In Progress Let's Play 7.62HC again, Total Eclipse of the Blue Sun[SSLP]

[R@S]

**********************
Session 21: Sniper girl gets some credit
**********************
- Three Fronts are Two Too Many - Kestrel and BNC Teams Up - Rob Yu Controls his Bursts -
- SKS Sniper Mod - Close Call for Geroj - BNC's Flanking Surprise - What! Another Ambush Already! -
**********************

Spoiler

The team gets the opportunity to ambush some road agents, there's 19 of them and it'll be a tough fight.

The enemy will come from three directions, the team will have the higher ground from where they can make a stand.

The Plan
HK and The Brock will cover the south-western entry point, Geroj and Rob Yu the south-eastern. Kestrel and BNC will take care of the enemies coming from the north.

When everybody is in position, weapons ready, BNC starts the battle with a well aimed shot from her MP7A1.

HK takes out his target, and immediately switches to the next.

BNC and Kestrel have a lot of opposition, changing targets all the time to the most immediate threat.

The Brock lays down some cover fire to take some of the attention away from HK who needs to concentrate on his work.

Another one-shot-kill from his G3SG/1, HK is most pleased with himself.

BNC gets hit, there's too many enemies to keep busy.

HK finally gets a more difficult target, one that is prone and behind some cover.

Kestrel, by shooting at the enemy most likely to get a shot off before any other, manages to keep the enemy at bay. With a little help from BNC of course.

HK's second attempt misses as well.

The Brock takes out an enemy skirmisher trying to get closer to HK.

Third time's the charm, HK finally hits his target.

Things are starting to get under control at the northern front, only a few enemies left, none able to fight back efficiently.

As HK is about to start looking for the next target he gets hit, he never saw where the fire was coming from.

HK will pull back to avoid being hit again. BNC will move back and bandage her wound. Geroj will displace and cover the south-eastern entry point from a better vantage point.

As HK starts crawling, the mystery shooter reveals her position somewhere near the south-eastern entry point. Judging by the accuracy of the bullets flying by, it's probably an enemy equipped with a sniper rifle.

The Brock spots another enemy, brings him down with a few shots from his newly acquired Bofors AK5.

The sniper fire still comes over their heads, they need to do something about it, and soon.

Kestrel only has 2 enemies left, both without any weapons, easy pickings.

Damn that sniper! That was a close one.

And here she is, using her SKS sniper variant to deliver those well aimed shots.

More enemies are now beginning to come from the south-western entry point, Rob Yu is ready for them with his HK23e.

There seem to have been more enemy left than Kestrel had anticipated, an enemy with a FN Minimi Para comes running, and gets taken down quickly.

Kestrel will move up and finish of the final two at the northern front. The Brock will check out the south-eastern entry point more carefully while HK turns his G3SG/1 towards the south-western entry point. BNC will start a long flanking run to surprise the enemy there, and when she's there, Geroj will move up and support her.

The Brock doesn't get far before an enemy reveals himself, and luckily misses.

The Brock doesn't.

Kestrel brings down one of his targets, then moves forward.

Rob Yu takes care of another enemy, the HK23e very accurate when shooting short controlled bursts.

Geroj starts to suppress the enemy with the scoped SKS, having trouble connecting at this distance with his SA vz.58.

He moves away just as the enemy fires her SKS again, and gets very lucky as the bullet whizzes by mere inches from him.

HK has found another target, using her Ruger Mini-14 from a good position. Well, not good enough it would seem.

Kestrel has reached his destination and spots a wounded enemy trying to crawl away, he shows no mercy.

BNC has reached her position, and Geroj starts to move up. Rob Yu takes down another enemy with another burst.

HK finally finds the SKS wielding female in his sights, but is unable to get a clean shot. She uses this to run to a spot where he can't get at her.

But that's what BNC was hoping for. Game over.

Even the road agents are starting to carry some good loot now, and we got some 7.52x54mmR ammo.

The team continue to the Blue Sun base and gets a reward and another assassination quest, this time in Cali-Cantinos.

Halfway there, they get ambushed, in broad daylight, with half-full mags and starts in a very exposed position.

Are their magazines half-full or half-empty? Should they take the optimistic and offensive approach or the pessimistic defensive one? Stay tuned and tomorrow you might find out!

 

[waladil]

(Primarily in character):
Rather than standing and fighting, with this ammo situtation the best idea is to... RUN! Make a dash for one of the exit points and bail out!

(And back out of character):
Thanks for setting up those spoiler tags. Makes traversing pages much faster.

 

[R@S]

I could probably make a dash for the western entry point without getting hit too many times, but where's the fun in that? Isn't it about time someone bites the dust

And yes, re-formatting the screenshot posts was a good idea, one I got from some other excellent LP's on this board. This is my first attempt at an LP and I'm still learning how do do it in a well constructed and entertaining fashion. And we're getting near the end of it as well, the last fights will be very big and hard to boil down in a comprehensive way using screenshots, but I'll try my best.

