25 replies to this topic

[Odins Fist]

OneEyed Jack, on 08 May 2013 - 04:57 PM, said:

"Basing an argument about torso weapon convergence on whether there is any specific mention in lore about the existence of gear"

"It's stupid."

Who's arguing..?? I'm asking valid questions.

[Psikez]

Echo6, on 08 May 2013 - 04:57 PM, said:

I don't buy this. I think some tech with a wrench has to set the convergence; it's for damned sure not automated.

Odins Fist, on 08 May 2013 - 05:00 PM, said:

Who's arguing..?? I'm asking valid questions.

People are seeing things they want to see.

I'm personally curious about it as well

[Pht]

We have our answer:

Pht said:

Hi, guys.

I'll keep it short and sweet.

The advanced Targeting Computer and the AES systems both make the weapons they are "connected with" more accurate.

I'm wondering how, in the lore, they achieve some parts of this.

The TC I guess actually helps each weapon mounted to it "track" whatever the mechwarrior is indicating? IE; it uses something like, say, more stable/faster steppers or something like that to actually manipulate each weapon to make them more accurate? The fluff on the TC seems to indicate something like this, but it's not exactly clear how the weapons-mounted hardware works.

The AES I presume just makes the myomers MUCH more stable, and doesn't actually help the individual arm weapons track targets? ... Or do some individual weapons actually get *aimed* by attached myomers?

-----

This is all built on the presumption that *any* weapon in a battlemech can individually be physically "aimed" by maybe, stepper motors, focusing lenses for lasers, that sort of thing, regardless if they are mounted in the torsos, legs, arms, or head?

Thanks.

Paul said:

Correct, each weapon is aimed independently beyond the mobility of any limbs or torso or turret it might be attached to. Part of their weapon mass and bulk is taken up by this.
Targeting computers add more gear that makes this independent actuation more precise.
AES allows for more precise motion of the entire limb, which has similar consequences.
(But the upside is that it works for all weaponry, not just the kind that benefits from a TComp)

http://bg.battletech...ic,29328.0.html

Edited by Pht, 08 May 2013 - 05:55 PM.

[Gaan Cathal]

Echo6, on 08 May 2013 - 04:46 PM, said:

Citation? I think you need to prove torso weapon actuators. My cite? Every book.

See below - that's WoG there by the way, official response on the current publisher's Q&A forum. As is the post above.

Gaan Cathal, on 08 May 2013 - 03:48 PM, said:

"...That functionality falls within the existing rules with regards to firing arcs. All weapons are capable of some articulation beyond that provided by a Torso Twist..." - Paul Sjardijn

From the "Ask the Writers" subforum at Catalyst: link

Edited by Gaan Cathal, 08 May 2013 - 06:07 PM.

[Odins Fist]

ACTUATOR ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM (AES)

Rules Level: Experimental
Available To: BM, IM
Tech Base (ratings): Both (E/X-X-F)
Game Rules
An Actuator Enhancement System mounted in the arm provides a –1 to-hit modifier for all weapons mounted in the same arm location, as well as a –1 to-hit modifier for all Physical Attacks using only that arm. (For Physical Attacks that require both arms, the –1 to-hit modifier only applies if both arms mount a functioning AES.) When mounted in the legs, the AES provides a –2 modifier to all Piloting Skill Rolls (except Physical Attacks, which receive only a –1 modifier). Weapons split between an arm and torso location gain no bonus from an AES.
Actuator Enhancement Systems are considered active at all times during game play until the unit is destroyed or the AES component suffers a critical hit. AES leg units lose all AES-provided modifiers if any of the unit’s leg-based AES components suffer critical damage; arms only lose the AES-provided modifiers if the system in the affected arm takes a critical hit.
Actuator Enhancement System (AES) may only be installed in a BattleMech or IndustrialMech’s arm or leg locations. Only one can be mounted in each limb. Leg-mounted AES components require that all of the unit’s legs receive this equipment (so a Humanoid ’Mech must mount two leg AES components, while a Quad ’Mech must mount 4—with each unit placing 1 component in each leg). Arm-mounted AES components need not be mounted in both arms, however (so a ’Mech may install an AES in the left arm, leaving the right arm unmodified). For humanoid ’Mechs, the weight of each AES equals the ’Mech’s total weight, divided by 35, rounded up to the nearest half-ton. Four-legged ’Mechs divide the ’Mech’s weight by 50 and round up to the nearest half ton to find each AES component’s weight.

"Actuator Enhancement System (AES) may only be installed in a BattleMech or IndustrialMech’s arm or leg locations."

The advanced Targeting Computer was introduced by Clan Mongoose in 2860.^[1] Targeting Computers are sophisticated pieces of electronics that, unlike normal targeting systems, physically help MechWarriors target their opponents. Recoil compensators and gyroscopic stabilizers are used to prevent normal weapon drift from factors such as recoil and movement while the computer accounts for atmospheric and other conditions to present an accurate "lead" on the target. This allows for more surgical precision of weapons fire, especially with naturally accurate systems, allowing for the user to hit specific parts on the target vehicle.
The Inner Sphere finally caught up to Clan technology with the Federated Suns' development of their own targeting computer in 3062.

The Targeting-Tracking System (TTS), also known as Advanced Fire Control system (AFCS) , is the system that controls weapons fire from a combat unit. Introduced circa 2439<sup>[1]

http://www.sarna.net...Tracking_System


Looks like I have a lot of reading to do...</sup>

Edited by Odins Fist, 08 May 2013 - 06:34 PM.

[Pht]

Odins Fist, on 08 May 2013 - 06:28 PM, said:

]Looks like I have a lot of reading to do...

If you want most of the pertinent stuff as condensed as it can get:

http://mwomercs.com/...y-an-education/