A CONTEST: Mercenary Unit Ticket

[Hal]

Where I'm at right now is that I'm using CT for the most part. I figure if I shoot at undershooting the budget by a fair margin, I don't have to worry. But that does sorta shoot down some of my thinking regards to buying lower tech equipment

Right now, I'm looking at this as an exercise to build a self-contained unit capable of functioning off world. This means thinking about weather conditions (rain makes lasers a bad choice), low grav worlds versus higher grav worlds can make marksmanship an issue. I haven't even examined the issues of supply at present. And the next question will be based on whether or not prices exist for items given in the game. For instance, a filter system available for real on Earth 2004, provides roughly 1,000 liter's worth of filtration (its a 1 liter bottle) that goes down to .04 microns in filter size - filters out bacterial, heavy metals, pesticides etc. (if there's any truth in advertising anyhow!). Such a device is worth it for a military unit! At $60 per unit, assuming a 3:1 ratio of US dollars to CrImp - that would run about 20 Credits.

Not having an equipment list hampers those of us who want to try. Now if I were the winner of the contest - I'd likely have to use the money/credit towards buying a T20 book

My suggestion to those of you out there who are worried about prices? Build your units based on CT prices and go from there. Let the JUDGES correct your military spending spree and rule you within or just outside of spending limits. Then again? Targetting for a budget of 14 MCr in CT likely will keep you under the 22 MCr limit.

And for kicks?

If you have enough money to hire other independent units - who is to say that a platoon level unit can't be hired by your main unit (I'm not cheap, but I can be bought!)

 

[Blue Ghost]

Oh, hey, there we go! I just hire a bunch of green horn privates, and they all hire a bunch of merc teams

 

[Hal]

Smile when you salute sonny

 

[veltyen]

300 Cr per active week/training month (Green E1)
200 Cr for a crappy rifle
another 100 Cr for several clips.

Hire all of them just before the mission.

Keep enough cash for 1 weeks pay.

20,000 untrained goons with guns.

Scary yet strangely ineffective.

I was looking at an option of an elite core, and hiring and equiping local goons for feet on the ground. Still an option.

 

[Blue Ghost]

What kinds of bells and whistles do combat armor and battledress have? Do I have to go and buy com gear, battle computers and such for each of my armored guys? Or do certain armor types have some built in stuff? I can't seem to find anything on this other than some vague references to different models having different devices and such.

Any help is much appreciated.

One more thing; on my budget, do I have to budget in ammo for the firing range, or just stuff that's used "in mission"? Or is that part of the competition?

 

[bryan gibson]

To Hal:

Clarification:
Bounty pay or enlistment bonus is equal to the value given in part three times their normal weekly field pay


Example: commo and technical services get a .5 times base pay. If their base pay is say, E2, which pays 500 Cr - their enlistment bonus is 250 C

..................

Correct

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Next question: we're being paid in Credits Imperial or Local Credits? In other words, if I decide to outfit my unit cross tech with some TL 10 equipment with TL 13 equipment, do I pay for the TL 10 equipment discounted for the exchange rate from TL 13 currency? Do I pay for the TL 10 equipment assuming that there is NO exchange rate and all things cost 1 for 1?

.....................

Beware the tendency to overthink an issue. Imp credits, correct. Under all circumstance you may assume the Imperial Standard, rendering this issue moot.

No need to over complicate matters, eh?

 

[far-trader]

Would a Masterwork* quality version of a weapon be disallowed?

* As per the Craft skill, pg.71-2 ed.1 T20, Masterwork weapons gaining a +1 to hit but costing at least double the listed amount.

 

[bryan gibson]

for our purposes, are you looking to do single troop stats for all? or for an entire unit?

if the former, I should think not, as its not enough of an impact to a units overall performance to matter.

for an entire section ( say sharpshooters) I would be inclined top say yes.

I will posit this to the other judges, anticipate a responce here in 24 hours.

 

[far-trader]

Originally posted by bryan gibson:
for our purposes, are you looking to do single troop stats for all? or for an entire unit?

if the former, I should think not, as its not enough of an impact to a units overall performance to matter.

for an entire section ( say sharpshooters) I would be inclined top say yes.

I will posit this to the other judges, anticipate a responce here in 24 hours.

Ah well, I guess that depends on the level of details you're looking for. I was basically working on a small battalion size unit, broken down into 4 small companies, and so on, down to teams and yes even individual soldiers. Though for the most part my smallest force is really squad or platoon level.

For the most part I was thinking along the lines of single sharpshooters (or snipers) in fire teams and wondered if this would be much of a factor. I guess not in your opinion.

Optionally I was thinking maybe squad or platoon level equipping, which you seem to agree is a factor.

