Author Topic: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)  (Read 16224 times)

tassa_kay

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Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« on: 24 June 2014, 00:42:29 »
WARRIOR HOUSE SHIVA

Ki-linn Liao, great granddaughter of Kali Liao, inherited her ancestor's holdings on Highspire as part of her birthright as a member of the Celestial Dynasty of House Liao. And, like Kali before her, Ki-linn became the focus of adoration and worship by the Thuggee death cult that survived the fires of the Jihad to fester and grow once more in the remote mountain valleys and jungles of Highspire. Raised to believe in her own divinity, Ki-linn was nevertheless kept on a short leash by her cousin Daoshen, who shared her delusions of divinity.  Though it is unclear just how aware Daoshen has been of his cousin's actions over the course of her relatively-young life, it is likely that he is much more indulgent of Ki-linn's association with the Thuggee cult than Sun-Tzu had once been of his sister's. Evidence has come to light that not only was Ki-linn the architect of the so-called "Daughters of Kali" cult of women that rose up on Wei in the immediate aftermath of the Blackout to embark on a campaign of terror and violence, but she was rewarded by having Wei added to her personal landholds and given a seat on the Prefectorate.

During the Capellans' renewed drive into the Republic after the Blackout, Ki-linn was offered as a bride in a clever play by her cousin to seal his alliance with Jacob Bannson, who used his immense resources to help the Chancellor in his bid to retake the Capellan Confederation's birthworld of Liao from the Republic of the Sphere. Though the pairing was displeasing to Ki-linn, her public persona was very much one of love towards her husband, and she publicly mourned for him when he fled the Confederation...though, as the rumor goes, Ki-linn sent Death Commando hit squads after Bannson when he left. The reason for Bannson's flight from the Capellan Confederation remains a mystery, but it is possible that he stumbled upon Ki-linn's secret: she was training her Thuggee worshippers in the vein of the so-called "Thuggee Warrior Houses" that her ancestor raised during the Jihad, and was almost certainly encouraged to do so by Kali Liao herself at some point. That Ki-linn would repeat history in this way is almost a foregone conclusion, as she is utterly convinced of her divine right to do so, and her strident calls for war against the Federated Suns within the House of Scions betrayed the bloodlust and desire for retribution that burned within her.

And so it was in 3145, during the height of the Capellans' renewed war against House Davion, that the so-called "Warrior House Shiva" made its spectacular battlefield debut in a brutal assault on the nearby Federated Suns world of Bell. The newest Capellan war machines fought side-by-side with designs (mercifully) not seen since the Jihad: Word of Blake Celestials, Demons, and Spectrals. Though no one has been able to confirm the source of these terrifying monstrosities, the most obvious answer would be that Kali Liao herself had sequestered them away from prying eyes. Soon thereafter, a second attack was launched against Lee, and the Thuggees were merciless in their butchery and destruction, making no distinction between warriors and civilians. It is believed that, given their successes against these particular targets, Warrior House Shiva may be growing bolder, and the long-standing Davion stronghold of Kathil is almost certainly in Ki-linn's crosshairs as the Capellan Confederation proper continues their invasion of the Federated Suns.

Though the rank-and-file appear to be on a par with legitimate janshi as one might find in Warrior Houses such as Dai Da Chi or Imarra, the elite of the Thuggee force appear to be another Jihad-era relic: the dreaded Phansigar, cybernetically-enhanced, hyper-elite troops with a singleminded devotion to Ki-linn herself. And despite the fact that Kali's Thuggees did not count women among their ranks, Ki-linn has not excluded them from her new Warrior House. One of these women, holding the rank of Jemadar and known only as "White Lotus", commands the aerospace contingent of Warrior House Shiva. A former Death Commando, Ying-zhang Jericho Xu, commands the first battalion; a former House of the Setting Sun assassin, Jemadar "Daitya" commands the second battalion; Tikonov native Ying-zhang Nikolai Zuyevo commands the third battalion; and hardline Liaoist and borderline psychopath, Jemadar Veronica Nguyen, commands the fourth battalion.

