[Campaign/Story] Hyades Rim

[Harmon Ward]

This do-over does seem to be running a lot closer to how I figured it would be. It is harder, but softer than an anvil. What is a FAES? Fuel Air Explosive Shooter? It that what has been hitting me at long range with flaming death? There is a lot of advanced firepower, but but so far I have not run into 9 UNK mechs with optimized weapons loadouts. In one Escort Mission, the Pirate Packrat had an ECM unit in it to protect the vehicles. It was nice having some of the advance technology on my side. I was able to stall the convoy to keep it from fleeing so their firepower was added to mine. Demolishers are wonderful when they are on your side.
To avoid the Random Number Generator disaster, I am saving often, which is something that cannot be done in Iron Man mode.

 

[MarkDey]

This do-over does seem to be running a lot closer to how I figured it would be. It is harder, but softer than an anvil. What is a FAES? Fuel Air Explosive Shooter? It that what has been hitting me at long range with flaming death?

Yes. Basically, LRM Infernos.

 

[Mordegar]

While i really enjoy your Flashpoints, i absolutely don't like your Mechwarrior killing events. If it was just once or twice with a reasonable chance to keep them alive it would be fine but i feel like half of my company got murered, even after trying to savescum to keep them alive.

To be honest, i really lost interest in this Mod after loosing my third high ranked Mechwarrior. There is no real sense of acomplishment felt for beating your Flashpoints, if you get a high chance to loose a Mechwarrior after one of your Flashpoints in a multiple choice event.
There were events that came down to 3 multiple choice answers that basically translated down to DIED....DIED....*RND MechwarriorSKILL or EVENT needed to get only Wounded*

You did a great Job on the Flashpoints and Story however, so keep that one up!

 

[Harmon Ward]

I started this in Iron Man mode thinking that my COVID lockdown driven thousand hours or so of experience would matter. It didn't. My lance was wiped out in the fourth mission. Dekkar and his Spider was the only survivor. Hobbes explained this is a Random Number Generator event. The way I understand it, in order for the missions to be more challenging, he pushed the OP4 a lot closer to the line than in the Vanilla campaign. When that happens, there is always the chance that the Random Numbers will push a mission way over the line. I have found that by changing my style to match this Campaign, I am having a lot more success. I do wind up with a lot of damaged mechs and wounded Mechwarriors, but so far, no deaths. Last night I scrapped my Shadow Hawk because Yang couldn't repair the internal structure in less than 56 days. In exchange, I picked up a Phoenix Hawk UNK and a Centurion UNK, so it was a net gain.
The change I instituted in my style of play was to focus more on close in physical attacks. This helps deal with the OP4's liberal use of flaming weapons of destruction. I am still too underpowered to try the Flashpoints. We will see how I like those 1-1/2 Skull (Narrator: 3 Skull! 3 Skull!) missions after that.
I also save right after starting, so that if Darius has led us into a game ending event, I can turn it into a simulator battle instead. I have only had to use that a few times after 30 or so missions.

 

[Hobbes__]

 

[Harmon Ward]

So yesterday I stealthily approached a Base I needed to destroy and it was defended by some really dangerous turrets. Usually, I destroy these before they can get a shot at me. This time I was not so lucky. So what is a "Long Tom" when it is mounted on a turret? A long range AC20? AC60? I am not sure but I think it did 160 points of damage to my Maraurder with one shot.

 

[Ken-Sw]

So yesterday I stealthily approached a Base I needed to destroy and it was defended by some really dangerous turrets. Usually, I destroy these before they can get a shot at me. This time I was not so lucky. So what is a "Long Tom" when it is mounted on a turret? A long range AC20? AC60? I am not sure but I think it did 160 points of damage to my Maraurder with one shot.

I have not played this mod but if I remember correctly from my tabletop days ( many years ago ) the Longtom was a large heavy artillery weapon that could shoot all the way across the map.

 

[Harmon Ward]

Yes. If you ever play the Mod, which I would recommend, be warned that the turrets are significantly more deadly than the base game. Significantly.

 

[Hobbes__]

So yesterday I stealthily approached a Base I needed to destroy and it was defended by some really dangerous turrets. Usually, I destroy these before they can get a shot at me. This time I was not so lucky. So what is a "Long Tom" when it is mounted on a turret? A long range AC20? AC60? I am not sure but I think it did 160 points of damage to my Maraurder with one shot.

There are three types of artillery pieces that those new turrets can have: Long Tom (120 dmg), Thumper (60) and Sniper (80). But since they're artillery their minimum range is much bigger than normal and they have lower accuracy that other turret weapons.

 

[Harmon Ward]

Thanks,
I will add that they often come in pairs. 120 damage? No wonder Yang was cursing up a blue streak about that Marauder damage. Usually, we approach bases very carefully under the ECM Bubble, get in close and concentrate on the Artillery Turret. It is good to know that they have a significant minimum range. As for the lack of accuracy, hoping they will miss is a terrible tactic. The first time I ran into one of these my Trebuchet lost both arms to one salvo, at extreme range, bulwarked, behind a mountain.

 

[Harmon Ward]

List of all flashpoints, current and planned, has been released!View attachment 583467
View attachment 583735

 

[Harmon Ward]

I played through the first five Flashpoints, but it has been 12 missions since the last and no new Flashpoints have spawned, How would I start to diagnose the problem? Currently I am stuck in the Hyades Rim area with everything else off limits.

 

[Hobbes__]

I played through the first five Flashpoints, but it has been 12 missions since the last and no new Flashpoints have spawned, How would I start to diagnose the problem? Currently I am stuck in the Hyades Rim area with everything else off limits.

The usual reason is that you didn't complete any of IE's procedural contracts, and you need your reputation with IE > 20 for more FPs to spawn (it starts already at 15, so you only need a couple IE contracts).

Possible locations for IE contracts are: Lastpost, Prestes, Rasni, Zelski II, Mu and Famdo

 

[Hobbes__]

And another Flashpoint has been released, Putting Out A Fire, featuring a couple of well known canon figures (a certain 'Uncle') as the new story/campaign takes the company to Canopian space. Putting Out A Fire is the 14th FP released out of a planned total of 25. Available at Nexusmods (at least until I decide whether to keep the mod there or not).

 

[Hobbes__]

The revolution has begun!

Spoiler: Last update

 

[Hobbes__]

And a major announcement: the release date for the full campaign has been set for Winter 2021.

Here are the 28 already completed and upcoming Flashpoints of the new story:

 

[Makinus]

If i start a new game with the current version of the mod, will i be able to continue it with the full version when it becomes available or i will need to start a new campaign?

Thanks

 

[MarkDey]

If i start a new game with the current version of the mod, will i be able to continue it with the full version when it becomes available or i will need to start a new campaign?

Thanks

I believe that you'll be able to continue the same game when all of the story elements are fully in place and finished.

 

[TLRoff]

If i start a new game with the current version of the mod, will i be able to continue it with the full version when it becomes available or i will need to start a new campaign?

Thanks

Yes. You will need to remove the existing Hyades Rim folder.. and the .modtek folders in the mod directory. This will reinitialize the mods and you should be able to pick things up from your last save game. As Hobbes is always making little itty bitty balance tweeks at some point you will want to start a new campaign from scratch of course..but it is entirely optional!

 

[Hobbes__]

If i start a new game with the current version of the mod, will i be able to continue it with the full version when it becomes available or i will need to start a new campaign?

Thanks

Yes. The mod currently is finished until the beginning of part 3. Next update should allow you to finish part 3 and then you'll have to wait until the end of the year to play the final part.