 

[IceShade]

I hope you'll have more luck with the radio hill than me. I went there, encountered no resistance. I walked up and shot every single one, point blank, no problems. No soldier turned hostile. I then took the hill with my militia and got my reward. Hopefully the airfield will be a bit more interesting than that.

 

[Hur Zwa]

Split the team. Let three of them set up a defensive position and the other try to flank.

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

Call skyrider. Lose car.

 

[D_F_N]

Look, uh, Apone.
Look, we can't have any firing in there. I, uh, I want you to collect magazines from everybody.
Do it Apone, and no grenades.

 

[R@S]

I had this idea reading Hur Zwa's post, would any of you mind describing your ideal tactic on a picture, words just don't do it for me:D

You all know roughly where the enemy are positioned, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Please post group formation and what weapons they'll use, and their movements as well. I might be able to actually play them out in this encounter. Mind you, we still don't know who we're fighting, it might be Badasses if we're unlucky.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17796446/Tactic1.jpg

I'm off to work, will be home in a few hors though, might be able to play this encounter then.

 

[Hur Zwa]

Alright here comes my tactic:
Try to seize thearea marked as "defensive position" as soon as possible with all available firepower. Then cover to both directions and send the skirmishers around. As soon as they reach the intersection push forward with both teams.

http://www.img-teufel.de/img_Tactic12d6aa4efjpg.jpg.html

 

[R@S]

Thanks Hur Zwa, I have just finished playing the encounter using your tactics, I'll try to get it ready later tonight. I Don't want to reveal too much, but guess who took another bullet:D

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

GEROJ!

 

[waladil]

Oh, well I guess I'm too late to post this, then:
http://i.imgur.com/Jm85N.jpg

Supposed to be Brock and Kestrel holding the north,
BNC and Geroj holding the south
Rob holding the east.
And HK in the center to be able to fire at any of the three. Primarily Rob's side, because he's so alone.

But I guess we'll see what really happened.

 

[R@S]

Sorry about that Waladil, you'll get the next one, promise

I myself had a third plan in mind, setting everybody up in the south-western corner and let the enemy come to me. Very boring play style, but very effective if I'd made it there before the enemy at the south entry point got wise to my plan. BNC with her China Lake would've made sure they were occupied.

But that's enough of the what ifs, I'll try to post the next session in a couple of hours. 'Til then...

 

[R@S]

**********************
Session 22: Let's do it Mick's way
**********************
- The Forty-Mike-Mike - HK's lovely Headshot - What's Wrong with Geroj - Kestrel Takes Geroj's Place -
- Arriving too Early - Pop-a-mole Tactic - Snipers and Machine-gunners - Coming from Behind Hurts -
**********************

Spoiler

The team quickly spread out and run to their positions.

The Plan
Kestrel will start by covering the team's back while they get ready, then pull back and stay close to HK. The Brock will keep an eye towards the north in case the enemy starts coming that way. Rob Yu and HK will start picking off the targets at the southern entry point while Geroj and BNC move closer.

HK starts where he left off, scoring a lovely headshot.

The second target gets soften by Rob Yu, then HK take her out.

BNC, who has switched to her China Lake, lobs a forty-mike-mike grenade over the treetops to disrupt the enemies.

While the grenade is in the air, HK empties his mag with a close miss.

The 40mm grenade doesn't do much damage, it still disrupts the enemies who either change targets or hit the dirt.

Geroj will try to use this to move up while HK and BNC covers him. Rob Yu will turn his HK23e towards the north, The Brock will move a bit to get out of his firing line.

As usual, Geroj gets hit again, there must be something very, very wrong with him. He pulls back to do some medic stuff.

The enemies start coming from the north, Rob Yu welcomes them with a burst.

HK scores another hit.

And another lovely headshot.

Rob Yo takes down a target, but more are coming, getting very close with their return fire.

Since Geroj's busy, Kestrel will have to make the southern run instead of him. Kestrel will move up a bit and help HK clear the road.

BNC gets under fire, returns the favor with a headshot from her MP7A1.

Rob Yu is busy with the enemies from the north, doing an outstanding job with his HK23e.

Kestrel suppresses the final enemy at the southern entry point, then prepares to move.

Since the northern front might get very busy soon, HK and Rob Yu will pull back a bit in case any grenades comes through the air. Geroj, who is finished healing, will take Rob Yu's place. Kestrel and BNC, after taking out the enemy in their way, will move to their next position, where they hopefully will come upon the enemy's right flank.

Kestrel quickly deal with the obstacle, then they start moving.

