GM Bret’s PBP Gameday XIII SFS1 #6-99 The End Awakens Tier 3-4 (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

I’m back!

Thanks Kishmo for taking over while I was away.

Kishmo wrote:

@Chip I believe a Mechanic can command their drone via their Custom Rig, even with environmental protections up; it's a bit hand-wavy "just go with it," but the Cusrom Rig bond is rarely broken, even in situations where comms or telepathy would be. So, do you want to still be Sealed?
(Unless GM Bretl has already made a ruling that environmental protections block Custom Rig broadcasts?)

You make a very good point. Although I hadn’t ruled on this, I agree that it should take something special to prevent all communications between a mechanic and their drone.

Chip should assume that he can command his drone.

Hi back. I'm Debug.

You're back? I thought you were Brett?

Had to join in on the joke...

I’m a four letter word.

Word!

I may have missed something. Where does the +1 AC to Dofon come from?

I may have missed something. Where does the +1 AC to Dofon come from?

Bonkers gave it to you.

Since there are six new missions that have opened up since we started the mission you were on, I listed all the missions again.

Right, biohacks. Thanks, Bonkers!

Oh, six new missions!

Exploration Mission List:

Completed Bunker Labs, combat and exploration
Hibernation Chamber, exploration and stealth
Fungal Cave, combat and rescue
Completed Rescue Operation, physical labor and rescue
Flooded Cavern, combat and exploration
Wrecked Hope, social and skills
Ruined City, exploration, hazards, and combat
Abandoned Hangar, combat and skills
Unlocked Mission List:

Checkpoint, data retrieval In work.
All That Remains, linguistic and social

Copied this here so we can talk about the next mission before we need to decide. Grognard suggested All that Remains. Could be good. The title Wrecked Hope intrigues me. Both involve social skills. What do you all think?

Checked my Core Rule Book, the screamer and the machine gun are both pretty decent. Who has heavy weapon proficiency? Who doesn't, but only has a pea-shooter small arm?

They are both nice but Bonkers has no heavy weapon proficiency. What is the negative, -4? Considering he has a paltry +3 to hit, it would be wasted on him.

Did an analysis for 1st level once upon a time. On average, a non-proficient d10, heavy weapon just edged out a proficient d4 weapon when targets were very easy, or very hard to hit. Results were more variable. There's something to be said for dependability though.

As a biohacker, Bonkers usually has more important things to do than average a fraction of a point of damage higher. But for an envoy, or spell depleted caster, it could be a slightly better option.

I am not sure at all how the extra damage from weapon specialization affects the analysis.

I am not sure at all how the extra damage from weapon specialization affects the analysis.

Since the hit probability is expected to be quite a bit higher, the weapon specialization quickly overtakes the increased weapon damage. At your levels it is only +1 for small arms / operative weapons and +3 or +4 for other weapons. Remember that Versatile Specialization requires you be proficient with a weapon.

At later levels it is easy to have a pistol out perform a heavy weapon assuming both are able to damage the target and you aren’t proficient with the heavy weapon. Weapons with Blast, Line, or other specials could still be worth carrying assuming you have the capacity.

By the way, I do try to link to the Archives of Nethys for any loot drops. Makes it easier for the players to see what an item does.

Saw those links GM Bret. They were awesome, and thanks for making them. AON just wasn't working for me this morning.

Good arguments. Suspected that specialization might mess with my level 1 analysis.

Machine Gun, Squad
Level 4; Price 2,060
Hands 2; Proficiency Heavy
Damage 1d10 P; Range 60 ft.; Critical —
Capacity 40 rounds; Usage 2
Bulk 2; Special analog, automatic

Screamer, Thunderstrike
Level 5; Price 3,350
Hands 2; Proficiency Heavy
Damage 1d10 So; Range 30 ft.; Critical deafen
Capacity 40 charges; Usage 4
Bulk 2; Special blast, unwieldy

I can use heavy weapons, but I can only calibrate my "invention", and this gives +4 static damage. For me, the only point in taking any of this is if we meet someone with great resistance or immunity to fire. Or with swarm (lol). But if no one else needs it, then you can take one gun and I'll take the other

Thanks, for looking those up ! Pretty nice guns, if you can handle them.

