Submitted by Germán Jaramillo # 685605
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Kenneth Hicks #846092, Foot Soldier Of The Dragon Clans Reporting
Dawn comes to the forest. Smoke, fire, and the smell of cordite rules the once peaceful scene. Tree mechs by the hundreds lie in smoking ruins. A particularly evil little elf mech named Gingernuts is strung up between the warped, smoking frameworks of two gutted Boreas mechs. A visage of warning to the invaders.
Two Battalions walk amidst the wreckage looking for survivors of the raid. Hair on the back of necks stand up from the random discharge of an Archfiend, used in dealing with the mechs found with some semblance of life left.
Between the forrest edge and the Drop Ship Zone sits a small command tent. FJ comes in, wiping ferrite dust off on his coveralls.
"Dammit Yan, I need your help getting the techs going on installing this new crit gear!"
Yan Laflamme was bent over a hologrid looking at tactic placement readouts.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry but these new formations aren't going to load themselves. Hell, over half of them aren't even tested, just witnessed! We can't use them in the field until we see how they run with our tonnage specs!"
"That's all well and good, but your tonnage specs are shiite until you have the mechs loaded with appropriate gear anyway!" FJ grumbled while palming a hot mug of java.
"Why the frak do the techs need help anyway? They should be all over this new gear we acquired."
"Apparently, there were two pallets of "Fire~Nog 151" tucked into the cache and a bunch of them are still seeing double."
Yan's eyes closed. The vein in his temple pulsed significantly as he let out a slow sigh. Between the forest edge and the Drop Ship Zone sits a small command tent. FJ comes in, wiping ferrite dust off on his coveralls.
"Booty we captured."
As if on que, a Jurrasic Blast went off a hundred yards from the tent. Both FJ and Yan look out to see a couple of ash piles that used to be techs and another one on the back of the crate being sick over the side, his foot propped on the ignition toggle.
"Damnation and Hell fire, be careful out there! Carlos! Get off that J.B. before you kill anyone else!"
"Sorry boss!"<huuuuurkglrglr>
Another body spasm causes the Blast to go off a second time. Luckily everyone had left the general vicinity at this point. Two techs rush up and grab Private Carlos off of the fire weapon and start thumping him into a safer version of consciousness.
"It's like a friggin' clown car out there. Better call Scott quick before these newbies burn the whole encampment down."
"Well, on the plus side, if they live through the loading process, these guys are going to have a bunch of shiny new toys for the next War" Yan grumbled while engaging the com seat.
"Frakking newbies and the Holidays. I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
FJ heads back out to try and bring some semblance of organization to the chaos. Prophet willing, the Dragon Clans will live through the newbies blowing each other up long enough to have new, tempered, trained waves of warriors and to hell with those not able to keep from getting burnt.
Submitted by Kenneth Hicks #846092
Two Battalions walk amidst the wreckage looking for survivors of the raid. Hair on the back of necks stand up from the random discharge of an Archfiend, used in dealing with the mechs found with some semblance of life left.
Between the forrest edge and the Drop Ship Zone sits a small command tent. FJ comes in, wiping ferrite dust off on his coveralls.
"Dammit Yan, I need your help getting the techs going on installing this new crit gear!"
Yan Laflamme was bent over a hologrid looking at tactic placement readouts.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry but these new formations aren't going to load themselves. Hell, over half of them aren't even tested, just witnessed! We can't use them in the field until we see how they run with our tonnage specs!"
"That's all well and good, but your tonnage specs are shiite until you have the mechs loaded with appropriate gear anyway!" FJ grumbled while palming a hot mug of java.
"Why the frak do the techs need help anyway? They should be all over this new gear we acquired."
"Apparently, there were two pallets of "Fire~Nog 151" tucked into the cache and a bunch of them are still seeing double."
Yan's eyes closed. The vein in his temple pulsed significantly as he let out a slow sigh. Between the forest edge and the Drop Ship Zone sits a small command tent. FJ comes in, wiping ferrite dust off on his coveralls.
"Booty we captured."
As if on que, a Jurrasic Blast went off a hundred yards from the tent. Both FJ and Yan look out to see a couple of ash piles that used to be techs and another one on the back of the crate being sick over the side, his foot propped on the ignition toggle.
"Damnation and Hell fire, be careful out there! Carlos! Get off that J.B. before you kill anyone else!"
"Sorry boss!"<huuuuurkglrglr>
Another body spasm causes the Blast to go off a second time. Luckily everyone had left the general vicinity at this point. Two techs rush up and grab Private Carlos off of the fire weapon and start thumping him into a safer version of consciousness.
"It's like a friggin' clown car out there. Better call Scott quick before these newbies burn the whole encampment down."
"Well, on the plus side, if they live through the loading process, these guys are going to have a bunch of shiny new toys for the next War" Yan grumbled while engaging the com seat.
"Frakking newbies and the Holidays. I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
FJ heads back out to try and bring some semblance of organization to the chaos. Prophet willing, the Dragon Clans will live through the newbies blowing each other up long enough to have new, tempered, trained waves of warriors and to hell with those not able to keep from getting burnt.
Submitted by Kenneth Hicks #846092
Monday, December 28, 2015
What Is The God Mecha, Brotherhood Lore By Pat Willis#224534
The Brotherhood believes it is their sacred duty to find only the best possible pilots in the galaxy. In finding these pilots and bringing them into the clan the Brotherhood strengthens themselves, and brings one more pilot into the fold who may possibly harness the power of the God Mecha.
What you need to understand is that the God Mecha is two beings in one. Some kind of vastly intelligent biological life form, and a mecha unlike anything we have ever seen before. The two are in perfect symbiosis, forming some kind of Supreme Being out of this union. The Brotherhood seeks to bring about that perfect state by finding, training, and practicing their ancient and archaic ways with the best pilots they find.
In doing so they hope to groom the future pilots who may achieve such a perfect union with their mechas to replicate this Supreme Being. This is their mission statement, and the reason they exist. To that end they are both a fighting Clan, and a recognized religious organization. The latter provides them with vast immunity throughout the factions.
To them it is a holy and just mission, all who oppose them in this are weak minded, and considered to be part of the ash the new galaxy will be built on. Some say this is more of a doomsday cult given military grade weapons. The Brotherhood thinks of itself as an organization believing in creation, as their key belief is that when the God Mecha comes, it will purge the universe of unbelievers through weapons that we can only now start to realize. Those who fall in the purge will be the ground work from which a new galaxy is laid.
No one knows exactly what the God Mecha will look like though there are many speculations that it is either waiting in the wings to be unveiled or has yet to be found. One camp thinks it is humanity who will build this machine, the other thinks it will be a Forerunner or older design we have yet to uncover. Both sides agree though that once it is found and the right pilot found for it, then the galaxy will tremble, the sentient mechas (Beast mechas of the Gigus, Nakshi, and Skriag race, as well as the Jadoon, Yallan, and Novum) will be brought into a mighty army, to march forth and begin the purge that the God Mecha will end.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
What you need to understand is that the God Mecha is two beings in one. Some kind of vastly intelligent biological life form, and a mecha unlike anything we have ever seen before. The two are in perfect symbiosis, forming some kind of Supreme Being out of this union. The Brotherhood seeks to bring about that perfect state by finding, training, and practicing their ancient and archaic ways with the best pilots they find.
In doing so they hope to groom the future pilots who may achieve such a perfect union with their mechas to replicate this Supreme Being. This is their mission statement, and the reason they exist. To that end they are both a fighting Clan, and a recognized religious organization. The latter provides them with vast immunity throughout the factions.
To them it is a holy and just mission, all who oppose them in this are weak minded, and considered to be part of the ash the new galaxy will be built on. Some say this is more of a doomsday cult given military grade weapons. The Brotherhood thinks of itself as an organization believing in creation, as their key belief is that when the God Mecha comes, it will purge the universe of unbelievers through weapons that we can only now start to realize. Those who fall in the purge will be the ground work from which a new galaxy is laid.
No one knows exactly what the God Mecha will look like though there are many speculations that it is either waiting in the wings to be unveiled or has yet to be found. One camp thinks it is humanity who will build this machine, the other thinks it will be a Forerunner or older design we have yet to uncover. Both sides agree though that once it is found and the right pilot found for it, then the galaxy will tremble, the sentient mechas (Beast mechas of the Gigus, Nakshi, and Skriag race, as well as the Jadoon, Yallan, and Novum) will be brought into a mighty army, to march forth and begin the purge that the God Mecha will end.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Renovated Shield For The 82nd Omicron Guard (RND) By Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605 & Richard Millich ID # 291875.
*Note - Pic 1 is the traditional shield, Pic 2 is the holiday shield.
Submitted by Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605 & Richard Millich ID # 291875.
