BATTLETECH |OT| Kill the meat, save the metal

Isee · Nov 28, 2018

I like the changes to bullwark and the new sensors impaired debuff that sensor lock and PPCs apply.
I can no longer press "vigilance" like a mad man and make my assault mechs tank everything. Also parking a LRM boat with bulwark and forgetting about it isn't as strong as it was.
You take more damage now and with the amount of sensor locks and PPCs the AI tends to throw around; I hit less.
I think I'll finally start using PPCs myself for some crow control.

The new "random mission" where you have to capture and hold three points is also fun. Relentless, but fun.

I started building rep with pirates and my second FP turned up. Looking forward to it.

PanzerKraken · Nov 28, 2018

Bought the season pass cheap a while back using a coupon, so gonna maybe wait till the next dlc or so to do a replay with all the new content

Yu Kigono · Nov 28, 2018

Well they just announced a sourcebook for the tabletop game detailing the Aurigan Coalition. So this game is now (mostly) canon-ish.

Deleted member 2507 · Nov 28, 2018

Yu Kigono said:
Well they just announced a sourcebook for the tabletop game detailing the Aurigan Coalition. So this game is now (mostly) canon-ish.

Retroactive canon very much.
I asked about this and the answer was that Auriga in conventional BattleTech setting is just straight retcon, and the video game continuity/universe is explicitly separate (indeed, it is technically different IP to boot).
I suspect Auriga in tabletop version will also be slightly different (plus there was something that might imply it won't live past the Fourth Succession War), for example the video game depiction is rather too black and white in comparison to tabletop factions.

Initial release date for the sourcebook is March 1, and there isn't pre-orders available. Will be print on demand product.

StereoVSN · Nov 28, 2018

How is Battletech these days? I kickstarted it, tried it at launch, wasn't too enamored and tabled it till better day. Haven't been following Flashpoint too much, does it seem like its worth $15 (GmG)? Does it add anything to base campaign or freestyle play?

Tamanon · Nov 28, 2018

StereoVSN said:
How is Battletech these days? I kickstarted it, tried it at launch, wasn't too enamored and tabled it till better day. Haven't been following Flashpoint too much, does it seem like its worth $15 (GmG)? Does it add anything to base campaign or freestyle play?

I mean, if you like the tabletop version, this is the best version of the strategy game.

StereoVSN · Nov 28, 2018

Tamanon said:
I mean, if you like the tabletop version, this is the best version of the strategy game.

Never played tabletop version of any sort nor did I read any of the backstory books. I do love Shadowrun and an idea of Mech strategy game. Again, I did kickstart the game itself.

Deleted member 2507 · Nov 28, 2018

StereoVSN said:
How is Battletech these days? I kickstarted it, tried it at launch, wasn't too enamored and tabled it till better day. Haven't been following Flashpoint too much, does it seem like its worth $15 (GmG)? Does it add anything to base campaign or freestyle play?

Newest patch added a career mode option, where you start at random location with random lance and have 1200 days to get as high score as possible (basically you can compete against yourself), with no campaign missions.
The Flashpoint DLC adds longer "flashpoint" missions (sets of missions, can't manage team between missions, that kind of stuff) for different factions, they're playable in the career mode, or post-campaign in campaign mode. Plus some new 'Mechs.

Vela · Dec 1, 2018

I made a thread for the MechCon event today and tomorrow. https://www.resetera.com/threads/me...orld-championship-mw5-mercs-battletech.84520/

In 4 hours from now we will hear more about MW5: Mercs. Tomorrow, Harebrained Schemes might do something (or they'll just do a Mitch vs Jordan match again).

Shake Appeal · Dec 1, 2018

Just a note that career mode is fucking incredible, and this is my game of the year.

Vela · Dec 1, 2018

Shake Appeal said:
Just a note that career mode is fucking incredible, and this is my game of the year.

Same. I've spent hundreds of hours and career mode is just sublime.

StereoVSN · Dec 1, 2018

Shake Appeal said:
Just a note that career mode is fucking incredible, and this is my game of the year.

Is it fully sandbox? Is there a time limit?

Tamanon · Dec 1, 2018

StereoVSN said:
Is it fully sandbox? Is there a time limit?

Time limit is only for points. After so many days it's just free play.

Shake Appeal · Dec 1, 2018

Tamanon said:
Time limit is only for points. After so many days it's just free play.

Yeah, you get 1200 days to rack up as many points as possible (for everything from salvaging mech types to visiting star systems to raw c-bills earned), after which you can continue playing if you want. The scoring makes you do interesting things and take risks you might not otherwise, and they've significantly rebalanced the economy, stores, reputation, etc. so you have much more reason to travel around. With salvaged mechs starting empty, CT destruction, and lethality turned on, it feels like a true mercenary company simulator now. And the flashpoints mean you still get little bursts of story content.

