I've added some new house rules for mecha vs human, human vs mecha combat:
Let me know what you all think, as I have done this in the sense of reality and game balance. I'm going to be doing some final tweeks this weekend to work on game balance for players on foot and players in mecha. Any feed back is always welcome.
I think it's odd that a tough hero in full-plate would have no issues if I was trying to shoot them with my -2 to hit using those rules. Even though he has the TWO feats needed to pilot them.
To me even with mechas, given how hard they are to use effectively it's pretty balanced. I could probably make a strong hero that puts out as much damage as my smart hero in the suit. Especially if they've got some cover to hide behind
I think it's odd that a tough hero in full-plate would have no issues if I was trying to shoot them with my -2 to hit using those rules. Even though he has the TWO feats needed to pilot them.
To me even with mechas, given how hard they are to use effectively it's pretty balanced. I could probably make a strong hero that puts out as much damage as my smart hero in the suit. Especially if they've got some cover to hide behind
I do agree with that, although I limited the major penalty to only things like anti-vehicle weapons (rocket launchers, massive sniper guns/cannons/railguns) so if you look at, for example, the Peltast, if it is equipped with the Light assault gun, it will be geared towards anti personnel and will have only the innate -1 penalty against human sized targets, but if he were to say, use the railgun which is really not meant to kill human sized targets but actually use against large mecha or bigger equipment, then he would suffer a penalt to shoot that target. Its like using the M-1 abrahams main gun on a single infantry man. This penalty to hit does not factor into the explosion that followed the shell impact, so while a tank can't directly hit a infantry man with a round, they can hit the ground around him causing splash damage, which in turn would be a way to get around the penalty, but then the target would get to save vs the dmg. So I think that's what I was trying to get across with the anti-personnel/anti-vehicle role of weapons. So in theory there would be a lot of strategy to your weapon selection depending on what role you would like to play.
If no one else wants to have a mecha, I have no issue with changing up my feats and skills away from that.
If no one else wants to have a mecha, I have no issue with changing up my feats and skills away from that.
I'm not trying to scare you away from using mecha, but I am trying to make sure that a good balance is struck with them and PCs on foot, since it's very easy to pretty much instant kill a pc with a single shot with a super heavy mecha weapon. How about a compromise with the weapon layouts? For example, your current mecha kit is a rail gun, which would not be a good anti-infantry weapon (imo) which would leave you high and dry against infantry. So what I would propose is allowing you to slot a light assault gun as a side arm to handle infantry, that way you won't be high and dry. Let me know what you think, I'm more then willing to work with you on this, as I think you would like to pilot a mecha, but don't want a high penalty to hit. Another option would be to reduce the penalty a little, maybe a -2 or -3.
I like the idea of being kind of this character being really good with his mind and hands, but when it comes to actual man-to-man combat not being the best by a longshot. However being skillful translates well into being useful in a mecha. You're able to make repairs, you can use drive and pilot to perform crazy maneuvers, you can make your own weapons and the like.
With the heavy feat penalty of piloting a mecha it's difficult to be effective with both them and foot combat.
A -2 might be better, standard unfavorable conditions penalty. Like you said before, big things tend to be the targets of big things. So if we're in a mixed fire fight odds are the more accurate infantry will be shooting each other anyways.
I like the idea of being kind of this character being really good with his mind and hands, but when it comes to actual man-to-man combat not being the best by a longshot. However being skillful translates well into being useful in a mecha. You're able to make repairs, you can use drive and pilot to perform crazy maneuvers, you can make your own weapons and the like.
With the heavy feat penalty of piloting a mecha it's difficult to be effective with both them and foot combat.
A -2 might be better, standard unfavorable conditions penalty. Like you said before, big things tend to be the targets of big things. So if we're in a mixed fire fight odds are the more accurate infantry will be shooting each other anyways.
I've been taking a look at the numbers, and I do agree, and I'm going to go with the -2 penalty. And as far as the fight example you gave, that is my thoughts exactly. Now one thing I was thinking of doing, let me know what you think, but I was considering (seeing as the defense for people in medium to heavy and even light mecha was high, reducing the Hardness value for all mecha by 5 points or more depending, mostly because judging by how diffcult it will be to hit the mecha, combat could drag, and I was reasoning that by reducing the value a little, it could speed up combat and not make it a long drawn out situation. I like combat fairly quick and deadly. At a value of 10, small arms fire would do very little, while the heavier weapons would still be dangerous. Like I said, I definitely love input, and the input you all have been giving me is very appreciated :)
I can't wait to start this thing.Oh and btw mecha and personal weapon/armor/equipment customization is a very big YES, I definitely want you all to make the equipment your own as you play through the game.
