HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lunatic@netcom.com (Lunatic Johnathan Bruce E'Sex)
Subject: Re: Battletech: The Great Debate.
Organization: Netcom; Renegade User
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1992 01:59:08 GMT

In article <1992Dec23.003017.10160@u.washington.edu> foregone@stein.u.washington.edu (Carl Chavez) writes:
>There is Mechwar for the IBM, which I haven't seen yet; and there is
>Mechforce for the Amiga, which is like the Solaris VII rules.
>
>You know, the funny thing about Mechforce is that it's rules are very similar
>to the Solaris VII rules, but Mechforce came out in 1988/1989!!!
>
>Stephane, could you elaborate on the origin of the Solaris rules so we
>can be sure that FASA didn't rip Ralph Reed off?
 
     _
    |_
    |ASA couldn't have "ripped off" Ralph Reed, as they bought Mechforce
 and all rights to the game from him.  Paid him a tidy sum, too.  Add in
 the hundreds, if not actually thousands, of shareware payments he got,
 and is still getting from copies that are still in circulation, and
 Reed turns out to have made a pretty penny.  I doubt that he's all
 that crushed that he can't distribute it, anymore.  FASA could have
 simply sued the pants off of him for copyright infringement, but they
 decided to be "nice," instead.
 
    |)on't expect to see the game on store shelves any time soon, though.
 FASA isn't in the business of software publishing, so they'd have to
 get someone else to publish it for them.  Doing that would be difficult,
 because 1) It's only for the Amiga, and few companies are willing to
 work in that market, anymore, and 2) It used to be shareware, so
 whoever published it would have to make substantial improvements to it
 to get people interested enough in it to buy it.  Combine the money it
 would take to "update" the game, to the money it would take to "print"
 and market the game, and point all that money in the directon of the
 Amiga market only, and no one's going to want to touch it.

-- 
   _______________________________________________________
  /         -= Lunatic Johnathan Bruce E'Sex     (:      /
 /  lunatic@netcom.com  GEnie: LUNATIC  CI$: 76170,672  /
/______________________________________________________/
From: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (Second Genyosha)
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
Subject: Re: Battletech: Re: 'City Archer'
Date: 22 Dec 1992 22:24:16 GMT
Organization: Wellington City Council (Public Access), Wgtn, Nz
Reply-To: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
NNTP-Posting-Host: kosmos.wcc.govt.nz

In article <BzMwE2.Lvw@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, dv52151@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (RedSwordTarga) writes:
>pad@probitas.cs.utas.edu.au (Paul A Daniels) writes:
>>	I don't think the clans have much of an advantge these days.
>>Heck anyone crippled by that silly sense of honor that most people play them

>Well, the Clan honor system is not the debilitating thing that it looks
>like it is at first. If an enemy 'Mech fires on more than one 'Mech, it
>opens things up into a free-for-all. 
>Axly

 Using the Clan Honor system is fine, but the IS must remember that "There's
a time for every season". Choose the time to break the code of one-on-one
wisely. I do it when I can strike behind the Clan meks and ensure that at
least one will die that turn. Strike when it is advantageous to you, though
it is better when you attack from ambush.

 The free-for-all that is mentioned, sometimes isn't so. As many Clan meks
continue to fight the one-on-one system even when the code is broken, this
was mentioned in the "Blood of Kerensky" novels by Stackpole. As Clan pilots
are more accustomed to the IS ways, they may go all out and brawl, but then
they might be slow learners :) Though the "Jade Phoenix" books mention the
free-for-all situation, they don't seem very "Clan" to me, so I'll leave
it up to you to decide.

 Finally if you do keep to the rules of the one-on-one of the Honour code,
then remember when your Clan mek has made it's kill, it stops. They did let
another Clan pilot finish it's combat without aid. Plus a last point, what
about "Swarms" they can hit more than one mek at the same time. My Clanners
tend to ignore such things as "accidental fire", but then they know that I
have limited numbers of special munitions :(

**Have a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year! and don't drink and drive!**
This has been...            : "I have never listened to anyone who criticized
 Tony Taia                  :my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas.
  TAIA_A@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz :When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave
My ideas are mine only, ok? :leave the room." - Ray Bradbury 1980. Age 60.
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
Subject: RE:MEK: The Goblin  GOB-5M (correction:)
From: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (Second Genyosha)
Date: 22 Dec 1992 23:36:31 GMT
Reply-To: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
Organization: Wellington City Council (Public Access), Wgtn, Nz
NNTP-Posting-Host: kosmos.wcc.govt.nz

