8 replies to this topic

[Thomas Hogarth]

I keep seeing either threads asking whether or not specific technology or 'Mechs are available by game time. I'm also reading posts which state out of hand that certain technology is not available at this period in the timeline.

In order to reduce threads asking these availability questions, and to reduce posts citing introdates, I have uploaded a pair of aids.

The first one is a simple list of technology introdates, as compiled from Total Warfare, Tactical Operations, and Strategic Operations. This list is therefore my own work, based on canon sourcebooks. These sourcebooks throw out any dates given in previous sourcebooks, novels, and scenario packs, so please bear that in mind should you find a discrepancy.

Tech Introdates:
http://daftdesigns.c...pYearAvail1.txt

The second aid is the beta version of the Master Unit List. As it is Beta, it is not strictly canon, but was produced by a team of canon-producing individuals, and was used to make the non-beta Master Unit List, which is quite canon indeed. The Beta is useful since it lists introdates for most known units. This is a beta, so please take introdates with a grain of salt. If the date sounds horrifically wrong, it probably is(MAD-5D, I'm looking at you). To be clear, I had nothing to do with this document aside from re-uploading it.

Beta MUL
http://daftdesigns.c...1-66p_Names.pdf

I hope this helps!

Edited by Thomas Hogarth, 08 November 2011 - 12:06 PM.

[Thomas Hogarth]

Huh, I was hoping this would be useful to someone. Swing and a miss. (bummer?).

Edited by Thomas Hogarth, 08 November 2011 - 12:04 PM.

[Stormwolf]

Thomas Hogarth, on 08 November 2011 - 12:02 PM, said:

Huh, I was hoping this would be useful to someone. Swing and a miss. ******.

Don't worry, I created a list of mechs that would be around during 3049, I'm afraid that one won't be used either.

Edited by stormwolf, 08 November 2011 - 12:04 PM.

[Alizabeth Aijou]

THOMAS HOGARTH!!!!! you missed the introduction date of the Binary Laser Cannon, which is 2812.
Yeah, promoting the meme.
PS. How do you enjoy piloting that battle armour, the defiance?

Edited by Alizabeth Aijou, 08 November 2011 - 12:09 PM.

[Thomas Hogarth]

stormwolf, on 08 November 2011 - 12:04 PM, said:

Don't worry, I created a list of mechs that would be around during 3049, I'm afraid that one won't be used either.

To be fair, I didn't create the list. Just thought it'd be useful for the folks coming in and asking if the Hellspawn/Uziel/Black Viper/Archangel Dominus is available in the gamedate.

Alizabeth Aijou, on 08 November 2011 - 12:08 PM, said:

THOMAS HOGARTH!!!!! you missed the introduction date of the Binary Laser Cannon, which is 2812.
Yeah, promoting the meme.
PS. How do you enjoy piloting that battle armour, the defiance?

I left everything pre-3000 off the techlist. Kind of wish I didn't, but if I went with the full list, I'd have to delve into TWO introdates which would invariably raise the ugly head of extinction dates... and that can go horizontal and superimposed with itself.

As far as the Defiance... I survived the Jihad and all I got was the crappy t-shirt superlight mech.

[Alizabeth Aijou]

Well, the BLC is the only "new tech" to have survived the early succession wars, so that wouldn't be too much of a problem.
The list is also lacking the MML, btw.

[Thomas Hogarth]

Alizabeth Aijou, on 08 November 2011 - 12:24 PM, said:

Well, the BLC is the only "new tech" to have survived the early succession wars, so that wouldn't be too much of a problem.
The list is also lacking the MML, btw.

Oooh, good point. Thanks!

[Raj]

Well, here are a couple points.

To start, I was never really happy with the retconned dates. There were gaps as the novels didn't progress as fast as the tro in some cases but withholding that tech was necessary to make the clan invasion more devastating.

That aside, the dates that you show, I believe, are only the time of development. Not the time of deployment. Remember that the Inner Sphere holds on to its mechs for a long time. So every new piece of equipment would at the very least require a field refit kit (and that means a tech in a repair bay with a good month to work on it) while other things like Endo Steel internal structures (and possibly XL engines) would require the mech to be taken to a factory.

Also, we are apparently playing the role of mercs in the service to a house. Mercs are cheap! Because mechs are expensive and maintaining one is difficult. I wouldn't expect us to have access to new and expensive tech.

From a gameplay standpoint it also makes sense for the devs not to give you access to that gear right away anyway since it'll be a clear upgrade path while people get used to the game.

Still all that said, I don't like my posts to be all negative. Thanks for the work putting that together, it's a good frame of reference. Have a bump.

[Thomas Hogarth]

raj, on 09 November 2011 - 03:55 AM, said:

Well, here are a couple points.

To start, I was never really happy with the retconned dates. There were gaps as the novels didn't progress as fast as the tro in some cases but withholding that tech was necessary to make the clan invasion more devastating.

That aside, the dates that you show, I believe, are only the time of development. Not the time of deployment. Remember that the Inner Sphere holds on to its mechs for a long time. So every new piece of equipment would at the very least require a field refit kit (and that means a tech in a repair bay with a good month to work on it) while other things like Endo Steel internal structures (and possibly XL engines) would require the mech to be taken to a factory.

Also, we are apparently playing the role of mercs in the service to a house. Mercs are cheap! Because mechs are expensive and maintaining one is difficult. I wouldn't expect us to have access to new and expensive tech.

From a gameplay standpoint it also makes sense for the devs not to give you access to that gear right away anyway since it'll be a clear upgrade path while people get used to the game.

Still all that said, I don't like my posts to be all negative. Thanks for the work putting that together, it's a good frame of reference. Have a bump.

You are correct. Those dates are ripped straight from the big three sourcebooks, and nominally reflect prototype deployment. Widespread deployment via newbuild mech designs took quite some time, although field refit kits could be had relatively quickly. Figure within 3-10 years of prototype, depending on tech.

New-build advanced tech 'Mechs would be rather hard for mercs to come by, that's for sure. Refit kits substantially less so. Either way, one could expect anyone (speaking of house or mercs here) purchasing or implementing such tech to pay very high premiums for the privilege, which might be negated somewhat by the influence that particular house/unit might have.


Like I said, this is just a reference for anyone wondering if XYZ unit or XYZ tech is available during the timeframe that the game will take place in. Whether or not it's a good idea for such tech to be available is a whole 'nother can of worms that will no doubt raise questions of degrees of availability and probably "pay to win oh noes" cries here and there.