I know what you're saying about your invention. That gun is a beast! No reason for you to swap, but they'd be nice to have along just in case.

If we've got other heavy weapon users, the guns might be more useful for them, because Burn spends a fair amount of time in melee. Don't want to claim a gun then have it go wasted 'cause Burn's too busy swinging his sword.

Dofon can use heavy weapons, though carrying capacity is a problem. Can we load excess gear onto Checkers (about 2-3 bulk) and turn the embri into a heavy weapons platform? Dofon can take either the screamer or machine gun, as needed.

I can walk and Donkey can be our pack mule.

Nethys is the best online source. Agreed.

Now I feel like a golf pro. We've got a caddy in Donkey and a big bag of metaphorical clubs.

Checker doesn't have hands, so it can't carry gear that you want it to give back. But to load up some gear you won't need on short notice, sure.

Dofon thanks Chip politely and loads a called tactical numbing beam and a called ember agitator on Checker. An anchoring underwater hunting rifle is stowed with Donkey, which Dofon treats with wary respect. The embri keeps the flamer and a shotgun, then hefts up the machine gun and wraps two ammo bandoliers around its head, pondering if this was a good choice.

So I forgot to explain the difference between the exploration and unlocked missions.

The exploration missions help the house make progress in exploring the area. The unlocked missions are side quests that give boosts. If enough groups do the mission and succeed, everyone gets a bonus. They do not directly help the house make progress in exploration.

Right now we are at about 66% in exploration.

Everyone seems to be picking different unlocked missions.

Dofon thanks Chip politely and loads a called tactical numbing beam and a called ember agitator on Checker. An anchoring underwater hunting rifle is stowed with Donkey, which Dofon treats with wary respect. The embri keeps the flamer and a shotgun, then hefts up the machine gun and wraps two ammo bandoliers around its head, pondering if this was a good choice.

Even if it's not, you get style points.

Dofon' condensed loot musings:

Enforcer armor: Heavy armor EAC+9 KAC+10 Dex+2, ACP-4, Speed-10 upgrade 2, bulk 2 Still thinking if AC is worth the penalties.
Peacekeeper's aegis: Light armor KAC+4, KAC+5, Dex+4, ACP-1, upgrade 1, bulk 1
Targeting computer: armor upgrade, ignore concealment
Longstrider module: light armor upgrade, speed +10 enhancement
Purple forcefield: 2-slot armor upgrade, standard action to activate, 10 rounds, 5 temp hp with fast heal 2
Jetpack: armor upgrade, 30 fly speed for 20 rounds/40 minutes
Phase shield: heavy armor upgrade, move action to activate, +1 enhancement AC for 20 rounds, one hand cannot be used for attacks

Dofon has two open slots and could use any of the upgrades except the phase shield, but also recognizes that the jetpack is not a priority for someone who mostly sits still with long-range weapons.

I(Burn) really wants the enforcer armor. I think phase shield works for him too, since his sword is a 1 handed weapon, and the other heavy armor types will mostly be using 2-handed ranged weapons, but if someone else does want the phase shield speak now.

Dofon's mentioned the enforcer armor also -- I think it's a good idea, especially if he's going to stay close to Burn.

Burn's relinquishining his Hidden Soldier armor, so if that's better than what another heavy user has -- feel free to borrow it.

Personally I'd like to see Kuozar get the targeting computer. I've DM'd against his gun, and it's pretty brutal. Anything we can do to give him an edge with it is worth it.

Light armor users -- upgrade to the aegis if it makes sense.

Jetpack and longstrider should go to someone who's a mobile striker and willing to get in harm's way if needed, or someone's who's vulnerable for escape.

Normally I wouldn't push on loot, but we're on a clock in the specials. If we don't claim the loot soon, we might end up in a fight and not be able to use it.

I've got a feeling we're looking at a slugfest before it's over.

True that. As I understand, it takes 10 minutes to swap out one armor upgrade. If so, Dofon would remove the load lifters from its current Estex II and install them on the Enforcer I suit.

Another question is related to adjusting the armor (Core 196)? Burn and Dofon can probably go doe-eyed on Bonkers, Chip, or Kuozar to do the DC 20 engineering check with a take ten, but do we have the time for it in addition to the 10-minute upgrade installation?