Submitted by Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605 & Richard Millich ID # 291875.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Why We Work Things As We Do By Pat Willis#224534
Hello all, I'm here today to explain to you why we work as we do with our submissions, and doing postings. You see I take a very different approach to this than my competition I figure if you want to read us you will. You'll take the time to click our links, or stop on by the site and take a look at what we are doing.
We feel no need to basically shove down your throat the newest thing that pops up in our submission site, or what we are going to post later that day. Do we put links up? Yes we do but usually just the links. Maybe on occasion a little lead in then followed by the link to the full story, and a comic here and there.
We don't list interview after interview, or story after story all over the game page and push everything on down the page because of it. There are players having issues, debates, or conversations, we don't feel the need to push those on off the page just so you can see the latest thing we're posting. People like to see their stuff, indeed they do. But when you are re-posting it to the submission page, the game page, and your site, well just how many folks do you want to read the same thing?
So all in all if you want to read us you will, if you don't you won't. We won't push you, we won't throw everything we write in your face going here, here lookit! You know where we are, you know where to look on our side bars to find it, and I'm pretty sure you'll be back for more if you like what you see. So that's why we do it this way, that's why we are more low key about it, and why we're still here. Because apparently it works.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
We feel no need to basically shove down your throat the newest thing that pops up in our submission site, or what we are going to post later that day. Do we put links up? Yes we do but usually just the links. Maybe on occasion a little lead in then followed by the link to the full story, and a comic here and there.
We don't list interview after interview, or story after story all over the game page and push everything on down the page because of it. There are players having issues, debates, or conversations, we don't feel the need to push those on off the page just so you can see the latest thing we're posting. People like to see their stuff, indeed they do. But when you are re-posting it to the submission page, the game page, and your site, well just how many folks do you want to read the same thing?
So all in all if you want to read us you will, if you don't you won't. We won't push you, we won't throw everything we write in your face going here, here lookit! You know where we are, you know where to look on our side bars to find it, and I'm pretty sure you'll be back for more if you like what you see. So that's why we do it this way, that's why we are more low key about it, and why we're still here. Because apparently it works.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
For the Last Time... by David McCallum #701548
For the last time...
NO I DON'T WANT TO BUILD
A SODDING SNOWMAN!!!
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Hiding In Plain Sight By Pat Willis#224534
Knowledge is power, or so goes the old saying. Fact of the matter is, it is a true saying. I learned this once I joined the Brotherhood. It was then I found out just how much knowledge they had. The clan family had an in depth knowledge of Forerunner technology / artifacts, an instinctive comprehension of mecha build / design, and an intricate knowledge of enemy clan movements as well as politics. They have thousands of paid informants across the galaxy in every clan faction reporting in on a very strict schedule, informing them of new designs, technologies, ancient artifact finds, governmental working across the factions, and even early release weapons or mecha.
It is in this vast web of knowledge that I found my place in the Brotherhood. I used to be a reporter and editor for the A.N.N. (the other major galactic network), but have since broken off from them to start my own network here at Galaxy Gathering. It was during this transition period I got orders from Brotherhood command. I can't go into the full details but the basics were.... "Use your influence as a member of the press to gain access to areas we can not reach. Report back what you find, destroy what may threaten."
So my career as a Brotherhood spy began. At first I was doubtful that it would ever work, after all I am a known member of the Brotherhood, and my Frigis mecha Frozen Dream has marked me with legendary pilot status. Pull all those things up on a I.D. scan in the wrong sector with the wrong faction, well the only way you are going home is in a casket. But to my surprise, as well as vast relief it worked. Again and again all my I.D. pulls up is that I am the founder/creator of Galaxy Gathering, so I register as V.I.P. press. No clan affiliation, no mecha to be tied to, just a member of the press.
Now why would I bother to blow my cover in releasing this information across the galaxy? Because it doesn't matter if you know. I'm there at major happenings in all the territories. I am gaining access to secret information, through my own network of sources. I am gaining access to technology by simply being there for a new release of a mecha, weapon, or equipment piece. No one notices when things get misplaced, or turn up missing at such events. They are too intent on the unveiling or demonstration at hand.
I am always there, always in the background, the guy holding the camera you see the galaxy through. I bring you the information you need and want. In return for this need of yours I take my toll in information, technology, and on occasion sabotage. I am the press, I am something you can not live without. I walk among you unseen, hiding in plain site, through me the Brotherhood grows a little more. So you know who I am, it doesn't matter.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
It is in this vast web of knowledge that I found my place in the Brotherhood. I used to be a reporter and editor for the A.N.N. (the other major galactic network), but have since broken off from them to start my own network here at Galaxy Gathering. It was during this transition period I got orders from Brotherhood command. I can't go into the full details but the basics were.... "Use your influence as a member of the press to gain access to areas we can not reach. Report back what you find, destroy what may threaten."
So my career as a Brotherhood spy began. At first I was doubtful that it would ever work, after all I am a known member of the Brotherhood, and my Frigis mecha Frozen Dream has marked me with legendary pilot status. Pull all those things up on a I.D. scan in the wrong sector with the wrong faction, well the only way you are going home is in a casket. But to my surprise, as well as vast relief it worked. Again and again all my I.D. pulls up is that I am the founder/creator of Galaxy Gathering, so I register as V.I.P. press. No clan affiliation, no mecha to be tied to, just a member of the press.
Now why would I bother to blow my cover in releasing this information across the galaxy? Because it doesn't matter if you know. I'm there at major happenings in all the territories. I am gaining access to secret information, through my own network of sources. I am gaining access to technology by simply being there for a new release of a mecha, weapon, or equipment piece. No one notices when things get misplaced, or turn up missing at such events. They are too intent on the unveiling or demonstration at hand.
I am always there, always in the background, the guy holding the camera you see the galaxy through. I bring you the information you need and want. In return for this need of yours I take my toll in information, technology, and on occasion sabotage. I am the press, I am something you can not live without. I walk among you unseen, hiding in plain site, through me the Brotherhood grows a little more. So you know who I am, it doesn't matter.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Friday, December 18, 2015
Having A Chat With Windy Mcclendon#888305
I was making sure the line up for the next day's postings were all lined up when I got an unexpected visitor looking for an interview. So please join me in welcoming Windy Mcclendon#888305 of clan Shadowed Suns to our studios. Seeing as it was just before clan wars I figured I would start off there.
Pat - Alright, so how many clan wars do you have under your belt?
Windy - 7 or so the medals tell me.
Pat - How are you finding the specialist positions? A blessing or a curse?
Windy - Kind of both. I have played as a specialist and as a normal beater. I kind of prefer the specialist work but not to fight it.
Pat - Yeah I run 1100 tons myself just about every war, got to say it makes the wars easier. Any specialist position you have or had trouble with?
Windy - Single rainbow. I'm more excited about the new techs and how they will affect the new cw.
Pat - New techs, like what are you eyeing up?
Windy - I have a hard time choosing which mechs I love the most to use in it. I had noticed a few but at my level they are getting kinda lost behind the new stuff i am unlocking.
Pat - Yeah unlocks are great when you finally get to that level you need, only to see the next tier up piece and start drooling all over again. So how do you predict your clan will do in this upcoming war? anyone to look out for as an enemy clan or players in particular?
Windy - Actually we are too small to get in. But I have a feeling after the drama lama hit MMI that they wont be too serious a threat for a minute.
Pat - I saw that over on the game board. A lot of splits going on the AFF fractured, Fusion was formed by a bunch of ex Brotherhood, and now this. Any theory as to why so many top gun clans are breaking apart?
Windy - Christmas? Actually I do. I think that as we level and grow as players we tend to start wanting to branch out and then we end up splitting off. Or I could say it the rude way... ((you can edit off if you want: sticks... forcefully inserted up their butts?)) What do you think?
Pat - Well I saw some of the aftermath firsthand when the Fusion boys made a dash for it in the Brotherhood. Word was they were more about the gimmie, gimmie, prizes for Div 1, and not wanting to form up and back the rest of the clan who was supporting lower levels in the clan family. Least that was how it was told.
Windy - Wow, I was in a clan like that. They didn't even believe in point stealing or making sure that even the little guys had a shot at a mech in the raids...I left real fast.
Pat - Yeah it can get messy fast, never know who is going to pull what. You currently happy in your clan or are you looking to the future with possibly other clans/larger ones?
Windy - iI is pretty quiet in shadowed suns but I like that. I was never really wanting to move around originally but eventually I got to be in the same clan-family as my bro and fight along side of him sort of. Sadly I didn't level fast enough for rnd and was kicked. Now I am quite happy in Shadowed Suns and we are actually more than willing to take on a lower level or lonely player. We are just enjoying the game though.
Pat - Good way to be so many take it too seriously and then egos get in the way it gets messy fast, see it on the game page almost daily. Got any particular goal or medal you are going to pursue in game?
Windy - Catch up with my bro... he is way up there and being his equal so we can spar would be fun.
