This Week’s post adds a new layer of warfare to MAC Attack.
I wanted a simple system for "Offboard Bullshit" in MAC Attack, covering long range artillery, nearby computer operators, and orbital support.
The points values are very shaky right now, so use with caution.
REMOTE ASSETS (RAs)
Forces can call in additional support from off the board, safely positioned safely beyond the battlefield. For each MAC in their Force a player can purchase one Remote Asset, paying the points cost listed. The RAs are not tied to a specific MAC, this limit is just for force creation.
RAs are assigned a card in the initiative deck just like any other unit. When their card is drawn in the Move phase they are ignored, but when drawn in the Attack Phase the player chooses whether to use them or not. When an RA is used its initiative card is removed from the game.
Unless noted, RAs can target any Allied unit or any Enemy unit that at least one Ally has line of sight to.
Precision Strike (2pts): Target unit suffers d6 hits.
Carpet Bombing (2pts): Target a point on the battlefield. All units within 6” suffer a single hit.
Interface Hack (1pts): Target MAC must make a System Check or be Hacked. When Hacked, gain 1 Heat and adjust SD by 1 if the attacker wishes.
Target Painting (1pts): Mark the target. All attacks against them this Round are at -1TN.
Ammunition Drone (1pts): Restore one depleted X-type weapon to being fully loaded.
Shield Drop (1pts): Mark the target. All attacks against them this Round are at +1TN.
Redeployment Lifter (2pts): Move an allied unit up to 6” in any direction, ignoring terrain. Set facing at the end of the move.
Disruption Burst (2pts): Select a point on the battlefield. All units within 6” are affected. Move each unit 3” directly away from the centre of the effect in an order of your choosing. Do not change facing.
Tactical Overlord (2pts): Look through the remaining cards in the initiative deck and set one aside. Shuffle the rest of the cards and place your chosen card on top of the deck.
Gravity Well (2pts): Select a point on the battlefield. All units within 6” are affected. Move each unit 3” directly toward the centre of the effect in an order of your choosing. Do not change facing.
Emergency Coolant (2pts): Target loses d6 Heat.
Total Bombardment (3pts): All units that are not in cover suffer a single hit.
Smoke Column (1pt): Increase target’s SD to 6.
Temporal Disruptor (2pts): Take one initiative card already drawn this turn and shuffle it back into the initiative deck.
Nanite Swarm (1pt): Target unit rolls 3d6. Each die repairs the module number rolled, turning destroyed to damaged and damaged to undamaged.
Quake Wave (1pt): Target MAC must pass a System Check or Fall Over.
Thermal Tick (1pt): Target MAC must pass a System Check or immediately set themselves to Heat 6.
Elsewhere
Explorers Design talks about some of the great TTRPG covers of all time.
The UK Games Expo is happening in Birmingham this weekend, and I’ll be there on the Friday and Saturday wandering the halls. It’s well worth visiting if you’re at all interested in tabletop games.
Spencer Campbell of Gila RPGs joined me for the final episode of this series of the Bastionland Podcast, sharing his Rule of Three.
Coming Soon
Over on Patreon I tease more MAC Attack goodness.
Tired of getting crushed by your enemies' finely balanced MACs? Tired of living by the book? Want to bring something special for your next clash?
We hacked Foreman Postello's personal design terminal at the Grand Forge and stole a folder named "DIRTY DESIGNS DO NOT LOOK IN HERE."
These schematics are so filthy, so sordid, that even the Arch-Rector's circuits would blush.
Expect the full post here and on the blog next week.
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As a big fan of your work and a huge nerd for BattleTech back in the day I am digging this a lot.
Going to talk some of my Alpha Strike bros into trying MAC attack soon! Huzzah!