 Opps, made a minor typo with the tonnages of the engine, but it still works :)

 Just when you thought old tek (3025) was dead, here's a little munchkin mek:)

The Goblin    GOB-2M
20 Tons              Locations  Criticals Tons
IS                       -          -      2.0
Leenex 140               -          -      5.0<-correction! Tonnage is not 7.0.
 Walk  7
 Run  11
 Jump  7            3RT/1CT/3LT     7      3.5
Gyro & Cockpit           -          -      5.0
Heat Sinks    10    2RL/1CT/2LL     5      0.0
Armour        56         -          -      3.5
 H    3   8
 CT   6  8/2
RT/LT 5  7/2
RA/LA 3   5
RL/LL 4   5

Medium Laser             RA         1      1.0

Overview:
 The Goblin is a standard training mek of the Draconis Combine. Used to
educate future mekwarriors into learning the uses and advantages of
jumping. The whole mek works on the zero-heat principle and is known for
it's simplicity and speed. No longer made in the Combine, the design is
found extensively in Magistracy of Canopus as they have copied its design.

Capabilities:
 The Goblin is one of the few jump capable meks that doesn't overheat. This
feature makes it ideal for training as many novice pilots find it difficult
to watch their mek's heat levels. Though this does produce some reckless
habits into new mekwarriors when they step up to Phoenix Hawks and learn that
not all meks are equal. The mek runs so cold that at times, mekwarriors are
known to be fully clothed when piloting the Goblin.

Battle History:
 The Goblin is noted in numerous Canopus-Taurian clashes due to the import
and construction of this mek by the Magistracy. Since 3019 Canopus has started
it's own construction of this simple, but very effective mek.
 In 3026, the Taurians raided the small city of Vertex to try and capture
one of several Goblin there for training. The students using this agile mek,
soon had four kills to their credit and the Taurians were forced to retreat.
Proving the success of the design, though a Taurian Warhammer did disable a
Goblin with a PPC shot to a leg.

Variants:
 There are no variants worthy of note as it would interfere with the original
specifications.
  
This has been...            : "I have never listened to anyone who criticized
 Tony Taia                  :my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas.
  TAIA_A@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz :When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave
My ideas are mine only, ok? :leave the room." - Ray Bradbury 1980. Age 60.
From: st1pn@jane.uh.edu (Sparkl McWarkl)
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
Subject: "Mek"...?
Date: 21 Dec 1992 22:25 CST
Organization: University of Houston
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: jane.uh.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

From time to time, I notice people using the term "mek" in place of "mech".
Mekton players, these types, or what?

And no, I don't mind much which term is used, now, so none of that violent
reaction stuff, eh?  Just wondering where it stems from, so I don't get it.:)


McWarkl:  "Mekka-lekka hi, mekka hiney-ho...."
--
sig.arj
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: pad@probitas.cs.utas.edu.au (Paul A Daniels)
Subject: Re: MECH: Heavy Hammer
Organization: University of Tasmania, Australia.
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 02:58:34 GMT

In <1992Dec31.135756.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu> tfpayn01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:

>In article <C03oy9.DvM@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, dv52151@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (RedSwordTarga) writes:
>> One of my favorite 'Mechs since I started playing BattleTech has been
>> the Warhammer. I took one look at the cover and decided I liked that
>> 'Mech. Great profile, lots of guns, and it looks mean. Well, time 
>> has marched on and now here we are in game time of 3050+. The Warhammer,
>> once a dangerous opponent (if one removed the Small Lasers and spent the
>> tonnage on leg armor), has been reduced to a second stringer by the 
>> ill-design crews at FASA. I broke out my handy calculator and Mech
>> Editor program  and after much thought and experimentation, here is
>> what I feel is a Warhammer for our time. 
>> 
>> 
>> Type: IS WHM-6X Heavy Hammer                Mass
>> Tonnage:                                   70.00
>> Internal Structure:                         7.00
>> Engine:               280XL                 8.00
>> Walking MP's:      4
>> Running MP's:      6
>> Jumping MP's:      0                     0.00
>> Gyro & Cockpit                              6.00
>> Heat Sinks:           18                    8.00
>> Armor Factor:         216                  13.50
>>                 Internal     Armor
>>                 Structure    Value
>> Head:              3          9
>> Center Torso:      22        36/7
>> Lt./Rt. Torso:     15        24/6
>> Lt./Rt. Arm:       11         22
>> Lt./Rt. Leg:       15         30
>> Weapons and Ammo:
>>  Type                 Loc.   Critical      Weight
>> ER PPC                RA         3          7.00
>> ER PPC                LA         3          7.00
>> Med. Laser            RA         1          1.00
>> Med. Laser            LA         1          1.00
>> Med. Laser            LT         1          1.00