Pat - Nice, well the family that blows stuff up together and so on.. Alright cool that's about it for this little Q&A I turn in the names and ID#s to Molly next Monday and you should see niodes from her no later than Thurs of the same week I suspect. She usually isn't that late in paying though.
Windy - Thanks. If you ever want another interview let me know. It's Christmas time. .
Pat - Works for me I haven't done one in a while got to get back in the swing of it. Thanks for dropping in, talk to you later.
Windy - Okay. happy holiday!
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Pat - Alright, so how many clan wars do you have under your belt?
Windy - 7 or so the medals tell me.
Pat - How are you finding the specialist positions? A blessing or a curse?
Windy - Kind of both. I have played as a specialist and as a normal beater. I kind of prefer the specialist work but not to fight it.
Pat - Yeah I run 1100 tons myself just about every war, got to say it makes the wars easier. Any specialist position you have or had trouble with?
Windy - Single rainbow. I'm more excited about the new techs and how they will affect the new cw.
Pat - New techs, like what are you eyeing up?
Windy - I have a hard time choosing which mechs I love the most to use in it. I had noticed a few but at my level they are getting kinda lost behind the new stuff i am unlocking.
Pat - Yeah unlocks are great when you finally get to that level you need, only to see the next tier up piece and start drooling all over again. So how do you predict your clan will do in this upcoming war? anyone to look out for as an enemy clan or players in particular?
Windy - Actually we are too small to get in. But I have a feeling after the drama lama hit MMI that they wont be too serious a threat for a minute.
Pat - I saw that over on the game board. A lot of splits going on the AFF fractured, Fusion was formed by a bunch of ex Brotherhood, and now this. Any theory as to why so many top gun clans are breaking apart?
Windy - Christmas? Actually I do. I think that as we level and grow as players we tend to start wanting to branch out and then we end up splitting off. Or I could say it the rude way... ((you can edit off if you want: sticks... forcefully inserted up their butts?)) What do you think?
Pat - Well I saw some of the aftermath firsthand when the Fusion boys made a dash for it in the Brotherhood. Word was they were more about the gimmie, gimmie, prizes for Div 1, and not wanting to form up and back the rest of the clan who was supporting lower levels in the clan family. Least that was how it was told.
Windy - Wow, I was in a clan like that. They didn't even believe in point stealing or making sure that even the little guys had a shot at a mech in the raids...I left real fast.
Pat - Yeah it can get messy fast, never know who is going to pull what. You currently happy in your clan or are you looking to the future with possibly other clans/larger ones?
Windy - iI is pretty quiet in shadowed suns but I like that. I was never really wanting to move around originally but eventually I got to be in the same clan-family as my bro and fight along side of him sort of. Sadly I didn't level fast enough for rnd and was kicked. Now I am quite happy in Shadowed Suns and we are actually more than willing to take on a lower level or lonely player. We are just enjoying the game though.
Pat - Good way to be so many take it too seriously and then egos get in the way it gets messy fast, see it on the game page almost daily. Got any particular goal or medal you are going to pursue in game?
Windy - Catch up with my bro... he is way up there and being his equal so we can spar would be fun.
Pat - Nice, well the family that blows stuff up together and so on.. Alright cool that's about it for this little Q&A I turn in the names and ID#s to Molly next Monday and you should see niodes from her no later than Thurs of the same week I suspect. She usually isn't that late in paying though.
Windy - Thanks. If you ever want another interview let me know. It's Christmas time. .
Pat - Works for me I haven't done one in a while got to get back in the swing of it. Thanks for dropping in, talk to you later.
Windy - Okay. happy holiday!
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Fine August Morning/Salvage Prices Plummet By FJ Bros#885020
It was fine August morning on an uncharted planet in the outer rim. Too fine a morning to be locked inside a hangar performing repairs or upgrading systems. It was a fine morning for an old fashioned drive, not in the cockpit of a mecha, but a wheeled vehicle where you could set the windows down and feel the wind through your hair and the bumps in the road as you rode over them.
Surveying my surrounding, there were not many wheeled vehicles in the hangar that I couldn't outpace on foot. No glory in crawling through the canyons in a MagGrappler Crane that would not produce enough speed to move a single hair on my head. Slowly, the MGC completed its task and move onto it next mission, revealing the beauty I had been searching for... A 16-wheeled, all-terrain cargo hauler freshly loaded with the most recent scrap from the battlefields. Now, as they say, "Beauty is in eye of the beholder", and this was quite simply the object of my current desires. I quickly commandeered the trash hauler and relieved the driver of his responsibilities.
Now 50 KPH isn’t exactly racing speeds, but it was enough to satisfy my urges. I am sure the chief mechanic is not going to be happy knowing that I red-lined the fully loaded hauler just about the entire journal to the scrap recycler yards, but that is something he’ll just need to worry about later. Clan Wars 3304 was on the horizon, and he’ll have his hands full with repairing mechs.
It’s been a long time since I was a rookie pilot relying on the scrap of battles to make ends meet. Oh the joy of fighting a few battles, win or lose, to be able to afford that new piece of kit or new weapon. Those were the days, I even recalled fighting a losing battle, just so I could get enough scrap ferrite to be able to enter the mid-day Pilot Development Lottery. Been a long time since those days, once my pilot license was sufficient enough to be able to buy the heavier weapons, most of my ferrite and bioptic supplies have come from buying huge quantities of Fury Lasers while on sale in the Core Planets and reselling them to the markets in the outer rim territories. Sure, I lost out on some Crystal, but I had generous friends tending to my crystal farms, and doing a much better job than myself. Never been able to find a Crystal Seed in my own farm, but friends seem to find them all the time.
Coming out of the last canyon before the flat plains to the salvage facility, I had to come to a sudden stop. There was a long line of haulers waiting to delivery their scrap to the facility. Getting onto the short-band communicator, I flip to an open channel and inquire as to “what’s the hold up?”
“Thieves are taking our money!”, “It’s a damned outrage…”, “I’m coming back with my mecha squadron to get what I am due…”, “They can’t do this…”, “…not going to be to compete this time around…”, “…barely covering the cost of repairs…”, “…at least it should deter mecha pirates…” and other voices speaking over each other in rage. What the heck was going on? I flip through a few other channels and more of the same.
Finally, I flip to the facility’s private channel and caught the middle of a looped automated message, “… to the surplus of scrap and the mecha industry’s new higher standards on recycled materials, scrap prices have been reduced by more than half. We understand that this decrease is unprecedented in the last decade; however, the market standards and demands for reprocessed materials completely out of our hands. We will continue to buy scrap from our loyal customers and hope that you understand the necessities of the scrap price drop.”
Damn, now I understand all the outrage. Most of the higher rated pilots and clans don’t even blink at the scrap they leave behind, but for the younger less established pilots on the rim, it is serious hit to their income. Some were saying that the decrease was 60% or more for scrap prices from just a month or two ago.
Well, one thing was for sure, I wasn’t going to wait in line for those types of prices. Spying a rather dejected looking young pilot heading to the bar across the street, I waved him over and offered a deal. He could wait in line, sell the scrap, refuel and bring the hauler back to my base and he could keep the difference between the scrap and the fuel. He eagerly accepted of course, after all, it was easy money and materials for a new pilot who to just got shafted.
Me on the other hand, now I was stuck on the out-skirts of town without a ride. I guess, I’ll go check out that new skimmer shop… now an open-topped skimmer would be a fine ride for this fine August morning out on the rim…
Submitted by FJ Bros#885020
Surveying my surrounding, there were not many wheeled vehicles in the hangar that I couldn't outpace on foot. No glory in crawling through the canyons in a MagGrappler Crane that would not produce enough speed to move a single hair on my head. Slowly, the MGC completed its task and move onto it next mission, revealing the beauty I had been searching for... A 16-wheeled, all-terrain cargo hauler freshly loaded with the most recent scrap from the battlefields. Now, as they say, "Beauty is in eye of the beholder", and this was quite simply the object of my current desires. I quickly commandeered the trash hauler and relieved the driver of his responsibilities.
Now 50 KPH isn’t exactly racing speeds, but it was enough to satisfy my urges. I am sure the chief mechanic is not going to be happy knowing that I red-lined the fully loaded hauler just about the entire journal to the scrap recycler yards, but that is something he’ll just need to worry about later. Clan Wars 3304 was on the horizon, and he’ll have his hands full with repairing mechs.
It’s been a long time since I was a rookie pilot relying on the scrap of battles to make ends meet. Oh the joy of fighting a few battles, win or lose, to be able to afford that new piece of kit or new weapon. Those were the days, I even recalled fighting a losing battle, just so I could get enough scrap ferrite to be able to enter the mid-day Pilot Development Lottery. Been a long time since those days, once my pilot license was sufficient enough to be able to buy the heavier weapons, most of my ferrite and bioptic supplies have come from buying huge quantities of Fury Lasers while on sale in the Core Planets and reselling them to the markets in the outer rim territories. Sure, I lost out on some Crystal, but I had generous friends tending to my crystal farms, and doing a much better job than myself. Never been able to find a Crystal Seed in my own farm, but friends seem to find them all the time.
