Difference between revisions of "Battle Magic"
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| − | An elite group of technicians, the '''Battle Magic''' [[mercenary unit]] specialized in upgrading and refitting military hardware. The unit was destroyed fighting the forces of [[Wayne Waco]] on [[Outreach]], but their development of the advanced [[Multi-Missile Launcher]] ensures their name lives on. | + | An elite group of technicians, the '''Battle Magic''' [[mercenary unit]] specialized in upgrading and refitting military hardware. The unit was destroyed fighting the forces of [[Wayne Waco]] on [[Outreach]],<ref name="MSUp11">''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 11</ref> but their development of the advanced [[Multi-Missile Launcher]] ensures their name lives on.<ref name="TMp229">''TechManual'', p. 229</ref> |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The future mercenary unit started as Mech Magic Inc, | + | The future mercenary unit started as Mech Magic Inc, a [[BattleMech]] customization and refit shop on Outreach in [[3047]]. Quickly acquiring a reputation as miracle workers, the elite techs of Mech Magic Inc. began training with the staff of [[Wolf's Dragoons]] on how to work with [[Helm Memory Core|New-tech]] and [[Clan]]-tech in [[3051]].<ref name="FM:Mp37">''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 37</ref> |
| − | In [[3054]] the group formed its own mercenary command, Battle Magic, to acquire equipment to modify their customers' equipment. The bulk of their missions were made up of militia training and refit or tech extraction raids. Shortly after its formation, the unit was notable for its willingness to engage in the particularly high-risk but highly lucrative field of Clan-tech extraction raids, before the large volume of Clan-tech flooding the market after [[Operation Bulldog]] and the [[Operation Audacity|Jade Falcon Incursion]] made it more cost-effective, not to mention much less risky, to pay the market price. | + | In [[3054]] the group formed its own mercenary command, Battle Magic, to acquire equipment to modify their customers' equipment. The bulk of their missions were made up of militia training and refit or tech extraction raids. Shortly after its formation, the unit was notable for its willingness to engage in the particularly high-risk but highly lucrative field of Clan-tech extraction raids,<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> before the large volume of Clan-tech flooding the market after [[Operation Bulldog]] and the [[Operation Audacity|Jade Falcon Incursion]] made it more cost-effective, not to mention much less risky, to pay the market price.<ref name="FM:Mrp43">''Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised'', p. 43</ref> |
| − | + | While staying out of the [[FedCom Civil War]] intentionally, Battle Magic made a healthy living selling its technical expertise to broken mercenary forces that streamed back to Outreach to rebuild. Not sitting still during this combat lull, Battle Magic underwent training on the still relatively rare field of [[Battle Armor]] maintenance and repair, as well as working with the [[Blackwell Corporation]] to develop an inexpensive and reliable battle armor design for the mercenary market.<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> | |
| − | The unit also took advantage of the higher availability of Clan-tech to investigate modifying or reverse engineering the newer Clan weapons such as the [[Advanced Tactical Missile]] system. Deciding to ignore the three ATM missile types in light of the variety of missile munition types developed by various Successor States, Captain-Tech Nakitsu directed the unit to focus on the launchers and the possibilities of a single launcher capable of firing both [[LRM]] and [[SRM]] missiles, the Multi-Missile Launcher. | + | The unit also took advantage of the higher availability of Clan-tech to investigate modifying or reverse engineering the newer Clan weapons such as the [[Advanced Tactical Missile]] system. Deciding to ignore the three [[Advanced Tactical Missile|ATM]] missile types in light of the variety of missile munition types developed by various Successor States, Captain-Tech Nakitsu directed the unit to focus on the launchers and the possibilities of a single launcher capable of firing both [[LRM]] and [[SRM]] missiles, the [[Multi-Missile Launcher]]. |
| − | + | ||
