05-03-2012, 04:25 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: near London, UK
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BattleTech in TS
This has been a minor background element in my own TS game, and may become more significant if I ever run one set on Mars.
It seems to me that TS supports all the technology needed for recognisable BattleMechs: fusion power, neural interface, energy weapons, and armour. I don't off-hand know what the smallest canonical fusion-powered vehicle is, but in rules terms we're looking at SM+6 to +7 and that's not a problem for Spaceships (TL10 fusion reactors have no size limit). Of course, they still make absolutely no sense as war machines. Everyone recognises that. In a world filled with smart missiles, drones, and nanoswarms, a 10-metre-tall walking tank is simply a great big target. But some of the older Martian Millionaires (sorry, Phil) remember a game they played back when they were kids - a wargame, a card game, a VR simulation - and now they have the money to play it for real. So in my TS there is a BattleTech Re-Enactment Society on Mars - "it's no sillier than the SCA" - which devotes itself to formalised combat between giant fusion-powered robots with artificially short-ranged and high-heat weapons. They could be VR-piloted, but in that case you might as well just jack in to a simulation - honour insists that the warrior be present in the cockpit. Very few people get to see the fights in person, but sale of recordings goes some slight way to defray the massive costs involved. That said, it's still a wildly expensive and dangerous sport.
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05-03-2012, 05:18 PM | #2 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: BattleTech in TS
Not much sillier than Titan Wrestling, I guess.
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05-03-2012, 08:10 PM | #3 |
On Notice
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Re: BattleTech in TS
This actually sounds plausible; you have real-life companies that offer 'mock dogfighting' in actual jets. Expensive, but fun if you can afford it.
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05-03-2012, 08:18 PM | #4 |
Computer Scientist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dallas, Texas
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Re: BattleTech in TS
There might be other legit reasons to have giant robots on Mars, too, like landscaping or intermodal loading or recovery of smaller vehicles.
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05-03-2012, 09:02 PM | #5 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: BattleTech in TS
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05-03-2012, 10:39 PM | #6 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: BattleTech in TS
Battlebots/Robot Wars remote control sounds safer.
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05-03-2012, 11:20 PM | #7 |
Computer Scientist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dallas, Texas
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Re: BattleTech in TS
10 meters isn't out of round, but they'd probably be more spindly, esp with Martian gravity. Need more limbs, too. I, for one, welcome our quadrapedal tentacle bot overlords.
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05-03-2012, 11:24 PM | #8 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: BattleTech in TS
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05-10-2012, 09:53 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: BattleTech in TS
Quote:
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05-10-2012, 10:02 PM | #10 | |
"Gimme 18 minutes . . ."
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Albuquerque, NM
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Re: BattleTech in TS
Quote:
I can't wait for the Robinson City Reaver to wax that goddamn Shanghai Shanker! |
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battletech |
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