL or FWL State RATs though things like the Juliano are on the RATs.  And by TP Irian, that thing was being churned out pretty steadily . . . makes their planetary militia when independent have some kick, and should have been able to trade for top notch faster designs.

FM3145 only has the MAD-6D on the Republic list, twice . . . not as nice a design as the -6S.  Great for orbital drops to secure a LZ, but . . .
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Decoy

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #8 on: 15 February 2018, 17:17:41 »
I tend to use the Master Unit List and since it's not complete, I toss in early and late republic era as well.

And the obvious answer is that Barbra's Marauders IIs re equipped with Taurian Marauder battle suits due to the dearth of battlemechs and....I'll escort myself out for that one.

Colt Ward

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #9 on: 16 February 2018, 00:17:53 »
Lol, actually that joke had been made!  I think the only thing mentioned when it was made was the missing hovertank or VTOL called Marauder.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Armond

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #10 on: 17 February 2018, 07:36:05 »
Ahhhh Merc talk!  Can we just talk about whatever Mercs we want?  I am so partial and head over heels for the dang 15th Dracons!

truetanker

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #11 on: 17 February 2018, 09:42:54 »
NO!  Here's a cookie...

Now about REAL Mercs!

How about those 15th Dracons....

 [blank]
TT
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That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units.Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid
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Decoy

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #12 on: 17 February 2018, 11:00:30 »
Just checking. The 15th Dracon sold out to become a house unit twenty years ago  (in real life) and died roughly fifteen years ago (In real life). Why the merc love for a  Capellan Regiment?

jklantern

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #13 on: 17 February 2018, 11:13:25 »
Just checking. The 15th Dracon sold out to become a house unit twenty years ago  (in real life) and died roughly fifteen years ago (In real life). Why the merc love for a  Capellan Regiment?

This is one of the things I love about the CCAF.  The ex-Merc Regiments who become regular troops.  I know other houses absorb mercenaries, or have mercenaries that are so loyal they are effectively House units, but it seems to be more prominent with the Cappies.

But this thread isn't about the Cappies.  It's about those glorious sellswords who strike out on their own seeking fame and fortune, attempting to cease life by the throat and shake all the adventure they can out of it!
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Decoy

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #14 on: 17 February 2018, 12:37:15 »
True. Battletech Eras where factions lock themselves off to mercenaries are a little less interesting to me. I don't really feel the need to buy into some factions full time. *shrugs* That is why I like Mercenaries ><

On another topic, I'm an incredible cheapskate when it comes to making units. What are your favorite "Budget" units? I like the SFE Valiant a bit more these days and the WVR-7H Wolverine II does all the WVR-7D does, but for like half the cost. A GD Standard Battalion with MHI APCs is very affordable.

Deadborder

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #15 on: 17 February 2018, 17:42:22 »
The 15th Dracon spent most of their life in Cappie service as a house unit in all but name. Their becoming a house unit was really just a formality. With that being said, they held onto a lot of their Star League traditions and practices for much of their lives. They're a nicely flavoursome unit that's overlooked because they worked for the Cappies.

As for budget 'Mechs? I like the 5M Guillotine. Solid and workman-like, with the SRM giving you a bit of versatility.
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Armond

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #16 on: 17 February 2018, 19:32:58 »
Just checking. The 15th Dracon sold out to become a house unit twenty years ago  (in real life) and died roughly fifteen years ago (In real life). Why the merc love for a  Capellan Regiment?

True, they did go House Liao, but prior to they served with Kurita as well.  They are I. The Merc book that was released for AS, which is why I figured they were ok for discussion!

But I withdraw, they are no longer "Mercs."

Drewbacca

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #17 on: 18 February 2018, 09:44:18 »
I think the Dracon do open a good thread of discussion. What would it take for a merc unit to go the house unit route?

Sharpnel

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #18 on: 18 February 2018, 10:53:03 »
A real long-term relationship with a certain House. Good treatment during that relationship as well as success on the battlefield fighting for that House. Being heavily in debt to the House might be another mitigating reason.
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jklantern

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #19 on: 18 February 2018, 11:43:50 »
I mean, being heavily in debt to a house is how the Company Store thing works, right?

There were a couple of Lyran Mercenary Units that I'm surprised didn't eventually become House Units, the most obvious one being the Kell Hounds, but Storm's Metal Thunder being another.
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Nav_Alpha

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #20 on: 18 February 2018, 15:47:28 »
Well, Storm’s Metal Thunder had such a relationship with Norse Storm that it was basically a corporate entity rather than a true merc unit.
Had it not been destroyed by the Falcons it probably would have just become glorified corporate security.

The 1st Lyran Regulars (The Boomers) are a former merc unit that was absorbed because it couldn’t pay its debts to House Steiner.
Then there’s the One Eyed Jacks - battered during the Jihad they are eventually absorbed into the ranks of the LCAF.