Coming out of the last canyon before the flat plains to the salvage facility, I had to come to a sudden stop. There was a long line of haulers waiting to delivery their scrap to the facility. Getting onto the short-band communicator, I flip to an open channel and inquire as to “what’s the hold up?”
“Thieves are taking our money!”, “It’s a damned outrage…”, “I’m coming back with my mecha squadron to get what I am due…”, “They can’t do this…”, “…not going to be to compete this time around…”, “…barely covering the cost of repairs…”, “…at least it should deter mecha pirates…” and other voices speaking over each other in rage. What the heck was going on? I flip through a few other channels and more of the same.
Finally, I flip to the facility’s private channel and caught the middle of a looped automated message, “… to the surplus of scrap and the mecha industry’s new higher standards on recycled materials, scrap prices have been reduced by more than half. We understand that this decrease is unprecedented in the last decade; however, the market standards and demands for reprocessed materials completely out of our hands. We will continue to buy scrap from our loyal customers and hope that you understand the necessities of the scrap price drop.”
Damn, now I understand all the outrage. Most of the higher rated pilots and clans don’t even blink at the scrap they leave behind, but for the younger less established pilots on the rim, it is serious hit to their income. Some were saying that the decrease was 60% or more for scrap prices from just a month or two ago.
Well, one thing was for sure, I wasn’t going to wait in line for those types of prices. Spying a rather dejected looking young pilot heading to the bar across the street, I waved him over and offered a deal. He could wait in line, sell the scrap, refuel and bring the hauler back to my base and he could keep the difference between the scrap and the fuel. He eagerly accepted of course, after all, it was easy money and materials for a new pilot who to just got shafted.
Me on the other hand, now I was stuck on the out-skirts of town without a ride. I guess, I’ll go check out that new skimmer shop… now an open-topped skimmer would be a fine ride for this fine August morning out on the rim…
Submitted by FJ Bros#885020
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Red Ant Empire XI By Germán Jaramillo Pulido ID # 685605.
Submitted By Germán Jaramillo Pulido ID # 685605.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Pre War Interview with Spike Shepard #846030
While I was stooging around my old barracks, I happened across one of the newer pilots to be bumped up to the higher divisions. I'd seen in dispatches that he'd been making a bit of a name on the mountain, and it occurred to me that not only was he ripe for an interview, but I hadn't as yet conned him into buying me a beer...
GG. OK, just for the record, let's have the name and who you are fighting for this time.
Sp. I'm Spike Shepard aka 'The Shepard' and I'm fighting for Heroes Support. Thanks for taking the time to interview me.
GG. No problem at all. So Spike, are you up for one of the scarce specialist slots on this dance?
Sp. Yes! I've been double rainbow for so long now.
It goes back to when I first started as a Mecha Galaxy Pilot and was with Clan SPECTRE. I was told on my first day to specialise for Clan Wars and went with a Triple Rainbow. Once I had enough mechs to make a Double Rainbow I changed and have never looked back.
GG. Theres a been quite a few shake ups at the top end in the last few months. Cyberstorm disappeared , Fusion formed and seems to be trying to poach everyone, the Brotherhood and AFF both fractured and there's been some mergers elsewhere. Any thoughts on the whys and wherefores around that?
Sp. I hear that Cyberstorm had become stagnant and there were rumours of disagreements about the direction they wanted to take. I also heard that certain clan members weren't putting the effort in. End of the day it was all rumours and no-one really knows why they split.
As for Fusion they are more or less the top players from Cyberstorm, Highlanders, AFF and Brotherhood so it's a no brainer for them to get together and dominate Division 1.
As for AFF they had so many clans they almost had one on every division, but they didn't always have the strongest clans. It was only a matter of time that some clan members decided to leave and find new challenges.
GG. Do you see any of the changes filtering down to effect you guys at all, and if so, any plans to cope with it?
Sp. We saw some of the changes last Clan War. We faced Brethren AFF which was a bit of a re-shuffle of the remenants of a few AFF clans. Most of Brethren have now joined Diamond Dragons who are playing the levels game to stay below the top 3 Divisions. They average Level 85, Heroes Support Average Level 80 So yeah, I think we'll end up with Diamond Dragons in our division.
GG. Anyone you are hoping to bump heads with again, and anyone you could do with avoiding?
Sp. Avoids are easy! Avoid Diamond Dragons as most of the lower level clan members are campers who have been around for longer than I have. Damn I'm level 80 and certain campers who started when i did or before me haven't hit level 60 yet! But they are littered with niode mechs, weapons and equipment so attacking them isn't the best thing to do.
As for hoping to bump into someone, well, I honestly haven't met a clan who stand out. I've met other Pilots who stand out but not a clan.
GG. We've seen a lot more mech drops in the prize packs the last few wars. Do you see this as a good, bad or are you just indifferent? Not just you or the clan, for the game as a whole...
Sp. I'm completely indifferent to Mech drops. Nearly all my niode mechs are bought or won as prizes for placing in clan wars. The rest were won in the recent Trick Or Treat event.
Raids are a joke as they offer the galaxy but rarely deliver. In one way it's good that mechs are offered as prizes as it gives pilots something to aim for in Clan Wars.
My grumble is with Division 1 getting a levelled up 100 ton niode mech for just turning up. Giving away Apatotrons and Fexts to players who don't need them is madness. They just scrap the mechs for niodes and keep the niode weapons. Every other division gets a few scrapables for their 8 victories. This causes a huge imbalance meaning anyone looking to get up to division 1 needs to sell their soul for niodes. I guess I just accept that, like society, there are the elite who want for nothing as they are given everything leaving the rest who want for everything as they are given nothing.
GG. You have noted your lack of luck with raid drops... some of the more senior pilots could put this down to your use of a bear totem rather than following the 'path of the raccoon'... not tempted in any way?
Sp. <laughs> No mate, the 'Bear' has won me 2 lotteries so it's not time to give up on him yet. But....if this raid is a bust I will summon the power of the raccoon for future raids.
GG. Staying with mechs, there's a fair amount of debate still going on with the really big stuff, the 95s and 100s. Have you had a chance to play with them yet and any opinions formed?
Sp. My biggest mechs are 90 tons and I can't see that changing any time soon. I'd love a Boreas but can't see that happening. As for the current 100 tonners, well, they're niode pits! No matter what equipment you buy they won't match a Regis, Torrent or Dreadnought in a battle.GG. The war is going to run pretty close to Christmas, and the raids have every chance of running through the period. Any idea how it going to effect you?
Sp. I have no big plans over the Yuletide period so I can't see the war having any effect on me. Sadly I also see another raid bust for me so I really do see the raid having no effect what-so-ever.
GG. Last thing, war or raid prize, whats on the Christmas wish list?
Sp. I think I said it earlier....Number one on my list is a Boreas, I don't need a reason for wanting one of the biggest and baddest mechs available do I? If I don't get a Boreas then I'd love an Ignis, the reason, to complete my 90 ton dino mech set, My Regis and Aspis are lonely! If it comes down to a third choice then an Anubis would also fit into my Double Rainbow quite nicely.
GG. You can just get in line for the Anubis lad.... especially after I was gyped out of one last raid...
But seriously, thanks for taking the time and sharing your opinions.
Sp. Thanks David, It's been a pleasure.
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Monday, December 14, 2015
Can Somebody Tell Me...by David McCallum #701548
With all these Muppets on the road at this time of year
How do I get my 1% Crit Kill?!?!
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Sunday, December 13, 2015
DOUBLE BOOSTER Equipment Review by Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605.
1. INTRODUCTION:
During the year 3304, in a display of innovation, various factories have begun to produce new components that allow more diversity in the range of equipment available for combat mechs. The Double Booster engine is one of them, and indeed, an excellent option for light mechs as opposed to equipment for heavy mech so often of dubious quality and loaded with flaws and vulnerabilities.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
2. TECHNICAL DATA:
Manufacturer: Star Factories.
Type: Engine
Quality: Niobium.
Designed for light tonnage: 25 tons and below.
Propulsion: Speed +23. (High- Only bypassed by Cogwerk Micro Block or Block Charge)
Enhancements: Fork 4%.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...3. COST SUMMARY:
- Ferrite: 208
- Bioptics: 191
- Niodes: 11
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
4. DESCRIPTION:
The booster consist on a double external jet-pack engine of high propulsion power with a continuum energy retro feed to keep supporting a fast and dexterous offensive maneuvering while aiming for multiple targets.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
5. MECHS DESTINATION & MAX CAPABILITIES.
- Anzu: 5 Engines (levels 12, 20, 55, 65 & 90) >> 20% Fork; + 115 Speed.
- Axe Bot: 4 Engines (levels 6, 16, 36 & 66) >> 16% Fork; +92 Speed.
