MechWarrior Second Edition Optional rule.

[Daryk]

I know exactly what you're going through... best of luck!  :thumbsup:

[victor_shaw]

I know exactly what you're going through... best of luck!  :thumbsup:

Still around old friend.  ;)
Yeah this is going to be a headache, but I can't leave MW2 in the state FASA left it if I can do anything about it.
Plus, the time away has allowed me to look at the game with fresh eyes and see some issues I missed or ignored before (INT issues) and ways to fix them.

[victor_shaw]

Bye the way, who do I talk to about get my rank show in Wolf Clan insignias ;)

[Daryk]

That's a question I don't know the answer to... I asked about possible Naval alternatives years ago, and never got a response...

[DOC_Agren]

Those of us who still like MW2 will wait

[Takiro]

Those of us who still like MW2 will wait

Here, here!

[victor_shaw]

Update #10

Wow its been a long time since I posted one of these.

Today I have the Beta edition of the Schools. Before it gets asked, I will not be updating/changing the official schools in the FMs.
Please provide feedback on these so I can edit them and move on. Also, if anyone has found issues or errors in the previous work let me know.

This Update also has a question attached.
I am currently looking to fix the Int issues in the game. I have an 2 ideas that could work separately or combined.

1. INT is limited (during character creation) to 1 higher then the average of the next to attributes (rounded up)

2. Raising an Attribute to max level (before Racial Modifiers) requires expenditure of double the attribute points. (Ex. A level 6 attribute for a human cost 4 points for Intuition and 2 points for all other Attributes, where Level 6 Reflexes cost only 5 points for the Clan Mechwarrior Racial Class, but level 7 cost 7 points.)

Let me know what you think.

ver. list.
Advantages and Disadvantages MW2 ver.2
Affiliations 2400- 2770 ver. 3
Affiliation 3025-3052 ver.1
Background Packages ver. 2
Civilian Academies of the Innersphere ver.1
Civilian Careers (Non-Clan) ver. 2
Clan Packages ver. 2
General House Rule and Optional Rules ver. 3
Lost Limbs and Implant-Prosthetic options
Master Tables by Era (Optional Rule) ver. 2
Mechwarrior 2nd edition optional equipment rules ver. final
Tactical Armor Optional Rules ver. 1
Weapon Conversion ver. 1
Schools ver. 1

[Daryk]

I don't think either of those methods diminishes the imperative to max INT at character creation.  If anything, the second one INCREASES the pressure to do that.  As for the first one, since any MechWarrior is going to want a 6 in REF too, they only need a 4 in something else (probably LRN) to get to the 5 necessary to put a 6 in INT.  Not really a limit as I see it...

[Takiro]

One of the reasons I like MW2 Edition is the ease of character creation and the 'hero level abilities' of said characters. I don't hate the high Intuitions everyone starts with but rather the same way everyone makes the characters. Rather than punish the INT at creation could would somehow generate a random factor that would make unique characters at the start?

[Daryk]

The very things that make creation so easy in MW2 are exactly what drive everyone to the same cookie cutter solutions.  Attributes are so expensive to raise compared to skills (even without Victor Shaw's proposed #2 above), it only makes sense to max them right out of the gate.

[victor_shaw]

I don't think either of those methods diminishes the imperative to max INT at character creation.  If anything, the second one INCREASES the pressure to do that.  As for the first one, since any MechWarrior is going to want a 6 in REF too, they only need a 4 in something else (probably LRN) to get to the 5 necessary to put a 6 in INT.  Not really a limit as I see it...

Just to be clear, neither of these are meant to keep people from doing it all together. They are just meant to put the brakes on it and have the player think it through before they do. As with both in place it becomes kind of expansive and limited other options. The other option was to make it average of other two rounded down, but that seemed to restrictive. But as its an optional rule I could put that in as a third option.

[victor_shaw]

Another option would be to change the formula for the 3 characteristic that use INT to (20-INT+###).

[Daryk]

You mean 20-(INT+XXX), right?  ???

[victor_shaw]

You mean 20-(INT+XXX), right?  ???

just miss typed

Anyway this was just a question to see what people preferred if any.

What I really want to know is if the House schools look good so I can move on in the update.

[victor_shaw]

Before the question comes up, Basic Training (Naval) was in my earlier draft of the MOS-FOS list but was found to be repetitive with most space related MOS/FOS packages, so please just ignore it. I will remove it in later versions of the document.

[DOC_Agren]

I don't think either of those methods diminishes the imperative to max INT at character creation.  If anything, the second one INCREASES the pressure to do that.  As for the first one, since any MechWarrior is going to want a 6 in REF too, they only need a 4 in something else (probably LRN) to get to the 5 necessary to put a 6 in INT.  Not really a limit as I see it...

:thumbsup:

and did I miss the TC military school?

[victor_shaw]

:thumbsup:

and did I miss the TC military school?

If you are referring to the Taurian École Militaire.
I will be up font on this one. I have found little information on this academy, and everything I have found does little to showcase it as anymore then your run of the mill academy with a slightly bad reputation.
If you can point me to (official) information that gives an idea of what it offers more then the base academy package I would be happy to add it to the list.
 