| − | Battle Magic's innovative new MML racks had just reached the working prototype stage in late [[3067]] when [[Wayne Waco]] and his followers launched their sneak attack on Harlech. Several of these prototypes saw action as the unit fought and died supporting the Dragoons, attracting the eye of the [[Word of Blake]] who recovered the technology. Battle Magic never lived to see their innovation spread across the Inner Sphere. | + | Battle Magic's innovative new [[Multi-Missile Launcher|MML]] racks had just reached the working prototype stage in late [[3067]] when [[Wayne Waco]] and his followers launched their sneak attack on Harlech. Several of these prototypes saw action as the unit fought and died supporting the Dragoons, attracting the eye of the [[Word of Blake]] who recovered the technology. Battle Magic never lived to see their innovation spread across the Inner Sphere. |
==Officers== | ==Officers== | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Tactics== | ==Tactics== | ||
| − | In combat, the unit favored using it's 'Mechs to create a diversion, then send in the vehicles and infantry to raid enemy bases or salvage equipment from downed machines. | + | In combat, the unit favored using it's [[BattleMech|'Mechs]] to create a diversion, then send in the vehicles and infantry to raid enemy bases or salvage equipment from downed machines.<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> By [[3067]] the infantry incorporated into the Tech Raiders along with several ''[[Bandit]]'' OmniVehicles had increased their tactical flexibility considerably, leaving the unit with few situations it couldn't handle<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> until the attack on [[Outreach]] during the opening stages of the [[Jihad]].<ref name="MSUp11"/> |
==Support== | ==Support== | ||
| + | Battle Magic had more than enough technical support generated by the skills of the various unit members, but owned no transport assets, preferring to hire [[DropShip|DropShips]] and [[JumpShip|JumpShips]] as needed.<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> | ||
==Mercenary Rating== | ==Mercenary Rating== | ||
| − | '''Dragoon Rating: A+''' | + | ===3060=== |
| + | '''Dragoon Rating: A+'''<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===3067=== | ||
| + | '''Dragoon Rating: A+'''<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> | ||
==Composition== | ==Composition== | ||
| + | ===3060=== | ||
| + | '''Battle Magic''' (1 [[Company]]/Elite/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> | ||
| + | * CO/Support Commander: Captain-Tech Jena Nakitsu | ||
| + | - The support xompany numbered 49 technicians, divided into 5-man squads; these squads deployed as 3-squad platoons, each headed up by a senior technician. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Battle Magic 'Mechs''' (2 [[Lance|Lances]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> | ||
| + | * [[BattleMech]] Cmdr: [[Captain]] Sloan DeVries | ||
| + | - The Battle Magic [[BattleMech|'Mech]] [[lance|lances]] included 3 Inner Sphere [[OmniMech|OmniMechs]], and each [[BattleMech|'Mech]] not only used a Clantech XL engine, but many of them had been specifically modified for speed in the interests of raiding, particularly tech-extraction raids. All of the weapons were advanced Inner Sphere or Clantech as well, with the [[BattleMech|'Mechs]] capable of being quickly reconfigured to meet the preferences of their respective [[Mechwarrior|pilots]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Battle Magic Air Support''' (2 [[Lance|Lances]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> | ||
| + | * Wing Commander: [[Captain]] Simon Klause | ||
| + | - Although none of the heavy fighters that made up the Battle Magic Air Support in [[3060]] were true [[OmniFighter|OmniFighters]] all of them were fitted with Clan [[OmniFighter engines]], as well as advanced weapons and high-tech components that could be reconfigured quickly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Battle Magic Tech Raiders''' (1 [[Company]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> | ||
| + | * Armor Commander: [[Captain]] Regina Quaid | ||
| + | - The Tech Raiders' vehicles in [[3060]] were hover vehicles configured not just for combat but also for cargo duty; whenever Battle Magic were engaged in tech-extraction raids, the Tech Raiders used their hover vehicles to pick up technology and retreat under the cover of the other Battle Magic units. | ||
| + | |||
===3067=== | ===3067=== | ||