I think if you wanted to reduce the hardness, it would just be best to reduce the material used. Duralloy is one step up from Durasteel.
I think if you wanted to reduce the hardness, it would just be best to reduce the material used. Duralloy is one step up from Durasteel.
lol yea I just realized that, I'll probably do that then.
Is there any particular reason you're posting options to play level 1 or 2? I assume you're suggesting 2nd level as it may be a little deadly to start at 1st level and we'll have a couple more options if we start 2nd level, correct?I'm currently away from home / out of state until next Monday/Tuesday, so I hope to have something working on when I return. I'm still interested (and I appreciate the wall of text on your avatar's profile :D.)
At first I wanted to start the campaign at 1st level so that you could build your characters from scratch, but like you said about deadliness, plus a lot of characters would not have access to certain proficiencies to make them effective soldiers, so I went for level 2 to start.
lol is the wall of text too much? I can make more spoilers on there if it makes it easier for you to read :)
Wall of text behind spoilers is fine. :D
Another Pathfinder-ish question. Are we doing feats every third level or every even level?
I'm going to keep it how D20 Modern has it set up as far as Feats go.
I'll fix my equipment; I skipped over that little "or." She'll probably keep her pistol; she strikes me as trying to avoid combat or focus on protecting teammates that doing all-out ranged attack (she'll leave that to the people in the giant mechanized armor suits).
Keeping the feat system as d20 modern makes sense, since all the classes tend to get a lot of bonus feats.
Subcutaneous Body Armor comes at different types.. Which can i start my character with?
L2 HP Roll
Based on the price, only Light for now, but as the game progresses I'll allow you to have surgury to upgrade if you can requisition it.
Alright, I'm all set to accept character backgrounds/stats for the for my Terra Mortalis campaign. I have all the information you should need on this alias, so browse through there for any information in the game that may be different then the d20 Modern book, but for the most part character creation should be pretty standard. Let me know of any questions you may have, or even if something I have written in the alias doesn't make sense or needs clarifcation. This whole week will be dedicated to character creation, and in the background I'll be finishing up the fine details of the 1st adventure. I'm looking for 4-6 players with a detailed background written up. It doesn't have to be a novel, but I would like a fleshed out personality/motivation/goals/background history. I'm looking to start this by next Tuesday (I'll be on vacaction starting Friday the 28th-Monday the 31st. If I can post on the 31st I will. Also just FYI this game will be played mostly during the weekdays, with weekends having more sporadic posts, so bear with me on this, since I'm working on my townhouse during this period, but I will post when I can.
Also I am giving first dibs to the following posters, who expressed interest initially.
Billzabub Although he is a maybe based on what he's posted.
The Thing from Beyond the Edge
Scipion Del Ferro
Lucendar
Sunset
Urizen
Me'Mori
DeathQuaker (alt 1)
Chainsaw (alt 2)
Okay, I know I'm an alt, but here's Jacq in case there's room for her. Background is very slightly revised (mostly with aesthetic changes, and a couple extra minor details; changed location from NYC to Washington DC to fit the timeline better).
I got rid of a mistakenly extra skill point and adjusted her equipment--she has a _pistol_ and an assault rifle for her firearms, that should be correct (I realize what I did is I accidentally picked the LAW instead of the combat pistol before).
Added a bunch of non-combat gear; don't need it all, but figured I may as well post what I'm interested in having and work it out from there for what makes sense. I'm hoping I can have the sensor modules count as "software packages" for her wrist comp, but I can work it either way.
The posting of schedule of "mostly weekday with more sporadic on weekends" jives with my posting tendencies very well.
Okay, I know I'm an alt, but here's Jacq in case there's room for her. Background is very slightly revised (mostly with aesthetic changes, and a couple extra minor details; changed location from NYC to Washington DC to fit the timeline better).
I got rid of a mistakenly extra skill point and adjusted her equipment--she has a _pistol_ and an assault rifle for her firearms, that should be correct (I realize what I did is I accidentally picked the LAW instead of the combat pistol before).