The House Master is a mysterious, murderous Phansigar known only as "Vritra", having taken his rebirth name from the serpentine Hindu demon and personification of drought. His rise to the vaunted rank of Risaldar has come at a high price, as his sacrifices of flesh in service to the Death Goddess are many and his enhancements are equally legion: among his known implants include cybernetic eyes, full-body myomer, vehicular DNI, a communications implant, enhanced prosthetic jaws with incisor injectors, an enhanced prosthetic tail, a pair of enhanced prosthetic arms, and a massive pair of flight wings crafted to resemble the wings of a bat... or, more likely, a demon. He commands Warrior House Shiva with singular devotion to the Death Goddess and her newest incarnation, and there is not a single Thuggee within the House that would not give their very lives at his command.

Warrior House Shiva's war machines are painted a lustrous ebony, accented with vibrant red stripes resembling the gouges made by tiger claws. All members of the Warrior House wear an all-black uniform with two symbols: the House symbol on the right shoulder, and the image of the Goddess Kali on the left shoulder. The aforementioned House symbol appears to be an inverted Liao triangle, upon which is set the open eye of the Indian deity Shiva, symbolizing the Warrior House's ultimate purpose: annihilation.

Command Element

Tian-Zong
Archangel
Yu Huang
Seraph

Fa Shih Squad
Purifier Squad

1st Battalion

1st Company
 
Tian-zong
Yu Huang
Lu Wei Bing
Shen Yi

Ti T’sang
Ti T'sang DDC
Jinggau
Lao Hu

Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad

Sha Yu
Yao Lien
Men Shen
Yinghuochong

Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
 
2nd Company

Emperor
Pillager Z
Thunder
Cataphract

Vandal
Vandal
Vandal
Vandal

Po II Heavy Tank
Po II Heavy Tank

Snake
Snake
Huron Warrior
Huron Warrior

Regulator II (Stealth)
Regulator II (Stealth)
 
3rd Company

Wraith
Assassin
Cossack
Ebony

Raven II
Raven II
Dola
Dola

Pixiu Heavy Tank
Pixiu Heavy Tank

Duan Gung
Duan Gung
Gun
Gun

Pixiu Heavy Tank
Pixiu Heavy Tank
 
2nd Battalion

1st Company
 
Seraph
Seraph
Deva
Deva

Deva
Deva
Preta
Preta

Shedu Squad
Shedu Squad

Waneta LAM
Waneta LAM
Malak
Malak

Tengu Squad
Tengu Squad
 
2nd Company
 
Seraph
Seraph
Deva
Deva

Deva
Deva
Malak
Malak

Purifier Squad
Purifier Squad

Yurei LAM
Yurei LAM
Raptor II
Raptor II

Purifier Squad
Purifier Squad
 
3rd Company

Seraph
Seraph
Deva
Deva

Malak
Malak

Bolla Stealth Tank
Bolla Stealth Tank
Djinn Squad
Djinn Squad

Pwwka LAM
Pwwka LAM

Bolla Stealth Tank
Bolla Stealth Tank
Asura Squad
Asura Squad
 
3rd Battalion

1st Company

Morningstar City Command Vehicle
Minion Advanced Tactical Vehicle
Brutus Assault Tank
Brutus Assault Tank

Predator Tank Destroyer
Predator Tank Destroyer
Zahn Heavy Transport
Zahn Heavy Transport
Ying Long Squad
Ying Long Squad
Ying Long Squad
Ying Long Squad

Sheriff Infantry Support Tank
Sheriff Infantry Support Tank
Zahn Heavy Transport
Zahn Heavy Transport
Ying Long Squad
Ying Long Squad
Ying Long Squad
Ying Long Squad
 
2nd Company
 
Po II Heavy Tank (Gauss)
Po II Heavy Tank (Gauss)
Po II Heavy Tank (Arrow)
Po II Heavy Tank (Arrow)

Po II Heavy Tank
Po II Heavy Tank
Zahn Heavy Transport
Zahn Heavy Transport
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad

Po II Heavy Tank
Po II Heavy Tank
Zahn Heavy Transport
Zahn Heavy Transport
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad
 