Kestrel and BNC seems to be too early, there are still some enemies on the move. BNC will have to run through heavy enemy fire to reach the other side of the gap where she'll have a better view

Kestrel open up at the closest enemy, missing but stopping him in his tracks.

That's when he spots the sniper. They will probably be pinned down for a while since neither him or BNC have any weapon with sufficient range.

HK starts picking off the targets again.

Rob Yu lends a hand whenever he feels it's appropriate.

BNC has reached her position without incident, and is on the lookout for any grenade throwing enemies that might surprise Kestrel.

Kestrel has to use the pop-a-mole tactic to avoid getting hit by the enemy sniper. He's waiting for reinforcements to distract the sniper long enough for him to score a hit.

HK shoots an enemy in the back, The Brock does a mercy killing.

HK takes down another. That must be most of the enemies coming from the north eastern entry point, so the team prepares to advance.

The Brock will help Kestrel and BNC take out the sniper. Geroj, Rob Yu and HK will move up and fan out, kill any resistance left.

As they start to move, HK spots another enemy and takes him out.

The Brock gets surprised by an enemy behind the car, but deals with it like a pro.

BNC has spotted another enemy close to The Brock, and a grenade is the best solution.

Kestrel now has enough time for an aimed shot, and takes the enemy down by shooting him in the legs.

The team doesn't just have a sniper to deal with, there's a machine gunner as well. While Kestrel, BNC and The Brock keeps them busy, Geroj will make a long run coming up behind them. Rob Yu and HK will make sure no other enemies are left in their area.

The Brock fires a couple of bursts to get the enemies attention, and manages to hit the enemy machine gunner.

That last burst emptied the chambered clip, and The Brock is forced to reload in a very exposed position. He gets very lucky several times before he manages to reach some cover.

Kestrel has used this time to aim at the sniper, but misses his shot.

The machine gunner sends a burst in The Brock's direction, getting very close to hitting him.

The sniper manages to score a hit on Kestrel, who moves into cover to heal.

Geroj has reached his destination and takes out the sniper with some hip-shot bursts. By then the enemy machine gunner has bled out from the wounds The Brock gave him.

We got a Russian MG and an AKM, not to be sneezed at.

 

[waladil]

What, just one encounter in an update? This LP totally suxxors!! QQ!!


(I am very joking. Another good fight is a good fight.)

 

[mondblut]

This gunporn almost made me revisit the game.

Then I realized there are a couple of JA2 total convertions now updated to work with 1.13, and there I go. 32 mercs >>>>> anything.

 

[Hur Zwa]

That's the reason I don't use two magazines taped together. After you fire the last round of the first mag you are a sitting duck while flipping the mags. And it also makes your weapon heavier.
Was BNC out of 40mm grenades to took out that nasty sniper?

I'm happy my plan worked so well, considering the fact that I was a bit drunk when posting that tactic.

 

[D_F_N]

32 mercs >>>>> anything.

Since vanilla you could use as many mercs could work together with a simple number tweaking.
Since BSM you can use -theoritically- 100+ (tested this with 22 simultaneously and IIRC 30-40 with bench mercs), with the same number tweaking.

The problem is, even for me who likes big numbers and many mercs, that no more than 6-7 mercs could be displayed on screen. Using Tab and the pop-up windows you could remedy this but not really fix it. You must check everybody every now and then to make sure that you didnt miss some pop-up window, or that something bad isnt happening. It is tedious but i personally like it better than playijng with a half-squad of only six mercs. The more tactical options you have, make up for the frustration.

There is a small 12 merc display mod made by R@S taking advantage of higher resolution IIRC. Also the Russian mod team of HLA have made something similar -but more refined- for all resolutions. The code from the russian moders may be implemented in future release BSM, maybe not. We will see.

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

That's the reason I don't use two magazines taped together. After you fire the last round of the first mag you are a sitting duck while flipping the mags. And it also makes your weapon heavier.

Also, balance. You need balance to have proper set of controlled burst or single shots going. My sniper/SDM and his ACOG-ed L1A1 can clear CQB with his gun raised and preaimed to scoped or aimed shots. Takes just less than a second to shoot in scoped mode. As long as his flanks are watched (due to angle of view of the ACOG), he takes on multiple enemies with CQB weapon just fine. Having the gun's balance only a couple of point off from ideal (45 with 30 round mag, 48 with 20 round) means the time to recover aim is virtually null. You can take a shot and move straight back into cover.

 

[R@S]

Hur Zwa, I only had 3 40mm grenades left, need to be very conservative when using them, have to do maximum damage in groups of enemies to get the best out of them. The tactic did work, even if Kestrel and BNC ran into trouble with that sniper and machinegunner, I think I should have sent someone with a better ranged weapon with them to prevent that happening. We have plenty of those ATM, like the L1A1 with an ACOG sight which would be an excellent choice.

