Lore Question: Assigning Mechs

[Zeusbunnyears]

Thought came up in my mind...how do mercenary or professional companies assign pilots to mechs? I couldn’t find an easy answer and my only guidance was that pilots stick with one mech until it gets blown out under them or they get spoils of war. I’d assume “better” and/or heavier mechs get paired with better pilots or wealthier ones. From running my company in the game I generally assign based on length of time/experience/ speciality.

Is this the case?

 

[DarkSpade]

I think the answer can vary greatly between merc outfits, or even between pilots. In some cases, maybe the pilot already had a mech when they joined(which would be a cool feature for this game). I wouldn't be surprised to see merc company that had a "you kill it you keep it(limit 1)" policy.

I know in the fiction I've seen at least one example of a pilot claiming a mech for his own after he defeated it and he wasn't even a merc. Then again, he had rank too.

 

[Marcus Wulf]

They don't - each pilot owns his/her own mech. Which is why the worst this that can happen to a Mechwarrior is to be "Dispossessed" (Lost your Mech). Salvage is not as easy as it is in the game, normally when badly damaged enemy mechs tend to withdraw (as they do not want to loose their mechs either) and employers would rather keep salvage (spare parts, scarcity and all) than share it with you.

House Units on the other hand give you the option of bringing your own mech or being assigned one.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Thought came up in my mind...how do mercenary or professional companies assign pilots to mechs? I couldn’t find an easy answer and my only guidance was that pilots stick with one mech until it gets blown out under them or they get spoils of war. I’d assume “better” and/or heavier mechs get paired with better pilots or wealthier ones. From running my company in the game I generally assign based on length of time/experience/ speciality.

Is this the case?

Since MechWarriors do not arrive to my Mercenary Outfit with their own Mechs, I feel no compulsion to keep my best MechWarriors in my Starter Mechs. As a matter of fact I've now sold off my Starting Locust, Spider and Vindicator.

With such defining MechWarrior Traits as TACTICIAN for my Long Range Indirect Fire Battlefield Function, JUGGERNAUT for my Close Assault Specialist, BREACHING SHOT for my Main Battle Firing Line ~ I bring up my MechWarriors (and their Waiting-in-the-Wings Replacements), shaping them through Skill and Ability Selection to fulfill certain Combat Roles and Functions.

The Mechs?

I made do with what I have. Though in battle, I am on the lookout for certain Mechs and will take risks to obtain as many parts of these Mechs as I can. Currently, Shadow Hawks, Orions, Thundebolts and Stalkers top my list of Wanted Mechs. (It is important to note, while I do have pieces of each of these, I have select 8-Mech pieces as a Granular Difficulty setting for my current Ironman Campaign. So while I can slowly advance my MechWarriors with "Stingy" levels of EXP, I often have advanced MechWarriors in the best Mediums I can keep in the field...


...and to me, having a preponderance of Medium Mechs is to me decidedly and quintessentially ~ BattleTech. : )

 

[Ganimal]

According to lore, most pilots keep their mechs for long periods. As mentioned previously, they usually come with their own mechs. Of course as a merc company grows, the main characters upgrades their mechs accordingly. E.g Lori, grayson Carlyle’s girlfriend (totally botched spelling probably) started w/ a locust, but she’s since upgraded to heavier mechs in the novels. I suppose this is alsomething you can “role play” yourself if you wish.

 

[AncientRaig]

Pilots usually come with their "own" mechs and they'll stay in them come hell or high water, usually because that mech is several centuries old and has been in their family for generations. Most pilots will pass up an Atlas if it means leaving their family mech behind, even if that mech is something shit like a Cicada or a Locust. Of course, the necessities of mercenary life often prevail over attachments to a family mech, so if the situation requires it they will TEMPORARILY pilot the mech you need them to, but they expect you to keep their "owned" mech in the hanger. If you sell it or scrap it, expect your pilot to be pretty pissed off.

I tried to stay in the Blackjack for the entire game. I switched out when I got the Highlander, but I always kept the mech in storage.

 

[Ganimal]

Pilots usually come with their "own" mechs and they'll stay in them come hell or high water, usually because that mech is several centuries old and has been in their family for generations. Most pilots will pass up an Atlas if it means leaving their family mech behind, even if that mech is something shit like a Cicada or a Locust. Of course, the necessities of mercenary life often prevail over attachments to a family mech, so if the situation requires it they will TEMPORARILY pilot the mech you need them to, but they expect you to keep their "owned" mech in the hanger. If you sell it or scrap it, expect your pilot to be pretty pissed off.

