SPOILERS - - Of Unknown Origin, the 411 on the HM Mini-Campaign - - SPOILERS

[Captain Slide]

I finally got around to playing this over the last couple of weeks, I have been consumed by Factorio since I got it in October, started a new career. Kudos to HBS for all the improvements that came with Heavy Metal, Yeah I can finally buy Guass Ammo.

About the Mini Campaign. Yep more of those please. Well written and paced with more than enough intrigue to keep ones attention.

I have a particular play style, and for me I found the last mission quite easy even though I went into it with some high apprehension and thinking I was a little underdone. I took a Warhammer (2PPC++, 2ML+) as a spotter, Marauder (2PPC+, 1 UAC5), Awesome 8T (1LRM15 2+dmg, 1LRM15, 2 LL+) and the Bullshark with 2UAC5++, 2UAC5+ 4ML (dropped the ERs too hot).

I moved up onto the highground at the left of the DZ and sniped pretty much for the whole mission (what I would normally do) The BW Archer and Annihaltor took some interest in me but the Archer went down pretty easy, the Archer, Natasha and the other BW mech copped a Thumper round early and then Natasha, the Bounty Hunter and another unseen BH mech copped the second Thumper round a bit later when the BH and BW came to blows. Natasha was the first mech down, closely followed by the Bounty Hunter. One BH mech went down real early and I never saw it. The Anni was the last mech standing and had managed to get in close to my position at the base of the cliff and managed to open up the legs on my Bullshark costing me a DHS, but this was my only real damage and by that time he was easy pickings anyway. Having the BW and BH fight each other (predictably so) really does make this mission quite easy. Some of the earlier missions were actually more of a challenge.

BTW precision called shot with 4 UAC5's is absolutely brutal, That's potentially 360dmg if they all land in one spot, even if they don't that's 8 chances to hit what you want with 45 dmg per round. It's probably OP.

Is there a non Thumper Bullshark? I think I would rather have the extra 10 tons for other things (Quad Guass anyone?) Which would definitely be OP.

 

[Havamal]

Is there a non Thumper Bullshark?

Yes.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

And it benefits from some very fine Tech:

Bullshark is build around Fusion XL engine with Endosteel structure.
Engine: 8.5T
Structure: 5T
Gyro 3T
Cockpit: 3T

That leaves 75.5T of free tonnage.

 

[Captain Slide]

Thanks @ Havamal and Prussian.

 

[Corraidhin]

BTW precision called shot with 4 UAC5's is absolutely brutal, That's potentially 360dmg if they all land in one spot, even if they don't that's 8 chances to hit what you want with 45 dmg per round. It's probably OP.

I have my Anihilator set up with thre UAC5++ and two AC5+. Yes, I do believe 'brutal' is the best description for a Precision Shot from this. Especially with the 20% damage bonus. I even have 3 MLs just in case I run out of ammo before enemies (unlikely with enough for 15 rounds of full volleys).

 

[LongRange]

I have my Anihilator set up with thre UAC5++ and two AC5+. Yes, I do believe 'brutal' is the best description for a Precision Shot from this. Especially with the 20% damage bonus. I even have 3 MLs just in case I run out of ammo before enemies (unlikely with enough for 15 rounds of full volleys).

UAC5’s are indeed brutally accurate! They tend to make life very difficult for even high evasion light mechs. I chose to pair 2 UAC5++ with 2 UAC10++ with enough ammo to get through 15 - 16 alpha strikes in my Anni, pretty much maxed the armor and enough HS and heat banks to keep it useable in almost any environment. It goes through a lot of ammo, but hits hard at both long and short ranges. Save it for last after the rest of the lance has softened the opfor up and reduced evasions and it’s not unusual to see two enemy mechs go down in a single round. Now if I build a second one or get to the BullShark from the FP, then not much is going to last against any team I put into the fight.

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

I do like 4 UA/C5s in the Bullshark. I kept the 4 ER MLasers, although I may downgrade them to regular MLasers for heat sake.

I do run 2 UA/C5s and 2 UA/C10s in my Annihilator. The brutality is glorious .

 

[Corraidhin]

I do like 4 UA/C5s in the Bullshark. I kept the 4 ER MLasers, although I may downgrade them to regular MLasers for heat sake.

