A couple of questions

[bewulf]

Very nice game and excellent miniatures. Reminds me a bit about Mechwarrior with a quicker system and without being as top-heavy (in Mechwarrior the first hit is often deceiding).

I played a quick mock up game just using bases and a couple of questions came up. I hope it is ok that these are collected here, if you would prefer a seperate post for each question please feel free to seperate them.

1. How is the rear arc determined for vehicles?
With the vehicle base having 8 sides will an attack count as coming from the rear arc if the LoS passes through the rear part of the vehicle base even if only passes through the sides or must it pass through one of the 3 rear sides of the base?

2. If I fire at an enemy transport in base-to-base contact with two enemy troops (and I have LoS to all) will the rules for firing into close combat (5.4C) apply?
They are not in combat, but in base-to-base contact. I assume the rules apply, but I'm not sure.

3. How exactly does the amount of Critical Hits from an attack get determined?
Example: Assuming a target has lost all its armor in the 5 location and is then hit at the 5 location with a medium missile - How many critical hits does the target suffer? 1 just for the hit, 4 for each point of the DP not stopped by armor or 3 for each point of the DP affecting the critical systems area?

4. If a hit location with no armor left is hit by a weapon that affects multiple locations will the armor on the other locations be "blown out"?
Example: A target that has no armor left in the 5 location, all other locations have full armor remaining, is hit with a heavy missile in the 5 location, will the armor in the 3, 4, 6 and 7 locations be blown out?

5. What are the conditions for troops mounting a transport?
I assume they have to be in base-to-base contact to mount the transport.

6. Where are troops placed when they dismount a transport?
I assume in base-to-base contact with the transport.

7. Can the following be done?
a) Activate transport, give it a rush order, mount troop, move double Mv, dismount troop.
b) Opponent activates figure.
c) Activate the troop the transport just moved, give it a move order, fire with the troop.

8. The rules for Support Equipment say "Mechs may only mount Support Equipment in Torso hardpoints." This would imply that Mechs can not mount weapons in Torso hardpoints. Is this really the intention?
If I Mechs can mount weapons in Torso hardpoints I would change the wording to "Mechs may mount Support Equipment only in Torso hardpoints."

9. Cannons and Linked Weapons do appear in the Weapons and Equipment Table and as options for the models, but are not mentioned in the Weapons section of the rules.
Has their description been forgotten?

Not really a rules questions, but I just want to get the ten full
10. On page 7 it says "Mech Attach" with a "H", I assume this is a typo?

Cheers

[WaffleM]

NOTE: This is an edit to my earlier response.

Good Questions! These are my best answers to them, but I'll defer to Dagger for an official ruling. He's the Rules Guru. I'm the Miniatures Man. ;D

Mar 10, 2010 17:29:08 GMT -5 bewulf said:

1. How is the rear arc determined for vehicles?
With the vehicle base having 8 sides will an attack count as coming from the rear arc if the LoS passes through the rear part of the vehicle base even if only passes through the sides or must it pass through one of the 3 rear sides of the base?

-I only count rear arcs on Mechs, not Vehicles or Infantry. But if I was going to count rear arcs on vehicles, I would say that the LoS has to pass through the rear three sides. The way I play it, the +1 attack roll modifier for attacking a target's rear arc only applies against Mechs, but you may apply it to vehicles without disrupting the balance of the game. Just make sure all players know about how you are interpreting the rule

2. If I fire at an enemy transport in base-to-base contact with two enemy troops (and I have LoS to all) will the rules for firing into close combat (5.4C) apply?
They are not in combat, but in base-to-base contact. I assume the rules apply, but I'm not sure.

-Firing into close combat rules should apply.

3. How exactly does the amount of Critical Hits from an attack get determined?
Example: Assuming a target has lost all its armor in the 5 location and is then hit at the 5 location with a medium missile - How many critical hits does the target suffer? 1 just for the hit, 4 for each point of the DP not stopped by armor or 3 for each point of the DP affecting the critical systems area?

-Each point of the Dp not stopped by armor generates a roll on the Critical Hit Table: 3 rolls for Light Weapons, 4 rolls for Medium Weapons, and 5 rolls for Heavy Weapons (generally speaking- some have more).

4. If a hit location with no armor left is hit by a weapon that affects multiple locations will the armor on the other locations be "blown out"?
Example: A target that has no armor left in the 5 location, all other locations have full armor remaining, is hit with a heavy missile in the 5 location, will the armor in the 3, 4, 6 and 7 locations be blown out?

-Yes, no more armor on 3, 4, 6, and 7

5. What are the conditions for troops mounting a transport?
I assume they have to be in base-to-base contact to mount the transport.

-Yes, base-to-base contact and occurs during troops movement. Edit: I accidentally consulted an older experimental set of the rules, as I didn't have my copy handy and was being lazy. I'm hanging my head in shame.

6. Where are troops placed when they dismount a transport?
I assume in base-to-base contact with the transport.

-Yes, base-to-base

7. Can the following be done?
a) Activate transport, give it a rush order, mount troop, move double Mv, dismount troop.
b) Opponent activates figure.
c) Activate the troop the transport just moved, give it a move order, fire with the troop.

