Merc Ops is out and about

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:19 pm

Mine was here when I got home from work. Cover is cool. Gonna go read.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:19 pm

So far the TW Vampire Sniper Rifle the Top Ten Most wanted(Brilliant) and the GAW Improved vehicles are whats jumped out so far. Very Nice.

The A-10 Inspired by Owen Johnson from The Rifter is in there although not nearly as beefed up as the one in the Rifter.

Personal Fave of old Vehicles is the Blackhawk. Of course that is because I was Army.

The Merc Ops Brokers and ideas are pretty cool. Has decent amount of non weapon tech as well like communications and Surveillance equipment.

Not bad so far even with a few reused pieces of art and some reprint of some Wilkes stuff. Even though there is a tad of reprint they have a Wilk's 1000 Pulse Laser Cannon that does 3D4x10 on a three pulse blast.

NG Skybunker and Dragonfly is cool as heck too.

Not too bad so far from my brief skimming. Of course I love Merc oriented stuff.

Danger · Unread post by **Danger** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:38 pm

Sounds good. Wonder when it'll be in stores?

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:24 pm

It usually hits store shelves about two weeks after shipping which was last Friday 5-27.

Dr. Doom III · Unread post by **Dr. Doom III** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:51 pm

Preacher wrote:The A-10 Inspired by Owen Johnson from The Rifter is in there although not nearly as beefed up as the one in the Rifter.

Personal Fave of old Vehicles is the Blackhawk. Of course that is because I was Army.

What is up with all the conversions of things that were outdated 100 years before the coming of the rifts? :rolleyes:

Rimmerdal · Unread post by **Rimmerdal** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:12 pm

Dr. Doom v.3.0 wrote:
Preacher wrote:The A-10 Inspired by Owen Johnson from The Rifter is in there although not nearly as beefed up as the one in the Rifter.

Personal Fave of old Vehicles is the Blackhawk. Of course that is because I was Army.

What is up with all the conversions of things that were outdated 100 years before the coming of the rifts?

People like the familiar, is the easiest answer.

It's the same reaosn the 80's had lot's Nazi bashing games...it's something we all have in common.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:50 pm

gadrin wrote:
Dr. Doom v.3.0 wrote:What is up with all the conversions of things that were outdated 100 years before the coming of the rifts?

actually it kinda fits half the worldbooks out there, like England and New West:

even though the world has radically changed, all these dee-bees who've rifted in from somewhere else, want to throw down roots and imitate long lost mythologies of things they're not familiar with.

I just assumed it was because most of the Pre Rifts advanced tech from the Golden Age was destroyed during and or shortly after the Rifts hit and all that was really left was the out of date mothballed stuff from Early 21st.

Levi · Unread post by **Levi** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:58 pm

Preacher wrote:I just assumed it was because most of the Pre Rifts advanced tech from the Golden Age was destroyed during and or shortly after the Rifts hit and all that was really left was the out of date mothballed stuff from Early 21st.

That makes a lot of sense. I never thought of it that way...

Blight · Unread post by **Blight** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:10 am

Plus it saves from designing new high tec stuff that better than what they are using in rifts now.

Toc Rat · Unread post by **Toc Rat** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:15 am

Preacher wrote:The A-10 Inspired by Owen Johnson from The Rifter is in there although not nearly as beefed up as the one in the Rifter.
.

Speaking as a soldier in an armored CAV unit, let me tell you, if there is one aircraft tankers fear, its the A-10

That is one bad @$$ plane! It's essentially a flying tank, more armored then any other aircraft and packing some impressive firepower. I still cant believe that the pentagon wanted to scrap them prior to desert storm. Idiots...

Cant wait to see what one looks like for Rifts. 8-)

RockJock · Unread post by **RockJock** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:46 am

I still love the M48 in Rifts. I can see having "older" designs being built by Golden Age due to technical issues. For example a conventional jet fuel powered plane instead of a fusion powered one. Things like that. On the other hand they would be building the best of that lower tech, not designs that are being replaced in our current time. So seeing the replacement for the JSF or Raptor would be more appropriate. The problem from Palladiums standpoint is they would have to guess at technology, and as has already been said it wouldn't be familar. If it was up to me there would be some sort of bridge between the F-14s the CS reused in their carriers and the Grey Falcon which I see as the secondline fighter when the rifts came.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:05 pm

Got mine.

I liked the wanted section, tres cool.