I do run 2 UA/C5s and 2 UA/C10s in my Annihilator. The brutality is glorious .

I've got a heat bank +++ and double heatsinks on the 3UAC5++/2AC5+ Anni. I can fire ful AC volleys until I run out of ammo without filling the heat bar. It feels mean shooting all those AC5 shells at the little guys.

Actually it doesn't, I have to restrain a Palpatine cackle pretty much every time.

 

[LongRange]

I've got a heat bank +++ and double heatsinks on the 3UAC5++/2AC5+ Anni. I can fire ful AC volleys until I run out of ammo without filling the heat bar. It feels mean shooting all those AC5 shells at the little guys.

Actually it doesn't, I have to restrain a Palpatine cackle pretty much every time.

Yep. That’ll teach ‘em to run up to range thinking 5-6 measly evasion bars will save them! Even better with multi shot where you can spread the pain around.

“You get a headshot, and you get a headshot, and of course you get a headshot!”

 

[Corraidhin]

Yep. That’ll teach ‘em to run up to range thinking 5-6 measly evasion bars will save them! Even better with multi shot where you can spread the pain around.

“You get a headshot, and you get a headshot, and of course you get a headshot!”

I have a primary command lance consisting of a Cyclops-Z, Archer 2s, Marauder, and Annihilator. The assaults both have master tacticians in them which give me that lance all moving and/or firing in Iinitiative 3. I just had the strangest feeling when an FP gave me an intact KGC and I sent it straight to storage.

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

I do currently have a KC in reserve, however I also tend not to use it for my A squad. I run a Marauder, Annihilator, Bullshark, and Highlander.

I do have the KC well equipped though. It is running 2 UA/C20s and 2 MLasers. I also have a +3 TTS for ballistics installed.

I'd actually run the KC, however the Bullshark and Annihilator are already only direct fire only. I like having some indirect LRM weapons (hence the Highlander). I could put an LRM launcher on the KC, but I'd have to drop the MLasers and TTS for a LRM10. I like the TTS to help counter the UA/C20 recoil, so I have been hesitant to drop it.

 

[LongRange]

I’m in the middle of a new-ish career. The Anni mentioned above, a MAD, Kintaro w/ 3 SRM6+++, Stalker 4x LRM15++ make up my primary lance. Trying to decide on buying parts to complete either an Atlas II or a Highlander 733P to upgrade in place of the Kintaro.

Gave the MAD an UAC5++, but kept the stock PPCs. What’s best for replacing the arm weapons? I could go with Snub PPCs, but that will reduce my range advantages. Maybe just replace with ++ or +++ PPCs?

Also, if you buy an SL mech, say an Atlas II, send it to storage then sell it. Do you keep all the components (e.g., double heat sinks)?

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

Also, if you buy an SL mech, say an Atlas II, send it to storage then sell it. Do you keep all the components (e.g., double heat sinks)?

Yes. When you send a mech to storage, all of it's weapons and equipment are stripped and put in your inventory.

As for the Marauder. I myself installed a UA/C10 and 4 MLasers. The double shot 10 seems good for head-capping on called shots. That way if one misses, the other might hit the head. With the 4MLaser follow-up, there is a good chance one laser will follow up a 10 shot head hit and decapitate the mech.

If you do want to run an UA/C5, I ran it with 2 Snub Nose PPCs and it worked well. It is hot though. Maybe 2 LLasers might be better (even if you lose some of that good instability damage). Its a tough one.

 

[KDubya]

I’m in the middle of a new-ish career. The Anni mentioned above, a MAD, Kintaro w/ 3 SRM6+++, Stalker 4x LRM15++ make up my primary lance. Trying to decide on buying parts to complete either an Atlas II or a Highlander 733P to upgrade in place of the Kintaro.

Gave the MAD an UAC5++, but kept the stock PPCs. What’s best for replacing the arm weapons? I could go with Snub PPCs, but that will reduce my range advantages. Maybe just replace with ++ or +++ PPCs?

Also, if you buy an SL mech, say an Atlas II, send it to storage then sell it. Do you keep all the components (e.g., double heat sinks)?

