From: kgnome@cs.concordia.ca (MATIS stephane)
Newsgroups: rec.games.board
Subject: Re: BTECH: LAM fans out there?
Date: 13 Aug 92 13:08:23 GMT
Organization: Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec

From: andersc@epslon.uleth.ca (Colin Anderson)

  > Greetings, fellow net.people!  Do any of you Battletech players
> out there use LAMs (Land-Air Mechs) ?  I know there wasn't a whole
> lot written about them in the Compendium (or in the Aerotech box,
> for that matter), but I like 'em! :-)  (Maybe because I'm an old
> Macross fan...)

Macross is fun... Macross II is blase. What poses !

  > If anyone has used or is using LAMs, how do you handle movement in
> the AirMech (half-way between mech and fighter) mode?  The rules
> in the Compedium just say to triple the jump MPs, use 2 MPs each for
> take-off and landing, and no heat buildup from jumping.  Does this
> mean it can only jump in a straight line?  The house rule here has
> been that the AirMech can bank and turn (no MP cost) during it's
> jump, thus allowing the infamous "avoiding-in-place" tactic.  Just
> flying in a circle, travelling at least ten hexes (easy with jump
> MPs tripled), and coming back behind someone gives you a +3 to hit, 
> and your opponent a +5 to hit.  In a one-on-one situation, the LAM is
> going to give out a LOT more punishment than it takes.

"Avoid-in-place" ... hmm... I'll call this bogus, since the moment you
are up in the air, you are burning reaction mass. Thus your are moving,
and should be "counted" for it. In fact, just hovering is not movement.

  > Another question along the same lines:  Can a LAM in AirMech mode
> engage in physical combat?  With or without landing?  (Imagine the
> 18-hex charge! :-) )

Yes... charge only though, your arms are busy. LAN-Air mode also allows
for kicks, with our own home rules, especially at altitude 2, where you
can kick the other 'Mech head off.


  > Yet another question:  If you were defending a planet, wouldn't you
> want a group of mechs that can attack enemy mechs as they drop?  Also,
> this group of mechs can strike anywhere on the planet's surface in less
> than two minutes...

Sure ... but if those same 'Mechs get damaged, you'd also like some
parts to repair them ... right ? LAM parts are UNAVAILABLE. Clan
Smoke Jaguar (or is it Nova Cat) is having a blast flying these suckers.

  > One last question:  I've hear rumors of a new supplement coming out
> that deals with dropships, jumpships, warships, etc.  Does anyone know
> if it might have some rules to clarify the LAM questions?

No rumors ... fact. I don't think you'll see a single mention of LAMs.
FASA is obeying a court rulling on the subject... sorry.

  > Colin Anderson
    > andersc@alpha.uleth.ca

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Over!   __ ( . )      From        : Stephane I. Matis
      _/__\(___)      Internet    : kgnome@concour.cs.concordia.ca
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