The Shape Of Things In The Galaxy Now By Pat Willis#224534

Good afternoon one and all Pat here with the news and things you need to know in your galaxy today. First off after much petitioning to various government officials in different factions, the Galactic Senate has forced Star Factories to relinquish their stranglehold on mecha production. Star Factories was forced to sell off designs to Alpha Corporation, Talbus Arms, and Consolidated Mecha. So check your retailer to see if they still carry your mecha or if it has been shipped to another dealer due to contract negotiations.

Also the Craftsmen guild has been very generous to us pilots lately. Upon leveling we used to get two free niodes as we leveled up to encourage us to keep at it. Last weekend that amount was upped to five niodes per level instead of two. All niodes were retroactively added to the pilot accounts to make up the three niode per difference level. A personal thank you from those of here at the Gathering goes out to Artemis Molly and Brainchef  De Cuisine for the extra niodes, rest assured they will be put to excellent usage.

Finally we have Faction Wars round three coming up, and you can tell by the sheer amount of groups trying to hash out who is going to join whom, and under which name for this event. The Brotherhood won the first Faction War, took silver in the second, and as a member I can assure you we are going for gold once again. The entire brotherhood may stand united against the rest of the Galaxy if push comes to shove. So get your pilots sorted and your mechas checked over cause it is coming up fast! Also a reminder to all Clan liaison officers, now is as good a time as any to go ahead and start your prewar interviews, we will be running pre, during, and post war interviews as we get them in for this war.  That does it for me Pat Willis thanks for reading Galaxy Gathering and happy hunting to one and all, good day.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Commander's Log NWHL Patience Grasshopper By Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

So much debate lately about campers and their origins. We have a few of the ancients with us so there's no debate when you hear it from the source. As the only viable way to stay alive after being stranded, it became a natural part of life. Recycling is just the beginning, re-inventing is why they excel.

Adapting and ever changing, finding new life in old hunks of junk others would throw away. Miserly some would say, thrifty would be the preferred word choice for most. The young bucks up and coming have no memory of the famine, they can't imagine ever doing without. Those who've walked through Hell and back will never forget.

~note order suckling pig and more rum for pre FWs roast

Hoped the campers would rub off on the new recruits but seems they are a special breed. Not everyone can sit on their hands and not go stir crazy. Patience grasshopper, you either build it or you break. We've lost a few to the Asylum. Good men, lost in their own delusions. Forever traveling through the labyrinth of their mind, lost in the canyons of yesteryear.

Missions are a 'no' for campers, battles only as ordered. As laid back as these guys are, it's hard to imagine the scars they bear. Hearing some of the nightmares makes me shudder. Men passing by so fast, their mechas tore apart before their very eyes. Images of the pilots face, frozen forever in their minds. It's hard to imagine what would be the last thoughts to go through your mind as your mecha explodes. To translate them into an expression would vary as much as species do.

I'm so proud of these men. The fortitude they have is beyond compare. They know they are the backbone, they also know the odds of breaking and take the risk for us all. If all it takes is a shipment of Rum to keep the wheels rolling, we are better off than most.

~end of entry

Submitted by Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

Frozen Wind Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

This ice weapon is for pilots level 39 and up, it will run you 585 Ferrite, 273 Bioptics, and 34 Niodes. Or as usual you can bulk buy 5 for 136 niodes, no limit or restrictions. It has a straight damage of 52, with a speed of 94, and the ability of Slow at (12).

These are some nice ice throwers once they go off. The speed is slower than most ice weapons which come in at 99, but it will stop someone cold if applied to the right mecha say a Frigis at 100% freeze ability. As usual mecha build, and equipment load out is important if you want this weapon to work for you effectively. You can find these by the dozen in most weapon shops around the galaxy or maybe pick up a few as prizes for various tourneys, wars, raids, etc.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Glace Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Got a new crystal ice weapon in for review today for the big boys & girls again. This one is a minimum level of  89 to buy all told it will cost you 2,550 Frrite, 1,600 Bioptics, and 72 Crystal. Or you can bulk buy 5 for 288 Crystal with a limit of 60. It does straight damage of 73 with a speed of 99, and the ability of slow at (9).