	Ahhh not too bad if you like the heat. The warhammer is a good 
old design. Heck I have never seen a mech that could take as much punishment
and still be able to dish out some in return :)
	A fun varient of the warhammer(3026) is to drop in a smaller engine
so you have 3/5 speed, and drop all the weapons except for the PPC's
and replace them with an AC20 and 10 rounds of ammo. Sure it doesn't have
the longevity or the speed, or even the firepower, but it is very enjoyable
those 20 point hits to a section :)

	Griffon
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (Second Genyosha)
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
Subject: Re: BTECH: Pulse Laser Technology
Date: 21 Dec 1992 03:18:26 GMT
Organization: Wellington City Council (Public Access), Wgtn, Nz
Distribution: World
Reply-To: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
NNTP-Posting-Host: kosmos.wcc.govt.nz

In article <1992Dec20.000431.982@netcom.com>, lunatic@netcom.com (Lunatic Johnathan Bruce E'Sex) writes:
>In article <1992Dec19.194448.26963@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu> probe@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Prabal Nandy) writes:
>>   My question is: Is there any reason why we would want to keep using pulse
>>laser weapons? Otherwise, I am going to go back through my designs and strip 
>>them out. 

>    ][t's not the longer ranges that matter, it's the short range.
> If you're a stand-off fighter and don't like getting in close,
> pulsue lasers are obviously not for you.  On the other hand, if
> you like closing in and getting down and dirty right next to the
> other guys, pulse lasers are great.  They're also great for jumping
> mechs, especially when you get a chance to jump into the hex right
> BEHIND the other guy.  Say "goodnight," Gracie.  (:

 If you add DSHS to the Venon (TR 3055). Then you have an eight-hex jumper
with torso mounted medium pulse lasers. A mek that never overheats and can
punch! Truly a deadly mek! This is what we can Death! Even better, it's a
Combine mek :) Though I prefer the stand-up-and-fight approach.

This has been....
 Tony Taia                                    (Chu-sa of the Second Genyosha)
 TAIA_A@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz  **Join the DCMS see the Inner Sphere and kill it**
3055-3067: So little time, so many Clan meks to kill! :)
**Noone knows what I know, so you know that what I know is only mine to know**
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: Jesse.Taylor@launchpad.unc.edu (Jesse Taylor)
Subject: Re: BTECH: Archive?
Organization: University of North Carolina Extended Bulletin Board Service
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 19:13:32 GMT

In article <1992Dec23.055354.21313@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu> probe@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Prabal Nandy) writes:
>   By the way, is anyone saving these new mechs that appear on this system
>in an archive? They are pretty good and would be neat to have around, even
>for just 'historical' purposes...
	I'z thinking the same thing. Someone somewhere should archive
these buggers. I've got a lot of them on my disk - but in seperate files.
If someone wanted me to, I could categorize 'em and post 'em or stick 'em
on an archive site somewhere. Actually, having a sort of "'mech catalog"
postedat the end of each month with the 'mech designs that appeared that
month might be kind of useful, now that I think of it...
	I've got nothing better to do with my time, so is there any real
demand for this type of thing? (it would stop a lot of the excess
bandwidth, like, 'Aii! I was off for a week! Could anyone mail me the
'mech designs that were posted while I was gone?' stuff....)
	OR, we could make a subgroup! rec.games.mecha.designs, and
rec.games.mecha.designs.munchkin.and.clan.mechs (I'm just kidding with
both of these, guys! Put those Flamers away!!!)

>   Also, I have some quasi-battletech prose fiction for you all... The
>stories are from 8-12 pages long, and are loosely set in the Post-clan
>invasion IS Universe (circa 3050's)... Anyone want me to put them somewhere
>or post them somewhere?
	Hey, just post 'em...

