The Let's Play Archive

Battletech

by PoptartsNinja

Part 379: Ultimatum - Turn 5

Ultimatum: Tactical Update 5

Mere seconds from entering the battle, Star Commander Thresher was already sorely tempted to shut down his radio. The Snow Ravens bickered even more than their namesake and even defense of “the nest” wasn’t enough, it seemed, to shut them up. The pair he could see made a good formation, at least, keeping pace with a Ghost Bear Fire Moth. The machines split apart, and came together in a pincer maneuver that would’ve done the Goliath Scorpions proud. Their ploy seemed to catch the enemy Stinger by surprise, and the machine’s right arm fell away in a cloud of smoke as the myomer bundles inside caught fire.

The rearmost Snow Raven machine wasn’t so lucky, it broke formation for an instant perhaps to avoid stepping on one of the panicked technicians running back and forth across the field or perhaps simply confused by his allies’ unClanlike maneuver. The enemy didn’t give that pilot a chance to regret his moment of inattention, they simply capitalized on the suddenly-vulnerable target. The Mist Lynx’s leg simply shattered like cheap pottery as a Gauss Rifle struck it in the upper thigh, but before it could even fall another Rim Worlder shot it in the back with a PPC. The Mist Lynx toppled, likely for good.

Thresher put the other pilot out of his mind: he wouldn’t be so careless. Clan Sea Fox boasted some of the best `Mechwarriors in the alliance. Between the Sea Fox Mechwarriors, the Ghost Bear Elementals, and the Snow Raven pilots they were unbeatable. Thresher dropped his crosshairs over the enemy Stinger the instant he had a clear shot but, perhaps spooked by the sudden arrival of a machine nearly four times its own weight, the little Stinger leapt away before he could squeeze the trigger.



Combat Phase
ACE Hunchback
- Fires Ultra AC/20 (Single) at Kit Fox (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 3 enemy movement + 2 heat = 11): rolled 7, miss!
- Gains 19 heat, sinks 22! Overheating! ACE!

Fire Moth Prime
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 0721!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Stinger (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 3 enemy movement = 8): rolled 12, hit Right Arm (0/6 armor, 2/3 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Stinger (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 3 enemy movement = 8): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires SRM-6 at Stinger (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 3 enemy movement = 8): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires SRM-4 at Stinger (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 3 enemy movement = 8): rolled 9, 3 missiles hit Left Torso (6/8 armor remains), Right Arm (0/3 structure remains (Arm blown off!), Left Arm (4/6 armor remains)!
- Gains 19 heat, sinks 20!

Mist Lynx B
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Stinger (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 3 enemy movement = 9): rolled 3, miss!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Stinger (3 base + 0 range + 3 movement + 3 enemy movement = 9): rolled 5, miss!
- Gains 14 heat, sinks 20!

Mist Lynx D
- No orders received!
- Gains 0 heat, sinks 20!

Arctic Cheetah
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 10, hit Left Torso (0/14 armor remains)!
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 10, hit Right Leg (15/22 armor remains)!
- Fires LRM-5 at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 4, miss!
- Fires LRM-5 at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 6, miss!
- Fires TAG at Crab (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 10, hit!
- Gains 16 heat, sinks 20!

Kit Fox
- Fires ER Large Laser at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 9, hit Center Torso (11/21 armor remains)!
- Fires LB 5-X Autocannon (Cluster) at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods - 1 cluster = 8): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires Streak SRM-4 at Longbow (3 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods = 9): rolled 9, 3 missiles hit Left Leg (16/18 armor remains), Left Arm (7/9 armor remains), Right Torso (16/18 armor remains)!
- Fires Small Pulse Laser at Longbow (3 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 3 Void Signature System + 1 light woods - 2 pulse laser = 9): rolled 7, miss!
- Gains 30 heat, sinks 20! Overheating!

Unknown Assault
- Fires Gauss Rifle at Mist Lynx D (2 base + 4 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 7): rolled 11, hit Left Leg (0/5 armor, 0/6 structure remains)! Leg blown off!
- - Damage transfers to Left Torso (3/7 armor remains)!
- Fires Plasma Rifle at Mist Lynx D (2 base + 4 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 7): rolled 6, miss!
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Gains 31 heat, sinks 32!

Thug
- Charges Heavy PPC!
- Fires Heavy PPC w/ PPC Capacitor (Charged) at Mist Lynx D (2 base + 4 range + 0 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 Heavy PPC + 1 Void Signature System = 8): rolled 8, hit Rear Left Torso (0/5 armor, 0/6 structure remains)! TAC!
- - Damage transfers to Rear Center Torso (0/6 armor, 5/8 structure remains)! Crit!
- Gains 36 heat, sinks 34! Overheating!

Longbow
- Torso-twists to threaten hex 1548!
- Fires Large Laser at Kit Fox (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 7, hit Left Arm (0/7 armor, 0/5 structure remains)! Limb blown off!
- - Damage transfers to Left Torso (4/7 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Kit Fox (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 8): rolled 5, miss!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Kit Fox (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 8): rolled 7, miss!
- Fires TAG at Kit Fox (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 6): rolled 11, hit!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 26!

