43 replies to this topic

[Strum Wealh]

mithril coyote, on 01 June 2014 - 12:21 PM, said:

FASA and catalyst made sure there was errata available for this.. basically the TC is from the omnipod space.
as they explained, the basic connectors and motherboards are built in, but they are effectively a 0 ton 0 crit item the TC parts connect to. so you can make a warhawk without a TC.. its just no one has in canon.

Which edition of errata was this (including document title and page number)?

[OneEyed Jack]

Khobai, on 30 May 2014 - 07:58 PM, said:

But on the Masakari its a requirement. Im pretty sure the TC is fixed and cant be removed. Thats why every single variant has it. Either way im sure PGI will let us remove it if it does nothing.

mithril coyote, on 30 May 2014 - 10:01 PM, said:

that was also the same time they put in the "can't target the head" part.. too many people using clan PPC's and TC's to headcap opponents from across the board.

The original rules for the TC disallowed selectively targeting the head. If anyone was doing that, they were simply cheating.

Tincan Nightmare, on 30 May 2014 - 11:08 PM, said:

When did they change this? Just out of general curiousity, was wondering when they changed this, as they were just listed as pulse weapons, instead of Rapid Fire weapons that used the cluster table in Total Warfare?

I was actively playing at the time, but apparently Catalyst changed the TC rule when they re-released TT as CBT. As to the Pulse rules, I believe he's just referencing the in-universe justification for disallowing TC use with Pulse Lasers, because they fire a "spread" of pulses, which can't be pinpoint aimed but provides the greater chance of hitting (+2).

Strum Wealh, on 31 May 2014 - 06:19 AM, said:

In BattleTech, the Targeting Computer is described as "fixed equipment" on the Masakari; it is present in the Right Torso of each and every configuration (in contrast to the Puma, where only two of the eight configurations mount a TC), and the background of the 'Mech states (on page 38 of the original TRO 3050 AND on page 38 of TRO 3050 (Revised)), "The 'Mech carries an advanced targeting computer, which apparently comes as standard equipment in all configurations. Though the computer must be modified for different weapons arrays, the basic computing boards appear to be built into the OmniMech's frame."

Being in every standard config doesn't make it fixed. In the actual rules of the game it clearly is not. Additionally, the background you reference is fluff written from the perspective of Comstar during the early days of the invasion. The actual stats of the mech are right there next to it, where it clearly shows what equipment is fixed to the chassis and does not list the TC.


(source: TRO:3050U)

That said, it's possible PGI decided to make it fixed, but that would be honoring the fluff in direct contradiction of the rules.

Edited by OneEyed Jack, 01 June 2014 - 02:40 PM.

[Serpieri]

Any word on targeting computers yet?

[Vassago Rain]

Strum Wealh, on 31 May 2014 - 06:19 AM, said:

In BattleTech, the Targeting Computer is described as "fixed equipment" on the Masakari; it is present in the Right Torso of each and every configuration (in contrast to the Puma, where only two of the eight configurations mount a TC), and the background of the 'Mech states (on page 38 of the original TRO 3050 AND on page 38 of TRO 3050 (Revised)), "The 'Mech carries an advanced targeting computer, which apparently comes as standard equipment in all configurations. Though the computer must be modified for different weapons arrays, the basic computing boards appear to be built into the OmniMech's frame."

The TC is an oddity because its weight and volume (crits) are dependent on the weight of the installed weapons (specifically, "all direct-fire, non-missile heavy weapons (not counting Machine Guns, Flamers, or TAG systems)" - pg. 238 of TechManual); if one were to create al all-missile loadout for the Masakari, the TC would still technically be there ("...the basic computing boards appear to be built into the OmniMech's frame..."), but it would have no effect on the performance of the missiles (nor would it take up any notable tonnage or space).

PGI has indicated that they currently intend to honor the BT rules for fixed equipment on OmniMechs; it will be interesting to see how they address the issue of the Masakari's Targeting Computer (especially if/how it would be changing tonnage as loadout changes).

The item doesn't work if it's hardwired, because if you have X tons of guns with your targeting computer, it will take up Y amount of slots, thus meaning you can't tamper with your guns in the first place.

That's why they're not hardwired in the first place...

It's just that almost every single warhawk has one, because it's a very strong item. You're citing fluff text.