- Nerio: 2 engines (levels 9 & 74) >> 8% Fork; +46 Speed.
- Hoplite: 2 engines (13 & 65) 8% Fork; +46 Speed.
- Shocklite: 2 engines (levels 18 & 100) 8% Fork; +46 Speed.
- WarHorse: 1 engine (level 27) 4% Fork, +23 Speed.
- Red Ant: 0 engines Incapability to equip any Double Booster.
.
.. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
6. EVALUATION:
Superior (7.5/10)
While this engine sacrifices some of the extra speed that engines as the Cogwerk Micro Block or the Block Charge can provide (Speed 25), the trade-off is quite a profitable skill that will increase significantly the odds in your matches in Spec KOTMs or WC and FW specs battles by allowing you to double kill enemy units.
Submitted by Germán Jaramillo ID # 685605.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Cold Fusion Equipment Review by David McCallum #701548
There appears to be some confusion on the subject of Cold Fusion.... and I don't want to wax poetical about it.
Yes, it is a reality, and has been for some time.
As a result, these engine systems aren't new, they have been around for a while. I got one when I got my first Boreas. They have however only just been released to the plebians on the open market.
There is also some confusion around the price. I always thought they were free. As I said, mine came alongside a Boreas and I simply assumed it was one of those promotional giveaway items, in the same way you sometimes find an Anzu at the bottom of your cereal packet. They aren't free.
So at a book price of 54 Niodes, 1951 Ferrite and 1498 Bioptics, what exactly are you getting for your hard earned lolly? And more importantly, since I much prefer the old price of 'free', are you getting fleeced?
Well, quite simply put, you are getting the best engine for a Boreas or Glaccus you can possibly have.
And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, shoot them in the head because they are quite obviously mad.
That does about sum up the review, and there isn't really much more that needs to be said, but since my editor is a slave driver and I plan on spiking his rum with anti-freeze later on, I'd better carry on and go into some more detail.
Let's examine the engines on offer at 95 tons, because at the end of the day, it was those big ice mechs that this was always aimed at. Over a straight basic crystal engine like the Heat Cycler, and lets face it, traditionally crystal gives you better power ratio than niode, you loose absolutely none of the torques needed to shift these things.
There are a few engines with the same power output, 9 engine types that are slower and only 3 that are higher. So it is at least close to the top end of what is available speed wise.
Of the fast ones, there is the ridiculous Anzu Run that will blow up as soon as you look at it. There's the RACE which is the fastest of its class and has auto repair, definitely making it a nice engine. Or there's the Reverse Rotary which is useful in its own right.
But at the end of the day, none of them complement an ice mech in the same way the Cold Fusion does. The only real downside is that while the decision to purchase one of these should be a no brainer, there are other things that should be higher up the priority list that you need to invest in to counteract the deficiencies of the 95 ton chassis.
But since I'm a good sort generally and have had experience with using Cold Fusion for a while, here are some tips.
Watch out for heat spikes and sharp vibration. A sharp rise in heat from a flame weapon, especially if coupled with a close call from a missile blast is going to crack the containment bottle, and since they run at super cooled temperature to start off with, it is notoriously fragile.
If it does start to give, you will suddenly find yourself in the position where your mech is coming up with new and interesting ways to transport you to China.
Oh, and you need to remember that the unfortunate reality is that your cockpit is positioned directly above this thing and as stated previously, they run very, very cold.
The net result is that you may feel as if you are riding into battle with your nethers stuck in a chest freezer.
Things will turn blue. They might fall off.
But since your dealer is stitching you up to the tune of 54 niodes, make sure the miserable sod throws in a heated seat. Trust me, it's a vital accessory.
Or at least invest in some of those thick wooly undies like your granny used to wear...
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Yes, it is a reality, and has been for some time.
As a result, these engine systems aren't new, they have been around for a while. I got one when I got my first Boreas. They have however only just been released to the plebians on the open market.
There is also some confusion around the price. I always thought they were free. As I said, mine came alongside a Boreas and I simply assumed it was one of those promotional giveaway items, in the same way you sometimes find an Anzu at the bottom of your cereal packet. They aren't free.
So at a book price of 54 Niodes, 1951 Ferrite and 1498 Bioptics, what exactly are you getting for your hard earned lolly? And more importantly, since I much prefer the old price of 'free', are you getting fleeced?
Well, quite simply put, you are getting the best engine for a Boreas or Glaccus you can possibly have.
And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, shoot them in the head because they are quite obviously mad.
That does about sum up the review, and there isn't really much more that needs to be said, but since my editor is a slave driver and I plan on spiking his rum with anti-freeze later on, I'd better carry on and go into some more detail.
Let's examine the engines on offer at 95 tons, because at the end of the day, it was those big ice mechs that this was always aimed at. Over a straight basic crystal engine like the Heat Cycler, and lets face it, traditionally crystal gives you better power ratio than niode, you loose absolutely none of the torques needed to shift these things.
There are a few engines with the same power output, 9 engine types that are slower and only 3 that are higher. So it is at least close to the top end of what is available speed wise.
Of the fast ones, there is the ridiculous Anzu Run that will blow up as soon as you look at it. There's the RACE which is the fastest of its class and has auto repair, definitely making it a nice engine. Or there's the Reverse Rotary which is useful in its own right.
But at the end of the day, none of them complement an ice mech in the same way the Cold Fusion does. The only real downside is that while the decision to purchase one of these should be a no brainer, there are other things that should be higher up the priority list that you need to invest in to counteract the deficiencies of the 95 ton chassis.
But since I'm a good sort generally and have had experience with using Cold Fusion for a while, here are some tips.
Watch out for heat spikes and sharp vibration. A sharp rise in heat from a flame weapon, especially if coupled with a close call from a missile blast is going to crack the containment bottle, and since they run at super cooled temperature to start off with, it is notoriously fragile.
If it does start to give, you will suddenly find yourself in the position where your mech is coming up with new and interesting ways to transport you to China.
Oh, and you need to remember that the unfortunate reality is that your cockpit is positioned directly above this thing and as stated previously, they run very, very cold.
The net result is that you may feel as if you are riding into battle with your nethers stuck in a chest freezer.
Things will turn blue. They might fall off.
But since your dealer is stitching you up to the tune of 54 niodes, make sure the miserable sod throws in a heated seat. Trust me, it's a vital accessory.
Or at least invest in some of those thick wooly undies like your granny used to wear...
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Pre Clan War Interview with John Wesley #220298
I bumped into my first C.O. from back when I first joined the Heroes the other day.
Once he got over the shock, stopped trying to run in the opposite direction and realised I wasn't attempting to fleece him out of anything (this time), we managed to grab a few minutes for a catch up.
GG: Things seemed to have calmed down for you since you've had to put up wth my sorry behind. Happy with the way your new crew are shaping up?
JW: Well, I have to clean less raccoon fur off of everything. That stuff is hell on laser optics, you know? But to answer the question, I have a terrific team, everybody is good about cross-supporting each other and continuing to build in a smart fashion.
GG: Theres a been quite a few shake ups at the top end since we spoke last. Cyberstorm disappeared and some have ended up wearing bunny ears, Fusion arrived, the Brotherhood and AFF both fractured and there's been some mergers elsewhere. Any thoughts on the whys and wherefores around that?
JW: When you get groups as big as what AFF was (what, nearly a third of the players in the game?) you're going to get people who are unhappy with the direction the group is going or chafe under leadership and want to go their own way.
It's a natural evolution of the process and in a lot of ways I'm surprised it hadn't happened before.
GG: Do you see any of those changes filtering down to effect you guys at all, and if so, any plans to cope with it?
JW: I'd like to have possibly pursued a little harder to see if we could have added to and enhanced our talent by recruiting and gathering in folks out of the resultant chaos. We would of course be more than willing to take a look at anyone who is unhappy with their current situation and is willing to come work with us.
Otherwise? Just going to keep doing what we are doing and following our strategic plan. Not broke, don't need to fix it.
GG: We've seen a lot more mech drops in the prize packs the last few wars. Good, bad, indifferent? Not just You or the clan, for the game as a whole...
JW: For me, I have added a few nice prize mechs myself.
But the drops are still exceptionally random; one of the guys in Heroes family has not gotten a mech drop out of at least the last three, not even a crystal one, where we had one who won 4 niode mecha on a 1x chance at the mechs in the last raid.
So it is nice to see the drops, but I would like there to be some way for it to be more equitable.
However, the other edge of the sword is that while mech drops have increased, it is much harder now to gather the resources to utilize them without having to invest heavily in purchasing of niodes.
For many of us we are not in a position to up that facet of our expenditures on the game, to upgrade we have to resort to recycling some of those prize mechs to choose what we want to try to improve.
GG: Staying with mechs, there's a fair amount of debate still going on with the really big stuff, the 95s and 100s. Have you had a chance to play with them yet and any opnions formed?
