It's a natural progression of the tech. Get more efficient and generate less waste heat while increasing range and power. Yeah, I agree that a lot of the newer tech intro'd in the Battletech world is silly, the "ER" weapons were a simple evolutionary technical step.
ER weapons generate *more* waste heat, actually, but yeah. Thing is, screw REALISM. The rules do. The problem is that the mechanics for most of the L2 stuff are really unabalancing.
ER weapons aren't actually that bad, as long as they're IS. Most of the others, though, yuck.
#1: They're stupid, mechanically. #2: IS *eats* Clan if you're playing by BV. #3: All Things Clantech are *really* stupid. Just plain mechanically *lame*.
Battle Value. The calculation of worth of a unit in Battletech.
In theory, balancing BV means the fight will be balanced regardless of the units involved. In practice, it's pretty good, but there are problems with the formula that make some units have a BV that's too low or too high. Clan units have a high BV because their tech is so good - but, for the cost of a Clan medium with a Clan pilot, I can usually get two IS assaults with average pilots and overwhelm it through sheer armor and weight of fire.
Clantech, thus, comes in two varieties: Stupidly strong enough that it outweighs the BV penalty, and not worth its BV. Also, the guns just aren't fun. Who needs *more* instant-kill guns, guns with no penalties, and units that take no thinking at all to use at maximum effectiveness?
Military people who see what they do as a business are irrational in that respect. Intelligent military tactics isn't about being fair, the fight being fun, or, gods forbid, making money; it's about destroying your enemy in the fastest manner possible with as little risk to yourself as possible. It's about getting the job done so you can go home and not have to deal with people trying to kill you. For instance, if I knew, beyond a reasonable doubt, that somebody or a group of somebody's was intent upon unjustifiably killing me, my friends, or my family, (or, Hell, a random innocent stranger) I would be perfectly justified in shooting them in the head from a couple of football fields away with a high-powered rifle. Is that tactic fair? Intentionally not. Is that tactic fun, exciting? Not really; it's pragmatic.
I haven't played Battletech in years. It's a game; therefore, the point of it is for the players to have fun. I don't know squat about Clan society; I was talking on a more theoretical level, although, I'd argue that if one of their societal beliefs is war for war's sake, I'd say that their irrational in that respect.
wow... i feel SOOO behind the times. I don't think i've played Battle Tech with anythign other than The core rules, Citytech and Aerotech. I'm guessing ER is extended range or soemthing?
Yes. Extended Range - so ER Medium Lasers go 4/8/12 instead of 3/6/9, 5 damage for 5 heat instead of 3 heat. ER Large goes 7/14/19 instead of 5/10/15, 8 damage for 12 heat instead of 8 heat.
ERPPC goes 7/14/23 instead of 6/12/18, 10 damage for 15 heat instead of 10 heat.
I'd love one - but until they find an easy wasy to transport it (I don't have a truck that can handle the 1+ ton weight) or speed up it's transport speed - I'll just haveta wait.
But I am sure it would win the costume contest at any sci-fi convention - that is if they can get it into the judging room :P
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(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 02:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 02:50 pm (UTC)Give me stock L1 designs any day. Some L2 technology is okay, but most of it is just dumb.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 02:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 03:37 pm (UTC)ER weapons aren't actually that bad, as long as they're IS. Most of the others, though, yuck.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 04:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 04:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 04:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:05 pm (UTC)#2: IS *eats* Clan if you're playing by BV.
#3: All Things Clantech are *really* stupid. Just plain mechanically *lame*.
I bet you like double heat sinks, too.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:29 pm (UTC)In theory, balancing BV means the fight will be balanced regardless of the units involved. In practice, it's pretty good, but there are problems with the formula that make some units have a BV that's too low or too high. Clan units have a high BV because their tech is so good - but, for the cost of a Clan medium with a Clan pilot, I can usually get two IS assaults with average pilots and overwhelm it through sheer armor and weight of fire.
Clantech, thus, comes in two varieties: Stupidly strong enough that it outweighs the BV penalty, and not worth its BV. Also, the guns just aren't fun. Who needs *more* instant-kill guns, guns with no penalties, and units that take no thinking at all to use at maximum effectiveness?
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:37 pm (UTC)Besides, clan is not only brainless, but it's also not fun to use or to play against.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:49 pm (UTC)For instance, if I knew, beyond a reasonable doubt, that somebody or a group of somebody's was intent upon unjustifiably killing me, my friends, or my family, (or, Hell, a random innocent stranger) I would be perfectly justified in shooting them in the head from a couple of football fields away with a high-powered rifle. Is that tactic fair? Intentionally not. Is that tactic fun, exciting? Not really; it's pragmatic.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 05:57 pm (UTC)Worse, you appear to be attempting to involve the Clans, but have totally missed the entire point of Clan society.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 06:03 pm (UTC)I don't know squat about Clan society; I was talking on a more theoretical level, although, I'd argue that if one of their societal beliefs is war for war's sake, I'd say that their irrational in that respect.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 09:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 09:27 pm (UTC)ERPPC goes 7/14/23 instead of 6/12/18, 10 damage for 15 heat instead of 10 heat.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 09:30 pm (UTC)personally, i'm more of a Five Stars Stories or Gundam type, though... give me huge honking swords of energy .)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 10:05 pm (UTC)Clan ER medium lasers go 5/10/15 and do 7 damage for 5 heat.
Yes, this is the same as an IS Large Laser, for less heat and 1/5 the weight.
Clan ER PPCs are like IS ones, but do 15 damage.
Clan Large Pulse Lasers go 6/12/20, do 10 damage for 10 heat (identical to an IS PPC with +2 range so far)... and have a -2 to hit.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 10:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 03:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-25 06:25 pm (UTC)Nice!
Date: 2005-07-25 05:15 pm (UTC)But I am sure it would win the costume contest at any sci-fi convention - that is if they can get it into the judging room :P