???
- Fires LRM-20 (semi-guided) at Kit Fox indirectly (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + enemy movement modifiers ignored + spotter modifiers ignored + indirect fire modifier ignored + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolled 11, 12 missiles hit Left Torso (0/4 structure remains (Torso destroyed! Engine hit! Engine hit!), 1 damage transfers to Center Torso (3/9 armor remains), Left Center Torso (0/9 armor, 8/10 structure remains (Crit!)), Right Arm (5/7 armor remains)!
- Fires LRM-20 (semi-guided) at Kit Fox indirectly (2 base + 0 range + 0 movement + enemy movement modifiers ignored + spotter modifiers ignored + indirect fire modifier ignored + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolled 3, 12 missiles hit Right Torso (3/8 armor remains), Center Torso (3/10 structure remains (Crit!)), Right Leg (6/8 armor remains)!
- Gains 26 heat, sinks 26!

Black Knight
- Fires Heavy PPC w/ PPC Capacitor (charged) at Donar Attack Helicopter (2 base + 0 range + 1 movement - 4 immobile target + 1 Void Signature System = 0): automatically hits! Vehicle destroyed!
- Gains 33 heat, sinks 36!

Excalibur
- Holds fire!
- Gains 0 heat, sinks 22!

Coyote
- Fires ER Large Laser at Clint IIC (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement - 4 immobile target + 1 Void Signature System = 3): rolls 9, hits Center Torso (0/15 armor, 2/12 structure remains)!
- Gains 22 heat, sinks 28!

Chameleon
- Fires Large Laser at Mist Lynx D (2 base + 2 range + 2 movement + 0 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods = 9): rolled 8, miss!
- Gains 20 heat, sinks 22!

Crab
- Fires ER Large Laser at Fire Moth (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 2 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods = 9): rolled 8, miss!
- Fires ER Large Laser at Fire Moth (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 2 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System + 2 light woods = 9): rolled 5, miss!
- Gains 34 heat, sinks 36!

Bobcat
- Charges PPC Capacitor!
- Fires Light PPC at Mist Lynx B (2 base + 2 range + 0 movement + 2 enemy movement + 1 Void Signature System = 7): rolled 7, hit Head (4/9 armor remains)! Pilot hit!
- Gains 20 heat, sinks 24!

Talon
- Holds fire!
- Gains 2 heat, sinks 22!

Stinger
- Fires ER Medium Laser at Fire Moth (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 6): rolled 6, hit Left Arm (0/3 armor, 1/3 structure remains)! Crit!
- Fires ER Small Laser at Fire Moth (2 base + 0 range + 2 movement + 2 enemy movement = 6): rolled 8, hit Right Leg (1/3 armor remains)!
- Gains 9 heat, sinks 20!



End Phase:
Fire Moth Prime
- Critical chance in Left Arm! No critical hits sustained!

Mist Lynx D
- Critical chance in Center Torso! 2 critical hits sustained!
- - Gyro hit!
- - Gyro destroyed!

Kit Fox Prime
- Must pass a piloting test or fall (4 base + 1 massive damage = 5): rolled 8, succeeds!
- Critical chance in Center Torso! 2 critical hits sustained!
- - Double Heat Sink destroyed!
- - Engine destroyed! `Mech destroyed!
- Critical chance in Center Torso! 1 critical hit sustained!
- - Engine hit!



Physical Combat Phase:
Bobcat
- Attacks Mad Dog with Lance (3 base + 3 movement - 4 immobile target = 2): rolled 7, hit Head (0/3 structure remains)! `Mech destroyed!

Mist Lynx B
- Kicks Stinger (4 base + 3 movement + 3 enemy movement + 1 Clanner - 2 kick = 9): rolled 7, miss!



Next Turn’s Movement Phase
Hunchback
- Triple Strength Myomer activates!
- Gains Ace status!

Talon
- Deactivates Void Signature System!



Arrow IV Counter: 1 Turns









Special Rules
Overheat Ace: The Rim World Blackguard gain Ace status when they overheat by 10 points or more!

Blind: Enemy units are only visible in direct Line of Sight

Hidden Units: Some enemy units remain hidden until they attack. Additionally, units equipped with Void Signature Systems may expend a turn’s movement to hide themselves if they are not in direct line of sight.

Expect Surprises: When the players lose their Phase 1 units, they will gain control of a powerful Phase 2 unit. When the players lose their Phase 2 unit, they will still have a chance to influence the outcome of the battle with a weaker Phase 3 unit. Some of these units start on the map, others will enter from elsewhere.



Player Status:


Glorious Deaths




Phase 1 Objectives:
- Die Gloriously!

Phase 2 / Phase 3 Objectives:
- Defeat as many enemy `Mechs as possible (1/39 defeated)
- Defend Clan HQ Vehicles (3/3 remaining)
- Defend Clan Personnel (66/84 tents remaining)
- Defend Clan Equipment (27/36 units remaining)



Enemy Status:
Stinger –Structure damage
Hunchback – Armor damage
Longbow – Armor damage
Crab – Armor Penetrated

Enemy Movement Mods:
- Unknown Assault +0
- Longbow +0
- Longbow +0
- Thug +0
- Black Knight +1
- Excalibur +0
- Coyote +1
- Chameleon +2
- Hunchback ACE
- Crab +0
- Bobcat +0
- Talon +4
- Stinger +4


Orders Due: Saturday Night!