This weapon replaces the Gorgon as far as damage goes (Gorgon 67 Damage, Glace 73 Damage), they both share the same speed of 99, and the Gorgon only has the slow ability at (4). So your damage goes up, as well as your weapon ability. Great weapons to put on any ice mecha from Nifthel all the way through to the Boreas. Again smart weapon load out, mecha build stats, and proper equipment can make quite a difference so choose wisely.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Commander's Log-NWHL Quarterly Maintenance By Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

Polishing medals seems the most tedious of tasks. Big wigs show up and we get dressed for pomp and circumstance type ordeals. Need to order a new case. Perhaps the old case could be kept. Not sure how long it would take to fill with only Gold but if the past was any indicator for the future, might be better off letting the grand kids have it for a shadowbox for their next school project. Three King's, one Faction and one War didn't seem substantial compared to the vets. Circuits are nothing more than drills, counting those medals would be pointless.

~note Email Acme dimensions required for new medal case~

The buzz about the Boreas is undeniable. All the men seem to be working double-time to get this mecha whipped into shape, with a smile I should add. Starting to wonder if some freon or other gas is leaking in the hangar. After once losing a man to depression despite his clan obtaining Gold, not sure how they can all whistle while they work, if it's really all about the Gold.

Perhaps things are clicking and it's all falling into place. Years of study, months of drills, weeks in practice and it all boils down to three battles. Like it or not, top brass promotes based on those results. Doesn't matter how smartly you managed your resources, how smoothly you fly or how well you transition. If you fail to meet the challenges of CWs, you're doomed to retraining eventually.

I would have thought by now the specialists wouldn't pose such a problem. Just a few are still rattling to disrupt here and there but it's enough. The new program should have things back in order in no time. Then again, having more Legendary Pilots under The Brotherhood banner should lighten the load a bit. Allsop snagging the most elite mecha was the highlight of our after-CWs party.

~end of entry~










Submitted by Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

Commander's Log-NWHL Clan Wars XXI By Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

Some days working with new recruits is like being back at the Academy. Problem is, I'm like the Principle here. You get sent to my office and you've either done something where praise will be coming or you've done something bad. Swift to act for both, I want no doubts where my men should stand.

This last 'legal' CWs was perhaps the most fun. Maybe the vets have become more seasoned, maybe my faith in them grew enough to relax. Not many remain from the frontier clearing days, when they pioneered this sector and planted our banner. Not sure the men can convince me it wasn't all about the rum but I'll let it slide. At least we didn't have Smurfs overrunning the place like the holidays. Damn near took all month to get everyone's mecha buffed from all those stains.

~note order more Rum for the Spring CWs

There's still a few adjustments to make but we're almost there. Months of planning and movement will soon tell how effective it's all been. The newest recruits have done well, their recent Gold medal hangs beside the others earned. The glint of silver here and there reminds us that our work is never done.

Raids have been successful and the new toys can be heard night and day. Next week I need to get on maintenance about the back-orders. It's crazy to have these guys risking their life and limb with inferior replacement parts. If Star Factory needs to raise prices to stay competitive, I wish they would just do it and be done already. It's impossible to get ahead when things break down all the time.

Post-raid party this weekend should be a blow out. We expect to enjoy the month and have some time to prepare for the next war. Wonder who will show up besides the cyber boys? Aff, time will tell soon enough.

~end of entry

Submitted by Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

Weapon Review Powerful Weapon Suite By Robert Clay #726411

There is a suite of weapons that are a custom collection for the Mecha Warrior who has achieved level 45. This suite of weapons may not be new as separate presentations, but as a suite of weapons they are one of the most powerful set of weapons on the market. This suite of weapons contains a weapon from each of the 5 weapon types (Laser, Missile, Cannon, Fire, and Ice). Each weapon has a damage level of 70. However, each weapon has a different recharge speed. The Missile weapon has the slowest speed at 80. Next, the Ice weapon recharges at 98, then the Laser weapon at 100, the Fire weapon at 105, and the Cannon weapon at 109. This suite of weapons will keep any opponent busy for the brief period of time it will take to declare your victory.