-I would say: "No". You can't reactive the troop transport until you've moved the remainder of your other troops. Yes the troops may be activated, move and fire in this third turn (your second turn). Does that make sense?

8. The rules for Support Equipment say "Mechs may only mount Support Equipment in Torso hardpoints." This would imply that Mechs can not mount weapons in Torso hardpoints. Is this really the intention?
If I Mechs can mount weapons in Torso hardpoints I would change the wording to "Mechs may mount Support Equipment only in Torso hardpoints."

-You're correct and your wording is better. Torso Hardpoints may have weapons or support equipment. Arm Hardpoints may only have weapons.

9. Cannons and Linked Weapons do appear in the Weapons and Equipment Table and as options for the models, but are not mentioned in the Weapons section of the rules.
Has their description been forgotten?

-No, they are part of the optional rules. The basic rules do not list them, to keep the rules simple.

Not really a rules questions, but I just want to get the ten full
10. On page 7 it says "Mech Attach" with a "H", I assume this is a typo?

-Doh!

[bewulf]

SEE MY EDITED RESPONSE ABOVE. -WaffleM

Thanks for the quick reply! That clears up a lot of things, but I will have to follow up on three questions.

Mar 10, 2010 22:59:27 GMT -5 WaffleM said:

Mar 10, 2010 17:29:08 GMT -5 bewulf said:

1. How is the rear arc determined for vehicles?
With the vehicle base having 8 sides will an attack count as coming from the rear arc if the LoS passes through the rear part of the vehicle base even if only passes through the sides or must it pass through one of the 3 rear sides of the base?

-I only count rear arcs on Mechs, not Vehicles or Infantry. But if I was going to count rear arcs on vehicles, I would say that the LoS has to pass through the rear three sides.

Does this mean that the +1 attack roll modifier for attacking a target's rear arc usually only applies against Mechs?

Mar 10, 2010 22:59:27 GMT -5 WaffleM said:

Mar 10, 2010 17:29:08 GMT -5 bewulf said:

5. What are the conditions for troops mounting a transport?
I assume they have to be in base-to-base contact to mount the transport.

-Yes, base-to-base contact and occurs during troops movement.

The troops movement? But the vehicle rules (8.2) state that mounting and dismounting is part of the vehicles order: "Vehicles with cargo areas may mount or dismount Troops at the beginning and/or end of their Movement Order."

Mar 10, 2010 22:59:27 GMT -5 WaffleM said:

Mar 10, 2010 17:29:08 GMT -5 bewulf said:

7. Can the following be done?
a) Activate transport, give it a rush order, mount troop, move double Mv, dismount troop.
b) Opponent activates figure.
c) Activate the troop the transport just moved, give it a move order, fire with the troop.

-I would say: "No". You can't reactive the troop transport until you've moved the remainder of your other troops.

Should have worded that better. In c) I am not reactivating the transport, I am activating the infantry that was carried by the transport.
So what I am asking if it is really ok to mount the infantry, rush the transport, dismount the infantry (so far all part of the transports movement order) and then, with my next activation, move and fire with the infantry?

[davethelost]

SEE MY EDITED RESPONSE ABOVE. -WaffleM

Mar 11, 2010 4:41:00 GMT -5 bewulf said:

Thanks for the quick reply! That clears up a lot of things, but I will have to follow up on three questions.




-Yes, base-to-base contact and occurs during troops movement.

The troops movement? But the vehicle rules (8.2) state that mounting and dismounting is part of the vehicles order: "Vehicles with cargo areas may mount or dismount Troops at the beginning and/or end of their Movement Order."


-I would say: "No". You can't reactive the troop transport until you've moved the remainder of your other troops.[/quote]
Should have worded that better. In c) I am not reactivating the transport, I am activating the infantry that was carried by the transport.
So what I am asking if it is really ok to mount the infantry, rush the transport, dismount the infantry (so far all part of the transports movement order) and then, with my next activation, move and fire with the infantry?[/quote]

My 2 cents: It looks like this is the rule as currently written. If the infantry troop starts in base contact with the transport it can mount, be carried by the transport, dismount (all as part of the transport's activation) then the troop can activate and move and fire as normal.

The infantry could also move into base contact with the transport, mount, be carried by the transport, and dismount. Or the troop could actitvate, move and fire, then on the transport's activation the transport could move into base contact with the troop and mount them. Next turn, the transport could move, dismount the troop and the troop could then activate as normal.

It does make transports a very fast way to move troops about.

[WaffleM]

:oCRUD! I totally messed up one of my answers. Mounting/dismounting of troops DOES occur in the troop transport's turn. I've edited my above response to reflect the actually rules, not the older set that I consulted. Bad Miniature Man!!! It won't happen again. I'm off to flog myself.

[davethelost]

At least we seem to be finding consencus on the rules. Even if you do sometimes throw earlier versions at us.

[bewulf]

Mar 11, 2010 9:36:17 GMT -5 WaffleM said:

:oCRUD! I totally messed up one of my answers. Mounting/dismounting of troops DOES occur in the troop transport's turn. I've edited my above response to reflect the actually rules, not the older set that I consulted. Bad Miniature Man!!! It won't happen again. I'm off to flog myself.

