Basic Training

[Nxla666]

I'm putting my players through the HH Acadeamy from the Merc Adventures book and they liked it.

But since the game is set in a modified 3G's setting I want to put them through some space combat type training, the thing is I am drawing a blank on what exactly to do to them.

Anybody else do something like this, and have suggestions?

[JTwig]

I'm putting my players through the HH Acadeamy from the Merc Adventures book and they liked it.

But since the game is set in a modified 3G's setting I want to put them through some space combat type training, the thing is I am drawing a blank on what exactly to do to them.

Anybody else do something like this, and have suggestions?

Check out the robotech book RDF Accelerated Training. It has a lot of info on space training.

You might want to give them ship boarding training, and space survival (like if their suit is breached, or they get sucked out an air-lock).

[Nxla666]

I'm putting my players through the HH Acadeamy from the Merc Adventures book and they liked it.

But since the game is set in a modified 3G's setting I want to put them through some space combat type training, the thing is I am drawing a blank on what exactly to do to them.

Anybody else do something like this, and have suggestions?

Check out the robotech book RDF Accelerated Training. It has a lot of info on space training.

You might want to give them ship boarding training, and space survival (like if their suit is breached, or they get sucked out an air-lock).

Oh I forgot about the AT book.

And yeah, boarding (assault and repelling) and decompression training were on my list, but good ideas.

[KLM]

I'm putting my players through the HH Acadeamy from the Merc Adventures book and they liked it.

But since the game is set in a modified 3G's setting I want to put them through some space combat type training, the thing is I am drawing a blank on what exactly to do to them.

Anybody else do something like this, and have suggestions?

The series Space 2063: Above and Beyond gives a couple
of good ideas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_2063

Especially, when you plan to run both mudstompers
and vac-heads.

Adios
KLM

[Nxla666]

I'm putting my players through the HH Acadeamy from the Merc Adventures book and they liked it.

But since the game is set in a modified 3G's setting I want to put them through some space combat type training, the thing is I am drawing a blank on what exactly to do to them.

Anybody else do something like this, and have suggestions?

The series Space 2063: Above and Beyond gives a couple
of good ideas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_2063

Especially, when you plan to run both mudstompers
and vac-heads.

Adios
KLM

I have the series... must rewatch it again...

[glitterboy2098]

space combat training is going to be whole other academy adventure track.

first, you need to get your players used to thinking in 3 dimensions.
ship them up to a space station, where space combat is taught.

after running them through a vomit comet routine where they learn about momentum, inertia, and how to move in zero-g (best actually done as part of the transit up to the station), run them through this:


their first few lessons are in 3D manuvering and awarness. give them training gear (low powered laser pistols/rifles and exoskeletons that lock up when 'wounded/killed'), and put them in a room. this room will be a huge box, roughly 3 times longer than it is wide or high, with an entrance in the center of each small face.

inside this vast space is a collection of objects, spheres, cubes, geodasics, as well as clusters of tubing and struts. these objects are distributed in a way to block immediate line of sight on the opposing side, but leave large stretches of open space between the objects. there should be no marks to indicate directions, save the entery doors.

each team enters on a different side of the room at the start of the 'mission', and the goal is to reach the other teams entrance with a specific number of people. (say, 2 people, to hit the two lock panels needed to open the door)

the teams have to manuver through the room, using the objects as cover and anchoring/launching points for movement. as the GM, make sure the players experiance the enemy moving at odd angles and positions relitive to them (remember, all directions are 'up'), as well as enemies coming in from odd angles. (if all the player arbitarily pick one direction as 'up', have the enemy come in feet first from 'below', ect)

if they don't learn the first few times, change up the mission (capture the flag, take and holds, the options are vast) and send them through again.


after they have learned to think in 3D, then move them onto EVA activities. same basic plan, but instead of being in a room, they are in space suits and fighting around the station and ships. this 'mission' would be best run as a boarding action, the chars required to either attack or defend the station from a ship. they'd have to use EVA packs and other manuvering systems to cross the large distances, and would have to get used to the scale of space combat.

then you start the serious training, with things like combat launching from a ship (both as part of orbital drops and as part of a repell boarders bit), boarding an enemy ship, both from space and from a boarding craft, and the like.

and if they are fighter pilots, start them with fighter combat here. put them in trainers, send them on patrols, and have them encounter the trainers or training ships, to learn anti-fighter combat, anti-ship tactics, ect.

by this point they should have excellent grasp of 3D combat outside of a gravity well.


for those of you've heard this before, you have. this is a simplified version of the stuff from Enders game, with a little Space Cadet tossed in.