3rd Company
 
Regulator II Hovertank
Regulator II Hovertank
Regulator II Stealth Hovertank
Regulator II Stealth Hovertank

Nisos Attack WiGE
Nisos Attack WiGE
Tufana Hovercraft (iNarc)
Tufana Hovercraft (iNarc)
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad

Nisos Attack WiGE
Nisos Attack WiGE
Tufana Hovercraft (iNarc)
Tufana Hovercraft (iNarc)
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
 
4th Battalion

1st Company
 
Pixiu Heavy Tank
Pixiu Heavy Tank
Pixiu Heavy Tank
Pixiu Heavy Tank

Zahn Heavy Transport
Zahn Heavy Transport
Sheriff Infantry Support Tank
Sheriff Infantry Support Tank
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad

Predator Tank Destroyer
Predator Tank Destroyer
Zahn Heavy Transport
Zahn Heavy Transport
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
Fa Shih Squad
 
2nd Company

Behemoth II Heavy Tank
Behemoth II Heavy Tank
Behemoth II Heavy Tank
Behemoth II Heavy Tank

Brutus Assault Tank
Brutus Assault Tank
Zhukov Heavy Tank (Liao)
Zhukov Heavy Tank (Liao)
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad

Regulator II Hover Tank (Arrow IV)
Regulator II Hover Tank (Arrow IV)
Regulator II Hover Tank (Arrow IV)
Regulator II Hover Tank (Arrow IV)
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad
Shen Long Squad
 
3rd Company
 
Luduan Scout Vehicle
Luduan Scout Vehicle
Nisos Attack WiGE
Nisos Attack WiGE

Tamerlane Strike Sled
Tamerlane Strike Sled
Shun Transport VTOL
Shun Transport VTOL
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad

Yasha VTOL (Interdictor)
Yasha VTOL (Interdictor)
Shun Transport VTOL
Shun Transport VTOL
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad
Amazon Squad

AeroSpace Wing

Command Flight

Striga
Striga
Striga

Alpha Squadron

Mengquin
Mengquin
Transgressor
Transgressor
Troika
Troika

Beta Squadron

Rusalka
Rusalka
Transit
Transit
Defiance
Defiance

Omega Squadron

Shade
Shade
Umbra
Umbra
Thrush
Thrush

Naval Assets

Lung Wang (Command Element)
Assault Triumph (1st Battalion)
Assault Triumph (2nd Battalion)
Triumph (3rd Battalion)
Triumph (4th Battalion)
Kuan Ti (Escort)
Lung Wang (Escort)
Avenger Upgrade (Strike)
Achilles Upgrade (Strike)
Overlord A3 (Assault)
Lung Wang P2 (Assault)
Vengeance DC (Aerospace Wing)
Zhen Niao (Recon)
« Last Edit: 28 June 2014, 20:55:24 by tassa_kay »
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

My Personal Units: Thuggee Warrior House Nagah (Capellan Confederation), 29th Blood Drinkers (Clan Blood Spirit), Nightmare Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses), 1st Raven Rook Cluster (Raven Alliance)
Favorite Factions: Capellan Confederation • Clan Blood Spirit • Clan Smoke Jaguar • Clan Hell's Horses • Raven Alliance • Fronc Reaches • Rim Worlds Republic • Magistracy of Canopus
Favorite Characters: Malvina Hazen • Kali Liao • Katherine Steiner-Davion • Anastasia Kerensky • Danai Liao-Centrella • Karianna Schmitt • Lady Death • Tara Campbell • Katana Tormark
Favorite Units: The Golden Ordun • Wolf Hunters • 1st Horde Cluster • 1st Rasalhague Bears • Thuggee Warrior Houses • Hikage • Raptor Keshik • Kara's Scorchers • 1st Star Sentinels

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #1 on: 24 June 2014, 01:20:53 »
This looks like it will make for quite the deadly force on the field. I like the changes you've made (I'm reading it assuming everything is using modern variants); the Capellan-Blakist split thing you did with the Command Element is a particularly nice touch. The addition of aero and naval assets is also cool to see: I think you got a perfect fusion of both factions there. The aero wing is probably identical to how I would have made it, which is the highest compliment I can give something like this.  ;)


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tassa_kay

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #2 on: 24 June 2014, 01:38:47 »
Thank you! I figured you'd notice what I did with the command element, and I wasn't sure at first that I wanted to do it...but then I figured, why the hell not?