Vela · Dec 3, 2018

Announced during HBS' Q&A Mech Con: The Unseen will return at some point, but not until *after* summer 2019. Copy-pasted from the official forums:

Someone finally asked Mitch and Jordan at Mechcon during the Q&A. HBS are not legally barred from using them. It's mostly a question of manpower and that they do not have enough personell to implement them. They will not show up in Urban Warfare, so expect something post-summer 2019 at the soonest. Everyone at HBS love the Unseen and they are aware that they promised them during the Kickstarter, they just had to postpone them due to the legal challenges. But Mitch just confirmed it, they will come.

I hope that finally clears things up.

Here's the link (huge love to the audience member asking it): https://www.twitch.tv/videos/343727858?t=06h54m01s

The match between Jordan and Mitch was also super fun to watch. You guys should check it out (rewind the VOD a bit)

QFNS · Dec 3, 2018

I didn't know that about the Unseen! That's awesome news. Finally see good news out of all those lawsuits

Shake Appeal · Dec 4, 2018

Second Flashpoint down. This one netted:

A Star League Griffin complete with an ER PPC and double heat sinks.

And then the rewards roll gave me a fully-kitted BattleMaster. So my best lance is now BattleMaster, Grasshopper, TDR-5S, TDR-5SS. And I have a bunch of 55T mechs just lying around spare.

It's crazy how good the career mode is. If they can polish some aspects (performance, especially of the UI) and keep adding content, HBS BATTLETECH is going to consume me for years.

Vela · Dec 7, 2018

I made it to the final mission in the campaign and my god, the framerate completely tanks. I'm on a 1080ti with a i7 4790k and I am sitting in the high-20's to low 30's @ 1440p. That is just crazy for a game that doesn't seem to push a lot of graphical features. I got AAA games running in 4K that have better performance than this game.

I wish HBS were better with their engines.

Deleted member 2507 · Dec 7, 2018

Vela said:
I wish HBS were better with their engines.

I think Unity is probably to blame here, at least partially. In my experience, Unity-based games tend to run badly rather easily, even when they're not graphically intensive.

Shake Appeal · Dec 16, 2018

100 more Battletech hours later:

Kaffeemann · Dec 16, 2018

Shake Appeal said:
100 more Battletech hours later:

Do you own the Flashpoint DLC? What's your opinion on it?

Shake Appeal · Dec 16, 2018

Kaffeemann said:
Do you own the Flashpoint DLC? What's your opinion on it?

I think if you love the game and want to see it evolve and grow, with HBS given maximum freedom to do so, you should buy it. I bought the Season Pass for this reason.

That said, it is a little bit underwhelming for the price. While there are lots of hours of gameplay in there, you're mostly playing missions that are not that dissimilar to other procedural ones in the game, albeit with a little extra scripting and dialogue, and some minor branching choices. The three new mechs are nice, the jungle biome is nice, it all makes the world feel a little richer and more alive. But $20 is a lot to ask when most of what has reinvigorated Battletech recently (Career Mode, patch 1.3) can be played for free.

Zastava · Dec 18, 2018

It's kind of hard to evaluate Flashpoint, because it's one of those dlcs which adds little things here and there instead of being an obvious major addition. And as you say, coming at the same time as career mode has blurred that line even further. I'm having a lot of fun with it but Battletech was already my GOTY.

PanzerKraken · Dec 19, 2018

Getting the season pass on discount to me made it worth it since more is coming.

Vincent Alexander · Dec 20, 2018

I've owned this game since release pretty much and never played. I finally booted it up tonight after beating Darksiders III. Knowing nothing about this game or it's lore, I gotta say...that opening gave me chills.

Any tips for a newbie? Even if just General settings?

Damn. Opening mission of game really gets you amped for getting some sweet, sweet revenge.

Zastava · Dec 21, 2018

Vincent Alexander said:
I've owned this game since release pretty much and never played. I finally booted it up tonight after beating Darksiders III. Knowing nothing about this game or it's lore, I gotta say...that opening gave me chills.

Any tips for a newbie? Even if just General settings?

Damn. Opening mission of game really gets you amped for getting some sweet, sweet revenge.

I don't have the time unfortunately to write a proper post right now but couple quick tips are: tinker with your starting mechs to give them more armour, particularly the spider, before Dekker goes bye bye. Don't be afraid to dump some jump jets on the spider and a medium laser on the torso of the black jack (arm mounted weapons get a hit chance bonus so if you're removing weapons go for torso ones first). Those two mechs in particular have paper thin armour.