These weapons are a bargain at any price. However, each weapon is very reasonably priced at 600 Ferrites, 360 Bioptics, and 40 Niodes. Each weapon can also be purchased in bulk at 5 for 160 Niodes. There are plenty in stock, so get your finances in order for this powerful suite of weapons.

The Missile weapon is the T9 Berserker. When its missiles are fired they will inflict at least 70 points of damage on the opponent in front of you. With a Fork ability of 60% a second opponent in the front line will receive 60% of the damage inflicted on the first opponent.

The Ice Weapon is the Arctic Gale. Its icy blast will freeze the opponent solid enough to inflict at least 70 points of damage on the opponent in front of you. With a Freeze component of 25%, an additional 25% of the icy blast will cause the opponent to sustain further damage.

The Laser Weapon is the Flavian Spear. Its beam also inflicts at least 70 points of damage on the opponent in front of you. With sophisticated laser guidance a Critical Kill of 15% can be achieved. That means that at least 15% of the shots taken will instantly defeat an opponent.

The Fire weapon is the Diablis Nozzle. Again, its fiery spray will inflict at least 70 points of damage on the opponent in front of you. With a sophisticated concentration of the fiery spray an extra 30% of Burn damage can also be inflicted on the opponent.

The Cannon weapon is the Big Bertha. This weapon will initially inflict at least 70 points of damage on the opponent in front of you. If the opponent is hit in the right place the concussion from this weapon will multiply the damage 3 times.

Any Mecha Warriors would be proud and confident with this Weapon Suite on their mechs.

Submitted by Robert Clay#726411

Weapon Review The Arbitrator By Robert Clay #726411

As a Mecha Warrior, no doubt you have faced a situation where you and another Mecha Warrior had a dispute the same common ground over and over. You try to get your point across. He tries to get his point across. Neither of you are able to come to satisfying settlement. What you need is an Arbitrator. The Arbitrator will help you get your point across very clearly, and there will not further dispute.

With a minimum of 72 points of damage and a recharge speed of 104 nobody is in a position to argue with the Arbitrator. This weapon is new to the standard list of weapons and currently is available to Mecha Worriers at or above level 95. Because of its outstanding appeal the initial offering has a limit of 60 units per customer.

At the initial offering price of 2700 Ferrites, 1900 Bioptics, and 75 Crystals, it will be hard to keep them in stock. As always, and within the 60 unit limit, this weapon can be purchased in bulk. The bulk price is 5 units for 300 Crystals.

The Arbitrator is a Cannon weapon. When it is fired it will inflict at lease 72 points of damage on the opponent in front of him. The weapon has state of the art targeting that searched out the most vulnerable spot to attack. However, the projectiles can be a little unpredictable. Occasionally a projectile will hit the opponent in just the right spot and the explosion will cause a concussion that doubles the initial damage. Equipment can be installed on your mech that will not only enhance the initial damage, but also improve the weapon's accuracy which will increase the secondary damage.

Settle your disputes with an Arbitrator. It will prove to be one of the main weapons in your arsenal.

Submitted by Robert Clay#726411

Arbitrator Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

This is a new crystal weapon for the big boys and girls, this one happens to be a slug thrower, so projectile fans rejoice! This bad boy is minimum level of 95 to purchase, costing 2,700 Ferrite, 1,900 Bioptics, and 75 Crystal to get a hold of one. Or you can spends 300 crystal for a bulk buy of 5 with a limit of 60 on these. This weapon does 72 straight damage, with a speed of 104, and the ability of 2X Damage at 10%.