[Nxla666]

space combat training is going to be whole other academy adventure track.

first, you need to get your players used to thinking in 3 dimensions.
ship them up to a space station, where space combat is taught.

after running them through a vomit comet routine where they learn about momentum, inertia, and how to move in zero-g (best actually done as part of the transit up to the station), run them through this:


their first few lessons are in 3D manuvering and awarness. give them training gear (low powered laser pistols/rifles and exoskeletons that lock up when 'wounded/killed'), and put them in a room. this room will be a huge box, roughly 3 times longer than it is wide or high, with an entrance in the center of each small face.

inside this vast space is a collection of objects, spheres, cubes, geodasics, as well as clusters of tubing and struts. these objects are distributed in a way to block immediate line of sight on the opposing side, but leave large stretches of open space between the objects. there should be no marks to indicate directions, save the entery doors.

each team enters on a different side of the room at the start of the 'mission', and the goal is to reach the other teams entrance with a specific number of people. (say, 2 people, to hit the two lock panels needed to open the door)

the teams have to manuver through the room, using the objects as cover and anchoring/launching points for movement. as the GM, make sure the players experiance the enemy moving at odd angles and positions relitive to them (remember, all directions are 'up'), as well as enemies coming in from odd angles. (if all the player arbitarily pick one direction as 'up', have the enemy come in feet first from 'below', ect)

if they don't learn the first few times, change up the mission (capture the flag, take and holds, the options are vast) and send them through again.


after they have learned to think in 3D, then move them onto EVA activities. same basic plan, but instead of being in a room, they are in space suits and fighting around the station and ships. this 'mission' would be best run as a boarding action, the chars required to either attack or defend the station from a ship. they'd have to use EVA packs and other manuvering systems to cross the large distances, and would have to get used to the scale of space combat.

then you start the serious training, with things like combat launching from a ship (both as part of orbital drops and as part of a repell boarders bit), boarding an enemy ship, both from space and from a boarding craft, and the like.

and if they are fighter pilots, start them with fighter combat here. put them in trainers, send them on patrols, and have them encounter the trainers or training ships, to learn anti-fighter combat, anti-ship tactics, ect.

by this point they should have excellent grasp of 3D combat outside of a gravity well.


for those of you've heard this before, you have. this is a simplified version of the stuff from Enders game, with a little Space Cadet tossed in.

I like it!

[Aramanthus]

I like it too!

[Aramanthus]

There is supposed to be a period of readjustment.

[Aramanthus]

That isn't going to be a problem to the PA pilot unless they have been without any gravity for extended period.

[Aramanthus]

Not for a PA. I'd say all of them don't have the legs for that sort of mission. Now a long range fighter is a different story. Although they have CG, which keeps the crews from suffering from a lack of gravity.

[KLM]

Err... PA is credited to have a manouverability
at least on par with starfighters (more precisely
slightly less speed but better turning/acceleration
/decceleration).

Now... Starfighters are usually equipped with
onboard CG fields, both to create artifical
gravity, and to counter the effects of G-forces
from acceleration/decceleration. Mind you,
even the "canon" crawling 8-18M speeds
are enough to smear a human being on
the windglass of the cockpit (with intensive
manouvering, of course).

This mean - IMO - that most space-capable,
CG driven PA (Silverhawk, Warlock Mk II)
is similarly equipped.

This means, they can board after a couple of hours
in space, and do not have to readjust, whatever
is the target ships (or stations) gravity, be it 0,2
or 5 G.

Just my two cents.

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

So, then the artifical gravity projectors are built into the ceiling,
not into the floor... Big deal.

[Aramanthus]

Actually you are right to incldue the PAs in that oversite of mine KLM> Thank you!

[Aramanthus]

In some circumstances with certain cultures I would have to say yes.

[KLM]

Would PA be considered storm trooper?

Depends on the "standard" tactics of that culture, the exact
type of the PA.

They can be anything from heavy infanty to light cavalry
(not to mention specforces and air/space power).

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

Not exactly IMO.

I mean an infantry unit is not exclusively for riflemen.

My favourite example is a WWII (Stalingrad) German
urban assault unit of approximately 150 men.

Only like 50 were equipped and tasked for actually
assaulting.

The rest were machine gunners, snipers, ammo and water
carriers, medics, mortar crew, demolitions squad, communications
or just forward observers.

So, in this case for a squadron of 150 men, there would be like
50 assault PAs, 10 APC crews, 20 engineers in exoskeleton,
10 "sniper/anti-armor PA, 2-3 self-propelled artillery vehicle
crew, 1 command/communication vehicle (for a battlenet like
in Aliens), 1-2 ammo trucks, 1-2 medical vehicles...
...maybe EW, SAM/AA, and of course the mobile galley.

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

For my part I try to establish tactics and unit composition by
trial and error.

Sometimes players are convincable to play a little
tabletop wargame... Sometimes it just comes with
in-game experience.

And computer games, like Steel Panthers or those
WH40K games are also usefull. Just do not forget
to seek the differences in each setting, and try
to predict their effect on warfare.

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

That is the base of Trial-and -Error.

Think about a good looking combination
and trial it by fire.

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

For my part, I also beleive in preparedness.

Aside from simulations (ranging from VR to large-scale
military exercises) there are more than enough "volunteers"
to test our units, hardware and methods.

Pirates, sploog raids, vampires, star hives, the occasional
Dominator, intruders, necrons, you name it.

Adios
KLM

Again: Si vis pacem, para bellum.

And I do not let my boys get bored during peacetime...