Next, positioning and mech facing is really important. If your right side has taken some nasty hits, make sure the mech is showing more of the left to the enemy to reduce the chance of the right side getting blown off.

Hope that helps, I'll try and write something longer when I can.

Fishook · Dec 21, 2018

I am tempted picking up Flashpoint, if I do pick it up is better to start a career mode or do it as a post game experience. As I stopped playing after finshing the storyline but I really enjoyed the game.

Tamanon · Dec 21, 2018

Fishook said:
I am tempted picking up Flashpoint, if I do pick it up is better to start a career mode or do it as a post game experience. As I stopped playing after finshing the storyline but I really enjoyed the game.

I'd say career mode really. Otherwise you'll just overpower most of the Flashpoints.

Also....it's not really a lot of story stuff, just more missions.

Fishook · Dec 21, 2018

Thanks for that, will pick it up later.

Vincent Alexander · Dec 21, 2018

Zastava said:
I don't have the time unfortunately to write a proper post right now but couple quick tips are: tinker with your starting mechs to give them more armour, particularly the spider, before Dekker goes bye bye. Don't be afraid to dump some jump jets on the spider and a medium laser on the torso of the black jack (arm mounted weapons get a hit chance bonus so if you're removing weapons go for torso ones first). Those two mechs in particular have paper thin armour.

Next, positioning and mech facing is really important. If your right side has taken some nasty hits, make sure the mech is showing more of the left to the enemy to reduce the chance of the right side getting blown off.

Hope that helps, I'll try and write something longer when I can.

I really appreciate it! I ended up watching a 30 minute YouTube video running down combat and the whole UI, so I feel much, much better now. However, when you do get a moment, I am left with just a few questions that maybe you can offer insight on.

1) I customized my smallest, fastest mech to have a flamer and other support weapons since he can get in faces fast and melee attack. After my first battle with him, I realized...that might not have been smart to make my small, fast guy a melee mech? So, I'm a little lost on what my smaller guys should be for. I'm leaning towards just not using any, and all my mechs being Medium-to-Heavy.

2) When it comes to customizing in general, should I specialize my mechs in that one might be Laser only, another missile only, that kind of thing?

Vincent Alexander · Dec 22, 2018

This is absolutely crazy. What the heck am I doing wrong. I just had my Centurion add an SRM6. 10 days. That is it. Now I've arrived at my destination, and it says it'll take 26 more days! Holy heck. I have to reload because I can't just sit above orbit not making money.

Doh. Never mind! It queues them all. They don't work them all at the same time. Gosh darnit.

NCR Ranger · Dec 22, 2018

Vincent Alexander said:
Doh. Never mind! It queues them all. They don't work them all at the same time. Gosh darnit.

Yeah that shit is a bitch so far as I am starting out. One rough mission and my team is down for over a month at the very least. At least the story missions aren't timed.

Tamanon · Dec 22, 2018

Mech repairs and refits get better as you build your ship out and get more tech points. But yeah, the beginning can be brutal.

Zastava · Dec 23, 2018

Vincent Alexander said:
I really appreciate it! I ended up watching a 30 minute YouTube video running down combat and the whole UI, so I feel much, much better now. However, when you do get a moment, I am left with just a few questions that maybe you can offer insight on.

1) I customized my smallest, fastest mech to have a flamer and other support weapons since he can get in faces fast and melee attack. After my first battle with him, I realized...that might not have been smart to make my small, fast guy a melee mech? So, I'm a little lost on what my smaller guys should be for. I'm leaning towards just not using any, and all my mechs being Medium-to-Heavy.

2) When it comes to customizing in general, should I specialize my mechs in that one might be Laser only, another missile only, that kind of thing?

1) You are correct. Smaller mechs don't really have a purpose in this game, and the heavier the tonnage the better the mech is a general rule of thumb with some minor exceptions. There's a new Target Acquisition mission type which they're supposedly good for because their one advantage is speed so they can cross territory quickly, but so far I haven't actually seen any of these in which a medium couldn't cover the ground in time and has better armour and firepower. Also light mechs generally don't have strong melee capabilities.

2) In general, not really. What weapons you use on a mech is generally more about what each frame can take in terms of weapons and how much tonnage is available, and it's also good to have a variety of the high damage but spread out missiles versus the lower damage and high heat but precise lasers. There's also autocannons which are high damage, lower heat and precise so the best of both worlds but they are heavy as shit so the trade-off is you'll have less weight to play with over all.