Projectile weapons are some of the best in the game just due to sheer speed, this weapon seems to be keeping that tradition live. 104 speed is nothing to scoff at, add to that speed from a mech with full equipment load out and a build that is made for projectile weapons and this gun can shape up to be a nasty customer fast. It has straight damage that is deadly as well especially when you consider how many niode guns do only 50-55 damage. This is stepping into the deep end of the damage pool, and once you're in it's just too much fun to get out again.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Weapon Review M-75 Tetrad (Elite) Missile By Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

A missile trend keeps your choices coming and this one is said to be electrically charged so watch that fork hit with a 25% chance. Pretty good odds for making that connection. There's also a 5% chance you'll have 3x damage so for a minimum level 30, this is a weapon to consider if you're short on missiles. The 99 speed won't slow you down too much and the 62 damage is better than average.

This weapon will set you back 35 niodes, 650 ferrite and 560 bioptics, but you can save resources buying in bulk. Pack a few of these on your lusion or dread and let the damage add up. The M-75 Tetrad has a few bonuses so you have options where you can place this weapon. Don't overlook another opportunity, with only 300 at the drop, it may not be seen again when it sells out.










Submitted by Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133

Mecha Spotlight Northstar The Boreas By Pat Willis#224534

I love a good ice mech no secret there, my Frigis, Frozen Dream has long been a favorite of mine. So when I saw the Boreas available for purchase I just had to have one really. These puppies are expensive though no doubt about it. They run 17,400 Ferrite, 14,200 Bioptics, and 150 Niodes. Also remember that as a Niode mecha they cost 3 Niodes per level plus resources to gain a level and these aren't even available until you have a minimum pilot skill of 50. Right off the assembly line they come with two Winter's Grasp ice weapons, a Burning Ice, a Polar Vortex, two Gorgons, and four envelopers. No equipment per usual.

For the record I am now level 96, my mech is only level 59 at the moment so the build is more to show the direction I am taking this in, the final result once it attains my actual level may have variances. At level 59 however the stats are as follows just with build stats before equipment.

Tons: 95
Level: 59
Armor: 841
Class: Boreas
Bonuses before
equipment:
Ice Damage + 60%
Speed - 24
Speed + 18
Precision (27)
3X Damage 8%
Slow (5)
Trample Shield 50%
Splash Shield 25%
Laser Shield 40%
Wide Fork 4%

What I have done so far with the six available cockpit slots is filled them all with Haptic Interfaces for the 13 per piece Precision bonuses. The five chassis slots are taken up by Muon Junctions for added fork and freeze ability  at 6% each and a dodge of 10 per piece. So far the four engine slots are filled with R.A.C.E. Engines for additional dodge at 1% per piece, auto repair of one per piece, and overall speed of +10 per piece. So all told the build stats above after my equipment additions are as follows...

Level: 59 / 96
Armor: 841
Ice Damage + 60%
Proj. Damage + 16%
Speed + 34
Fork 30%
Trample 18%
Wide Fork 4%
3X Damage 8%
Crit-Kill 12%
Slow (5)
Precision (105)
Dodge (54)
Freeze 30%
Auto Repair (4)
Splash Shield 25%
Trample Shield 50%
Laser Shield 40%
Class: Boreas
Weapons: 29

Keep in mind it isn't fully leveled up yet so the stats will assuredly change once it hits the proper level. It has a long way to go and has been costly in niodes to equip and arm so again just an idea of the direction I am going in with this.

For weapons I kept the dual Winter's Grasp ice cannons, I added three Khron Ice weapons, one Tinsel EMP, two Big Bertha cannons, four Sikuliaq ice weapons, I added my five Tricks Not Treats slug throwers, and added twelve Gorgon crystal ice weapons. It will need more weapons as it will equipment slots once the leveling is complete so I have room yet to improve upon the design or change out weapons as needed. No shielding has been added yet as is this has cost a bit to outfit, so shielding will be last on the list of things to do with this particular build. As is with the equipment stats above it should be able to take a beating, add to that the armor levels still to come, this stands to be a rather intimidating and nasty opponent on the battle field.

So thus far I can honestly say as a fan of ice mechas when you can pilot it and afford it get one of these. It has much possibility to it, and the slots are rather nice to see in a larger mecha. There you have it folks the build thus far for Northstar, it may change as I go but for now this is what I am running on it, make of it what you will.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534