;D The curse of game designers and playtesters - remembering old rules that are long gone. ;D

And floging? I know a much better punishment for you: Designing more miniatures for us!

[Dagger]

Excellent questions Bewulf... we certainly need to put you on the playtester list...(Grin)

WaffleM - Thanks for trying to field the rules questions, but let me make a few corrections...

1. How is the rear arc determined for vehicles?
With the vehicle base having 8 sides will an attack count as coming from the rear arc if the LoS passes through the rear part of the vehicle base even if only passes through the sides or must it pass through one of the 3 rear sides of the base?

Yes, the Combat Modifier Table reads "Attacking TARGET's Rear Arc". Vehicles do have a rear arc, the 3 rear sides. Troops on the other hand do not have a rear arc, as they face all directions.

2. If I fire at an enemy transport in base-to-base contact with two enemy troops (and I have LoS to all) will the rules for firing into close combat (5.4C) apply?
They are not in combat, but in base-to-base contact. I assume the rules apply, but I'm not sure.

You are correct, the rule plays as written (regardles of the section title). "If you fire at a unit in base to base contact with ANY OTHER UNIT and miss your intended target, you may still have hit the other unit if you have at least Partial LOS to the other unit (regardless of Range)."

3. How exactly does the amount of Critical Hits from an attack get determined?
Example: Assuming a target has lost all its armor in the 5 location and is then hit at the 5 location with a medium missile - How many critical hits does the target suffer? 1 just for the hit, 4 for each point of the DP not stopped by armor or 3 for each point of the DP affecting the critical systems area?

The rule reads each HIT, not each POINT OF DAMAGE. Each time you touch the Critical Systems Area a single Critical Hit is generated. I.E. Missiles and lasers can only generate one Critical Hit, but machine guns have the potential to generate multiple Critical Hits. "The hit location for each point of Machine Gun damage is rolled separately."

4. If a hit location with no armor left is hit by a weapon that affects multiple locations will the armor on the other locations be "blown out"?
Example: A target that has no armor left in the 5 location, all other locations have full armor remaining, is hit with a heavy missile in the 5 location, will the armor in the 3, 4, 6 and 7 locations be blown out?

No, the hit on location 5 will pass through hole in the armor and damage the Critical Systems Area...

5. What are the conditions for troops mounting a transport?
I assume they have to be in base-to-base contact to mount the transport.

You are correct, good eye... Troops must be base-to-base with the Troop Transport... either the rear or side arcs, not the front.

6. Where are troops placed when they dismount a transport?
I assume in base-to-base contact with the transport.

Correct again... when dismounting Troops, place them base-to-base with the Troop Transport... either the rear or side arcs, not the front.

7. Can the following be done?
a) Activate transport, give it a rush order, mount troop, move double Mv, dismount troop.
b) Opponent activates figure.
c) Activate the troop the transport just moved, give it a move order, fire with the troop.

Yes, that was the intent. Otherwise Troop Transports had too little value.

8. The rules for Support Equipment say "Mechs may only mount Support Equipment in Torso hardpoints." This would imply that Mechs can not mount weapons in Torso hardpoints. Is this really the intention?
If I Mechs can mount weapons in Torso hardpoints I would change the wording to "Mechs may mount Support Equipment only in Torso hardpoints."

The rule works as written: "Because of power and control connection requirements, Mechs may only mount Support Equipment in Torso hardpoints." There is no mention of Weapons. IF you mount Support Equipment in a Mech, it must be in the Torso. If you do not mount any Support Equipment in a Mech, feel free to mount Weapons there instead.

9. Cannons and Linked Weapons do appear in the Weapons and Equipment Table and as options for the models, but are not mentioned in the Weapons section of the rules.
Has their description been forgotten?

The Weapons Section in the main body of the rules are intended to be examples of basic weapons... weapons most likely to be used in a basic level game. The complete Weapons and Equipment Table is intended to take the game to the next level. The table was too full to include flavor text. The items are self-explanatory though.

Not really a rules questions, but I just want to get the ten full
10. On page 7 it says "Mech Attach" with a "H", I assume this is a typo?

Not a typo... obviously your computer has a virus.

[WaffleM]

Ah, the wiched "H" virus! Mahe sure you bach up your computer often. It can tahe out your hard drive with just a heystohe! The guy that invented this virus must be a total JERH!

[davethelost]

I think Bewulf and WaffleM need to get their eyes cheched. I don't see any typo on page 7

[bewulf]

I thinh you are right, I don't see it anymore, loohs lihe I made a mistahe.

Mar 11, 2010 14:05:56 GMT -5 Dagger said:

Excellent questions Bewulf... we certainly need to put you on the playtester list...(Grin)

I would be honored.
However I should point out that I usually lack the time to do a lot of actual playing and I am not creative, which does not make me an ideal playtester. On the other hand I am very good at picking apart rules and I do have tiny bit of experience in the industry.
I can also be brutally honest in pointing out things that I think do not work or are wrong, something people often have a problem with.

[Dagger]

Brutal honesty and the ability to pick apart rules?... perfect...