[Daryk]

Heh... they probably have a mandatory course on nuclear weapons employment...  8)

[victor_shaw]

New second draft of the Federated Suns School
Changes
1. Added Founding Years to the schools and programs, for programs (Armored Infantry) where dates are not available please see GM.
2. Reworked the Entry requirements and bonuses to better reflect the Fluff.
3. Cleaned up the artifacts from previous drafts and the conversion

Will add other House schools as the are finished

Sorry please redownload as I noted a error in the modifiers for entry requirements or change -2 to +2 in NAIS and Armstrong Flight Academy

[victor_shaw]

Heh... they probably have a mandatory course on nuclear weapons employment...  8)

Employment or Deployment  :-\

[Daryk]

Or both!  :D

[DOC_Agren]

If you are referring to the Taurian École Militaire.
I will be up font on this one. I have found little information on this academy, and everything I have found does little to showcase it as anymore then your run of the mill academy with a slightly bad reputation.
If you can point me to (official) information that gives an idea of what it offers more then the base academy package I would be happy to add it to the list.

The best I would say is that should be university/advanced programs, as most worlds also have basic military academy on them.

I would have to go though my books, but then you run into the issue of older info being replaced by newer.

Heh... they probably have a mandatory course on nuclear weapons employment...  8)

And they might have the courses on , but I'm sure Taurian Naval Institute has them, and should also have a great training course for Marines.

Concordat Aerospace Flight School, on the other hand is

[victor_shaw]

I would have to go though my books, but then you run into the issue of older info being replaced by newer.
And they might have the courses on , but I'm sure Taurian Naval Institute has them, and should also have a great training course for Marines.

Concordat Aerospace Flight School, on the other hand is

This is where the Taurian school have an issues.
It comes off as École Militaire is one of the better ground combat Universities in the periphery, but has a reputation for thinking they are the best in the Innersphere. And the Taurian Naval Institute is more of a branch of the Columbia Academy then its own thing due to most of the professors being from The Outworlds Alliance.

So overall, they really don't have their own unique fell to them.

[victor_shaw]

Update #11 (Moving right along)



Today I have the Schools ver 2. I also have the first draft of the armor section in the format it will appear in the book.



ver. list.
Advantages and Disadvantages MW2 ver.2
Affiliations 2400- 2770 ver. 3
Affiliation 3025-3052 ver.1
2nd edition armor ver.1
Background Packages ver. 2
Civilian Academies of the Innersphere ver.1
Civilian Careers (Non-Clan) ver. 2
Clan Packages ver. 2
General House Rule and Optional Rules ver. 3
Lost Limbs and Implant-Prosthetic options
Master Tables by Era (Optional Rule) ver. 2
Mechwarrior 2nd edition optional equipment rules ver. final
Tactical Armor Optional Rules ver. 1
Weapon Conversion ver. 1
Schools ver. 2

[DOC_Agren]

but then honestly a # of the Academies really have that issue.

What makes Filtvelt Military Academy standout?
or St. Ives Academy of Martial Sciences?
or Canopian Institute of War?

CIW was designed in 3058 as clone of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy, odd I would have thought a CC Academy.  That it took in 1st only prior service members recomennded by a Col or better, and unlike MAF officer ranks you can not buy your way in, and top 1% of local training school and outsiders.  It was to give the MoC an advanced finishing school for MechWarrior or Aerospace Fighter pilots.  Prior to that, MoC had to depend on various local training done by member worlds and "on the job" work.

Earlier works used to refer to the Taurian École Militaire, as 1 of the best military schools, of course that was before the TC had to take "stupid pills" but I digress..
I would propose

Bonus skills to teach why the TC stood and fought.

Taurian École Militaire (Taurian Concordat)
Requirements: None
Package: Advanced University
Bonus: SI /Star League History (1), SI/ Taurian History +1 free of charge (May not raise it above 3). Gain the skill if you don’t have it.
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training,
MOS: Battlemech, Cavalry, Infantry, Specialist (Mechanic), Specialist (Recon), Specialist (Tech), Armored Infantry (3058)
FOS: Leadership, Military Science

Now there maybe a hidden "knowledge base" for warship operation that they concealed from the OG Star League like ooohh the TCW Vandenberg.  Given that they fought the OG SL the best the could in space, with lesser ships.  But not public knowledge.
Taurian Naval Institute (Taurian Concordat)
Requirements: None
Package: Basic or Advanced Academy (but yes we will train you in Jumpship Operations FOS)
Bonus: SI /Star League History (1), SI/ Taurian History +1 free of charge (May not raise it above 3). Gain the skill if you don’t have it.
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training (Naval), Dropship, Marine, Specialist (Spacecraft Tech)
FOS: Jumpship

Okay here where I have to wonder, because even the fluff it says that the TC, a nation that fought in space as their frontline, can't find enough talented candidates for pilots.  Did the OG SL do/release something  something to target their ability.  40% of the school is from away.  And as such, it is the poor school.
Concordat Aerospace Flight School (Taurian Concordat)
Requirements: None
Package: Basic Academy
Bonus: +1 skill levels in SI/Military History
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training
MOS: Aerospace, Specialist (Aero Tech)

and then as Daryk said I am pretty sure Taurian Naval Institute (at least via the hidden knowledge section) and Taurian École Militaire cover the operational use of Nuclear Weapons in more details prior to "Warships" returning to the Inner Sphere that most any other school.