What about mercs that get absorbed into ComStar? There seems to be several examples - and the adopted mercs seem to do well.
The 4th Army’s Co is listed as a former merc, whose unit was absorbed. By 3052 he’s a Division precentor and by 3062 he’s an Army commander.


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Decoy

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #21 on: 21 February 2018, 13:37:53 »
I don't think merc units were recruited into comstar, especially before Scorpion. I think many 'mercs that were disillusioned with their lives signed on as acolytes. Those that weren't true believers probably joined Brion's Legion.

Nav_Alpha

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #22 on: 21 February 2018, 21:19:42 »
The first ComGuards were absorbed mercs: http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Bandersnatches



"Hold your position, conserve ammo... and wait for the Dragoons to go Feral"
- last words of unknown merc, Harlech, 3067

Nav_Alpha

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #23 on: 06 March 2018, 03:14:59 »
Guns for fire! Freelancers! I figure we might as well try and keep this merc thread going.

So, with that thought - help me out. I’ve been running these doughy gang of mercs for sometime now: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=53133.360
And they’re getting towards the end of the Jihad.
So what to do? After several years of working almost exclusively for Stone and his offsider Alys Roussett-Marik, do they go Republic? Hand over their equipment and join the RAF? Retire to be county farmers? Or keep working by heading into fractured FWL space or another hotspot?
The CO is 40ish, with twin sons who could potentially take over the unit soon. And while he’s more metal than man now (lost an arm and a leg fighting the Word) he’s still able to run the unit.

One other thing to consider is that they’re battalion size now. But I intend To take the unit through Chara and then Terra. Both bloodbaths.


"Hold your position, conserve ammo... and wait for the Dragoons to go Feral"
- last words of unknown merc, Harlech, 3067

David CGB

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #24 on: 06 March 2018, 03:20:28 »
True. Battletech Eras where factions lock themselves off to mercenaries are a little less interesting to me. I don't really feel the need to buy into some factions full time. *shrugs* That is why I like Mercenaries ><
agreed from time to time there is a large need for small units, after all you never know when these units are needed
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truetanker

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #25 on: 06 March 2018, 15:02:40 »
Guns for fire! Freelancers! I figure we might as well try and keep this merc thread going.

So, with that thought - help me out. I’ve been running these doughy gang of mercs for sometime now: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=53133.360
And they’re getting towards the end of the Jihad.
So what to do? After several years of working almost exclusively for Stone and his offsider Alys Roussett-Marik, do they go Republic? Hand over their equipment and join the RAF? Retire to be county farmers? Or keep working by heading into fractured FWL space or another hotspot?
The CO is 40ish, with twin sons who could potentially take over the unit soon. And while he’s more metal than man now (lost an arm and a leg fighting the Word) he’s still able to run the unit.

One other thing to consider is that they’re battalion size now. But I intend To take the unit through Chara and then Terra. Both bloodbaths.


Pirate hunting along the FWL realm...

Looking for WoB units on a lend-lease from Stone, some Society or Clan Dark Caste raids... Maybe that Elemental I suggested before? [blank]

TT
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That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units.Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid
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Drewbacca

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #26 on: 06 March 2018, 17:17:39 »
Good to see the thread is still going. Here is a question. When it is obvious that the unit is on its last legs, what does the smart merc commander do?

And please someone CHANGE THE NAME OF THE THREAD!!!

I have a degree in journalism. I worked as a copyeditor. This is embarassing me.

Sharpnel

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #27 on: 06 March 2018, 17:35:38 »
Only you or a Mod can change the title of thread. Go back and edit the title in the opening post and voila.

As for your question. let the surviving members choose their own path. If they own their Mechsthey can take them. Otherwise they can keep what they paid for plus keep personal sidearms, neurohelmet and whatever else the unit commander allows them to keep.
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Nav_Alpha

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Re: Is their a thread for Mercs?
« Reply #28 on: 06 March 2018, 17:59:02 »
Or fold into a bigger, more successful unit. Offer to merge with a unit that is doing better than you but maybe needs to make up the numbers or is just one step off struggle street.

Best case scenario: you might get taken on as XO or at least a sub unit commander.
Coupe of years, maybe you and your guys are running the show again?


"Hold your position, conserve ammo... and wait for the Dragoons to go Feral"
- last words of unknown merc, Harlech, 3067

Drewbacca

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Re: Money for Mercing: The home of Mercenaries
« Reply #29 on: 19 March 2018, 06:48:39 »
Which era in BT history would you consider the golden age of the mercenary? I think I would put my money on the CLan Invasion. Though a lot of mercenary units were wiped out in this period, there seemed to be even more call for them than during the Succession War era.

 

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