| − | '''Battle Magic Support Group''' (1 [[Company]]) | + | '''Battle Magic Support Group''' (1 [[Company]]/Elite/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> |
* CO/Support Commander: Captain-Tech Jena Nakitsu | * CO/Support Commander: Captain-Tech Jena Nakitsu | ||
| − | '''Battle Magic 'Mechs''' (2 [[Lance]] | + | '''Battle Magic 'Mechs''' (2 [[Lance|Lances]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> |
| − | * | + | * [[BattleMech]] Cmdr: [[Captain]] Sloan DeVries |
| − | - The unit's 'Mech compliment consisted of advanced Inner Sphere designs, one lance of modern BattleMechs and one of Inner Sphere [[OmniMech]]s. All 'Mechs have been extensively modified and rebuilt to showcase advanced Clan-manufactured components. | + | - The unit's 'Mech compliment consisted of advanced Inner Sphere designs, one lance of modern BattleMechs and one of Inner Sphere [[OmniMech]]s. All the [[BattleMech|'Mechs]] have been extensively modified and rebuilt to showcase advanced Clan-manufactured components. |
| − | '''Battle Magic Air Support''' (2 [[ | + | '''Battle Magic Air Support''' (2 [[Lance|Lances]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> |
| − | * Wing Commander: | + | * Wing Commander: [[Captain]] Simon Klause |
- The unit's air support primarily consisted of venerable heavy [[AeroSpace Fighter]] designs modified with Clan and advanced tech, though prior to the units destruction a pair of [[Lockheed-CBM Corporation]]'s [[Eisensturm]] [[OmniFighter]]s replaced two of the patchwork upgraded designs. | - The unit's air support primarily consisted of venerable heavy [[AeroSpace Fighter]] designs modified with Clan and advanced tech, though prior to the units destruction a pair of [[Lockheed-CBM Corporation]]'s [[Eisensturm]] [[OmniFighter]]s replaced two of the patchwork upgraded designs. | ||
| − | '''Battle Magic Tech Raiders''' (2 Companies) | + | '''Battle Magic Tech Raiders''' (2 [[Company|Companies]]/Veteran/Reliable)<ref name="FM:Mrp43"/> |
| − | * Armor Commander: Captain Regina Quaid | + | * Armor Commander: [[Captain]] Regina Quaid |
- The Tech Raiders company of hover vehicles, a mixture of classic designs along with several of the Dragoons' ''[[Bandit]]'' OmniVehicles, are configured for speed and cargo duty as much as combat, while the infantry unit contained a number of [[Inner Sphere Standard]] [[Battle Armor]] Suits. | - The Tech Raiders company of hover vehicles, a mixture of classic designs along with several of the Dragoons' ''[[Bandit]]'' OmniVehicles, are configured for speed and cargo duty as much as combat, while the infantry unit contained a number of [[Inner Sphere Standard]] [[Battle Armor]] Suits. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Rules== | ||
| + | <div class="gamerules"> | ||
| + | ====BattleTech==== | ||
| + | * Battle Magic receives a +3 bonus to dice rolls when using the scavenging repair rules detailed on pp94-95 of the ''[[BattleTech Compendium: The Rules of Warfare]]'' or pp56-63 of ''[[Maximum Tech]]''.<ref name="FM:Mp125">''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 125</ref> | ||
| + | :* Battle Magic receives a +3 bonus to dice rolls when using the scavenging repair rules detailed on pp87-94 of the ''[[BattleTech Master Rules]]'<ref name="FM:Mrp128">''Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised'', p. 128</ref> | ||
| + | * Battle Magic earns twice the standard fee for garrison duty or cadre duty.<ref name="FM:Mp125"/><ref name="FM:Mrp128"/> | ||
| + | ====MechWarrior==== | ||
| + | * All Battle Magic warriors receive the Technician/Mech skill at Level 1. If the character already has the skill, this advantage doesn't apply.<ref name="FM:Mp125"/> This is if using the ''[[MechWarrior, Second Edition]] ruleset. | ||
| + | :* All Battle Magic warrior characters automaticall receive three Technician or Gunsmith skills at a +1 bonus.<ref name="FM:Mrp128"/> This is if using the ''[[MechWarrior, Third Edition]]'' or ''[[Classic BattleTech RPG]]'' rule sets. | ||
| + | </div> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | *Battle Magic's uniforms and equipment used a gold-on-black color scheme. The unit’s insignia was a black lightning bolt spread over a circular | + | *Battle Magic's uniforms and equipment used a gold-on-black color scheme. The unit’s insignia was a black lightning bolt spread over a circular gold field, worn as a shoulder patch on uniforms or painted on ‘Mechs, vehicles and battle armor wherever the warrior or his crew desired.<ref name="FM:Mp37"/> |