>-- 
>      /| ________________   |probe@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu|  Lord of the Flies 
>O|===|* >________________>  |probe@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu|  1st MPC Division
>      \|                    | nandy@scivax.stsci.edu |  Colony Mechworks
>  Velox - Durus - Infestus  |  nandy@fos.stsci.edu   |  Colony World Myops

JT

--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  laUNChpad.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: nsmca@acad3.alaska.edu
Subject: Design Ideas Mecha..
Organization: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 14:42:53 GMT

Not sure if anyone thought of the following, most I had thought of a few yars
ago, I don't have the latest in Battle Tech or MEcha lit, but I think the
following will still be useful..

Disposeble weapons: Namely weapons strpped on or attached to a MEch for a
limited time.. They also can be used when a area that the weapon is attached to
as a additional site for crits/hits..

Straped on Armor: In the same vein as applicae armor of total. Basically armor
that is attached until it goes away.. Or acts as armor against weapons that the
Mecha is not used to being proof against. Or as temporary armor to cover a area
that for some reaosn can't be covered for now..

Drop mines for a Mecha.. Namely can be used to discourage someone following
you.. Such as the old fashion Caltrops..

Popup mines. Namely they are mines designed to jump up and to fire a charge
downwards, namely designed for MEcha with a "head".. basically to go for the
cockpit..

Armored Personnel Carrier Mecha.. Mecha designed to operate as a team.
Three MEcha act as personnel carriers with a total complement of a Infantry
Platoon. With one MEcha to act as a command Mecha and as heavy fire power..

Digger Tank: A tank designed to dig themselves literally in and pop up to
attack..

Anti-Air Mecha: Mecha will extrme long range weapons to be used against
Air Craft/Lams...

Remote Piloted Vehicles: To act as recon..

Any other ideas can be posted here or emailed to the following person.
Chief Researcher of Raven Design Works, New Alaska..


Michael Adams
Alias: Morgoth/Ghost Wheel 
nsmca@acad3.alaska.edu


Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: chaprac@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (SCALIEN)
Subject: Re: IS THERE A BTECH SIMULATOR IN EXISTENCE? ( like BOSTON )
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 06:34:28 GMT





SCALIEN

                             Big toys with little guns.
                                          -the reason for the charger



Ya call this a reason?

Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: conty@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (E. Kontei)
Subject: BattleForce (was Re: Vehicle rules...)
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 06:06:54 GMT

In article <C01pEB.69y@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, dv52151@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (RedSwordTarga) writes:
> 
> Nah..I played it, and hated it. It was too unlike BattleTech. Running damaged
> you permanently. If you ran for 4 turns, your lance was destroyed. Tres
> realistic, no?

Not running, OVERHEATING.  You could run without having damage, but if
you ran your entire lance in Overburn mode for a long distance (as in the
BattleForce scale), something's going to get broken...
-- 
			    E n r i q u e  C o n t y
			       Master of Science!
			      jester@ihlpm.att.com
		    Disclaimer: You're not dealing with AT&T
From: tfpayn01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Subject: REALISM is for groundpounders!!!
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 12:47:12 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

	I agree that 'mechs DO carry the day, most of the time, but I've had a
few simple vehicles that have ANNIHILATED 'mechs without a word. 

	I took a hovercraft once, (I was playing some VERY roguish Clan forces)
stripped its armour, increased the engine size, and slammed a Gauss w/15 shot
ammo into it.  Moved 12/18, and couldn't be touched!

	Another battle that raged was before the Clans showed up.  Using 3025
'mechs, a city was being defended by a mix of vehicles/'mechs that were
outnumbered/out-tonned, 2:1.  However, (I was on the attacking side) the
defenders stuck a (aw damn, forgot its name- has 3 AC-20s, a heavy tank) inside
a building and waited.

	At the right moment, one of their wolverines hopped on top of a level
2 building.  A Shadow Hawk hopped down in front of the building, with his back
to a level 4 light building.  The Shadow Hawk fired and did some damage, as the
attacker's had initiative.  The defenders had the Wolverine wait to fire until
last, having all the other 'mechs/vehicles fire, and then let the tank inside
the building (the one mentioned above).  Hit in the back with ALL 3 SHOTS.  We
described it this way:

	Well, you take three hits (the guy had to roll a 4 each time.  Waaaa),
all to the Center/Left/Right Torsos.  You're sitting in your cockpit, when your
'mech is suddenly thrashed.  When it stops, your 'mech looks like a doughnut.
*grin*.


