29 replies to this topic

[Dihm]

Probably exactly like ranks in IS Factions, they are fluff, you get them for gaining loyalty points and have nothing to do with actual command of the clusters/binaries/galaxies.

[John Clavell]

Bryan Ekman, on 07 January 2012 - 12:11 PM, said:

We have not decided the final number. Somehwere between 4-12. We're concerned about having low requirements as it will create hundreds of corps that really can participate in the territory battles. Likely we'll start high and reduce over time as we add contracts/features that support smaller units.

That's good to know. This game should provide a viable pool of recruits to keep almost every Merc Corp at full strength. Why it would be nice at some stage to allow sub-contracting, and support between Merc Units your friendly with (maybe via some kind of diplomacy mechanic hint hint ) I'd agree whole heartedly in setting the minimum number to 12 persons.

[Fyrwulf]

Dlardrageth, on 07 January 2012 - 06:35 AM, said:

And yes, as far as organizational structure is concerned, there are things like a square company or a square battalion. Former having one extra (command) lance and latter consists of 4 companies plus an eventual extra command lance. Bigger-sized units in the IS seem to be more varied in terms of actual numbers on their roster anyway, in particular when it comes to combined-arms units that closely integrate aerospace and tank/infantry assets.

Once you get passed the battalion level, there doesn't appear to be a rhyme or reason to command structure. I just saw the 10th Lyran Guards ORBAT for 3062 and it's composed of 16 combat regiments. That's an entire field army called a Regimental Combat Team. I used to think BT armies were really small, but I see now that isn't the case.

[Phelan Kerensky]

Yea, Battletech Unit sizes are usually huge but most people don't know that because they focus more on individual lances, etc. It is when you take a deeper look into the Units of the Great Houses and Clans that are larger than Lances, Stars, etc, that you realize truly how big they are...

[Sporkosophy]

These numbers were compiled from older publications, for the 3050 era, pre-clan invasion, all in regiments:
Capellan- 22.66
Combine- 99
Fed Suns- 77.33
Free World- 56
Lyran- 112

So, yeah, there are alot of units, unless you're with Liao , but these included infantry, etc.; but random militia was ignored.

[Rhinehart]

Bryan Ekman, on 07 January 2012 - 12:11 PM, said:

We have not decided the final number. Somehwere between 4-12. We're concerned about having low requirements as it will create hundreds of corps that really can participate in the territory battles. Likely we'll start high and reduce over time as we add contracts/features that support smaller units.

Thanks Once again for seeing an interesting question being posted by the forum and dropping in long enough to give us an answer, even if it's "We aren't sure yet." It's really nice to see Devs respond to community questions and I hope that's something you can maintain to a certain extent after launch, though I realize the workload is only going to get heavier.

I'd really like to eventually see the Merc Corps reach a minimum of four. This would allow for an elite Lance to set themselves up and sell their skills. We used to do this in various flight/combat sims. We would train very hard and reach a point where we could hire out to other units as advanced combat trainers. Sometimes we wanted the cash, sometimes it was just "Hey let us show you guys how to do this".

Also I think Four members is a good minimum for a Solaris Stable. You didn't seem to have Stables anywhere near as large as the military units. Having a small min requirement would allow players to set their Corp up in that fashion if they liked. Since the four unit lance seems to be the minimum group that would seem to be the way to go. Of course I'm sure you guys will figure out which mechanic you want want to use and tweak from there. It's nice to see our (The Community's Opinion) getting noticed though.

Thanks much.

Edited by Rhinehart, 09 January 2012 - 06:34 PM.

[Tahawas Pitts]

Sporkosophy, on 09 January 2012 - 02:04 PM, said:

These numbers were compiled from older publications, for the 3050 era, pre-clan invasion, all in regiments:
Capellan- 22.66
Combine- 99
Fed Suns- 77.33
Free World- 56
Lyran- 112

So, yeah, there are alot of units, unless you're with Liao , but these included infantry, etc.; but random militia was ignored.

When you consider the number of worlds being controlled, it really is quite low. Individual States during the US Civil War had more regiments then the Liao.

[Sporkosophy]

Liao did just get steamrolled by the Commonwealth, and remember that planetary militias are not included; just the larger formations you read about in the books, and these are mostly mech regiments at that. The time frame of those books, if I'm remembering correctly didn't really care so much about non-mech units, so some of those might even be lacking.

[Phelan Kerensky]

I agree heartily with Rhinehart. I really appreciate seeing devs and mods who are actually interested in(and show this interest)what their players, fans, community, etc have to say about different things or their ideas, etc... I honestly cannot say that about a lot of companies. I am really happy with Pirahna and PGI... Keep it up...

[Thorn Hallis]

Tahawas Pitts, on 09 January 2012 - 08:13 PM, said:

When you consider the number of worlds being controlled, it really is quite low. Individual States during the US Civil War had more regiments then the Liao.

I think Liao has still more infantry regiments then the states in the US Civil War had together.