| − | gold field, worn as a shoulder patch on uniforms or painted on ‘Mechs, vehicles and battle armor wherever the warrior or his crew desired. | ||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
*''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]'' | *''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]'' | ||
*''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised]]'' | *''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[TechManual]]'' | ||
[[Category:Mercenary Commands|Battle Magic]] | [[Category:Mercenary Commands|Battle Magic]] | ||
Revision as of 16:55, 14 July 2011
An elite group of technicians, the Battle Magic mercenary unit specialized in upgrading and refitting military hardware. The unit was destroyed fighting the forces of Wayne Waco on Outreach,[1] but their development of the advanced Multi-Missile Launcher ensures their name lives on.[2]
Contents
History
The future mercenary unit started as Mech Magic Inc, a BattleMech customization and refit shop on Outreach in 3047. Quickly acquiring a reputation as miracle workers, the elite techs of Mech Magic Inc. began training with the staff of Wolf's Dragoons on how to work with New-tech and Clan-tech in 3051.[3]
In 3054 the group formed its own mercenary command, Battle Magic, to acquire equipment to modify their customers' equipment. The bulk of their missions were made up of militia training and refit or tech extraction raids. Shortly after its formation, the unit was notable for its willingness to engage in the particularly high-risk but highly lucrative field of Clan-tech extraction raids,[3] before the large volume of Clan-tech flooding the market after Operation Bulldog and the Jade Falcon Incursion made it more cost-effective, not to mention much less risky, to pay the market price.[4]
While staying out of the FedCom Civil War intentionally, Battle Magic made a healthy living selling its technical expertise to broken mercenary forces that streamed back to Outreach to rebuild. Not sitting still during this combat lull, Battle Magic underwent training on the still relatively rare field of Battle Armor maintenance and repair, as well as working with the Blackwell Corporation to develop an inexpensive and reliable battle armor design for the mercenary market.[4]
The unit also took advantage of the higher availability of Clan-tech to investigate modifying or reverse engineering the newer Clan weapons such as the Advanced Tactical Missile system. Deciding to ignore the three ATM missile types in light of the variety of missile munition types developed by various Successor States, Captain-Tech Nakitsu directed the unit to focus on the launchers and the possibilities of a single launcher capable of firing both LRM and SRM missiles, the Multi-Missile Launcher.
Battle Magic's innovative new MML racks had just reached the working prototype stage in late 3067 when Wayne Waco and his followers launched their sneak attack on Harlech. Several of these prototypes saw action as the unit fought and died supporting the Dragoons, attracting the eye of the Word of Blake who recovered the technology. Battle Magic never lived to see their innovation spread across the Inner Sphere.
Officers
The Unit-CO was Captain-Tech Jena Nakitsu, a vetran MechWarrior sidelined by a spinal injury. Though confined to a wheelchair, Nakitsu continued to direct the daily activities of her command, even from the cockpit module of a BLR-4S BattleMaster modified to accommodate her wheelchair in the passenger position.
Tactics
In combat, the unit favored using it's 'Mechs to create a diversion, then send in the vehicles and infantry to raid enemy bases or salvage equipment from downed machines.[3] By 3067 the infantry incorporated into the Tech Raiders along with several Bandit OmniVehicles had increased their tactical flexibility considerably, leaving the unit with few situations it couldn't handle[4] until the attack on Outreach during the opening stages of the Jihad.[1]
Support
Battle Magic had more than enough technical support generated by the skills of the various unit members, but owned no transport assets, preferring to hire DropShips and JumpShips as needed.[4]
Mercenary Rating
3060
Dragoon Rating: A+[3]
3067
Dragoon Rating: A+[4]
Composition
3060
Battle Magic (1 Company/Elite/Reliable)[3]
- CO/Support Commander: Captain-Tech Jena Nakitsu
- The support xompany numbered 49 technicians, divided into 5-man squads; these squads deployed as 3-squad platoons, each headed up by a senior technician.