If not, adjust the armor now, then switch the upgrade on some later break.

Targeting computer to Kuozar is ok by Dofon. Likewise phase shield for Burn.

True that. As I understand, it takes 10 minutes to swap out one armor upgrade.

Correct.

Another question is related to adjusting the armor (Core 196)? Burn and Dofon can probably go doe-eyed on Bonkers, Chip, or Kuozar to do the DC 20 engineering check with a take ten, but do we have the time for it in addition to the 10-minute upgrade installation?

You can have one person doing the armor upgrade while another resizes the armor.

Thank you. In that case Dofon will seek to emulate their mollusk progenitors by encasing themselves in hard shell. Though the swarm does have pretty good tools for opening clams...

The enforcer's AC is so much better than Burn's hidden soldier. I'll miss the extra 5' of speed, but just let them try to crack our shells!

When choosing which mission, keep in mind that the transition to the next part will cause us to stop the current mission even if it is almost done.

Pick something you think you can complete quickly. The Fungal Cave is the longest mission. It is extremely unlikely we could complete that one in time.

Woke up. Saw mission start, saw mission finish. Got interrupted every time I tried to post today...

Woke up. Saw mission start, saw mission finish. Got interrupted every time I tried to post today...

Heh. I get it. This groups seems to be most active while i'm asleep. :)

Sorry about that. I haven’t been able to update early morning and late night as consistently as I normally do.

Oh no worries from me. My other games might have 2 or 3 updates and this one usually has a lot more, It's just a sign of a dedicated and involved group!

Funny story: A few years ago I was in a PFS1 game here and I would wake up to 20 or more updates. Turns out 2 of the other players were in Australia, 2 in Europe and the GM was somewhere like Malaysia. :)

No worries, glad we're making progress in spite of me. Been having Hard time getting posts in at lunch when I usually would, and the kiddo rarely will give me enough time to catch up at home.

Just a heads up, I'm traveling for a couple days with my wife. Can porbably resume posting Tuesday night. Please bot Burn as needed.

No worries, glad we're making progress in spite of me. Been having Hard time getting posts in at lunch when I usually would, and the kiddo rarely will give me enough time to catch up at home.

Ah. Children are a delight.Time management goes out the window though. :)

Kuozar, are you still here?

——

Someone should Bot Burn during this weekend.

It has been two days, someone want to Bot Kuozar soon?

Sorry, it's been a very busy 5 days.
I will return to the game during the day. Bot me if needed.

Sorry, it's been a very busy 5 days.

I will return to the game during the day. Bot me if needed.

I’m glad you are alright.

Back!

Been a hectic last few days and just been dead tired. Please bot me aggressively as needed. Hope to be back on schedule by the end of the weekend.

I hope things become a little calmer for you soon, Grognard.

Please post when you are back so we know to not Bot as aggressively.

Thanks to the magic of cross-posting, it looks like Bonkers already took a turn, and it would be time for mutant action and Grognard botting?

Had layoffs where I work and a sick kiddo. Will try to catch up now that he's feeling better.

Glad the kiddo is feeling better!
Hope you weren't laid off.

Glad the kiddo is feeling better!

Hope you weren't laid off.

I wasn't laid off. Fortunately the people I know who were laid off were so close enough to retirement that they were actually happy to take severance and call it a career. That being said, still sudden chaos and general poor morale as one might expect.

So it looks like we're defending the space elevator, then booking it?

So it looks like we're defending the space elevator, then booking it?

Yeah, you were defending it as other groups got the thing working. It is working now and just as you were ordered to board a new batch of these weird swarm creatures with szandite crystals merged into them came out of a hole in the ground.

Gotta kill some more bugs before you can safely leave!

Sorry to hear, DebugAMP. I've been through layoffs too. They are a kick in the morale. Just talked to a friend of mine today in just the position you described, older, close to retirement, was happy enough with his severance deal. Still a kick in the teeth.

I get it. If I got a severance package and was laid off I'd be at least moderately pleased. However, I live in a southern state and am a state government employee so if we get 'laid off' it's more of a "life sucks, you have 10 minutes to clean your desk."