I tried to stay in the Blackjack for the entire game. I switched out when I got the Highlander, but I always kept the mech in storage.

I'ma have to do that for my next play through...sure makes 4 / 5 star missions interesting eh? lol

My lone blackjack vs 8 heavies / assaults, space Alamo?

 

[Pherdnut]

Unless your merc outfit is Wolf's Dragoon or Falcon's Jaded Obvious Clanspies. Then everybody gets assigned suspiciously shiny new mechs with all original factory parts.

 

[Ganggreenkhan]

In mercenary units where the unit owns all the Mechs you pilot whatever Mech the CO tells you to pilot whenever he tells you to pilot it. I can't recall a unit in any of the mercenary handbooks where the unit owned all the Mechs but there were some where the unit owned upwards of 50% of the Mechs. The main reason for 1 pilot 1 Mech is ancestral claims on Mechs. I forget which book, maybe it was the book about intelligence agencies which I think covers stealing Mechs, but it takes 30minutes to calibrate a Mech to a new pilots brainwaves. I wanna say a Mech can only hold one pattern at a time.

So if your piloting a company Mech and get wounded expect to have your seat settings off if the commander needs "your"Mech in a mission. On the other hand if you own your Mech it's not going anywhere while your down.

I suppose you could make some kind of rental contract with your unit if they really needed your Mech, but the idea of "renting out" your ancestral war machine is so outlandish that I don't recall ever seeing the idea even mentioned.

It would be nice if the game could model the difference between proper Mechwarriors and the dispossessed who are just happy to be in a Mech.

It would make the game more Battletechy without alienating the casual market.

 

[KhazadDhum]

It would be awfully nice to have a lot more RPG elements put into the game. Possibly for the future.
I think something that was a blend of Shadowrun (redone with a BT makeover) for the RPG elements that would switch over to BT would be an awesome game. Then there would be a way to get the full universe experience of BT.
Just a dream of course.
Then there would be a lot more choices that would have an impact on the game, also it would add the ability for greater depth of MechWarrior backgrounds.
I can't remember which novel it was that had a guy who was mustered out of a house unit who planned on starting his own merc company with his mothers ancestral mech, only to find out it was destroyed a few years prior, and managed to finagle his way to win a couple of mechs and pilots through a gladiatorial game....can't remember if it was a solaris match or not. I think he started out with a Shadow Hawk, and a marauder out of the deal.
It was an interesting story, and really showed how scarce and precious mechs really are.

 

[Shadowmutt]

I've had a similar thought for a run through to the game. "Your" character and the starting Ronin all own their mechs and won't let someone else pilot them. They aren't willing to trade for another mech of the same weight class but will trade up to a higher weight class. Salvaged mechs belong to the company until assigned to someone.

Mechwarriors in the Hiring Hall are Dispossessed but when assigned a mech, it's some sort of rent to own contract (handled off books). Those Mechwarriors then consider their assigned mech as "theirs" and won't let someone else pilot them.

 

[Max_Killjoy]

The whole "ancestral mech" vs "military unit assignment" thing really wavered around a lot depending on the writer, the plot element they wanted at that moment, the time and location, and a bunch of other factors. There is no one good answer.

 

[Yeach]

Interesting thread and could have replied to this thread earlier but interesting enough it looks like in the Beta that some Ronin Mechwarriors had roles and also preferred mechs in the pilot folder; ie pilot_kbeta_apex.json

Spoiler: KBeta Pilots

Apex - An expert marksman, capable of drilling shot after shot through her enemies' defenses. She favors 'Mech chassis that were designed around single weapon types for devastating long-range precision fire.
Preferred BattleMechs - Awesome AWS-8Q/T, Catapult CPLT-C1, JagerMech JM6-S/A

Arclight - An adaptable pilot, capable of flexible responses to changing battlefield situations. When reserving her action she can be a deadly ambusher, striking and fading away before enemies have a chance to react.
Preferred BattleMechs - any