I usually have a precision damage all laser or all laser + autocannons mech for when I want to go for a pilot kill (if you destroy the head of the mech you can salvage three mech parts instead of the one from a centre-torso kill. If you take out both legs you can salvage two mech parts.). Later on i'll also usually rock an LRM assault specialist or two, because they do a shit-ton of damage from long range and LRMs also do a lot of stability damage for more mech knockdowns. A mech on the floor is easy prey with every shot against it being a called shot.

flyinj · Dec 25, 2018

Tamanon said:
I'd say career mode really. Otherwise you'll just overpower most of the Flashpoints.

Also....it's not really a lot of story stuff, just more missions.

If I am 1/4 through the story campaign, is it worth getting Flashpoints? Do they integrate into the main campaign and give out missions for the whole story campaign ? Does it make the story campaign unbalanced ?

PanzerKraken · Dec 25, 2018

flyinj said:
If I am 1/4 through the story campaign, is it worth getting Flashpoints? Do they integrate into the main campaign and give out missions for the whole story campaign ? Does it make the story campaign unbalanced ?

Flashpoints are basically optional and they do integrate into the base game. You get some more random elements, the new mechs mixed into the game, but in a way Flashpoints work better as post campaign content or are better suited to the career mode

Deleted member 2507 · Dec 25, 2018

Flashpoints only appear in career or post-campaign, not during.

flyinj · Dec 26, 2018

Woorloog said:
Flashpoints only appear in career or post-campaign, not during.

Thanks. I'll hold off until I'm done with the campaign then.

Vincent Alexander · Dec 27, 2018

Man, this campaign is seriously great. I feel like I'm barely in, but the hand drawn style, the music, the voice acting, the dialogue...it's all on point. I was about to save and call it quits for the night, but I hit another cutscene and it got me amped. Maybe I'll go rock another contract or two.

Deleted member 2317 · Dec 28, 2018

It really does sink its teeth into you with an incredible sense of ONE MORE MISSION PLEASE!

Deleted member 2507 · Jan 31, 2019

Some minor news.
First, the final novella is now available to the backers.
And there's a new patch, 1.4, mostly for localizations, otherwise just bug fixes. https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ease-notes-the-one-with-localization.1149330/
Probably breaks mods.

EDIT Oh and i might add that the tabletop BattleTech's new box sets (introductory set and the full "A game of armored combat") boxes are now available... in principle. Apparently selling out pretty quickly though, but there's more coming soon. Uncertain about EU release, my LGS claims 2.2. but we shall see.
The new box has new miniatures, utilizing mostly classic designs, though some since the box set was being designed during the lawsuit, it omits the fan favorite Marauders and Warhammers. But i'd imagine there will be an expansion or something eventually that will include those, at least previously the plan has been that CGL releases plastic versions before IWM makes metallic versions.

QFNS · Jan 31, 2019

Hell yes! Been waiting for that novella to finish up. Excited to see where it goes.

ShadowSwordmaster · Feb 1, 2019

I have been getting back into again after a while and notice the first dlc is up. What is the verdict on it?

TC McQueen · Feb 2, 2019

ShadowSwordmaster said:
I have been getting back into again after a while and notice the first dlc is up. What is the verdict on it?

Not worth the money. It's more $5-10 worth of content than whatever its MSRP is.

ShadowSwordmaster · Feb 4, 2019

TC McQueen said:
Not worth the money. It's more $5-10 worth of content than whatever its MSRP is.

Thanks.

PanzerKraken · Mar 28, 2019

So no news on the next expansions? They sold a season pass with two more expansions to come and there has been zero news on anything in months?

ShadowSwordmaster said:
I have been getting back into again after a while and notice the first dlc is up. What is the verdict on it?

Its nice if you plan to play the free form mode and not do the campaign, but it's not a big expansion, I would wait for a sale

kvetcha · Mar 28, 2019

PanzerKraken said:
So no news on the next expansions? They sold a season pass with two more expansions to come and there has been zero news on anything in months?

Its nice if you plan to play the free form mode and not do the campaign, but it's not a big expansion, I would wait for a sale

According to their forum posts, pre-production planning is done for the next expansion and they are hard at work on that + patch 1.6. They're also hiring more folks, and it looks like they moved to a larger office mid-March.

Kaffeemann · Mar 28, 2019

I hope the next expansions will be much bigger (and better) than Flashpoint. I want to get back into the game but it feels lacking in variety and replayability right now.

PanzerKraken · Mar 28, 2019

All we know about the next expansion is that it's an urban combat expansion right? Maybe if they aren't adding in new gameplay systems (like flashpoints), they can focus on more content, like more mechs and gear to customize with.

Tamanon · Mar 28, 2019

Hopefully vehicles to command and raise from lance to company. Give me bigger engagements!

I'd also like if you could split your team and send like four of them off on a mission while you do something else.

BATTLETECH |OT| Kill the meat, save the metal

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