I am considering varying up the Celestials in 2nd Battalion a bit, maybe distribute the weight classes a little better. But other than that, I'm extremely satisfied with what I finally settled on.

Also, I just added a quick bit of fluff for them. Plausible?
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

My Personal Units: Thuggee Warrior House Nagah (Capellan Confederation), 29th Blood Drinkers (Clan Blood Spirit), Nightmare Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses), 1st Raven Rook Cluster (Raven Alliance)
Favorite Factions: Capellan Confederation • Clan Blood Spirit • Clan Smoke Jaguar • Clan Hell's Horses • Raven Alliance • Fronc Reaches • Rim Worlds Republic • Magistracy of Canopus
Favorite Characters: Malvina Hazen • Kali Liao • Katherine Steiner-Davion • Anastasia Kerensky • Danai Liao-Centrella • Karianna Schmitt • Lady Death • Tara Campbell • Katana Tormark
Favorite Units: The Golden Ordun • Wolf Hunters • 1st Horde Cluster • 1st Rasalhague Bears • Thuggee Warrior Houses • Hikage • Raptor Keshik • Kara's Scorchers • 1st Star Sentinels

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #3 on: 24 June 2014, 01:51:42 »
That fluff is excellent and definitely plausible; the unit feels like it would slot perfectly into the canon 'verse.

I also have a couple of minor force selection suggestions, if you don't mind.


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
- Klarg1

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #4 on: 24 June 2014, 02:18:18 »
1st Battalion, 1st Company: I'd swap the Jinggau and Shen Yi.

1st Battalion, 2nd Company: The second lance seems highly unfocused. I have no idea what it's intended to do. The Vandal kinda has to be deployed in lance-sized chunks because (AFAICT) it's the only BC3-equipped 'Mech the Cappies use. So I'd either go with a full Vandal lance backed by a couple of Pixius or swap the Vandals for something that meshes with the Vindicators (which design would fit the bill depends on which variant of the Vindicator you're using, since they vary so much in role and movement profile).

1st Battalion, 3rd Company: Is the idea to have the lighter 'Mech units draw the enemy into range of the massed gauss rifles of the tanks? If so, I might swap the Behemoths for another couple of Pixius...the Behemoths pack a very heavy punch but they massively drain the strategic mobility of the company as a whole.

4th Battalion: I'd swap the Behemoths in the command lance of 1st Company for the Pixius in 2nd Company (so the battalion command lance is four Pixius...makes it easier to keep your battalion CO alive when he's got speed and stealth). This also puts the Behemoth IIs with the Po IIs: the UAC/20s will gut anyone who tries to rush under the minimums of the Behemoths' guns. Also, I'd swap the Zhukov (WoB) pair for the Zhukov (Liao) variant, since there's no C3i on any other units in that battalion. Finally, the Po (HV) is a total shitbox because it has a main gun that blows it up one out of every thirty-six shots; given that the other half of the lance is Regulators (which I'd swap for Regulator IIs, cuz hey why not), I'd throw in something with a little more of a matching movement profile...maybe another couple of Luduans? Or in the spirit of mixing in WoB stuff, maybe a couple of Zephyrs? Or hey, maybe you could do the whole lance as Arrow IV Regulators to make use of all the TAG in 3rd Company. Lotta options there.
« Last Edit: 24 June 2014, 02:20:51 by Kojak »


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
- Klarg1

glitterboy2098

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #5 on: 24 June 2014, 23:56:53 »
i posted this on the old thread without realizing you'd posted an updated one.  :-[

a thought on colors..
Shiva is described as being fair skinned, with allusions to ice clad mountains, so white might be a good base. it would also emphasise the WOB connection a bit more. he is also described as having a blue throat, and is sometimes depicted as being blue skinned, so blue as an accent color might be a good choice.


also, in regards to the organization..
Capellan augmented companies only have 2 augmented lances in them, for a total of 8 and 4. 12 units total.

the extra lances in your list might be reorganized into additional companies. Shiva's holy number is 5, so if their battalions have 5 companies instead of the normal 3, you can tie that in. plus it would give you more punch than a typical Warrior House.