Buckshot - A stalwart combatant, capable of standing her ground against enemy fire while providing sustained direct fire from a stationary position. Equally capable in long- or short-ranged engagements.
Preferred BattleMechs - Atlas AS7-D, Orion ON1-K/V, JagerMech JM6-S, Hunchback HBK-4G/P

Bulwark (now Blockade) - an expert pilot, capable of tremendous feats in a jump-capable 'Mech. He favors flanking attacks, leaping into positions of advantage to set up multiple crossfires.
Preferred BattleMech -Jenner JR7-D, Vindicator VND-1R, Griffin GRF-1S

Kraken - A master of support actions, the Kraken is deadly at any range. Capable of splitting his fire between multiple opponents, he prefers to carry weapons of every range band.
Preferred BattleMech - Centurion CN9-A/AL, Shadow Hawk SHD-2D, Orion ON1-K

Mockingbird - An expert scout and support pilot. Mockingbird\u2019s primary role is providing sensor telemetry on the enemy to her lancemates, but she can hold her own in a fight if she has to
Preferred BattleMech - Commando COM-2D/1B, UrbanMech UM-R60

Ozone - A powerhouse fighter who can soak up enemy fire when shooting from a fixed position before bounding in for the final shot, Ozone is fearless and hearty.
Preferred BattleMech - Panther PNT-9R, Quickdraw QKD-5A, Vindicator VND-1R

Paradise - An agile pilot with a talent for avoiding incoming fire. He favors short range 'Mechs, nimbly sidestepping attacks while advancing towards the enemy's flank.
Preferred BattleMech - Kintaro KTO-18, Quickdraw QKD-4G, Victor VTR-9B/9S

Showboat - Part daredevil, part Solaris gladiator, Showboat specializes in Death From Above. She prefers 'Mechs equipped with jump jets, small weapons, and extra armor, in that order.
Preferred BattleMech - UrbanMech UM-R60, Shadow Hawk SHD-2H/D, Griffin GRF-1N/S

Sumo - Sumo is a calm and brawny marksman who excels at standing his ground against multiple opponents. He tends to favor 'Mechs of the cannon-with-legs variety, trading range for sheer destructive potential and durability.
Preferred BattleMech - Hunchback HBK-4G, Atlas AS7-D, Orion ON1-K/V, Centurion CN9-A/AL

Wildfire - A split-fire specialist known for taking on swarms of lighter BattleMechs. She favors 'Mechs of the heavily-armed variety, sacrificing mobility for sheer volume of fire.
Preferred BattleMech - Awesome AWS-8T, BattleMaster BLR-1G, Atlas AS7-D

Witness - A tactician and support pilot, Witness prefers to stay out of the thick of combat until needed. He uses advanced sensor techniques to resolve radar blips into firing solutions for his heavier allies.
Preferred BattleMech - Locust LCT-1V/M/S, Griffin GRF-1N/S

 

[scJazz]

Interesting thread and could have replied to this thread earlier but interesting enough it looks like in the Beta that some Ronin Mechwarriors had roles and also preferred mechs in the pilot folder; ie pilot_kbeta_apex.json

Spoiler: KBeta Pilots

Apex - An expert marksman, capable of drilling shot after shot through her enemies' defenses. She favors 'Mech chassis that were designed around single weapon types for devastating long-range precision fire.
Preferred BattleMechs - Awesome AWS-8Q/T, Catapult CPLT-C1, JagerMech JM6-S/A

Arclight - An adaptable pilot, capable of flexible responses to changing battlefield situations. When reserving her action she can be a deadly ambusher, striking and fading away before enemies have a chance to react.
Preferred BattleMechs - any

Buckshot - A stalwart combatant, capable of standing her ground against enemy fire while providing sustained direct fire from a stationary position. Equally capable in long- or short-ranged engagements.
Preferred BattleMechs - Atlas AS7-D, Orion ON1-K/V, JagerMech JM6-S, Hunchback HBK-4G/P

Bulwark (now Blockade) - an expert pilot, capable of tremendous feats in a jump-capable 'Mech. He favors flanking attacks, leaping into positions of advantage to set up multiple crossfires.
Preferred BattleMech -Jenner JR7-D, Vindicator VND-1R, Griffin GRF-1S

Kraken - A master of support actions, the Kraken is deadly at any range. Capable of splitting his fire between multiple opponents, he prefers to carry weapons of every range band.
Preferred BattleMech - Centurion CN9-A/AL, Shadow Hawk SHD-2D, Orion ON1-K