Battle Magic 'Mechs (2 Lances/Veteran/Reliable)[3]
- BattleMech Cmdr: Captain Sloan DeVries
- The Battle Magic 'Mech lances included 3 Inner Sphere OmniMechs, and each 'Mech not only used a Clantech XL engine, but many of them had been specifically modified for speed in the interests of raiding, particularly tech-extraction raids. All of the weapons were advanced Inner Sphere or Clantech as well, with the 'Mechs capable of being quickly reconfigured to meet the preferences of their respective pilots.
Battle Magic Air Support (2 Lances/Veteran/Reliable)[3]
- Wing Commander: Captain Simon Klause
- Although none of the heavy fighters that made up the Battle Magic Air Support in 3060 were true OmniFighters all of them were fitted with Clan OmniFighter engines, as well as advanced weapons and high-tech components that could be reconfigured quickly.
Battle Magic Tech Raiders (1 Company/Veteran/Reliable)[3]
- Armor Commander: Captain Regina Quaid
- The Tech Raiders' vehicles in 3060 were hover vehicles configured not just for combat but also for cargo duty; whenever Battle Magic were engaged in tech-extraction raids, the Tech Raiders used their hover vehicles to pick up technology and retreat under the cover of the other Battle Magic units.
3067
Battle Magic Support Group (1 Company/Elite/Reliable)[4]
- CO/Support Commander: Captain-Tech Jena Nakitsu
Battle Magic 'Mechs (2 Lances/Veteran/Reliable)[4]
- BattleMech Cmdr: Captain Sloan DeVries
- The unit's 'Mech compliment consisted of advanced Inner Sphere designs, one lance of modern BattleMechs and one of Inner Sphere OmniMechs. All the 'Mechs have been extensively modified and rebuilt to showcase advanced Clan-manufactured components.
Battle Magic Air Support (2 Lances/Veteran/Reliable)[4]
- Wing Commander: Captain Simon Klause
- The unit's air support primarily consisted of venerable heavy AeroSpace Fighter designs modified with Clan and advanced tech, though prior to the units destruction a pair of Lockheed-CBM Corporation's Eisensturm OmniFighters replaced two of the patchwork upgraded designs.
Battle Magic Tech Raiders (2 Companies/Veteran/Reliable)[4]
- Armor Commander: Captain Regina Quaid
- The Tech Raiders company of hover vehicles, a mixture of classic designs along with several of the Dragoons' Bandit OmniVehicles, are configured for speed and cargo duty as much as combat, while the infantry unit contained a number of Inner Sphere Standard Battle Armor Suits.
Rules
BattleTech
- Battle Magic receives a +3 bonus to dice rolls when using the scavenging repair rules detailed on pp94-95 of the BattleTech Compendium: The Rules of Warfare or pp56-63 of Maximum Tech.[5]
- Battle Magic receives a +3 bonus to dice rolls when using the scavenging repair rules detailed on pp87-94 of the BattleTech Master Rules'[6]
MechWarrior
- All Battle Magic warriors receive the Technician/Mech skill at Level 1. If the character already has the skill, this advantage doesn't apply.[5] This is if using the MechWarrior, Second Edition ruleset.
- All Battle Magic warrior characters automaticall receive three Technician or Gunsmith skills at a +1 bonus.[6] This is if using the MechWarrior, Third Edition or Classic BattleTech RPG rule sets.
Notes
- Battle Magic's uniforms and equipment used a gold-on-black color scheme. The unit’s insignia was a black lightning bolt spread over a circular gold field, worn as a shoulder patch on uniforms or painted on ‘Mechs, vehicles and battle armor wherever the warrior or his crew desired.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 11
- ↑ TechManual, p. 229
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 37
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised, p. 43
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Field Manual: Mercenaries, p. 125
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised, p. 128