Apologies for the length of this, it's my day and half worth of thoughts put down for review and discussion.
Guys, I like being part of a team, and am only just starting to feel like I might be finding a home in this game. I didn't know which group to join as they are all forming, but it had to be Aussie/Kiwi.That's why I feel motivated to share more thoughts on what we can do next.
I apologise in advance if I come across the wrong way here. I'm just really excited about this game and how much fun it can potentially be with a proper functioning team.
Athelstane's post made me think about combat effectiveness. So, just thought I would throw a few ideas out there and see where the discussion leads.
Now, given this game will be structured upon four gameplay pillars:
- Mech Warfare – The embodiment of Mech to Mech combat.
- Role Warfare – The ability for player’s to customize their experience to suit their own style of gameplay.
- Community Warfare – The ability to let the players take part in epic combat for territorial control.
- Information Warfare – Bring a new element to the battlefield that incorporates information technology to help control the fight.
Every battle will have 2 or more side's competing. Now the team that works as a team will more than likely have the upper hand over the team that doesn't. (Let me start with our first Standard Operating Precedure - If there are two other teams on the battlefield, let them beat themselves to death then we move in and finish off the victor! LOL)... But seriously...
Now I know that we don't have a lot to go on in terms of the in-game specifics, but how do we set ourselves up to be well positioned to create a high level of teamwork and discipline when the time comes?
From reading on the forums, there are a lot of experienced Mechwarrior/Battletech 'clans' / guilds who have a lot of past Mech-warfare experience. I don't know if anyone here has had much of that type of experience, but I'm sure we would all be interested to hear what you can share.
My thoughts are around building a set of Standard Operating Procedures for given scenarios. And also running through combat drills to hone our skills. This training would help us to work on both our own individual piloting and gunnery, but also helping us to function as a unit. Similar to how Grid Iron Football teams have their 'plays'.
Should we organise ourselves around the above 4 pillars? Now, I think it important that each Mechwarrior be able to select their own path of preferred progression, because what you like is what you will do well in; I just hope we will have a good balance spread out over all four pillars.
By that I mean something as follows:
- Mech Warfare – A range of Mech weight classes and functions.
- Role Warfare – A range of character classes to provide support within the team.
- Community Warfare – Large level organisation of the Mercenary group to complement a variety of mission capabilities.
- Information Warfare – Mechwarriors with the mechs and skills to increase the teams levels of pre-battle and real-time intelligence.
Possible next steps:
- Set some guidlines and expectations around behaviour within the Merc Unit.
- Look seriously at what was suggested by Hardway in his post about a command lance, or Unit Leadership group.
- This will be crucial in getting the staff required to carry out the other functions.
- Look at a roles like Tactics Training Officers (for training new recruits in our ways of war) and Strategy Command Officers (Team who will assist in planning the Logistics, Contract, Deployment sides of the business - It is all about the cash money right now yeah?!
)
- Do we explore shared leadership (council / democratic style) - This one is up to you Geektron. (I'm not trying to take anything away from you. You are the leader here)
- Take stock of actual numbers who wish to join up. - Engage in recruitment.
- Get the ANZAC forum site organised and running to centralize our ideas and operations. - Site Admin required.
- Plan the various unit structures: Assault Lance, Scout Lance, Support Lane, Artillery Lance, etc...
- Do we all get onto MW4 or MWLL and run practice drills on our own server to get a feel/brush up and be ready?
Geektron, where do we go from here? You may only be 16, and I don't know how much you know about Battletech/Mechwarrior, but it looks like you have a few old school Mechwarriors at your disposal for support and advice. Plus come to think of it, I was about your age when I got into Battletech TT. (I cant believe I'm talking like this... I don't feel old!)
- I suggest a census of the troops we have at our disposal: Headcount, Mech and Character preference, etc. - Preferably on the ANZAC site forum, with a poll. (If we are onto a good thing we would want to keep our tactics and strategies confidential!)
It's been well over 10 years since I read it, but I always loved the way Wolfs Dragoons were organised and functioned from a leadership perspective. Was in "Wolves on the Border" or "Wolf Pack" novels. Was always great engagement and respect between the commanders from what i remember.
What do you guys think?
Sorry about the long post or if I've got on anyone's wrong side. The above are only suggestions. I just feel it's good to throw it all out on the table and see what people think.
Edited by Nav, 16 December 2011 - 04:08 AM.
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Geektron3000, on 14 December 2011 - 02:08 AM, said:
Loved that position of ecw and support!
)
As to MW4, which version were you thinking of? I've got all the additions and am able to copy my original discs for anyone that would like, with instructions for all the mechs and elemental armor mods. Or were you meaning the shoddy NetMek release that didn't have all the goodies?
)