Mockingbird - An expert scout and support pilot. Mockingbird\u2019s primary role is providing sensor telemetry on the enemy to her lancemates, but she can hold her own in a fight if she has to
Preferred BattleMech - Commando COM-2D/1B, UrbanMech UM-R60

Ozone - A powerhouse fighter who can soak up enemy fire when shooting from a fixed position before bounding in for the final shot, Ozone is fearless and hearty.
Preferred BattleMech - Panther PNT-9R, Quickdraw QKD-5A, Vindicator VND-1R

Paradise - An agile pilot with a talent for avoiding incoming fire. He favors short range 'Mechs, nimbly sidestepping attacks while advancing towards the enemy's flank.
Preferred BattleMech - Kintaro KTO-18, Quickdraw QKD-4G, Victor VTR-9B/9S

Showboat - Part daredevil, part Solaris gladiator, Showboat specializes in Death From Above. She prefers 'Mechs equipped with jump jets, small weapons, and extra armor, in that order.
Preferred BattleMech - UrbanMech UM-R60, Shadow Hawk SHD-2H/D, Griffin GRF-1N/S

Sumo - Sumo is a calm and brawny marksman who excels at standing his ground against multiple opponents. He tends to favor 'Mechs of the cannon-with-legs variety, trading range for sheer destructive potential and durability.
Preferred BattleMech - Hunchback HBK-4G, Atlas AS7-D, Orion ON1-K/V, Centurion CN9-A/AL

Wildfire - A split-fire specialist known for taking on swarms of lighter BattleMechs. She favors 'Mechs of the heavily-armed variety, sacrificing mobility for sheer volume of fire.
Preferred BattleMech - Awesome AWS-8T, BattleMaster BLR-1G, Atlas AS7-D

Witness - A tactician and support pilot, Witness prefers to stay out of the thick of combat until needed. He uses advanced sensor techniques to resolve radar blips into firing solutions for his heavier allies.
Preferred BattleMech - Locust LCT-1V/M/S, Griffin GRF-1N/S

Is that the full list of Backer Pilots?

 

[DarkSpade]

I believe none of those are backers. Just ronin, rare unique pilots.

 

[scJazz]

Is that the full list of Ronin Pilots?

 

[Cadet Blue]

Interesting thread and could have replied to this thread earlier but interesting enough it looks like in the Beta that some Ronin Mechwarriors had roles and also preferred mechs in the pilot folder; ie pilot_kbeta_apex.json

Spoiler: KBeta Pilots

Apex

Arclight

Buckshot

Bulwark (now Blockade)

Kraken

Mockingbird

Ozone

Paradise

Showboat

Sumo

Wildfire

Witness



...of these, after searching for a long time in spacebars across the periphery, I've only come across Apex. Still his high gunnery. Any idea if all these Beta pilots are Ronin in the full game?

 

[Dmon]

Every named character in the game as of v1.1, Some with more detailed than others, but it is mostly there.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/BattleTech_(Video_Game)/Characters

 

[Boomer07]

It depends.
Some mercenary companies were founded from defunct units, so they probably came with all mechs and support.
Some were just founded by wealthy individuals, who would look for mechwarrios to join them, preferable some who brought their own machines.

Same with independet warriors.
Some have an acient mech handed down through genrations, others are the survivors of dispanded units, which managed to keep their machines.
Other have been dispossesed, or flunked out of a mechacademy and so have no machine, or they just have a talent or have driven agromechs and think they can make it a mercenaries, these would be happy if you give them a onelegged Locust to drive.

Like everywhere, some pilots are better at pilots one mach class then another, others then might be able to pilot anything successfully as long as it has a cockpit and can be piloted with a Neurohelmet.

In the Battletech universe there are numerous examples of various ways how warriors get to their mechs, and how mercenary companies get to new pilots.

Since here in the game, especially a bit later on our company is quite well equpped, recruiting pilots who bring their own mechs would not be a priority, rather getting the best pilot available to fill the open cockpit we have.

 

[scJazz]

Every named character in the game as of v1.1, Some with more detailed than others, but it is mostly there.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/BattleTech_(Video_Game)/Characters

I cannot believe that I was too stupid to check Sarna

Thanks!