[DhAkael]

space combat training is going to be whole other academy adventure track.

first, you need to get your players used to thinking in 3 dimensions.
ship them up to a space station, where space combat is taught.

after running them through a vomit comet routine where they learn about momentum, inertia, and how to move in zero-g (best actually done as part of the transit up to the station), run them through this:


their first few lessons are in 3D manuvering and awarness. give them training gear (low powered laser pistols/rifles and exoskeletons that lock up when 'wounded/killed'), and put them in a room. this room will be a huge box, roughly 3 times longer than it is wide or high, with an entrance in the center of each small face.

inside this vast space is a collection of objects, spheres, cubes, geodasics, as well as clusters of tubing and struts. these objects are distributed in a way to block immediate line of sight on the opposing side, but leave large stretches of open space between the objects. there should be no marks to indicate directions, save the entery doors.

each team enters on a different side of the room at the start of the 'mission', and the goal is to reach the other teams entrance with a specific number of people. (say, 2 people, to hit the two lock panels needed to open the door)

the teams have to manuver through the room, using the objects as cover and anchoring/launching points for movement. as the GM, make sure the players experiance the enemy moving at odd angles and positions relitive to them (remember, all directions are 'up'), as well as enemies coming in from odd angles. (if all the player arbitarily pick one direction as 'up', have the enemy come in feet first from 'below', ect)

if they don't learn the first few times, change up the mission (capture the flag, take and holds, the options are vast) and send them through again.


after they have learned to think in 3D, then move them onto EVA activities. same basic plan, but instead of being in a room, they are in space suits and fighting around the station and ships. this 'mission' would be best run as a boarding action, the chars required to either attack or defend the station from a ship. they'd have to use EVA packs and other manuvering systems to cross the large distances, and would have to get used to the scale of space combat.

then you start the serious training, with things like combat launching from a ship (both as part of orbital drops and as part of a repell boarders bit), boarding an enemy ship, both from space and from a boarding craft, and the like.

and if they are fighter pilots, start them with fighter combat here. put them in trainers, send them on patrols, and have them encounter the trainers or training ships, to learn anti-fighter combat, anti-ship tactics, ect.

by this point they should have excellent grasp of 3D combat outside of a gravity well.


for those of you've heard this before, you have. this is a simplified version of the stuff from Enders game, with a little Space Cadet tossed in.

Neo moment: "Whoa!"

[glitterboy2098]

one can only be so prepared. After that, everything else needs to be thought of on the spot.

agreed. the main thing that needs to be learned is to think in 3 dimensions. adlibbing a plan is one thing, but don't pull a Khan Singh.

[glitterboy2098]

http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Battle_of_the_Mutara_Nebula

Khan Noonien Singh failed to think in 3 dimensions, and was treating the battle as if it was being played out on a flat plane. Kirk used this blindspot by coming in from 'below', catching Khan by surprise.

to pull a Khan Singh, in my terminology, is to forget to consider all your options. in the case of this battle, that included Khans singleminded pursuit of kirk, his forgetting that space is 3D and up/down is relitive to your ships attitude, and the fact that the light cruiser Khan had was more manuverable than kirks ship.

[Aramanthus]

In ST he was one of a group of genetically engineered super men who for a short time control the earth of the ST universe. They were beat and the survivors werre placed in a form of suspension animation and sent out into the universe. A certain shpi found them floating in space and began having problems with them, which continued until the 2nd movie when the loose ends were dealt with.

[KLM]

Yepp...

Oh, and Khan N.S. feature in the Enterprise series too.
(In that case, they begun the story, cut short by J.T.Kirk)

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

I think they should start digitally modifying the original series... Even those things on the experimental Enterprize is beginning to look so much better than those on the Enterprize-A.

I think they should think more on the lines of the Deep
Space 9 series. Not neccessarily based on that show,
but the overall "continous feel", also present in B5 and
Stargate.

You know it is somehow like storytelling.

At first we had those RPG clubs, when we played every
week by another GM (Star Trek, The Original Series).

When we matured, we wanted our stories to have a
deeper, more elaborated meaning - TNG.

Then we wanted to play not a series of unconnected
stories, but a large epic campaign spanning over years.
DS9.

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

While not having a word against B5, I just
skipped the show - not intentionally, but because
of DS9 was on air earlier, and later, when
B5 was aired, I had to choose.

Look at Ivanova and Major Kira and blame me, if you dare


And Stargate. The movies was just a mediocre sci-fi,
but some guys had a brainstorm over the possibilities,
and created one of the best sci-fi series from it.

Adios
KLM

[KLM]

I guess it is in the eye of the beholder.

[Aramanthus]

Claudie Christian is correct. I also preferred the B5 series.

[Aramanthus]

I saw that. It didn't bother me about the replacement from the introduction movie.

[Aramanthus]

Yeah she had previous commitments! Oh well. I always loved Claudia! She is really a sweet person to talk too in private!

[Aramanthus]

Yeah, that is always going to be a sticky point. I still want to blame WB on that note!

[Aramanthus]

I know that is good to hear, that I'm not alone in that belief.

[Aramanthus]

I wouldn't have boycotted the series. Maybe the other WB products.