HOW MUCH?! (In game Store prices rant)

[AncientRaig]

This was not my experience starting a Career mode game, nor when I began fresh. I tended to be dinged on small pieces of equipment more often than taking a loss.

It was the first game, non-Ironman, and where I spent a *long* time farming CBills and seeking specific Mech parts as salvage . . . where I had no scarcity issues.

Maybe I'm a terrible player, but early on I was grateful the store existed. And in Ironman, anything I lose is gone, no "well shoot restart the mission" because I had a misclick or just had someone snipe a head off with a JagerMech's ACs. (Taurian stool that one.)

Streamers early on have similar issues. So I guess that clinches it as "terrible at the game".

All the same, farming lots of stuff and assembling your endgame team? That's when the store stops mattering. Around . . . Three skull missions

Might just be the fact that I've got a bunch of CBT experience, so the early game just wasn't that much of a challenge for me. I played my first game as an Ironman run and I tried to do a bit of prep after the Majesty Metals mission. Was pretty much for nothing I realized once I hit the priority mission. The mission where you have to capture the ammo depot was the only mission that gave me any sort of trouble, and was one of my only two pilot deaths (Which were also the only two mechs I ever lost). Lost Glitch to the LRM turrets. The other death was a Hunchback headshotting that same Centurion a few missions later, killing Glitch's replacement.

 

[AncientRaig]

OP is using 3-part salvage. Disqualified!

Why are people complaining about the shops still? It's not a economy sim and if the price reflect lore then mech scarcity in lore means you'll never see an assault mech in the 3 years of career mode.

It is a merc sim though. And half of the BT merc sim is the economy aspect. It's what separates playing as a mercenary from playing as House military. Once you start getting more and more known about the region, heavier mechs would become available. Even if you're technically in the armpit of the galaxy, you are still right next to the Taurian Concordat. And the Taurians have one of the, if not the, strongest Periphery militaries.

 

[SQW]

It is a merc sim though. And half of the BT merc sim is the economy aspect. It's what separates playing as a mercenary from playing as House military. Once you start getting more and more known about the region, heavier mechs would become available. Even if you're technically in the armpit of the galaxy, you are still right next to the Taurian Concordat. And the Taurians have one of the, if not the, strongest Periphery militaries.

And as a tiny merc outfit, you are suppose to just eke out a living and one bad engagement from bankruptcy - not making a mint galloping around the universe collecting scraps that magically welds into million c-bill sales items. The base game is already overly generous with money; the store are there only for emergencies hence the lop sided trade price.

It wouldn't be much mercenaring if you can retire with a beach front property after just 2-3 battles would it.

 

[Kereminde]

Might just be the fact that I've got a bunch of CBT experience, so the early game just wasn't that much of a challenge for me. I played my first game as an Ironman run and I tried to do a bit of prep after the Majesty Metals mission. Was pretty much for nothing I realized once I hit the priority mission. The mission where you have to capture the ammo depot was the only mission that gave me any sort of trouble, and was one of my only two pilot deaths (Which were also the only two mechs I ever lost). Lost Glitch to the LRM turrets. The other death was a Hunchback headshotting that same Centurion a few missions later, killing Glitch's replacement.

I play CBT too.

A fair slice doesn't necessarily transfer well to this game. Especially since the initiative system really changes a lot from tabletop. Risks I would take there I would not do here, and vice versa.

Though as I said, I'll just chalk it up to being terrible.

 

[TripleStrengthMisnomer]

Though as I said, I'll just chalk it up to being terrible.

Don't knock it...being terrible is an asset..the game has a lot more replay value that way

 

[AncientRaig]

I play CBT too.

A fair slice doesn't necessarily transfer well to this game. Especially since the initiative system really changes a lot from tabletop. Risks I would take there I would not do here, and vice versa.

Though as I said, I'll just chalk it up to being terrible.

Agreed. I guess my CBT playstyle just transferred better to HBSBT. Either that or all those hours I put into the beta actually paid off.

And as a tiny merc outfit, you are suppose to just eke out a living and one bad engagement from bankruptcy - not making a mint galloping around the universe collecting scraps that magically welds into million c-bill sales items. The base game is already overly generous with money; the store are there only for emergencies hence the lop sided trade price.

It wouldn't be much mercenaring if you can retire with a beach front property after just 2-3 battles would it.

Which is why my complaint is more with the entire economy of the game, rather than just the shop. Having some actual financial struggles would be much more fun than being set on easy street the second you start taking the campaign missions, IMO.

 

[Havamal]

People who think the economy is lenient or irrelevant;

Are you playing on the base settings?
Those are the easy mode settings.

In that case your salvage setting should be at least 5 or more, CT destruction, Unequipped mechs, and lower mission pay.
Oh and consider opting into iron man.

I recommend bumping up all those numbers in the pregame settings and then taking a gander at how the economy works.

Enjoy.

