(Answered) Mech Tactics and Inoperable Mechs

[Akalabeth]

Can a character give tactical advice from a mech that is shutdown?

What is he has a back-up military communicator?

And what if the mech or unit in question is in such a position that they have no view whatsoever of the battle?


We had a situation today where a mech was shutdown, facing away from all the action, and wanted to give tactical advice but I ruled that he could not on account that he had no information regarding the tactical situation. Though his argument was that in the heat of battle while attacking a heavier unit, he'd memorized what exactly was happening and that that information would still be relevant making his blind decisions valuable.

[Paul]

Can a character give tactical advice from a mech that is shutdown?

No, unless,

What is he has a back-up military communicator?

Then possibly, but,

And what if the mech or unit in question is in such a position that they have no view whatsoever of the battle?

Now it's becoming tenuous.

We had a situation today where a mech was shutdown, facing away from all the action, and wanted to give tactical advice but I ruled that he could not on account that he had no information regarding the tactical situation. Though his argument was that in the heat of battle while attacking a heavier unit, he'd memorized what exactly was happening and that that information would still be relevant making his blind decisions valuable.

That's not a bad argument. I'd let him do it, but with a penalty to reflect his direct awareness. That penalty would dramatically increase each subsequent turn. The purpose of the the rules in question is that they only work if the leader can keep giving corrective/reactive advice. That he's able to respond to what's going on in the moment. The "memory" aspect would fade very quickly, and would only be relevant seconds out unless:
- Absolutely nothing changes in what the enemy does. 100% stationary force. No damage taken.
- Absolutely nothing changes in what the friendly forces do. 100% predictable (by the commander) moves. No damage taken.

IOW, that NEVER happens.


Also, note that the back up communicator would not have an easy time sending a signal out of a cockpit, so he'd be better off popping the hatch and sticking it out, at which point he might as well emerge as well to get his eyes on the action. Which might not help if his 'Mech is behind a hill. He might then have reason to dismount, walk up the hill and keep a low profile while offering advice. Depending on where he dropped compared to the action, that might not be risky, but I doubt it.

Paul

[Akalabeth]

Thanks for the replies.

The mech in question was only shutdown for one turn. So the desire was to get back into the action after he cooled down sufficiently to restart (we largely run a tactical game with PCs as lance commanders/whatnot).


But on top of that, seems a bit subjective especially given all combat is simultaneous. It's entirely possible for the make up of the battle to change in one turn. For example if the allied commander's forces suffer a number of losses in that same turn, such that the balance of power has shifted and the previous turns orders are no longer applicable should his tactical input still be valid? Or should it be a direct hinderance? Saying "keep attacking" when they should be regrouping doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Not only that, but should his direct awareness of the battle also be connected to his tactics? Since tactics is a complex action we have it such that you're restricted in what you can do while you actually use your tactical skill, so if the commander has just been rolling initiative, and not using their tactics for the last number of turns (10 second turns) is his knowledge really that in-depth?

Anyway. Sounds like a "do whatever seems appropriate" sort of answer.

[HABeas2]

Hello,

Yes, this is certainly a "do whatever seems necessary" moment.


Thank you,

- Herbert Beas
  BattleTech
  Catalyst Game Labs