I also liked that the author remembered that Chipwell and GAW produce lower quality systems.

The Titan rewrites were interesting, I want to sit and compare them with the stuff that apepared in the Rifter though before I decide which to use (probably all of the above).

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:36 pm

Preacher wrote:

Even though there is a tad of reprint they have a Wilk's 1000 Pulse Laser Cannon that does 3D4x10 on a three pulse blast.

The Wilkes stuff is original. The art is similar but they are different stuff. I went and actually compared them to New West and they are not the same. I was a doofus. Sorry about that. :oops:

Danger · Unread post by **Danger** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:54 pm

Dr. Doom v.3.0 wrote:
Preacher wrote:The A-10 Inspired by Owen Johnson from The Rifter is in there although not nearly as beefed up as the one in the Rifter.

Personal Fave of old Vehicles is the Blackhawk. Of course that is because I was Army.

What is up with all the conversions of things that were outdated 100 years before the coming of the rifts?

Nostalgia.

Danger · Unread post by **Danger** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:58 pm

Preacher wrote:
Preacher wrote:

Even though there is a tad of reprint they have a Wilk's 1000 Pulse Laser Cannon that does 3D4x10 on a three pulse blast.

The Wilkes stuff is original. The art is similar but they are different stuff. I went and actually compared them to New West and they are not the same. I was a doofus. Sorry about that.

Good to see that they're sticking with similar designs as they provide new art. Gives a sense that the artist knows and acknowledges the previous art while still giving us new pics. Thumbs up for both. :ok:

Mack · Unread post by **Mack** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:39 pm

RockJock wrote:If it was up to me there would be some sort of bridge between the F-14s the CS reused in their carriers and the Grey Falcon which I see as the secondline fighter when the rifts came.

At the end of Merc's there's a CS fighter that fits the bill. To bad it was never included in later publications.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:57 pm

That's interesting. There is a few new NG armors. One in particular is the Stalker. Kinda like the clothing armor from NGR. It is for covert ops. Only has 12 MDC but can be worn under regular armor. Kind of like MDC spandex. :lol:

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:54 pm

Naruni Wave II, MercTown and MercOps are essentially the sequels to Mercenaties.

MercTown is more or less setting and adventure ideas, while Naruni and MercOps are good Sears catalogues of weapons, armour, vehicles and othere goodies. All they are missing is the lingere section.

Levi · Unread post by **Levi** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:32 pm

Jefffar wrote:...Sears catalogues of weapons, armour, vehicles and othere goodies. All they are missing is the lingere section.

If your merc needs lingerie, he is taking the wrong missions.

Or, are they the right missions…

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:43 pm

Who said the lingere section was for the mercs?

Dr. Doom III · Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:46 pm

Preacher wrote:I just assumed it was because most of the Pre Rifts advanced tech from the Golden Age was destroyed during and or shortly after the Rifts hit and all that was really left was the out of date mothballed stuff from Early 21st.

I wouldn't really call 100 year old equipment mothballed, museum pieces more likely.

In the Canadian military maybe.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:50 pm

Naw, we usually draw the line after 60 years or so. 80 years if its' a particularly bad system that the soldiers don't like.

Toc Rat · Unread post by **Toc Rat** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 5:37 pm

Dr. Doom v.3.0.1 wrote:
Preacher wrote:I just assumed it was because most of the Pre Rifts advanced tech from the Golden Age was destroyed during and or shortly after the Rifts hit and all that was really left was the out of date mothballed stuff from Early 21st.

I wouldn't really call 100 year old equipment mothballed, museum pieces more likely.

In the Canadian military maybe.

Nah, the people infamous for never throwing anything away are the Russians. Now there are people that personify the pac rat mentality. They still have WWII artillery pieces sitting around in armories, just in case they might need them someday.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:39 pm

One of my favorite so far is the Chipwell anti-vampire armor.

Sad news the Chipwell Assault suit from Mercenaries book one has been discontinued from Production.

Unread post by **NMI** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:10 am

I liked all the new G.A.W. weapons, armor and the retro-fitted Pre-Rifts vehicles (Apache and Warthog being my fav's)

There is even a slight mention of "The Republicans" in the description of one of Titant Robotics/ARCHIE's new robot vehicle descriptions.

Unread post by **NMI** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:12 am

Also the art is fantastic. I liked the image holders used in the "Top Ten" bounties section.