Then you'll be able to post here: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/ironman-career-mode-world-of-pain.1132034/

 

[Kereminde]

Don't knock it...being terrible is an asset..the game has a lot more replay value that way

See, I don't think I'm terrible, but my track record tends to prove otherwise - for some definition of "terrible". I never had to lose a priority mission (but DID have to restart two for technical issues) . . . and once I hit 4.5 and 5 skull missions, I really had to revise my opinion of myself and reach for the cheese. Which, much to my chagrin, no longer works with how "Sure Footed" functions.

In that case you're salvage setting should be at least 5 or more, CT destruction, Unequipped mechs, and lower mission pay.

Enjoy.

Not enjoyable! Do not do this cool thing!

 

[AncientRaig]

People who think the economy is lenient or irrelevant;

Are you playing on the base settings?
Those are the easy mode settings.

In that case you're salvage setting should be at least 5, CT destruction, Unequipped mechs, and lower mission pay.

I recommend bumping up all those numbers in the pregame settings and then taking a gander at how the economy works.

Enjoy.

In fairness, I will state that my playthroughs were started before those options were added in. I also dislike setting salvage to 5 as it means you no longer get a full mech from a headcap. If Yang can put together 5 separate pieces of a mech that's been ammo exploded to death, he can powerwash a cockpit and replace some electronics.

 

[mjbroekman]

If you want the stores to have relevence, I suggest enabling the "No Rare Salvage" setting. Then the stores are the ONLY place to get the good stuff. But yeah, Unequipped Mechs, more parts / mech, and CT destruction go a LONG way to making the stores into attractive offerings.

 

[Havamal]

In fairness, I will state that my playthroughs were started before those options were added in. I also dislike setting salvage to 5 as it means you no longer get a full mech from a headcap. If Yang can put together 5 separate pieces of a mech that's been ammo exploded to death, he can powerwash a cockpit and replace some electronics.

All well and good, but that's how you get to the gritty Merc sim...

 

[mjbroekman]

In fairness, I will state that my playthroughs were started before those options were added in. I also dislike setting salvage to 5 as it means you no longer get a full mech from a headcap. If Yang can put together 5 separate pieces of a mech that's been ammo exploded to death, he can powerwash a cockpit and replace some electronics.

In that case you need to be fair as well and understand that "mech parts" are more than just electronics. How often to do you come up against fully armored opponents in the early or mid game? Where do you think Yang gets all the armor and structure to undo the damage you inflict on the mechs you use?

 

[Kereminde]

Where do you think Yang gets all the armor and structure to undo the damage you inflict on the mechs you use?

Peels it off the outside of the Argo?

 

[mjbroekman]

Peels it off the outside of the Argo?

Somehow I don't think Farah would let him get away with that...and we all know that she's the real boss on the Argo.

 

[Havamal]

Not enjoyable! Do not do this cool thing!

Oh that silly Kereminde... Ftfy

They want the game where the economy matters.
That's how you get it.

 

[TripleStrengthMisnomer]

Peels it off the outside of the Argo?

Aha! Sooooo....that explains the high cost of the ARGO upgrades...Yang has been siphoning from the construction projects for his own inventory and purposes...with Flashpoints, we will now have to check those black market shops for serial numbers and distinguishing features of our missing inventory...I catch him in the act, I swear he is so fired....

If his thefts result in the decompression of the hab with the zero-G pool, I won't have to fire him.....the rest of the team will do for him.

I think we are now officially 3 full jumps off topic...

 

[Kereminde]

I think we are now officially 3 full jumps off topic...

. . . I hear squawking. Someone get Sumire out of here before she starts throwing chairs again. Yes I know they're bolted to the deck, don't question it, just get us back on track.

They want the game where the economy matters.
That's how you get it.

Truth be told, I literally am looking at the suggestion of "eight parts for one 'Mech" and this is real close to my reaction.

 

[Havamal]

Truth be told, I literally am looking at the suggestion of "eight parts for one 'Mech" and this is real close to my reaction.

There is a range of options up to 8 you clever derailer. Pick one.

We're not all retired like @Prussian Havoc

 

[Kereminde]

There is a range of options up to 8 you clever derailer. Pick one.

After I get my bearings and want to do a serious game? I'm thinking "five" is the point I'd want to go with. Heck, it'll be after I finish with White Reach but there will be a text/screenshot LP at some point next year. Maybe just before Urban Warfare happens, with my luck.

 

[Icewraith]

In fairness, I will state that my playthroughs were started before those options were added in. I also dislike setting salvage to 5 as it means you no longer get a full mech from a headcap. If Yang can put together 5 separate pieces of a mech that's been ammo exploded to death, he can powerwash a cockpit and replace some electronics.

This right here is my biggest issue with mechs requiring more pieces of salvage to assemble. I can headshot something and barely scratch the paint everywhere else, but I only get 3/8 of a mech? Where did the rest of it go?

It does make sense for those times where the pilot is incapacitated, but the mech itself consists of the CT, head, and one leg. I would be more understanding if headshots dropped 4-7 pieces depending on the state of the mech on 8 salvage. 3 on 5 pieces... feels like I should at least get 4. But that’s just me.