Always outnumbered...

[stikyard]

I have recently picked up BattleTech for table top. While reading through the Campaign system, the books always say the the opposing force should match the players in tonnage but NEVER exceed the number mechs the players field.

This is the exact opposite from what we see in the BattleTech video game. I know all things cant translate perfectly and I really enjoy your game but, we are stuck with this four mech configuration while the enemy force often has, two lances, vehichles, turrets and reinforcements...

I dont care how much evasion you stack, when you have 8 shots coming at you and SRM / LRM carriers raining and overwhelming the four mechs we get to field.

After three expansions, I would think this would have been balanced out by now...

 

[stikyard]

I go into a mission rated 3 stars. I have a lance rated 3 stars. I end up being outnumbered by at least twice what my team has? I understand some of them are vehicles or turrets but, even they can have enough armor to be a pain and when you have an opposing lance to worry about as well, on top of mission objectives (often timed by rounds) and then... the reinforcements show up?!

When they have enough units they and use vehicles to sensor lock me and tear me apart with the other 8 units that can fire at me. If I want to sensor lock an enemy, thats 25% of my turn I only have three mechs left that can actually shoot.

 

[wolfhoundtoo]

In general a player can outfight the computer in this game while a tabletop game is 2 people. 2 very different scenarios.

There are many guided posted I suggest you read them or watch some play throughs on the internet as those would give you some ideas on how to over come the odds.

Regarding the mission rating those have some inbuilt variables plus different missions are harder based on their type. Attack and defend will be much harder than most other mission types. Look at the payout as well to determine how hard it will be.

Some things for you to consider are how much you modify your mechs armor and weapons, the type of mission you are on will impact your combat tactics and the type of tactics you enjoy versus the type you might need to win.

For base attack missions you can usually kill the garrison outside of the range of the base turrets for example. Then I usually suggest an approach that lets you destroy the 4 turrets without taking any return fire.

I also suggest sometimes running away. I don't mean the withdraw button although sometimes you should do that too. When reinforcements are coming then sprinting away to separate the enemy can buy you a couple of turns where you outnumber the enemy that can shoot at you (or at least with alot of weapons).

 

[stikyard]

In general a player can outfight the computer in this game while a tabletop game is 2 people. 2 very different scenarios.

There are many guided posted I suggest you read them or watch some play throughs on the internet as those would give you some ideas on how to over come the odds.

Regarding the mission rating those have some inbuilt variables plus different missions are harder based on their type. Attack and defend will be much harder than most other mission types. Look at the payout as well to determine how hard it will be.

Some things for you to consider are how much you modify your mechs armor and weapons, the type of mission you are on will impact your combat tactics and the type of tactics you enjoy versus the type you might need to win.

For base attack missions you can usually kill the garrison outside of the range of the base turrets for example. Then I usually suggest an approach that lets you destroy the 4 turrets without taking any return fire.

I also suggest sometimes running away. I don't mean the withdraw button although sometimes you should do that too. When reinforcements are coming then sprinting away to separate the enemy can buy you a couple of turns where you outnumber the enemy that can shoot at you (or at least with alot of weapons).

I appreciate your reply, I understand mission varaibles and I like the the idea of unexpected units or mission objectives. I think we could use support divisions or something. Spend C bills to buy up to four tanks for a mission, idk. I like the idea of the battles being bigger than one lance for the player too or some support option, air stirke, mortar, ect.

I suppose you can outplay AI, draw them out, separate forces and even retreat. Either way, it is a good game and I will keep playing.

I typically do pretty good but every now and then I end up getting a mech roasted or lose a pilot because I just get overwhelemed by enemy units.

 

[stjobe]

As @wolfhoundtoo says, TT is PvP; PvP in this game is also 4 'Mechs vs 4 'Mechs, with roughly equal strength.

The campaign and career mode is PvE, and the player has two huge advantages over the AI:

• The player is much smarter and reacts better to changing battlefield situations than the AI
• The player can customise their 'Mechs, something the AI cannot.

If campaign and career were equal tonnage it would be a cakewalk, boringly easy.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

I have recently picked up BattleTech for table top. While reading through the Campaign system, the books always say the the opposing force should match the players in tonnage but NEVER exceed the number mechs the players field...

Quite true, Good @stikyard. :bow:

It looks like BATTLETECH helped spark an interest for you in BattleTech TableTop. Congratulations! And welcome aboard the Big Stompy BattleMech Express! : )

Have you looked in your local area for a game store that holds BattleTech TableTop games?

The nearest one I found is just over an hour away in Harrisburg PA. I keep telling myself that SOMEDAY I’ll get down there to check it out. No luck yet... lol, maybe in the Spring,

I hope you have better luck catching some Classic BattleTech TableTop action.


And as always, good luck and good BattleTech gaming!

 

[wolfhoundtoo]

I understand the suggestion but at this point I feel safe in my belief that the developers are unlikely to change the number of units (but they may surprise me).

They have seemingly responded to similar feedback by adding in missions where the player gets allied mechs.

 

[stikyard]

Quite true, Good @stikyard. :bow:

It looks like BATTLETECH helped spark an interest for you in BattleTech TableTop. Congratulations! And welcome aboard the Big Stompy BattleMech Express! : )

Have you looked in your local area for a game store that holds BattleTech TableTop games?

The nearest one I found is just over an hour away in Harrisburg PA. I keep telling myself that SOMEDAY I’ll get down there to check it out. No luck yet... lol, maybe in the Spring,

I hope you have better luck catching some Classic BattleTech TableTop action.


And as always, good luck and good BattleTech gaming!

Actually have a local game shop where people play all kinds of things, Warhammer is big as far as miniature games go there. I have a group of friends and family to play tabletop with.