Author Topic: Army Builder Alpha Strike (Read 52767 times)

OpacusVenatori · « **on:** 03 February 2014, 17:43:41 »

http://bg.battletech.com/?p=5400
Per this announcement, I downloaded for first time the ArmyBuilder software and the correpsonding "army rules" for AS. As a newbie, I readed that this file inclides units up to TRO: 3050. Now, I really cant find a way to create a rooster that includes all the introbox mechs. Also, I cant find a way to print the rooster in cards format.

Can anyone try to guide me, please?

EDIT: Also, the unit shows all the abilities as per QuickStrike, like ES, SRCH, etc...

swammeyjoe · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 February 2014, 18:35:30 »

Can you print unit cards from the program? And does it have the damage data correct (with Missile and AC damage not counted separately)?

OpacusVenatori · « **Reply #2 on:** 04 February 2014, 10:15:39 »

I couldnt find a way to print them in the AS cards format.
And the damage was calculated as QuickStrike.

nckestrel · « **Reply #3 on:** 04 February 2014, 11:28:13 »

Quote from: OpacusVenatori on 04 February 2014, 10:15:39

I couldnt find a way to print them in the AS cards format.
And the damage was calculated as QuickStrike.

Considering I see OVL special abilities in there, and the ANH-1A is S/M/L 5/5/0 and AC 3/3/0 same as Alpha Strike, I think he just left the ES,SEAL,SOA and SRCH special abilities on 'mechs. The damage and other special abilities are Alpha Strike.

Spaceman · « **Reply #4 on:** 04 February 2014, 12:24:03 »

I don't think Army Builder has the ability to print out AS cards. It looks like it can only print out an army list type sheet. While the ability to search for abilities is nice it doesn't trump the need to print cards.

nckestrel · « **Reply #5 on:** 04 February 2014, 12:38:04 »

Quote from: Spaceman on 04 February 2014, 12:24:03

I don't think Army Builder has the ability to print out AS cards. It looks like it can only print out an army list type sheet. While the ability to search for abilities is nice it doesn't trump the need to print cards.

I think it's listed in the to do list in the FAQ. So it looks like there isn't a way now, but hopefully will be in the future.

OpacusVenatori · « **Reply #6 on:** 04 February 2014, 14:13:23 »

Quote from: nckestrel on 04 February 2014, 11:28:13

Considering I see OVL special abilities in there, and the ANH-1A is S/M/L 5/5/0 and AC 3/3/0 same as Alpha Strike, I think he just left the ES,SEAL,SOA and SRCH special abilities on 'mechs. The damage and other special abilities are Alpha Strike.

My bad.
Also, when I set a rooster for Federated Suns, Intro level, All eras, the list of units shows only 12 units, and one of them a Grasshoper a only mech for my selection. Strange indeed.

nckestrel · « **Reply #7 on:** 04 February 2014, 14:37:55 »

The FAQ says
"The datafiles are planned to be released by TRO, starting with TRO 3050. "
So there's not going to be a lot of intro tech from TR3050.

Jones · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 February 2014, 22:39:01 »

It looks like you can right click on each unit in the roster to "Edit Unit Image" and "Edit Unit Card". I've gone and dropped in the png image from the MUL on a 3-element sample roster, made sure the card image had the "Printed image" checkbox, uh, checked, and did a print preview. You get your army roster at the top of the page, and the card images at the bottom.

Now, the cards might be a little small (someone who owns Army Builder can do a print check and let us know) but you can print them out of the roster page.

Ratboy · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 February 2014, 02:55:54 »

To print unit cards you need to use the "Save Custom Output" from the File Menu, not the print roster option.
If you do not see the "Advanced Unit Cards" option there, please let me know and I will fix it. Standard AS cards are coming in the near future (I want to get more units in there first).

IIRC most of the Intro Box set 'Mechs are from TR 3039.

nckestrel · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 February 2014, 03:02:39 »

Ah, I can't use that option in the demo of Army Builder, so that's why I didn't know it would do the cards.

swammeyjoe · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 February 2014, 20:29:46 »

Does anyone have an image of what the "Advanced Unit Cards" look like? I'd be willing to spend the money on this if I could print cards (or something like a card) with accurate damage values, as opposed to the Quick Strike values as found in SSW.

Ratboy · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 February 2014, 12:28:49 »

Here you go!

I am planning on reworking the layout to be more efficient and to allow a faction image to be included. I'm probably going to move the unit image to the front and put the faction image on the back.

Weirdo · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 February 2014, 12:29:59 »

Army Builder will print any cards like that?! :o

Von Ether · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 February 2014, 14:07:59 »

Oooooooh. I like the crit effect section!

Ratboy · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 February 2014, 15:04:34 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 19 February 2014, 12:29:59

Army Builder will print any cards like that?! :o

Yep.

Xotl · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 February 2014, 16:13:55 »

I have to say, that's a better advertisement for the usefulness of Army Builder than any of the previous articles. That looks really sweet.