JW: I have not. Again, due to limited resources I have not invested in any of the high-tonnage units.
From the reactions of my teammates, some of the units are good, like the Boreas, but the vast majority of the others have been underwhelming. Not worth the resources to me at this point.
GG: The war is going to run pretty close to Christmas, and the raids have every chance of running through the period. How's it going to effect your guys?
JW: I'd like to have seen the war maybe run a week earlier. This is a game and from a meta-game standpoint, I'd much rather have seen the war a week earlier so that we could avoid the majority of the Christmas and related holidays. We will adapt, and I think my team will be able to put in a good showing.
But I will completely understand for any of my teammates if family and holiday has to come first.
GG: Last thing, war or raid prize, whats on the Christmas wish list?
JW: In all honestly, I'd like to see the Heroes family get a niode Lotto win. I don't think any of us across the Heroes clans have had one since the lotto went to 3x daily, and I've seen a lot of people who don't need the niodes winning multiple times.
Plus the timings of the drawings are poor timings for me personally to be able to enter. i'd like to see the lotto go to 4 winners a day, with two winners drawn 2x a day.
GG: Pretty selfless attitude boss, but yes, I agree about the timing thing and not being able to enter every draw.
I'll let you get back to work now, best of luck and here's hoping you get something nice for yourself in the salvage haul.
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Friday, December 11, 2015
The SNIPER RACK. Weapon Review by Germán Jaramillo, ID # 685605.
1. INTRODUCTION/HISTORY:
Released during May of 3304, this missile launcher is the pinnacle of the ballistic crystal based technology.
At the height of the raw devastating power of a T10 Tsunami launcher, this missile rack will be an objective to store into your mech weapon slots, doing a great job in your secondary Magnus, Anubis, Typhoons and Apatotrons as any other remaining Mobile battery launcher.
So, let’s proceed to our technical analysis.
. . .
. . .
2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:Manufacturer: Star Factories.
Quality: Highest crystal missile tech.
Damage: 85 (Highest damage rank for the crystal missile standards)
Speed: 100 (Average)
Abilities: Precision (8) (High accuracy)
Max amount that can be loaded in your squad: 50 units.
Min Level required: 135.
Cost: Ferrite: 3000; Bioptics: 2200; Crystal: 77; Bulk: 308 Crystal.
. . .
. . .
3. OPERATIVE LIFE:
Unlimited.
At the pilot level required to accede to this launcher you will have a gazillion of weapon slots to cover, if you were a heavy missile lover, you won’t refuse to use this dedicated crystal rocket factory.
. . .
. . .
4. DESCRIPTION:
A massive outer montage that may not be discrete and even vulnerable to any direct impact from enemy fire, that could affect to its operability, but on the other hand, the rack is always ready to launch a barrage of deadly missiles aimed to the critical systems of your enemy with the support of an advanced and independent guidance system that will lead each missile head towards your enemy, despite the degree of your personal accuracy.
The missile uses solid fuel for the first stages and liquid fuel for the final stage. It is designed to survive nuclear or fire explosions and indirect laser beams at a minimum range of 500m.
. . .
. . .
5. EVALUATION:
Tier IX.
Score: 7/10 (Your perfect crystal rack to cover your backfire)
As decent as a crystal weapon could be, even better in the category of the deadlier crystal missiles, you can’t forget to load your secondary tactical mechs with the sniper rack unless you were one of those rednecks from the Beta Vulcano-Alhauroth system…
Submitted by Germán Jaramillo, ID # 685605.
Eye Spy Equipment Review by David McCallum #701548
Its been a while since I've looked at any new cockpit pieces and this has been on the market for a little while now. Nothing flash, just a simple bit of affordable crystal gear.
88 Crystal, 1006 Ferrite and 1914 Bioptics gets you a precision rating of 6, the ability to slow opponents by 4 clicks but those optical lenses can't be hidden by armour plating, needing a direct line of sight. This leaves you open to a small but noticeable increase in vulnerability from incoming projectiles.
Price wise its around the same mark as any crystal cockpit piece for 100 tonners, and they are all pretty... underwhelming. Yes, the Eye Spy has the best precision rating of them, but it still ins't much when you look back at stuff like the Nux Raids that lighter mechs can make use of. It also doesn't have the correct precision sighting to home in on weak points for a crit kill shot.
It is however maybe the best of a bad bunch. The precision and slow are always active, unlike the boosts you get from the Neural Stabilizer and it doesn't slow an already geriatric mech down to a standstill like the Synaptic Boost. In honesty, at 100 tons you really need to be biting the bullet and shelling out some niodes.
It gets even worse if you are looking at 95 tons, where you at least have the hideously expensive Sensor Array for almost double the precision and no penalties. Even Rocking Tunes give you all pluses as you boogey on down to the battlefield.
Am I showing my age by using boogey? Probably...
The thing is again, at 95 tons you probably need to dip into the savings account and go niode, at least for some pieces, and the M-hole does everything the Eye Spy does, plus more, with no down side.
So where does this leave our little Eye stalk? Well, mainly on 100 tonners I'm afraid, but at least there it is the best of the crystal bunch.... as long as you augment it with a bit of niode goodies.
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Thursday, December 10, 2015
The Crit-Kill Club A Triple Weapon Overview By Pat Willis#224534
Today we'll be looking at the Crit-Kill club, a group of three niode laser weapons that all share the 19% Crit- Kill ability. They are the Blue Dragon, Cherenkov Ray, and the Archfiend. As far as I know at present the only way to get a hold of these besides the shop is maybe if they are offered up as CW, or raid rewards. The smallest of the three the Archfiend is available for minimum level 73 pilots and up, the Cherenkov Ray is for levels 88 and up, and finally the Blue Dragon is available for levels 107 and up.
The Archfiend does 105 damage, Cherenkov Ray is 115 damage, and the Blue Dragon is 125 damage. Both the Archfiend and the Cherenkov Ray have speeds of 102, but the Blue Dragon buries them both with 104. The only ability these weapons have is a 19% crit-kill attached to each one. Making them a very nasty trio of weapons in the hands of someone who knows how to do a mecha load out.
With the equipment pieces out there offering up bonuses to crit-hits, and laser damage bonuses on top of already nasty build stats these three lasers are set to rule for a good long time over many future battles. You could realistically have over 30% to crit-kills once all is said and done and what 84% or a little higher for laser damage alone? These pack a decent amount of bang for the buck and shouldn't be passed by anyone who is serious about their mecha combat.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
The Archfiend does 105 damage, Cherenkov Ray is 115 damage, and the Blue Dragon is 125 damage. Both the Archfiend and the Cherenkov Ray have speeds of 102, but the Blue Dragon buries them both with 104. The only ability these weapons have is a 19% crit-kill attached to each one. Making them a very nasty trio of weapons in the hands of someone who knows how to do a mecha load out.
With the equipment pieces out there offering up bonuses to crit-hits, and laser damage bonuses on top of already nasty build stats these three lasers are set to rule for a good long time over many future battles. You could realistically have over 30% to crit-kills once all is said and done and what 84% or a little higher for laser damage alone? These pack a decent amount of bang for the buck and shouldn't be passed by anyone who is serious about their mecha combat.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Big Bang Weapon Review by David McCallum #701548
I admit I'm not the greatest fan of limited run weapons that are available to the lower level pilots. It always feels as if the niodes could be spent better in other areas to give them a better grounding for the future.
In saying that, if money is no object or even if you just fancy giving yourself an early Christmas present, a bag of these could go down a treat.
First off, book value is 31 niodes, 490 ferrite and 400 bioptics, or 124 niodes for a bucket of 5. Pricewise that brings it in around the same as the venerable Galaxy Eye which is a level 31 weapon.
The impressive thing though is the level the Big Bang is available at. Before level 20, there isn't a huge amount of separation between crystal and niode weaponry. Its around here that you start getting the niode weapons pulling away in terms of pure damage output. However those on offer at present are those ever popular offerings of the Panther Wheel (admittedly the fastest weapon out there) and the Injection Beam, with a whole truckload of doubling damage. But raw damage definately goes the way of the Big Bang.
In fact in terms of damage, you need to at least double your level, in fact almost triple it before you hit common crystal weapons with the same output. If you don't go on a rage filled kill fremzy, these weapons should stand you in good stead for a good few months.
One final note. If the manufacturers are doing a limited run on weapons with x2 and x3 damage multipliers built in, are we going to see low to mid range gear add in the new X 1.5 overcharged shots to give the little fellers a chance at the fabled X9 output of the Fext?
Maybe something to have a gamble on...
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Crossfire The Fext By Pat Willis#224534
I had been going back and forth with myself about getting a Fext, mainly because the Apatotron, and Typhoon were so limited and slow even with a full equipment load out. But I also knew I needed some bigger guns to stay competitive in tournaments, circuit fights, and of course Clan or Faction wars. I had owned a Apatotron in the past and found its niode weapons to be of more value than the mecha itself. So I stripped it out and sold it off. I still have a Typhoon serving in my squad, but due to its speed and weapon load out, it only handles cover fire from the rear ranks.