And I know Daryk can speak better to this but any officer, going for above a Battalion command should be sent though a "Staff College" not that CBT military seem to have remember that. 

 

[victor_shaw]

but then honestly a # of the Academies really have that issue.

What makes Filtvelt Military Academy standout?
or St. Ives Academy of Martial Sciences?
or Canopian Institute of War?

CIW was designed in 3058 as clone of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy, odd I would have thought a CC Academy.  That it took in 1st only prior service members recomennded by a Col or better, and unlike MAF officer ranks you can not buy your way in, and top 1% of local training school and outsiders.  It was to give the MoC an advanced finishing school for MechWarrior or Aerospace Fighter pilots.  Prior to that, MoC had to depend on various local training done by member worlds and "on the job" work.

Earlier works used to refer to the Taurian École Militaire, as 1 of the best military schools, of course that was before the TC had to take "stupid pills" but I digress..
I would propose

Bonus skills to teach why the TC stood and fought.

Taurian École Militaire (Taurian Concordat)
Requirements: None
Package: Advanced University
Bonus: SI /Star League History (1), SI/ Taurian History +1 free of charge (May not raise it above 3). Gain the skill if you don’t have it.
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training,
MOS: Battlemech, Cavalry, Infantry, Specialist (Mechanic), Specialist (Recon), Specialist (Tech), Armored Infantry (3058)
FOS: Leadership, Military Science

Now there maybe a hidden "knowledge base" for warship operation that they concealed from the OG Star League like ooohh the TCW Vandenberg.  Given that they fought the OG SL the best the could in space, with lesser ships.  But not public knowledge.
Taurian Naval Institute (Taurian Concordat)
Requirements: None
Package: Basic or Advanced Academy (but yes we will train you in Jumpship Operations FOS)
Bonus: SI /Star League History (1), SI/ Taurian History +1 free of charge (May not raise it above 3). Gain the skill if you don’t have it.
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training (Naval), Dropship, Marine, Specialist (Spacecraft Tech)
FOS: Jumpship

Okay here where I have to wonder, because even the fluff it says that the TC, a nation that fought in space as their frontline, can't find enough talented candidates for pilots.  Did the OG SL do/release something  something to target their ability.  40% of the school is from away.  And as such, it is the poor school.
Concordat Aerospace Flight School (Taurian Concordat)
Requirements: None
Package: Basic Academy
Bonus: +1 skill levels in SI/Military History
Courses Provided:
Basic: Basic Training
MOS: Aerospace, Specialist (Aero Tech)

and then as Daryk said I am pretty sure Taurian Naval Institute (at least via the hidden knowledge section) and Taurian École Militaire cover the operational use of Nuclear Weapons in more details prior to "Warships" returning to the Inner Sphere that most any other school.

And I know Daryk can speak better to this but any officer, going for above a Battalion command should be sent though a "Staff College" not that CBT military seem to have remember that.

Truthfully, they have already existing schools in MW 3 is the only real reason.  ;)

As for your schools, I think they need some work:
1. No requirements for all of them is a little hard to swallow.
2. The Taurian Naval Institute would need to have at least Basic University package to cover Jumpship FOS
3.Concordat Aerospace Flight School seems to be almost pointless.

I can take a look and see what I come up with, or if your happy with what you got I would just run with it.

[victor_shaw]

To get a little more in-depth

Filtvelt Military Academy goes hand and hand with the outback Sub-affiliation allowing the PC to get rid of their Poverty disadvantage.

St. Ives Academy of Martial Sciences gives the PC a chance to mix in some civilian fields to diversify the group.

Canopian Institute of War is a easier to get into less powerful version of the Sun Zhang MechWarrior Academy.

Each has something to offer to the PC besides just a skill or two.

[Daryk]

2nd edition is MUCH harder to shoe horn a staff college into, but thanks for the mention DOC!  :thumbsup:

[DOC_Agren]

??  Myomer Armor, is that something I missed that in CBT already

and yes there should have been requirements, but I was trying to do while I was at work, and thought I had included them.  I will be honest but St. Ives Academy of Martial Sciences has none.

and yes Concordat Aerospace Flight School (Taurian Concordat), from all that I can find written on it until they get full OA aid assistance and basicly becomes the satelite campus of their, it is basicly cheap fight school.

I included the Jumpship program even though it should require a Uni program, as odd quirk of the Star League breaking the TC's space assets.

edit in and I'm not trying to give you a hardtime, some of it had to go back and look at, because 1'm on a new computer without all your older documents.  I missed the Sub-affiliation document. 

[Daryk]

Perhaps I can argue a portion of Taurian spacers left with the Logans to form the Lothian League... hmmm...  ^-^