Also the entire book is not one big catalogue of toys. There is a good section dedicated to game material, adventure ideas, etc...

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 4:32 am

Wasn't home for the guy from UPS so will have to wait till Monday to get my copy.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:42 am

The Deific NMI wrote:I liked all the new G.A.W. weapons, armor and the retro-fitted Pre-Rifts vehicles (Apache and Warthog being my fav's)

There is even a slight mention of "The Republicans" in the description of one of Titant Robotics/ARCHIE's new robot vehicle descriptions.

You notice the Miniature Fusion Power Plant? The e-clip recharger that we have all been clamoring for for years!!! Pg. 113

Unread post by **NMI** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 9:06 am

Preacher wrote:
The Deific NMI wrote:I liked all the new G.A.W. weapons, armor and the retro-fitted Pre-Rifts vehicles (Apache and Warthog being my fav's)

There is even a slight mention of "The Republicans" in the description of one of Titant Robotics/ARCHIE's new robot vehicle descriptions.

You notice the Miniature Fusion Power Plant? The e-clip recharger that we have all been clamoring for for years!!! Pg. 113

Yup!

Cranus · Unread post by **Cranus** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:18 pm

Wow, something to recharge e-clips? Definately, agree that its about time. Should I ever run Rifts again, I won't have to worry about PC's scrounging through dead bodies for ammunition.

Now all I have to do is get a copy...

Shades of Eternity · Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:36 pm

Finally picked up this book, and one of the best books in a few years.

However, I keep getting this nagging doubt that this stuff should have been out years ago.

Additionally, I heavily disagree with their comments on artillery.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:06 am

Dr. Doom v.3.0.1 wrote:
Preacher wrote:I just assumed it was because most of the Pre Rifts advanced tech from the Golden Age was destroyed during and or shortly after the Rifts hit and all that was really left was the out of date mothballed stuff from Early 21st.

I wouldn't really call 100 year old equipment mothballed, museum pieces more likely.

In the Canadian military maybe.

I haven't seen the new book, but there are places in the Appalachians where old vehicles have been stored away since WW2, including the M-48. It's entirely plausible that GAW found these old facilities. A great many of these old vehicles are still in their original packing grease (things like unassembled Willys Jeeps).

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 6:02 pm

Whoa, Carl Danzinger is Multi class Multi class. He will be a tough Bounty to bring in. 9th Level Commando who is a 5th level Burster and a 5th level zapper. Oh and he is completely off his rocker.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 6:11 pm

PG.61. Old Glory. I want one. Naruni Juggernaught Hover tank with beefed up armor to 1100 MDC and the Laser Gun on top has been replaced with a Boom Gun!!! :lol:

Devari · Unread post by **Devari** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:31 pm

I haven't gotten a copy yet, but Merc Ops sounds like its got some good gear in it (which I have to admit is one of my main criteria for getting a book). Is most of the stuff on par with Rifts Mercenaries (roughly 103 P.A.) or is it geared more towards Coalition War Campaign (105 P.A. and later)?

gaby · Unread post by **gaby** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:25 am

Tell Me What are the 5 Best New Power armors in it?

What are the 5 Best New Weapons in it?

What is Magefire?

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:27 am

There are less than 5 PAs in it.

I don't know what types of weapons you like, but there's a good selection from Wilks, Northern Gun and Wellington.

Magefire produces TW weapons.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:29 am

Devari wrote:I haven't gotten a copy yet, but Merc Ops sounds like its got some good gear in it (which I have to admit is one of my main criteria for getting a book). Is most of the stuff on par with Rifts Mercenaries (roughly 103 P.A.) or is it geared more towards Coalition War Campaign (105 P.A. and later)?

MercOps (and MercTown and Naruni Wave II) are the continuation of Mercenaries. Some of the stuff is new and abttle ready for the new generation of CS forces, some of it isn't.

We have Wilks, Northern Gun, Cyberworks, Wellington Industries, Golden Age Weaponsmiths and Chipwell gear.

Thinyser · Unread post by **Thinyser** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:50 am

Voitagi wrote:
Toc Rat wrote:
Preacher wrote:The A-10 Inspired by Owen Johnson from The Rifter is in there although not nearly as beefed up as the one in the Rifter.
.

Speaking as a soldier in an armored CAV unit, let me tell you, if there is one aircraft tankers fear, its the A-10

That is one bad @$$ plane! It's essentially a flying tank, more armored then any other aircraft and packing some impressive firepower. I still cant believe that the pentagon wanted to scrap them prior to desert storm. Idiots...