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #6 on: 25 June 2014, 01:52:56 »
also, in regards to the organization..
Capellan augmented companies only have 2 augmented lances in them, for a total of 8 and 4. 12 units total.

That is no longer true, per pages 19 and 20 of FM 3085. Augmented companies now consist of two augmented lances and a separate command lance, for a total of 16-20 units (depending on the mix of vees and 'suits).


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
- Klarg1

tassa_kay

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #7 on: 25 June 2014, 02:15:46 »
That is no longer true, per pages 19 and 20 of FM 3085. Augmented companies now consist of two augmented lances and a separate command lance, for a total of 16-20 units (depending on the mix of vees and 'suits).

This is actually what I used as my basis when I made this Warrior House. I tried to keep it as updated as absolutely feasible.

As far as the colors go, I didn't pick them so much for symbolic purposes as much as I did for the purpose of using my two favorite colors. If the Blood Spirits can't be around to rock red and black, then I'll have the colors live on with my Thuggees. Also, I think the implied symbolism is actually pretty spot-on: black to show their mourning the loss of their Goddess, and red for the retribution they are going to visit upon the Davionistas. >:D

Also, I updated my force selection with all of your suggestions, as I trust your judgment and I was going so faction-unit-happy that I didn't stop to consider how well these would operate together. I'm only stuck on the Vandals. I'm torn between just jettisoning the Vindicators and running a full lance of Vandals, or do I find something else to pair with the Vindicators? The Vindicator is such a Capellan staple that I'm loathe to not have any, but I'm also keen on trying the newer toys.
« Last Edit: 25 June 2014, 02:29:36 by tassa_kay »
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

My Personal Units: Thuggee Warrior House Nagah (Capellan Confederation), 29th Blood Drinkers (Clan Blood Spirit), Nightmare Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses), 1st Raven Rook Cluster (Raven Alliance)
Favorite Factions: Capellan Confederation • Clan Blood Spirit • Clan Smoke Jaguar • Clan Hell's Horses • Raven Alliance • Fronc Reaches • Rim Worlds Republic • Magistracy of Canopus
Favorite Characters: Malvina Hazen • Kali Liao • Katherine Steiner-Davion • Anastasia Kerensky • Danai Liao-Centrella • Karianna Schmitt • Lady Death • Tara Campbell • Katana Tormark
Favorite Units: The Golden Ordun • Wolf Hunters • 1st Horde Cluster • 1st Rasalhague Bears • Thuggee Warrior Houses • Hikage • Raptor Keshik • Kara's Scorchers • 1st Star Sentinels

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #8 on: 25 June 2014, 22:03:37 »
I'm only stuck on the Vandals. I'm torn between just jettisoning the Vindicators and running a full lance of Vandals, or do I find something else to pair with the Vindicators? The Vindicator is such a Capellan staple that I'm loathe to not have any, but I'm also keen on trying the newer toys.

That's a tough decision. Hmmm....maybe swap one of the Snakes in 3rd Lance for a VND-4L Vindicator? That way you can do the full Vandal lance and still have at least one Vindicator.


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
- Klarg1

tassa_kay

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #9 on: 26 June 2014, 22:39:42 »
What other sorts of things do you think this unit needs? I'm thinking a unit ability or something, as well as special pilot abilities for the House Master. I need to give this some thought.