I ran a Marauder with no jump jets, max armor, two UAC-2++ and two LLaser++ (+10 damage +3 acc) and I named it Basilisk as whatever it set its gaze on turned to dust. It was able to stay at range and snipe from cover.

Snub PPCs, especially the +10 damage ones, are great for dealing general damage that's spread out. They don't lend themselves to a headhunting marauder set up. Now on a Warhammer they are fracking great, two of them crank out 250 damage at fair range for a mere 70 heat and 12 tons.

 

[Brother Diogenes]

I named it Basilisk as whatever it set its gaze on turned to dust.

That name is awesome and I'm totally stealing it.

 

[Panzer-Killer]

You get a piece at the end of one mission and then the remainder at the conclusion of another. Then you have a Bull Shark. At which time one must mark time till the next tranche of Mini-Campaign Missions will be available.

Do you remember in which Mini-campaign's FP do we get the first Bull Shark BSH-MAZ Salvage Part, and then in which other one do we get its left-over still missing parts?
So far I've completed the Tarragona & Independence FP parts of the mini-campaign, but I got none of those Salvage Parts yet...

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Do you remember in which Mini-campaign's FP do we get the first Bull Shark BSH-MAZ Salvage Part, and then in which other one do we get its left-over still missing parts?
So far I've completed the Tarragona & Independence FP parts of the mini-campaign, but I got none of those Salvage Parts yet...

Okay, I went back and researched this one. I had to as I’ve only played Ironman Games since HEAVY METAL came out and had no old saves to reload. : (

From my best estimations, you pick up a single BULL SHARK piece during the mini-Campaign’s “Hunting Season” mission, with the remainder of the BULL SHARK salvaged during the “Hourglass” mission.

Again, this is my best estimation, can anyone confirm or deny it?

 

[Panzer-Killer]

Okay, I went back and researched this one. I had to as I’ve only played Ironman Games since HEAVY METAL came out and had no old saves to reload. : (

From my best estimations, you pick up a single BULL SHARK piece during the mini-Campaign’s “Hunting Season” mission, with the remainder of the BULL SHARK salvaged during the “Hourglass” mission.

Again, this is my best estimation, can anyone confirm or deny it?

Thanks very much, @Prussian Havoc !

IIRC "Hunting Season" sounds familiar to me... I think it's the single-mission FP on Independence, where you get threatened by a certain legendary character dressed in a complete combat coolant vest, isn't it?

In case I'm correct, though, IIRC I got no BSK-MAZ Salvage Part from it, so maybe all those parts come in a following FP. how many FP is the mini campaign made of, in anybody remember them?

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Thanks very much, @Prussian Havoc !

IIRC "Hunting Season" sounds familiar to me... I think it's the single-mission FP on Independence, where you get threatened by a certain legendary character dressed in a complete combat coolant vest, isn't it?

In case I'm correct, though, IIRC I got no BSK-MAZ Salvage Part from it, so maybe all those parts come in a following FP. how many FP is the mini campaign made of, in anybody remember them?

I don’t think it shows up as a discrete Mech Part in your inventory... because each time I get the remaining Mech Parts in the Hourglass Mission, even though I am running “no equipment on Salvaged Mechs” Difficulty Setting, the BULL SHARK appears fully formed and with all its weapons and equipment.

I think it is a Story-Arc-Only item, not present in the Mech Lab for viewing, but there nonetheless and will soon be used to give you a complete BULL SHARK once you complete the Hourglass mission. : )


Let us know how it goes! :bow:

 

[Panzer-Killer]

I don’t think it shows up as a discrete Mech Part in your inventory... because each time I get the remaining Mech Parts in the Hourglass Mission, even though I am running “no equipment on Salvaged Mechs” Difficulty Setting, the BULL SHARK appears fully formed and with all its weapons and equipment.

I think it is a Story-Arc-Only item, not present in the Mech Lab for viewing, but there nonetheless and will soon be used to give you a complete BULL SHARK once you complete the Hourglass mission. : )


Let us know how it goes! :bow:

Thanks for the hint, @Prussian Havoc ! I'll pay a closer attention when I get to the "Hourglass" FP, then - and will surely let you all know how it goes! :bow: