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[Darrian Wolffe]

So this is both an introduction to the Against the Bot program and general outline for how this campaign will function.

In essence, the GM will enter the relevant PC unit data into the program.  He will generate several contracts.  The PCs will select a contract from the ones available.  The PCs will perform the contract.  The GM will use the AtB system to generate procedural scenarios until between 3-5(ish) games have been played (GM will know how many prior to the 1st scenario start).  He will translate the AtB scenarios into tabletop scenarios, using the environmental conditions and OPFOR listed.  Between games PCs will be responsible for all relevant logistics to keep their individual units operating.  Once the requisite number of scenarios have been played, he will total up the number Contract Points to determine whether the PCs have won or lost the contract.  The unit Dragoons Rating will be adjusted, and new contracts will be generated for the players to choose from.

This is a GUIDELINE.  Only rarely are there hard-and-fast rules in here, and then only where we have to do things manually instead of letting the computer do it (such as repairs, retirement, and part acquisition).  If you insist on overthinking everything, you're going to have a Bad Time.  Apply those critical thinking skills to fill in blanks, if any (such as, I already know I forgot to list what happens when you're trying to get a part in a faction during 3045, when that faction doesn't get access to the part until 3048.  Basic critical thinking skills will inform you that if you're someplace where something doesn't exist, then there is no roll to get it at all, even if that's not specifically spelled out in the rules.).

Please consider if you can inference a reasonable ruling before inundating me with questions.

[Timberwolfd]

Can you clarify the order of events and play expectations for the individual battles section further?

Is the game a megamek game or a physical game?
Is the expectation that the gm and selected player will meet for an extracurricular game outside of the normal game sequence?
etc.

Also, are we treating the two halves of the fedcom as 100% distinct for availability and tech?

Adendum: with maintenance being an autopass, there is no practical way to improve unit quality. We can drop quality via custom refits and failed refit rolls, but the only way to improve quality becomes a 2 week E class factory refit.  Is this intentional?

[Darrian Wolffe]

Is the expectation that the gm and selected player will meet for an extracurricular game outside of the normal game sequence?

Game comes up in the briefing queue.  GM pitches the game toward a random player.  Player decides if he wants to play it.  If so, GM and player make an arrangement to play a 1-on-1 game, whether via MegaMek or in-person PRIOR to the next scheduled game. 

Also, are we treating the two halves of the fedcom as 100% distinct for availability and tech?

We're going with the chart posted in the Campaign rules thread.  So, yes.

Adendum: with maintenance being an autopass, there is no practical way to improve unit quality. We can drop quality via custom refits and failed refit rolls, but the only way to improve quality becomes a 2 week E class factory refit.  Is this intentional?

Yes, because inability to increase quality is a small price to pay for having all of your equipment fail on the way to a mission via playing with the letter of the rules.  It's a give-and-take; if you're OK with giving up the (statistically certain) chance of your equipment failing via failing maintenance checks using RAW, then you're OK with giving up the ability to increase unit quality levels outside of a factory.  Gain "more reliable equipment", lose "easy quality improvement".

[serrate]

From the step-by-step:

-Skill Randomization Tab: select “extra randomness”. Set “Overall Recruitment Bonus” to 1. Set Secondary Skill probability to “2”. Set Tactics Skill to -10/-5/-2/0 from left to right. Set Special Abilities to -10/-0/1/3 from left to right.

The secondary skill probability seems like it can only be adjusted in increments of 5.

Also need to add funds before hiring mechwarriors. Go to Finances tab --> Add Funds (GM)

[Timberwolfd]

Adendum: with maintenance being an autopass, there is no practical way to improve unit quality. We can drop quality via custom refits and failed refit rolls, but the only way to improve quality becomes a 2 week E class factory refit.  Is this intentional?

Yes, because inability to increase quality is a small price to pay for having all of your equipment fail on the way to a mission via playing with the letter of the rules.  It's a give-and-take; if you're OK with giving up the (statistically certain) chance of your equipment failing via failing maintenance checks using RAW, then you're OK with giving up the ability to increase unit quality levels outside of a factory.  Gain "more reliable equipment", lose "easy quality improvement".

Are our customized mech starting at quality C if they are true customs? Or are we starting at D?

[Darrian Wolffe]

All Mechs start at Quality D. 

I have no idea why the hell they reversed the alphabetical denominators for StratOps, but it really pisses me off.

[Timberwolfd]

That whole class A is one step from exploding thing always makes my brain hurt.

[Darrian Wolffe]

Version 2 of step-by-step guide uploaded.   No super-major changes.

[Ice]

for the contract operations section it has nothing stated regarding restrict parts by mission

Mine came default checked only reason im mentioning it and wanted to make sure it was in fact supposed to be

[serrate]

I had MekHQ working fine right after install, but now it won't even launch. I've tried reinstalling into different locations, using new versions, updating Java, and even trying the dev build. When I click on the .exe I get a brief cursor circling, and then nothing. So frustrating, if anyone has any ideas I'm open to suggestions.

[Timberwolfd]

Is your antivirus blocking it?  A lot of crowd source code is not properly signed and your security settings may be blocking it.

To test this :
1. Stop/close save everything, get off of the internet, etc.
2. Turn off your antivirus
3. Try to start MekHQ
4A. If it works, close MekHQ and turn your antivirus back on then find out how to force your antivirus to allow a program to run.
4B. If it does not work, turn your antivirus back on and then get back to us.

[serrate]

So, I tried again from home, instead of the office, and it started right up. I was even able to create a small company-sized merc force, get them a contract and transportation, and fight my first battle. There is a HUGE learning curve to running a merc force on MekHQ/AtB, but it really has some sweet potential. I'm just playing it fast and loose right now, and using GM powers to solve problems that come up; but after a contract or two, I think I'll roll up a merc force for real and just play my own campaign.

Thanks for the help!

[Timberwolfd]

Okay, I bet your work pc has a lot of Internet Security settings locked down. MegaMek uses some internal Web interfaces to run, and I'd bet your work settings choked them off at startup. Good to know you got it working.