Also, upon consideration...I can do without a Vindicator. Honestly, it's ugly anyway.
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

My Personal Units: Thuggee Warrior House Nagah (Capellan Confederation), 29th Blood Drinkers (Clan Blood Spirit), Nightmare Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses), 1st Raven Rook Cluster (Raven Alliance)
Favorite Factions: Capellan Confederation • Clan Blood Spirit • Clan Smoke Jaguar • Clan Hell's Horses • Raven Alliance • Fronc Reaches • Rim Worlds Republic • Magistracy of Canopus
Favorite Characters: Malvina Hazen • Kali Liao • Katherine Steiner-Davion • Anastasia Kerensky • Danai Liao-Centrella • Karianna Schmitt • Lady Death • Tara Campbell • Katana Tormark
Favorite Units: The Golden Ordun • Wolf Hunters • 1st Horde Cluster • 1st Rasalhague Bears • Thuggee Warrior Houses • Hikage • Raptor Keshik • Kara's Scorchers • 1st Star Sentinels

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #10 on: 26 June 2014, 23:31:14 »
What other sorts of things do you think this unit needs? I'm thinking a unit ability or something, as well as special pilot abilities for the House Master. I need to give this some thought.

1) Well, bearing in mind that this in no way is something you have to do, I'd recommend naming (or even doing short bios) at least your CO and battalion/company-level officers; the random name generator in MegaMek is pretty great for this, it's how I do almost all of mine. This will both give you more attachment to the unit (in my experience) and give you a good idea of what sort of SPAs you wanna give to them (since also, in my experience, most people tend to give SAs to officers to make them stand out). In fact, given the fact that in MM you can't really simulate some of the more classic Unit Abilities (like Overrun Combat or Banking the Initiative), I find a good way to make up for this is to give the unit a universal SPA as their Unit Ability. Perhaps, as an example, the Shivas could all have the Some Like It Hot SPA (which lets you ignore the first -1 to-hit from overheat), to reflect their willingness to ignore high heat levels due to their fanatical devotion to Ki-Linn (or whoever their Risaldar ends up being).

2) On a related note, I'd probably note which units are piloted by Phansigar and which implants they're using (IIRC even the lowest-level guys have a minimum of three, and the officers tend to have 4-6, so you may not need to lean too heavily on SPAs).

3) This is also purely for sake of ease (in terms of tracking things for campaign settings) but I'd skill out your units (give 'em their G/P) and probably name and rank 'em too (at least in the case of Mechwarriors and ASF pilots; I'm insane enough to name and rank every crew member of every tank and infantry unit but obviously I don't recommend doing that unless you have the same level of obsession about detail that I do)...this makes it easier to track things when several of your guys get their rides shot out from under them and you need to know who gets what once you resupply.

4) I use a few Word Docs to track everything for my units, and use a modded version of the Chaos campaign rules to keep things relatively simple, but if you wanna get really into the details MekHQ is worth taking for a spin.

Sorry if this seems a little disjointed, this was a bit stream of consciousness for me because I'm on post-surgical painkillers but I hope it's still useful advice.
« Last Edit: 26 June 2014, 23:34:29 by Kojak »


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
- Klarg1

SteveRestless

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #11 on: 26 June 2014, 23:46:23 »
1) Well, bearing in mind that this in no way is something you have to do, I'd recommend naming (or even doing short bios) at least your CO and battalion/company-level officers; the random name generator in MegaMek is pretty great for this, it's how I do almost all of mine. This will both give you more attachment to the unit (in my experience) and give you a good idea of what sort of SPAs you wanna give to them (since also, in my experience, most people tend to give SAs to officers to make them stand out).

I second this. I tend to actually build the unit's ORBATT with Megamek, so I already get names assigned. Do keep in mind that you can hit the "Random Names" button on the left and select a faction to draw names from (General, Clan, and the different houses). Naming them goes a long way to making them feel more real. You can assign skills randomly too, if you want, hit the Random Skills button and it'll auto-pick skills according to the method and parameters you set.

Since this unit will have a number of augmented folks, being able to see the options megamek gives you for those augmentations, as well as the SPAs, is helpful.

Quote
In fact, given the fact that in MM you can't really simulate some of the more classic Unit Abilities (like Overrun Combat or Banking the Initiative), I find a good way to make up for this is to give the unit a universal SPA as their Unit Ability. Perhaps, as an example, the Shivas could all have the Some Like It Hot SPA (which lets you ignore the first -1 to-hit from overheat), to reflect their willingness to ignore high heat levels due to their fanatical devotion to Ki-Linn (or whoever their Risaldar ends up being).

