Battletech skirmish mode for an RPG? Pilot modifications needed.

[Harcagnel]

So I have this idea to use unlimited mode skirmishes to play the Battletech RPG. I would used "A Time of War" for out of mech combat, then do skirmish mode for fights setting up a table for player to hot seat their mechs (custom builds) and me to drop an OP4. Their are a few issues.

#1 Custom Pilots for my player. This is the biggest because I want them to use their character names, call signs, and assign stats/level.
#2 No way to have mutipule lances under GM control that I know of.
#3 no vehicles in skirmish mode
#4 no bases/turrets I can set to control

Are there any mods to support any of these? I can work around #2-4 with story. Rural area with no bases, small contested planet that only has one enemy faction to explain the on 1vs1 lances, and the heroes are trying to escape the planet so specifically avoiding bases and civilization while earning money/upgrading/stealing to get their near scrap Leopard up and running. However, not having their pilot names, call signs, or stats really hurts the RPG elements. I could perhaps pick bad matches from the existing pilots to reflect them early on and match them better as they go, but they would have some benefits I don't intent and there will be some spots in between I am unable to hit and have to choose between making them weaker or stronger than they should be.

Thanks for any help / feedback.

 

[Eximar]

Maybe start a career and use the Battletech Save Editor to create (and continuously modify when called for) their Pilots and the mechs you want them to have.

Then, look at the missions at skull appropriate planets and pick the one that fits best at any given time and let them play it out vs the AI. I recommend Amechwarrior's Better AI (oon Github but not nexus) for a decent fight, unless you want the AI to be brain dead, particularly early on.

You can use Mission Control/Bigger Drops to have 2 lances and bigger battles later if desired.

My .02 for what it's worth.

 

[Jade_Rook]

Pretty sure you can mod the pilot files for skirmish, changing names and stats.

 

[Harcagnel]

Two, good suggestions. I will have to look into the Save Editor and if I am smart enough to edit the skirmish files. I think the shirmish files is a better option for 1v1 lance fights because it gives me more control of the OPFOR in reguards to roll play. However, the save editor does allow for some multi-lace support.

Thanks to both of you.

 

[Eximar]

If you mod any skirmish pilots, save a backup, or you'll have to do a clean install to play any MP.