Cant wait to see what one looks like for Rifts.

Well the A-10 Warthog was state of the art in VietNam, thats probably why they want to scrap it. It also drinks up more fuel than the worlds largest airliners. It was a matter of cost effectiveness.

Yeah but weapons of war have never been as effecient as civilian counter parts....The serve very different purposes, an airliner carries people and luggage through the thin upper atmosphere and a constant speed....the A-10 carries a bigass gun, DU ammo for the gun, an armored tub for th pilot, and has a tripple redundent flight control sustem, through the thicker lower atmosphere and it is constantly decelerating and the accelerating and turning and in general performing a lot of manuvers that no airliner would ever attempt let alone be able to exicute.

Its like comparing a Hummer to a city bus...by and large the bus is a MUCH more ecomonical way to move people but try to ford a 3' deep stream in one!

Thinyser · Unread post by **Thinyser** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:02 am

Voitagi wrote:Im just saying that the reason they wanted to get rid of the A-10 is because its a pilot, an anti-tank gun (which fires approx. 84 rounds per second) sitting on 2 really big rockets. The modern jets are simply better.

I havnt gotten off my butt to go get my Merc Ops yet, but I hope its better than the original A-10's.

As far as close in air support (espicially against armor) and survivability against small arms fire the A-10 still whups ass all over the modern jets.

I'll admit the newer generations of multipurpose jets are better at all around warfare but for specilized close in fire support and tank killing the Warthog is still champ.

The new jets are generalist the A-10 is a specialist.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:19 am

So . . . uh . . . when did the A-10 get involved in Vietnam . . . that's news to me.

Thinyser · Unread post by **Thinyser** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:26 am

Jefffar wrote:So . . . uh . . . when did the A-10 get involved in Vietnam . . . that's news to me.

I was curious to that as well but didnt take the time to look it up...evidently Voitagi was misinformed?

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:30 am

Very interesting, sicne I thought the A-10 didn't get into service until after the Vietnam war.

Are you perhaps confusing things with the A-1 Skyraider?

Thinyser · Unread post by **Thinyser** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:38 am

The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in October 1975.

taken from http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=70

1973 was when the cease fire was signed in Paris and the last U.S. troops pulled out according to the time line on http://www.vietnampix.com/intro.htm

Guest · Unread post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:48 am

Voitagi wrote:Now my interrest is peaked, I'm gonna look it up. I could have sworn it was the primary fighter in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War ended in April 1975 with the fall of Saigon. The first A-10 was delivered in October 1975.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:39 pm

Mixing up the A-10 with a MiG? That's a good way to get your house strafed.

Preacher · Unread post by **Preacher** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:52 pm

daishi wrote:
Preacher wrote:Whoa, Carl Danzinger is Multi class Multi class. He will be a tough Bounty to bring in. 9th Level Commando who is a 5th level Burster and a 5th level zapper. Oh and he is completely off his rocker.

you can multi class an rcc/pcc?

be nice of there were some official rules for multi-classing in rifts

He was an experiment by a Rogue Cell within the Free Quebec Military before the end of the war. Unless they were to sell the process to the black market then it is a freak one of a kind thing.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:10 pm

He ahs the Skills of the 9th level commando, and the implants give him the powers of a 5th level Burster and a 5th level Zapper.

he's not multi-class

Sureshot · Unread post by **Sureshot** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:20 pm

It sounds like an interesting book. Though the E-clip recharger should have been in the first Rifts sourcebook. Why the waited so long for that particular piece of technology is beyond me. Minature Fusion plants. Hmm I wonder if you can set them to overload an explode.

Benito Pulatso · Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:10 am

Got my copy today, haven't had a chance to really read it yet, but I've perused it a bit. Looks neat so for, but I think it could have used at least one more edit/review for content conflict. For instance:

Pg. 89 - The NG-A12 decription text says damage from falls and crashes is reduced to one tenth (10%). But under the Special Features heading of the technical blurb, it lists that damage from falls and crashes is reduced to one forth (25%).

Pg. 153 - For the Death Ray Blaster, under P.P.E. Cost it lists it as 40 P.P.E. or 80 I.S.P. for one blast. However, under Payload, it says that each blasts costs 30 P.P.E.

Those are the only two I've noticed, but as I said, I've just kind of skimmed it, only reading certain parts in depth.