Yeah, you can get creative on assigning Unit Special Abilities. my Wolf Rho Galaxy has 3 different abilities. the Keshik has an ability relating to requisitioning replacement machines for the keshik, the 15th has what I call Rapid Deployment, where they may deploy within their Walk or Jump MP of their starting edge. and the 5th, the most senior officer on the board gets a +2 commander init for free if the operation is a defensive one. Not necessarily traditional Unit Abilities, but you can certainly come up with perks that work around megamek's somewhat rigid nature
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

Kojak

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #12 on: 27 June 2014, 06:21:33 »
Another fun thing you can do with the unit (or sub-unit) abilities is to have them get "unlocked" by certain events happening over the course of your campaign. For example, the CO of my merc unit's third battalion (an air-mobile battlesuit force) had a sister who was a Mechwarrior in the unit's first battalion. When she was dragged from her cockpit and executed by Manei Domini during a mission gone wrong on Donegal, I fluffed it that her brother developed a particularly fanatical hatred of the Blakists and began training his battalion in anti-Blakist tactics: this provided a -2 to Leg and Swarm attacks for the unit's BA whenever the Word is their opponent. Conditional modifiers like this are a good way to give your unit an advantage that's strong but also narrowly focused, so as to avoid being munchy. One of the things I took from the fluff is that the Shivas seem to have a particularly anti-Davion bent, so that's an angle that could be useful here.


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tassa_kay

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #13 on: 28 June 2014, 20:21:18 »
You've both given me a lot to think about, and I really appreciate the input, as this was exactly what I was looking for.

I did go ahead and update the fluff with a few officers, as well as a section for the House Master, so let me know what you think.
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truetanker

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #14 on: 28 June 2014, 20:42:22 »
3rd Battlion, 2nd Company question.

Why Behemoth II and Arrow IV Assualt carrier?

Why not keep the Liao usage of Po II ( Guass or Stealth ) and Po II ( Arrow )?

Gives you:

2 A4
2 Gauss
4 LRM-5
8 SRM-6
8 MG
2 iSSRM-2

And either 2 Stealth units or 2 ECM!

TT
« Last Edit: 28 June 2014, 20:51:40 by truetanker »
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #15 on: 28 June 2014, 20:46:20 »
Hmm... are you thinking to sub in 2 Po IIs (Arrow) and 2 Po IIs (Gauss) or 2 Po IIs (Arrow) and 2 Po IIs (Stealth)? Or a different mix? Because I *can* do that, I just wanted to have Behemoth IIs in there somewhere. Which I solved by making the command lance of 4th Battalion, 2nd Company a full lance of Behemoth IIs.
« Last Edit: 28 June 2014, 20:51:56 by tassa_kay »
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

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truetanker

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #16 on: 28 June 2014, 20:54:16 »
I'd say two each of Po II Gauss and Po II Arrow, keeing the Behemoth II for something else, I do like the looks of the Support variant, can we say T-Aug?  O:-)

TT
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tassa_kay

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #17 on: 28 June 2014, 20:55:59 »
I'd say two each of Po II Gauss and Po II Arrow, keeing the Behemoth II for something else, I do like the looks of the Support variant, can we say T-Aug?  O:-)

TT

Done and done, and good call, TT! I think that particular command lance will work a lot better now.
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

My Personal Units: Thuggee Warrior House Nagah (Capellan Confederation), 29th Blood Drinkers (Clan Blood Spirit), Nightmare Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses), 1st Raven Rook Cluster (Raven Alliance)
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truetanker

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #18 on: 28 June 2014, 21:10:22 »
I think that if you keep your Regulator II in a single unit, so you could run a shell game.

Swap one of the WiGe lances for the Regulator II Arrow lance, just a unit swap.

TT
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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
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #19 on: 29 June 2014, 01:05:38 »
Done and done, and good call, TT! I think that particular command lance will work a lot better now.