I had pretty much decided against getting one until I talked to my recruiter for the Brotherhood, Clan leader, and friend KiloToneRecoil. He sat me down and described how he and the tech heads had worked out a build that would enable the mecha to fight on par with other combatants in the field, and not just sit there like a target as the other two so often do. The build itself would take a small fortune in niodes to pull off, and would have to be done in increments, but the end game and pay off would be worth it. The build is confidential so I can not share the ins and outs of it here, but suffice to say this conversation changed my mind entirely.
The next day I had purchased a Fext and was starting to learn all about my new mecha. I plugged myself into the neural interface, and was met by a shimmering digital representation of my mecha in its A.I. consciousness.
"Greetings Brother pilot, I am Crossfire your personal mobile battle platform. What can I assist you in learning about me today?" He cheerily greeted me.
"Oh hell no.." I replied, I immediately unplugged myself and got some techs on the line. I had them bring down Frozen Dream my Frigis, and Jabberwocky my Regis from the main hangers to the maintenance docks. Once they arrived I had the techs all interconnect the three mecha consciousnesses. Dream and Wocky both had hybrid Actual Intelligence programs with advanced probability detection, and nearly unlimited learning potential, whereas Crossfire had a standard issue battle A.I. from the company that was just way to happy, and upbeat for my liking.
I plugged into the primary interface from the maintenance console to once again join my mind with the three machines. I was this time within a Brotherhood server which was programmed to work and act like a standard hanger/repair bay. Anything you could do in the physical world you could do to its digital counterpart here.
Wocky and Dream had been with me long enough to know to wait and see what would be required of them, meanwhile Crossfire walked right up and started in.
"Brother pilot, excuse me please but what are these other battle platforms doing here? Are they to assist us in some way? Or is this some kind of initiation within the Brotherhood between mechas? Oh I do so hope it is an initiation! I have always wanted one of those!"
I just looked over to Dream and Wocky and said, "Do you see the problem?"
Wocky shook her head and snorted in disgust, while Dream just glared at the heavier mecha. They both started to move towards him at the same time.
"Oh are we starting now? Okay, Okay, wow what are the rules here? Will I get a clan emblem when this is over? Will this make me the point mecha of the..."
He was cut short as dream stepped behind him, and Wocky started him down in the front. They both raised their arms out and to the sides as a shining blue dome began to encompass the three mecha. Intelligence programs collided like lightning across the sphere, sparks danced through the air where they met. Eventually the light show died down and I saw Wocky, and Dream start to breakdown in reolution before flowing into Crossfire. When this happened he glowed a brilliant neon blue before Wocky, and Dream reformed once again.
The two then backed away from Crossfire, Wocky addressed me in passing letting me know the job was done. I grinned to myself and disconnected us all from the server. I had Wocky and Dream returned to their usual hangers, and plugged myself directly back into Crossfire.
Once again I was met by the digital representation of the Fext. I wanted to see just how well my advanced mecha did with this machine so I said, "Status?"
"ONLINE", was the deep booming voice with a clear note of more than a little menace to it.
"Objective?" I asked.
DESTROY WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE ALL NON BROTHERHOOD PERSONNEL", he answered.
Oh yeah this will do just fine, this is a mecha I can work with, such an improvement.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
I had pretty much decided against getting one until I talked to my recruiter for the Brotherhood, Clan leader, and friend KiloToneRecoil. He sat me down and described how he and the tech heads had worked out a build that would enable the mecha to fight on par with other combatants in the field, and not just sit there like a target as the other two so often do. The build itself would take a small fortune in niodes to pull off, and would have to be done in increments, but the end game and pay off would be worth it. The build is confidential so I can not share the ins and outs of it here, but suffice to say this conversation changed my mind entirely.
The next day I had purchased a Fext and was starting to learn all about my new mecha. I plugged myself into the neural interface, and was met by a shimmering digital representation of my mecha in its A.I. consciousness.
"Greetings Brother pilot, I am Crossfire your personal mobile battle platform. What can I assist you in learning about me today?" He cheerily greeted me.
"Oh hell no.." I replied, I immediately unplugged myself and got some techs on the line. I had them bring down Frozen Dream my Frigis, and Jabberwocky my Regis from the main hangers to the maintenance docks. Once they arrived I had the techs all interconnect the three mecha consciousnesses. Dream and Wocky both had hybrid Actual Intelligence programs with advanced probability detection, and nearly unlimited learning potential, whereas Crossfire had a standard issue battle A.I. from the company that was just way to happy, and upbeat for my liking.
I plugged into the primary interface from the maintenance console to once again join my mind with the three machines. I was this time within a Brotherhood server which was programmed to work and act like a standard hanger/repair bay. Anything you could do in the physical world you could do to its digital counterpart here.
Wocky and Dream had been with me long enough to know to wait and see what would be required of them, meanwhile Crossfire walked right up and started in.
"Brother pilot, excuse me please but what are these other battle platforms doing here? Are they to assist us in some way? Or is this some kind of initiation within the Brotherhood between mechas? Oh I do so hope it is an initiation! I have always wanted one of those!"
I just looked over to Dream and Wocky and said, "Do you see the problem?"
Wocky shook her head and snorted in disgust, while Dream just glared at the heavier mecha. They both started to move towards him at the same time.
"Oh are we starting now? Okay, Okay, wow what are the rules here? Will I get a clan emblem when this is over? Will this make me the point mecha of the..."
He was cut short as dream stepped behind him, and Wocky started him down in the front. They both raised their arms out and to the sides as a shining blue dome began to encompass the three mecha. Intelligence programs collided like lightning across the sphere, sparks danced through the air where they met. Eventually the light show died down and I saw Wocky, and Dream start to breakdown in reolution before flowing into Crossfire. When this happened he glowed a brilliant neon blue before Wocky, and Dream reformed once again.
The two then backed away from Crossfire, Wocky addressed me in passing letting me know the job was done. I grinned to myself and disconnected us all from the server. I had Wocky and Dream returned to their usual hangers, and plugged myself directly back into Crossfire.
Once again I was met by the digital representation of the Fext. I wanted to see just how well my advanced mecha did with this machine so I said, "Status?"
"ONLINE", was the deep booming voice with a clear note of more than a little menace to it.
"Objective?" I asked.
DESTROY WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE ALL NON BROTHERHOOD PERSONNEL", he answered.
Oh yeah this will do just fine, this is a mecha I can work with, such an improvement.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Mecha Spotlight : Aurora by David McCallum #701548
You hear about those old classics that sit in the barn for years on end, neglected, perhaps past their prime but with a little bit of spit and polish, beauty just waiting to be brought back to the surface.
We all have clan mates that are in a sort of similair position; that mech sitting at the back of the hanger gathering dust, too nice to sell but not important enough to use, missing that vital component, its "round tuit."
They want to do something with it, but really need to get a round tuit...
That was my Smilodon. I know where I picked her up... she was a prize for the gold we won during the Rise of the Specialists. I'd sold the previous gold medal mech I won and deeply regretted it. I just couldn't part with this one. But she seemed just a little too light and a little too expensive... the niodes were needed elsewhere. So she sat.
It must have been a good 6 months before I dusted here off... more even. The line was heavier but a hole needed filling and I finally had a little spare resource. God I wished I'd done it sooner.
Finally named the 'Aurora' (because that's a pretty golden name), she slotted in to fill the final gap in a new line of light skirmishers at the front. And started to earn her position many times over straight away.
Equipment was easy... as the lightest in the line she had the run of surplus equipment, and every spare set of Enhanced Senses that were a staple in silver medal prize packs went into the cockpit. Solderbots, Fast Data Switches and Pneumatic Shocks were dropped into the cramped chassis. Even though I had a surfeit of spare engines for that tonnage range, there was no messing about... pure speed, pure crystal, pure Pebble Bed Reactors. Oh, I did retrofit a pair of Quad Turbo drives down the track when I got some, but that was later after kitty was already purring.
Shields were the big problem (being decidedly lacking on a Smilo), but the freebie of a Light Bringer while not giving Gamma Grade shielding at least didn't leave a gaping hole.
Armament was dead easy. She got Galaxy Eyes all the way. But I'm guessing for those veteran Smilodon pilots out there, that's not coming as a great surprise.
I know that a lot of pilots feel a big wrench when they finally have to retire a Smilodon, and truth to tell, I probably kept the Aurora in the battle line longer than I should. I just didn't have anything that could compare with the kill power until I managed to salvage a Nakshi, but even then it didn't quite have the same killing power. It did make up for it in staying power though. Swings and roundabouts.