Added a bunch of non-combat gear; don't need it all, but figured I may as well post what I'm interested in having and work it out from there for what makes sense. I'm hoping I can have the sensor modules count as "software packages" for her wrist comp, but I can work it either way.
The posting of schedule of "mostly weekday with more sporadic on weekends" jives with my posting tendencies very well.
Wow, I just got done reading your characters description/bio, and I have to say, very well done. I love it.
As far as your equipment layout, can you explain the sensor modules as far as the wrist comp(as far as considering software packages), I'm not sure I get what you mean. Good work either way :)
Wow, I just got done reading your characters description/bio, and I have to say, very well done. I love it.
As far as your equipment layout, can you explain the sensor modules as far as the wrist comp(as far as considering software packages), I'm not sure I get what you mean. Good work either way :)
Thank you kindly, sir. :)
What I mean is this: the chemicomp sensor, the geocomp sensor, and the motion sensor are described each as separate computer-devices that are dedicated to this sensory thing. (For example, from the MSRD: "The chemicomp sensor computer is a handheld computer or computerized gauntlet designed to find individual chemical compounds.")
Rather than have my character run around with 4 mini computers, I was wondering if she could have one computer that she wore on her wrist that had all these sensory functions.
(And then the wrist-comp with sensors would feed into her HUD with its sensor-link software.)
Alright, I'm all set to accept character backgrounds/stats for the for my Terra Mortalis campaign. I have all the information you should need on this alias, so browse through there for any information in the game that may be different then the d20 Modern book, but for the most part character creation should be pretty standard. Let me know of any questions you may have, or even if something I have written in the alias doesn't make sense or needs clarifcation. This whole week will be dedicated to character creation, and in the background I'll be finishing up the fine details of the 1st adventure. I'm looking for 4-6 players with a detailed background written up. It doesn't have to be a novel, but I would like a fleshed out personality/motivation/goals/background history. I'm looking to start this by next Tuesday (I'll be on vacaction starting Friday the 28th-Monday the 31st. If I can post on the 31st I will. Also just FYI this game will be played mostly during the weekdays, with weekends having more sporadic posts, so bear with me on this, since I'm working on my townhouse during this period, but I will post when I can.
Also I am giving first dibs to the following posters, who expressed interest initially.
Billzabub Although he is a maybe based on what he's posted.
The Thing from Beyond the Edge
Scipion Del Ferro
Lucendar
Sunset
Urizen
Me'Mori
DeathQuaker (alt 1)
Chainsaw (alt 2)
I appreciate the place holding but I think that I am going to drop out. I have decided that what I already have on my plate is all that I want to work with right now. Let one of those alternates in. :-)
I just got home a couple hours ago after being out of state for the past five days. I'll start reading back and catch up and get a character going and asking questions. :D
DeathQuaker: Combining them into one sensor sounds fine to me, go ahead.
Thing from Beyond: No worries, Thing, I appreciate you letting me know though :)
Urizen: Welcome back, Uri, sounds good. Definitely let me know if you have questions.
Below are those who have first dibs:
Billzabub Although he is a maybe based on what he's posted.
Scipion Del Ferro
Lucendar
Sunset
Urizen
Me'Mori
DeathQuaker
Chainsaw (alt 1)
Just wanted to double check on those who expressed interest.
Haven't really heard too much from you all, let me know if
you would still be interested in playing. If you have any
questions let me know, since I'll be out of town and unavailable
from Friday 28th thru Sunday the 30th.
Hopefully Scipion and Me'mori are just updating their backgrounds.
Yea,
Just want to make sure and get a head count to see who's still onboard,
as these PBPs are a very touch and go kind of affair it seems :)
Even if I can get a minimum of 4 players, I can easily adjust the adventure to fit, no problem. Glad you're still on, DQ.
I am. Was waiting for the start.
Good to hear you're still in, Mori. Just FYI I changed certain things in the alias to better fit, so I reverted the weapon information back to the original damage scale, so you may just need to edit the information for that. Otherwise everything else looks great :)
Yup, just working on the story.
Sweet. Thanks for checking in guys, I do appreciate that.
Now I just need to know if Sunset and Lucendar are in, and from what Urizen said, he's working on his character as well. Let me know if you all have any additional questions.
Just did a quick checkup on your stats:
Deathquaker: From what I calculated your just 2 pts too many.
Me'Mori: You're right on target with your stats.