I agree, I think that was a good call as well. Especially since the Zahns have TAG, so you've already got four spotters for the Arrow-IV built right into that company.


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #20 on: 29 June 2014, 01:19:36 »
Also, the added fluff is excellent and gives a nice extra layer of flavor to the unit. I'm curious: does Vritra pilot the Tian-zong or the Archangel?


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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #21 on: 29 June 2014, 13:07:30 »
Also, the added fluff is excellent and gives a nice extra layer of flavor to the unit. I'm curious: does Vritra pilot the Tian-zong or the Archangel?

I was originally gonna go with the Tian-zong, but the Archangel looks like it's the best command 'Mech in the line-up here...

...damn you for asking this question, because I'm STILL wrestling with it.  ;D
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #22 on: 29 June 2014, 14:09:27 »
Well, the Archangel might be well equipped for the job, but it is also going to be something of a hate-magnet. Might be a bit hazardous for your commander to ride.
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #23 on: 29 June 2014, 14:42:55 »
Yeah, actually, now that I look at it, the best command 'Mech in that unit might the Yu Huang. If you use the Y-H10G (the one with the gauss rifle, lots of lasers and the electronics suite), it'll give you a solid array of weaponry and equipment, but much more importantly, it puts your CO in a jump-capable 'Mech. As someone who's had a few close calls over the years, let me tell you, the ability to put intervening terrain between yourself and an attacker when you need to is absolutely invaluable if you don't want to lose your CO to headhunters or the like.


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #24 on: 29 June 2014, 15:10:28 »
Well, the Archangel might be well equipped for the job, but it is also going to be something of a hate-magnet. Might be a bit hazardous for your commander to ride.

I don't think a Phansigar would give a damn, frankly, and may even relish the idea of it. But it's something to consider.

Yeah, actually, now that I look at it, the best command 'Mech in that unit might the Yu Huang. If you use the Y-H10G (the one with the gauss rifle, lots of lasers and the electronics suite), it'll give you a solid array of weaponry and equipment, but much more importantly, it puts your CO in a jump-capable 'Mech. As someone who's had a few close calls over the years, let me tell you, the ability to put intervening terrain between yourself and an attacker when you need to is absolutely invaluable if you don't want to lose your CO to headhunters or the like.

Hmm. And given that people would expect the commander to pilot the Archangel or the Tian-zong as it is, it might make for an interesting shell game to play.
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #25 on: 29 June 2014, 15:14:00 »
Hmm. And given that people would expect the commander to pilot the Archangel or the Tian-zong as it is, it might make for an interesting shell game to play.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly; a headhunting unit that comes upon your command element is going to assume they're in one of the two "obvious" command 'Mechs. So now your CO effectively would have the protection of three 'Mechs rather than one, in a way.


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #26 on: 29 June 2014, 15:33:56 »
I don't think a Phansigar would give a damn, frankly, and may even relish the idea of it. But it's something to consider.

Oh, I wasn't implying that they'd be bothered by it, just that it's a bit of a gamble, tactically speaking. It'll inspire fury, but it might also make a great goad.

Perhaps the command unit is cross-trained on each other's mechs, and will sometimes play three pilot monte with which mech their commander is leading from today.
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

truetanker

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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #27 on: 30 June 2014, 18:03:09 »
I'd go a slightly different route, Tassa. Try a Yu Huang Y-H10G (C) model.

Every weapon a clantech version! Sure it has four tons leftover, but more IS DHS to soak up protiental damage. If there is room.

TT  O:-)
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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
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #28 on: 03 July 2014, 02:30:40 »
On that note, TT, I think it's time I put the finishing touch on the unit... picking out variants. Oy.
"Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." - Mike Tyson

My Personal Units: Thuggee Warrior House Nagah (Capellan Confederation), 29th Blood Drinkers (Clan Blood Spirit), Nightmare Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses), 1st Raven Rook Cluster (Raven Alliance)
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Re: Thuggee Warrior House Shiva (updated!)
« Reply #29 on: 03 July 2014, 17:57:35 »
Creating a variant for a unit thats earned it is one of my favorite things, if you can't decide on any variants you like create your own!
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