She's not retired though... only transferred. You see, I'm in the unenviable position of being eligible for a specialist slot a lot of the time. When I do, the big toys get put away and my cruiser mechs take the field. Aurora leads the squadron from the first rank.It seems fitting that the mech I won in the first specialist war now leads my specialist formation, breaking hearts and mechs as she goes.
But don't worry... if you get hurt, she may just sing you a song...
"Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty,
Little ball of FLAMING MEGA DEATH DIE DIE DIE!!!"
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Monday, December 7, 2015
The Switch Fairy Cometh... by David McCallum #701548
I'm imagining conversations between pilots and their techs all over Mecha Galaxy...
Hey boss, erm, I just found a switch on this Krampus.
What does it do?
Dunno, never seen it before...
Just on that one?
Hang on... no, they all have it.
And you've never seen it before...
No.
And how many times have you serviced or rebuilt a Krampus?
erm... thousands... and I swear, it wasn't here yesterday.
So you are telling me the switch fairy came in the middle of the night and screwed with my mechs? You'd better trace the circuit back then...
Doing that just now... seems to feed back through fire control and into the power plant. I'd say its a damage booster.
So you are telling me that for all these years, I could have been getting hot shots from my Krampus, and you never told me?!?!
* * * * *
Well, its one way to handle the retcon of the latest upgrade to an old favourite. And yes, I'm being a bit facetious... only slightly though.
From a narrative point of view, "discovering" that mechs that topped out at a specific level can now be upgraded past that is one thing, but changing stuff lower down does seem a bit comic book. Next you'll be telling me we don't really die when our mechs get blown up.
Should we have had a Krampus mk II hit the showroom floor? Or maybe a Krampus only after market upgrade, where for a few crystal we can update it to the latest model. How do you tell the difference between the mk I and mk II... different shaped headlights?Perhaps more worrying, why are all those Namtar, Oggun and Buchis pilots standing round with their arms folded and tapping their feet expectantly?
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Christmas Cup By Ron Frye#879655
*(Editors note - this is not meant to offend anyone, just something Ron did in the editors group that we got a chuckle out of and thought we would share.)
Submitted by Ron Frye#879655
When Is It Applicable To Boot A Clan Mate From The Clan? By Pat Willis#224534
We've all seen it coming up through the ranks in various clans, the announcement is made for Clan Wars, your clan leader does roll call of who is in and who is out, people are moved according to their levels, and then the war comes and so and so is no where to be found until the raid after the fact. We hear about it every other clan war. Whomever did not show up for the war but now they are making a killing in the raid and are probably just going to get all the good prizes!
So the debate here is, when is it acceptable to boot them? Oh I know you may have to make special exceptions for some folks just due to their weather being worse than yours, or power is out, an earthquake hits..... you know something truly understandable. But aside from that where do you draw the line?
There are some very large clan families in this game and if you let so and so go they may get snapped up by the competition, and if they are one of your clans top guns that is not an enviable position to be in their cross hairs as an enemy. At the same time ALTS are rampant in this game so trying to figure out if your pilot is sandbagging on an ALT in favor of his main in an opposing clan is a whole nother joy in and of itself. So what ground rules do you set? What do you do in such a situation? Obviously if it keeps happening boot the person, but most clans have some rules in play to try and prevent that from happening as much as possible.
Should there be some kind of game mechanic to go with this? Like maybe being able to brand a persons profile with a little quote along the lines of ,"Bags in wars, not trust able, take into clan at own risk." Or is that too harsh? Some may think not given their personal experiences with such. So what say you players? What is the best way to prevent this from happening , or at least cut back on it significantly?
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
So the debate here is, when is it acceptable to boot them? Oh I know you may have to make special exceptions for some folks just due to their weather being worse than yours, or power is out, an earthquake hits..... you know something truly understandable. But aside from that where do you draw the line?
There are some very large clan families in this game and if you let so and so go they may get snapped up by the competition, and if they are one of your clans top guns that is not an enviable position to be in their cross hairs as an enemy. At the same time ALTS are rampant in this game so trying to figure out if your pilot is sandbagging on an ALT in favor of his main in an opposing clan is a whole nother joy in and of itself. So what ground rules do you set? What do you do in such a situation? Obviously if it keeps happening boot the person, but most clans have some rules in play to try and prevent that from happening as much as possible.
Should there be some kind of game mechanic to go with this? Like maybe being able to brand a persons profile with a little quote along the lines of ,"Bags in wars, not trust able, take into clan at own risk." Or is that too harsh? Some may think not given their personal experiences with such. So what say you players? What is the best way to prevent this from happening , or at least cut back on it significantly?
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Saturday, December 5, 2015
We May Be Looking For a New Editor Soon, Will It Be You By Pat Willis#224534
Hello all, we may be looking for new editor at our Galaxy Gathering offices, if you have the right stuff it could be you to join us. First off what do we do? We take player submissions for the site from both the onsite submissions page and from our Facebook group. We make notes of who submitted what to the site (Example for instance this post would look like this Pat Willis#224534- news x1) for the weekly payout list to Artemis Molly. When we have no submissions it is up to us to run "filler" pieces, so that the site is always operating on two posts a day.
Of course as the position title says we also edit submissions as they come in. Fixing punctuation here, capitalization there, and whatever else may come up with the piece in question. We also discuss game topics in the editors group which is how we came up with the game ideas, game debates, and even our videos. We get paid a straight wage per week plus half of the normal pay out for a story we write. Candidates are expected to be able to handle at least a couple days worth of posts per week, so at two posts a day, would equal 4 a week. The rest of the slack is picked up by submissions and us other editors.
So that is what we do, want in on it? Then submit a piece to the site, or myself directly via Facebook. It can be a short story, a long story, a mecha, weapon/equip review, whatever you like just please be sure it is a few paragraphs minimum. This is open to anyone in game even if they are at the other network and want to change sides, just saying we rule no one out and seriously consider all applicants. As always thanks for reading and happy hunting.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Of course as the position title says we also edit submissions as they come in. Fixing punctuation here, capitalization there, and whatever else may come up with the piece in question. We also discuss game topics in the editors group which is how we came up with the game ideas, game debates, and even our videos. We get paid a straight wage per week plus half of the normal pay out for a story we write. Candidates are expected to be able to handle at least a couple days worth of posts per week, so at two posts a day, would equal 4 a week. The rest of the slack is picked up by submissions and us other editors.
So that is what we do, want in on it? Then submit a piece to the site, or myself directly via Facebook. It can be a short story, a long story, a mecha, weapon/equip review, whatever you like just please be sure it is a few paragraphs minimum. This is open to anyone in game even if they are at the other network and want to change sides, just saying we rule no one out and seriously consider all applicants. As always thanks for reading and happy hunting.
Submitted by Pat Willis#224534
Friday, December 4, 2015
They Don't Make Them Like They Used To... by David McCallum #701548
This isn't a rant about the lack of equipment for the big mechs... Pat has
that covered.
Of course, the problem is he's wrong.
It's deeper than that.
Oh, I know the RND have examined every aspect of the game in minute detail. The Brotherhood are supposed to have some of the best number crunchers in the
business. Even my own guys, the Heroes have some top notch analysts and min/max
designers.
The thing is I don't need to do in depth research to know the chemical composition or physical
characteristics to recognise that something is a .... poo.
And despite the fact that Mythbusters proved otherwise, its very difficult
to polish a .... poo.
I look at the battle results... not necessarily the numbers and hits, only
if I really need to cross check something that looks like a close battle.
Generally you can get the ebb and flow and feel what is going on. That’s when
the .... poo stands out.
We know how nasty the Huge class mechs are. We've been on the receiving end
too many times. Get up into BFMs though and it starts getting smellier. Not the
90s, they are good. Love a 90.
But 95s? On paper, my Boreas is the nastiest piece of hardware I have. I
know for a fact that to get even a basic equipment loadout that it deserves, my
budget needs to be around 2 to 3 times larger than any other mech I own. There is ample equipment for it and I'm more than happy with what its carrying.
Yet it gets into battle and falls over when sneezed at. Seriously, even
attacking the Pirate Moon, It spends more time getting rebuilt than it does on
operations. I'm seriously working on a combat zimmer frame just to keep the
bloody thing propped upright!
My Yallan and Glaccus are complete non events, but at least they are only crystal
and I can use that as an excuse as I hang my head in embarrassment.
Let’s go heavier. I don't own a Potatotron. The closest I've come is when
somebody has hidden one in the middle of their formation and my trusty 85s have
waved to it as they go thundering past the wreckage.
I did buy a Typhoon though. I started to work out how to equip it. I'm
pretty sure I can get it up to the same combat effectiveness that you get when
a half blind geriatric Labrador attempts to hump your leg.
See, the real problem isn't the lack of kit. It's an actual issue with the
chassis. Over 90 tons, they must be too big to polish or something like that...
just like other things I could mention.
These newer mechs.... don't hold with them.
Submitted by David McCallum #701548
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