Argo Expanded

[Justin Kase]

Would love to see some additional elements added to the Argo to reflect some of the other aspects of the BT game.

Please give us some AeroSpace Bays, I mean, they are already there, and I'm sure Dr Murad and her team could get those bays running again! This could also open up some other possibilities.

Could even gate these behind the Structure and Power being at level 3, and/or only allow the Support Crew items to be available once Gamma Pod is up and running - making these more end-game perks.

Also, for the interface, it would be really nice if the Upgrade in Progress lit up a different color (maybe bluish?)

My suggestion would be to add something like an Auxiliary Support branch:
Aerospace Bays

• Level 1 Aero - gives us some new events, or options in some existing events (like when the pirates try to rob you)
• Level 2 Aero - gives us access to strafing run in game. Or, if we are not there yet, maybe it can be used as a variable for Air Superiority in missions giving us some other advantage, possibly changing the composition of the enemy or applying a debuff on them.
• Level * Cargo Shuttle - Gives access to the Support sub menu. Cargo shuttle could also give some events allowing for some 'delivery' missions. Where it sets a flag when you take the mission, and once you arrive at the target system you get your Credits. Or, you choose to double cross and then maybe lose Rep on that faction. Could even make it risky with Black Market deliveries and a chance of being caught.

Support

• Salvage Crew - Give us a bonus on the salvage roll or choices, better chances on the random draw. Or maybe just up the secondary salvage value by +1
• Recon/Spotter Crew - Could reduce Fog of War, or add to LOS for the scenario.
• MASH Crew - This would give some additional bonuses for character survival chances (like the last level of Personnel & Medical), since this team would be in the Combat Zone or on the Leopard ready to assist or evac the wounded pilots.

I'd love to also see things like:

• Vehicle Bay - give up to 2 friendly AI vehicles that land (you pick the Vees from your stock, the AI controls them)
• Artillery - Similar to Air Strike / Strafe, but do AoE damage. Would also be nice for taking out a building.
• Infantry - (though this is a whole new ball of yarn)
• Armaments - Activate the Argo armaments, this could also be helpful in the pirate event, or in other events.

Here is a rough screen shot along the lines of what I was thinking (includes the Aerospace Bays, Support and Blue Highlighted Upgrade in Progress)

Thanks for taking the time to review!

 

[JibSail]

I love the cargo idea.

Please don't have the ai drive my vehicles.

 

[unclecid]

I like your ideas JK.


Also how about advanced hydroponics that reduces monthly expenses due to increase in foods made there.

Allow more then one mech to br worked on up to three at a time( one per bay)
Can be offset be greater expense due to Xtra mech techs.

A fourth option to drive system that takes thrust to 2.5 g ar cost of one morale.

Add upgrade to give argo point defense weapons for when those pesky pirates show up and also to add a meteor storm event.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Great ideas. :bow:

I am still holding out hope that just as HBS gave us BATTLETECH, someday they’ll develop AEROTECH too. : )

 

[Mechwarrior Horus]

those are some great ideas. love the thought of expanding on the argo. Also would like to see some aerotech included in there . even if the aerotech is just an event where you have to make a choice.

An additional thought that i have from time to time is the idea of there being a market for other dropships. I know this no doubt beyond the scale of creation. But as far as immersion, i think it might be a fun idea to be able to sell the argo, buy yourself the other varieties of dropships (leopard, union, fortress, mule, etc.) then from there have some limited customization in there. No doubt though they would not have the creature comforts of the argo. again just a fun thought, that probably wont be possible.

 

[mjbroekman]

Hopefully this will be DLC3

 

[unclecid]

those are some great ideas. love the thought of expanding on the argo. Also would like to see some aerotech included in there . even if the aerotech is just an event where you have to make a choice.

An additional thought that i have from time to time is the idea of there being a market for other dropships. I know this no doubt beyond the scale of creation. But as far as immersion, i think it might be a fun idea to be able to sell the argo, buy yourself the other varieties of dropships (leopard, union, fortress, mule, etc.) then from there have some limited customization in there. No doubt though they would not have the creature comforts of the argo. again just a fun thought, that probably wont be possible.

being that the argo is an uber rare one of a kind mobile space station posing as a dropship i would expect it to fetch enough cbills to replace it with a overlord AND a scout or merchant class jumpship.

that would be the only reason i would even think about getting rid of the Argo in my little world.

 

[DocDesastro]

Great ideas. :bow:

I am still holding out hope that just as HBS gave us BATTLETECH, someday they’ll develop AEROTECH too. : )

Yes, and I hope they will fit it into one game and do not make another one out of it. I would gladly have air support in my missions and mechs dedicated to AA (Rifleman/Jagermech anyone?)

 

[Gauntlet]

Yes, and I hope they will fit it into one game and do not make another one out of it. I would gladly have air support in my missions and mechs dedicated to AA (Rifleman/Jagermech anyone?)

While it would be neat to just upgrade and buy DLC for BATTLETECH, I'm thinking that there's going to be some stuff that they just can't add into the game or be just too big to be considered "DLC" and require a brand new game.