Scipion: Your PCs profile stats are right on, but the other set of stats on foot and in mecha seems to be off, but I may be wrong, just wanted to check up with you.
Yes, still interested, just been busy at work, working on statting up the character.
Yes, still interested, just been busy at work, working on statting up the character.
No worries, Lucendar, glad you're able to check in, I just wanted to make sure everything was moving in the right direction before I go on a mini vacation :)
I like to start the campaign off right, so I just wanna make sure you all are ready for Monday or Tuesday when we start play.OOC thread is up, clicky the link below:
Huh, that's really weird. I'll take a look at those later tonight to sort them out.
Oh I know where those numbers came from. It's cause I copied the template from another player and forgot to update the stats, lol.
Huh, that's really weird. I'll take a look at those later tonight to sort them out.
Oh I know where those numbers came from. It's cause I copied the template from another player and forgot to update the stats, lol.
lol no worries Scipion :)
I was totally confused too, I kept checking my point buy calculator and scratching my head thinking I was crazy.
I knew I'd do something like that. My apartment has devoured both my 3.5 rulebook and my d20 Modern Rulebook, so I can't find the old point buy rules. Does it fix my stats if I reduce one of the 16s to a 15? (Probably will drop Wisdom, and then that'll be my level raise if I make it to 4th :) ).
BTW here's my hit point roll for second level:
DeathQuaker: You could get 2 points back by dropping a 13 to a 11, or anything below 13 would add 1 point each. As for the hp roll, I have a houserule about rolling 1s and 2s on the roll, you can roll again. BTW how did your apartment devour your books?!? sorry to hear that.
Fray: Glad you're interested! Right now we're full, but I'm still taking headcount on whos playing, so the people who expressed interest first get the first dibs, but I can assign you as an alt just in case, if you would like.
Hello again! Sorry to cause possible confusion with a previous poster. It loks like I can't make it into this one. So I'll drop out and let some other worthy take the slot.
*Salute*
Cheers!
No problem, Sunset, thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it. Chainsaw, you're in if you're still interested.
Okay, found my book. It was exactly where I looked for it before, but the house fairies had put it back since, apparently.
Okay, what I proposed should work:
10: 2 pts
10: 2 pts
12: 4 pts
14: 6 pts
15: 8 pts
16: 10 pts
2+2 is 4, 4+4 is 8, 8+6 is 14, 14+8 is 22, 22+10 is 32.
I was gonna live with the hit points, but I'm not gonna turn down a reroll either!
That looks nicer! I will update my char sheet w/ new HP and adjustments to Will and skills for lowered Wisdom later today. I just realized I am on the verge of being late for work.
Ok so far here's the line up for prospective players:
Scipion Del Ferro (Mikhail Manougian)
Lucendar
Urizen
Me'Mori (Zaviera Zamora)
DeathQuaker (Jacquelin Serra)
Chainsaw (Chaz Halson)
Fray [alt 1]
Yes, I'm still here and still interested. I'll clean my chracter up tomorrow. Had a rough week that is finally starting to clear up.
Yes, I'm still here and still interested. I'll clean my chracter up tomorrow. Had a rough week that is finally starting to clear up.
Looks good so far, your stats are right on, keep it up :)
Sorry to hear you had a rough week. Let me know if youhave questions.
Do you have enough room for one more? I love future / sci-fi games.
Edit: With the intent of playing an inquisitive field engineer!
Edit the Second: Looks like you're full! Never mind. :P Good luck, and hope you have a good time!
Glad to hear you're interested, Reycied. Right now we are full, but if you would like, I can keep you down as an Alt just in case. Deathquaker was an Alt and now he's playing, so you never know :)
Sounds good! I'll keep checking back for the next few days, just in case. :)
She. :)
Good luck, Reycied. So often I'm late to the pbps I'd like to play in, I know how you feel.
She. :)
Good luck, Reycied. So often I'm late to the pbps I'd like to play in, I know how you feel.
Doh...it's hard to tell based on avatars, sorry DQ :)
Doh...it's hard to tell based on avatars, sorry DQ :)She. :)
Good luck, Reycied. So often I'm late to the pbps I'd like to play in, I know how you feel.
No problem. Although perhaps I ought not admit this, I picked this avatar because it scarily looks like me (albeit when I am grumpy). I do however have slightly better dress sense. :)
I realize most people however do not pick their avatars based on their own appearance.