-- 

/  / // / / /  / /  / / // / / // / //  / /   /  // /  / / / / // // / / / // /
// // /  / // /// // / / /// /// // /// /// // // /// / ///// // /   / // // /
/  /  ________|\_______________________________________________   /  /  // / /
/ // |\_\_\_\_| |_____________________________________________/   / / / / / / /
// / / /      |/  / / //  // /  / / / //  /  /  / /  /  /  / /  /  / / / /// /
/  / /  /  ///  / /  /  Tom Payne *** Louisville, KY	 / //  /  /  /  / / / /
 /  //TFPAYN01@ULKYVX.LOUISVILLE.EDU   /  / INFTECR1@ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU /// /
/ // / /  /   / / / /  ///  // (502) 635-2473 / / // // // / /////  / / // // / 
>>>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-<<<
>>         Picard / Riker '96                                              <<
>>         Let's take this country where none have gone before             <<
			{Borrowed}
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: clarka@netcom.com (Andrew Clark)
Subject: Re: Vehicle rules and munchkinism  (with ANSWERS!)
Followup-To: rec.games.mecha 
Summary: Get your hands off my hovertank! 
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Distribution: world 
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 18:42:38 GMT

> foregone@stein.u.washington.edu (Carl Chavez) writes:
>> clarka@netcom.com (Andrew Clark) writes:
>>
>>  [fixes for this high-speed ramming problem]  
>>
>>Hovercraft and VTOLS are prohibited from deliberately ramming other
>>units due to the fragile nature of their construction and their pilots'
>>desire to remain alive.  Only tracked and wheeled land vehicles may
>>deliberately ram.  Accidental rams (due to skidding or sideslipping) 
>>should be resolved using the existing rules.  This would require no
>>changes to existing vehicle designs.
>
>No. VTOLs I understand, but hovercraft? I don't see much difference in
>structure between wheeled, tracked, and hover vehicles.

Tracked and wheeled vehicles are inherently more stable -- they're 
in contact with the ground rather than floating on a cushion of air.
The "skirts" that keep that cushion of air contained are usually
flexible (which is reflected in the hover hit location table.)

A tank crashing into a 'Mech won't bounce off like a rubber ball;
a hovercraft probably will.  

>My idea: during the initiative phase, each side involved rolls initiative
>for each individual unit, with vehicles suffering a -2 penalty. This can be
>simplified in large scale battles, with mixed units suffering a -2 penalty.

Why should vehicles get a -2 initiative penalty?  It doesn't solve the
problem and adds an additional element of confusion to the game. 

Imposing a -2 penalty on the SIDE that uses vehicles -- now that's
disgusting.  No one would use vehicles if this rule were adopted.  
Vehicles are there to support 'Mechs, not put them at a disadvantage!

(Besides, what kind of psuedo-realistic "explanation" would account for 
it?  Let's see, the presence of friendly vehicles taxes the fire-control
and piloting systems because you don't want to shoot your own hovercraft,
or step on them . . . or, the MechWarrior's Union doesn't like vehicles
and encourages Mechwarriors to "fumble" if friendly vehicles are in the
same battle.  Yeah, right.) 

>The argument that hovercraft and VTOLs are too dangerous because of backshots
>is ludicrous. If the mech user has light mechs, he/she can avoid the hovers
>and VTOLs!

I agree to some extent.  I feel that well-designed 'Mechs using good
tactics can prevent backshots from being effective.  On the other hand,
I also believe that small hovercraft are too fast and that this can be
corrected without wrecking the entire set of vehicle rules, which seems to
be the current FASA plan.
-- 
clarka@netcom.com     Andrew Clark     My ignorance is my own fault.
"We have virtual reality today: Pete Wilson lives in it." | Bad cop! 
"Macs are to computing what television is to journalism." | No donut! 
Secondary account at aclark@UCSD.EDU -- prefer mail at netcom site.   
Newsgroups: rec.games.mecha
From: kgnome@cs.concordia.ca (MATIS stephane)
Subject: Written by hand!
Organization: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 13:34:59 GMT

I will post as soo as I can the files and info I promissed.

Tony : Sorry :( ,  my mail doesn't even work. Bummer. 

 - Steph

	A man without a directory ... a man without a .sig!
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