Weirdo · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 February 2014, 16:23:48 »

No kidding. All this discussion, and that's the first thing that's given me any clue as to what Army Builder can actually DO. Now if someone could clearly explain what else it could do, I might put it on my to-buy list.

OpacusVenatori · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 February 2014, 07:42:52 »

Quote from: Ratboy on 19 February 2014, 12:28:49

Here you go!

I am planning on reworking the layout to be more efficient and to allow a faction image to be included. I'm probably going to move the unit image to the front and put the faction image on the back.

LOVE IT!!!

Von Ether · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 February 2014, 09:04:41 »

Funny enough, I had started a thread about putting more info on the Alpha Strike cards and some people were like adamant that the card had "too much" on it already.

This card had like three times the stuff I was talking ability and it looks sweet.

OpacusVenatori · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 February 2014, 11:44:50 »

well, the normal AS card only have one side. this new model includes the back side, with it you can split the stats betwen them.

Von Ether · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 February 2014, 12:05:40 »

Quote from: OpacusVenatori on 20 February 2014, 11:44:50

well, the normal AS card only have one side. this new model includes the back side, with it you can split the stats betwen them.

The only "stat" on the back of this card is the pic. If you put that on the front instead of the target declaration track, you still have a lot more info than the original AS cards and the stuff I was talking about.

I'd like to see a TMM tracker myself.

NeonKnight · « **Reply #22 on:** 20 February 2014, 20:01:01 »

Quote from: Xotl on 19 February 2014, 16:13:55

I have to say, that's a better advertisement for the usefulness of Army Builder than any of the previous articles. That looks really sweet.

Yeah put me in the "greatly intrigued camp' now as oppose to the 'meh' camp of before.

With a limited use demo, I was like...OK, it doesn't have this, doesn't have that, no clue what this looks like, etc. Like being asked to buy a car and only told it has 4 wheels, and engine, is blue, and I can move the seat. Sure it all describes the car, but without seeing the key features, is not too helpful.

As other said, the pic is nice, but a TMM modifier (maybe with appropriate Def Value as well) would be nicer.

Big question because I'll be honest I have not had too much luck finding it. Can I Add my own units to this?

Von Ether · « **Reply #23 on:** 20 February 2014, 22:13:04 »

Quote from: NeonKnight on 20 February 2014, 20:01:01

As other said, the pic is nice, but a TMM modifier (maybe with appropriate Def Value as well) would be nicer.

This would make a me a customer.

Though TMM is too clunky for me, call it "Handling" instead.

nckestrel · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 February 2014, 14:59:48 »

Just playing around with it, I'm new to Army Builder.
But you can set the "rules" before hand. Faction (or any), max points (or unlimited), era (or any), rules level (intro/standard/advanced/experimental), advanced options (extrema range, alternate munitions, etc), and how to select skills (manual, true random, random by experience, etc).
Then you have a list of all units that fit your rules to select from.
The roster is shown below, with the total points (and your maximum).
The units in the roster can be grouped in to Lances/Stars/Level IIs, and you'll get subtotals of their PVs.
As you add each unit, it will be in red until you select a skill level.
When printing the cards, the images are automatically downloaded for the cards. (And there's an option to manually select a different image if you don't like the one the MUL uses...can't imagine why you might want to do that..).
Or you can print a roster that shows the rules you selected, PVs, AS stats, total cbill cost.
It's pretty easy to use, I didn't read the manual or anything :).

Ratboy · « **Reply #25 on:** 21 February 2014, 20:34:35 »

My brain is not processing at the moment (its on break). Clarify TMM?

I am planning on adding the range modifiers and the move modifier to the card. Not sure if it will make it into the next release though. Also, card backs are optional (there is a roster option to turn them on/off).

You can add your own units, but you will need detailed knowledge of how the datafiles are built (it might hurt the brain [drool] [size=78%]).[/size]

I was tossing around the idea of a custom input that would read files from popular unit builder programs, but that is not on the front burner.

Teaser: the next update will also include the ability to use the Beta points system currently being tested.

nckestrel · « **Reply #26 on:** 21 February 2014, 20:54:15 »

TMM is target movement modifier, the "defense" to-hit modifier.
So a Spider with 16"j has a TMM of +4.

NeonKnight · « **Reply #27 on:** 21 February 2014, 22:55:04 »

Quote from: nckestrel on 21 February 2014, 20:54:15

TMM is target movement modifier, the "defense" to-hit modifier.
So a Spider with 16"j has a TMM of +4.

What he said. So for example the spider would be:

16j / +4 8j / +3 4j / +2 etc

**don't have book so cannot remember if it is full move/half move/no move or some variation

Von Ether · « **Reply #28 on:** 22 February 2014, 11:53:05 »

That was exactly the thing I wanted to add, a "Handling" score that tracked how your TMM changed after you got motive crits.

Ratboy · « **Reply #29 on:** 22 February 2014, 17:07:52 »

Completely possible. I will try to get it into the update after the next one on 3/1.