While this can be viewed as "bad" because we'll have to start anew, it's also good as they'll have made improvements on the engine as well as their tools to work with it. Plus being able to seamlessly integrate any new ideas they have for current things as well as all the new things.

 

[Werecat101]

What makes people think they are limited in what they can or cant add to this game?. with the current map size Aerotech or Arty will both just be area attacks with delay, the shape of the area is the only big difference.

Calling the Argo a dropship isnt really true its more of a colony delivery station. see the
Description on Sarna
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Argo_(DropShip_class)

 

[Timaeus]

Calling the Argo a dropship isnt really true its more of a colony delivery station. see the
Description on Sarna
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Argo_(DropShip_class)

DropShips are not called DropShips because they land of planets, but because they are "dropped" from JumpShips. It's a DropShip, and is built as such.

 

[Justin Kase]

DropShips are not called DropShips because they land of planets, but because they are "dropped" from JumpShips. It's a DropShip, and is built as such.

.. and there is precedence for DropShips that are not capable of atmospheric entry, such as the aptly named Behemoth. The Achilles also has a similar restriction.

I keep waiting for ComStar to come and try to take it...

 

[unclecid]

the argo may be classed as a dropship but it was designed as a civilian mobile space station.

calling the argo just another dropship is like calling the bugatti veyron just another car.

 

[Timaeus]

the argo may be classed as a dropship but it was designed as a civilian mobile space station.

calling the argo just another dropship is like calling the bugatti veyron just another car.

Only in the same way that a Bug-Eye is still classified as a WarShip.

 

[unclecid]

Only in the same way that a Bug-Eye is still classified as a WarShip.

but is in the same way as assault ships and pocket warships are a subset of dropships...it is a surveillance/spy ship a warship subset

 

[Timaeus]

but is in the same way as assault ships and pocket warships are a subset of dropships...it is a surveillance/spy ship a warship subset

Yup. The Bug-Eye is a WarShip even though its role is for surveillance. The Argo is a DropShip even though its role is expeditionary mobile base. Same with DropShips with the role of pocket warship. They're all the base (super-set) class and they can be called the other (sub-set), but saying they're not the base (super-set) class is wrong.

 

[unclecid]

speaking of the bug-eye....i have always been mildly surprised that the Argo doesnt have the same compact KF drive with internal sail.
the argo was commissioned like 140 or so years afterwards...no reason really when you consider the argo's mission design


i just wish we had defenses for it....its bothers the RP'er in me bad knowing we are traipsing around in the ghetto of the inner sphere with a one-of-a-kind star league era mobile space station and have ZERO defense for it.
no aero fighters, no point defenses...nada.
personally i dont care if they ever work video game wise...just tell us they are there....charge us upkeep and let them 'work' in random events/flashpoints etc

 

[Justin Kase]

personally i dont care if they ever work video game wise...just tell us they are there....charge us upkeep and let them 'work' in random events/flashpoints etc

Integrating them into events would be a great first step - then maybe work them into some contract requirements. Or even allowing the choice paths in a Flashpoint to be impacted by these assets :

"[Argo: AeroSpace Bays] Commander, we can have out AeroSpace fighters do a quick flyby to scout out a path through the mountains."

Then this gives us the choice of taking that path instead (maybe it has less static defenses, or the OpFor 'Mechs are hampered by the terrain and don't send in as many forces at the same time.

 

[Werecat101]

speaking of the bug-eye....i have always been mildly surprised that the Argo doesnt have the same compact KF drive with internal sail.
the argo was commissioned like 140 or so years afterwards...no reason really when you consider the argo's mission design


i just wish we had defenses for it....its bothers the RP'er in me bad knowing we are traipsing around in the ghetto of the inner sphere with a one-of-a-kind star league era mobile space station and have ZERO defense for it.
no aero fighters, no point defenses...nada.
personally i dont care if they ever work video game wise...just tell us they are there....charge us upkeep and let them 'work' in random events/flashpoints etc

Yeah we are running around in a civilian mobile space station, which on paper should have aerospace fighters but being poor Mercenary fools we don't have any fighters or pilots. I mean this great big ship is great it was designed to have agromechs and construction vehicles and support equipment for Colonists. hence huge storage but very limited drop capability. And this thing was never designed to fight at all.

 

[unclecid]

Yeah we are running around in a civilian mobile space station, which on paper should have aerospace fighters but being poor Mercenary fools we don't have any fighters or pilots. I mean this great big ship is great it was designed to have agromechs and construction vehicles and support equipment for Colonists. hence huge storage but very limited drop capability. And this thing was never designed to fight at all.

oh i dont want it to fight....just defend itself against meteors, debris, pirates etc.
i mean we keep getting hit on by pirates because well we look like easy pickings...
but a couple of aerospace fighters and a ppc in the nose and a couple of larger lasers on side...just basic stuff that can sting enough to make em think twice.
heck the Leopard isnt designed to fight just drop mechs and it has alot of armament.

"The Leopard has an impressive weapons loadout for such a small DropShip, most useful to defend against aerospace fighters. It can be easily overwhelmed, however, if swarmed. While it does count on three Long Range Missile racks for heavy hitting, two PPCs, five Large Lasers, and seven Medium Lasers give it more than enough combat capability when its munitions run out."