Most tickets are likely going to be looking for platoon, company or battalion strength forces I guess. The rest is just details.

So, another question. If I build a battalion in phase one and then come phase two decide I only need to field say a single company from it for the ticket does that work? Would that be factored into the commercial viability say, by using less of my resources I maximize the profits. Or am I committed to using the whole battalion even for a simple smaller force ticket?

 

[bryan gibson]

So, another question. If I build a battalion in phase one and then come phase two decide I only need to field say a single company from it for the ticket does that work? Would that be factored into the commercial viability say, by using less of my resources I maximize the profits. .............................

In keeping with the spirit of the rules, this would be correct.And, yes, those are all points we the judges would consider.

But, do remeber, that there will be some abstraction required, at least in the general sense of things...the execution will be played out and examined as per UNIT performances and capabilities, rather than single soldier combat.

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Or am I committed to using the whole battalion even for a simple smaller force ticket?

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Not nessecarily, again, the unit is the tool you apply later...how you do so remains up to you. Naturally, if you have that capability, you coulkd use it.

 

[bryan gibson]

To clarify something in the spirit of the rules:

Regarding the units, in judgeing, bear in mind we are aware that some capabilities and missions won't be possible, one case being matters of air support.

Certainly, with so little aircraft available in the ready refernces, we would not penalize the contestants for not having air support, nor would we lay on such a mission: oh, it might be desirable to be sure, but in no way nessecary to the completeion of the mission.

On the other hand, air TRANSPORT is another matter: that IS available, and would be considered.

I hope that clarifies aty least the intent and spirit of our approaches.

 

[bryan gibson]

In answer to Far Traders question, I think Liam's answer sums it up nicely........

If for a sniper/ sharpshooter section/ platoon, OKay. Not for an individual.
be sure to annotate th price of said weapons in yer bill/ expenses!
SSG Daniel W Hammersley

consider this the judges adjudication.

Bryan

 

[far-trader]

Originally posted by bryan gibson:
Rules of the Game, part One

Under/over budget - possible 5 points, given one point per 2 megacreds under budget.

Meant to seek clairification on this when first posted but better now than late.

This implies to me, and RealLife(tm) would seem to reflect this, that we are allowed to go over budget by up to MCr10.0 before we are sacked by the directors of Military Assets of Annapabar LLC.

Of course this will result in a penalty of up to 5 points deducted in the Budgetary judging criteria. Penalty of -1 point per MCr2.0 over budget.

I also presume that for ease you are talking full MCr2.0 measures so that for example:

eg.1 - MCr2.154 under budget will award 1 point

eg.2 - MCr5.497 over budget will penalize 3 points

 

[bryan gibson]

actually, NO overbudgeting is allowed.This constitues other monetary resources and as stated in the rules is a big no-no.

this is intended to represent a incentive, a "bonus" if you will, to remain under or at budget.

Any overbudget unit will be disallowed.

so, in other words, if you can't do it within 22 megacreds, rethink your spending.

 

[bryan gibson]

Two days to August 1st, and only four contestants...anybody else out there?

 

[far-trader]

Originally posted by bryan gibson:
actually, NO overbudgeting is allowed.This constitues other monetary resources and as stated in the rules is a big no-no.

this is intended to represent a incentive, a "bonus" if you will, to remain under or at budget.

Any overbudget unit will be disallowed.

so, in other words, if you can't do it within 22 megacreds, rethink your spending.

I can do it, just wanted to clarify the "Over/under budget" which should really be just "Under budget" then.

 

[far-trader]

Originally posted by bryan gibson:
Two days to August 1st, and only four contestants...anybody else out there?

Only four? For sure? I lost track with the drop outs and such. Maybe you could post the current roster so if anyone is not on the list and feels they should be they can shout loud and clear.

Rather than cancel if we don't make 6 maybe you could extend the deadline a little. I'll go post another update on JTAS but there's no way to know if it will get any takers, mostly GT fans there of course so...

 

[far-trader]

Originally posted by bryan gibson:
Two days to August 1st, and only four contestants...anybody else out there?

HEY! Wait a tic!? Two days?!

I think your calender is running fast, better go catch it!

 

[clementk]

Chin Shan / Chin Shan, Crucis Margin, Gateway 208-2004

Jastrin Mercenary Corporation announced today the formation of a subunit for submission to the Mercenary Contest being held on Annapabar. Junzi Przedwiecki was quoted as saying “This is a sign of growing dialogue between the Mercantile Concord and the Third Imperium. We look forward to following this contest.” As of this bulletin the subunit is unnamed. The Junzi will be accompanying the subunit as diplomatic officer.

[UPDATE]corrected noble title; Junzi-ci refers to a female minor noble >.<

 

[bryan gibson]

Casey, confirmed! welcome aboard!