I'll do some re-arranging of the merc inventories, stop using taped together mags. And seriously, what's wrong with Geroj? I think he needs to stay at a hospital for a spell, and when he gets back he'll start using the RPK. Then he would stay back and maybe not get hit every other second

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

Do have an RPK hip charge. Fits the bill for Geroj's personality. Perhaps he gets getting shot because he keeps being the first guy to stick his head out and not back in.

Anyway, a set of comparison between potential long range rifles you would had looted up to now going up against the L1A1. Purpose built snipers vs an battle/assault rifle.

Spoiler

And I've got a correction to make. I'm currently using the 30 round mag made for the OISW FAL since I got 2 of those, which causes a fully loaded L1A1 with ACOG and laser to have a balance of 45, and 54 when empty. The 20 round FAL mag causes an L1A1 with the same set up to have starting balance of 50 when full and 55 when empty. I knew there was a reason I switched to 30 round mags besides the mag capacity. 30 round mags allow the L1A1 to remain closer to the 'perfectly balanced' state longer than with a 20 round mag since the first 15 rounds or so out of the 30 round mag actually makes the gun better balance wise.

Conclusion : 7.62 NATO is bloody heavy.

 

[Hur Zwa]

That's the reason I don't use two magazines taped together. After you fire the last round of the first mag you are a sitting duck while flipping the mags. And it also makes your weapon heavier.

Also, balance. You need balance to have proper set of controlled burst or single shots going. My sniper/SDM and his ACOG-ed L1A1 can clear CQB with his gun raised and preaimed to scoped or aimed shots. Takes just less than a second to shoot in scoped mode. As long as his flanks are watched (due to angle of view of the ACOG), he takes on multiple enemies with CQB weapon just fine. Having the gun's balance only a couple of point off from ideal (45 with 30 round mag, 48 with 20 round) means the time to recover aim is virtually null. You can take a shot and move straight back into cover.

So a wrong balance adds to the time between shots fired? I never understood what this balance really means. Some say it has to do with accuracy of bursts and single shots but it's hard to prove that.

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

At least that's what I somewhat observed while trying to form a squad that relies on mobile tactics that allows independant combatants instead of overwhelming firepower in a line. AKA trying to get even my sniper to excel at CQB.

From an explaination from R@S long ago, 0 means the gun is weighted towards the front and 100 means the gun is weighted towards the the back. I assume that for a gun that is used in a none proned manner without a bipod, 50 would give the best sense of balance while shooting.

I however, have not tested this theory when it comes to guns with bipods and are used proned. I do get sniper rifles requiring readjustment (turn time) after every proned bipoded shot since the recoil displaces the gun from the target, but I need to test how different balance affects the gun when firing from a prone position. If you follow IRL physics of gun recoil, a proned gunner with a bipod may benefit from having the gun's balance exceed 50 in game terms if I'm not mistaken.

I was very wrong. Guns have a set amount of buffer time after you shoot them before you can move again. Should you choose to take another shot, the buffer time is canceled, but I still cannot determine if the next aimed time is not only skill dependant, but also balance dependant but consider that most SMG shots are taken within half a second if you're aiming at the same spot. Also tried the same thing with a bipoded m24, aimed through the scope. Took a shot every 1.26 seconds despite the ROF on the description being about 1.6s.

The buffer time is generally about 0.60-0.75s for pistol, SMG, some short ARs and some full size AR and battle rifles. The L1A1 is 0.65s. I tested with different loadout, scopes and weight measures. The result of the buffer time remains the same. The HK 23E is 0.75s. SKS is 1.00s. Semi automatic sniper rifles are in general 1.20-1.30s. Bolt action rifles are about 1.50s. There are some inconsistencies as well. Like the Saiga 12 has a buffer time of about 1.00s while the SPAS 12 has a buffer time of about 1.25s despite both being semi automatic shotguns. Remi 870 gave me a buffer time of 1.50s. At this point I can't tell how is the buffer time calculated at all. The only way to tell if the weapon can be mobile is by manually aiming at a point, pause and take a shot and deduct 0.05s from whatever shows up on your time counter.

Lol, didn't see that coming. The ROF on your guns for single shot is not the actual ROF. It's the buffer time for after taking the shot. Why didn't I see that earlier. /Facepalm.

In other words, I'm still clueless to what does balance do. But the time needed to aim and shoot the next shot might be skill and balance driven, minus the time needed to turn the gun to the right direction. Either that or balance just play a part in calculating how much stamina/energy you burn if you move with the gun raised. As far as my L1A1 goes, it's doing pretty well in the energy conservation department.

 

[R@S]

**********************
Session 23: Geroj doesn't get hit
**********************
- Hospital Roof - Need Some AP Rounds - Training Camp Assassination - Geroj's Assault -
- Reinforcements in the Rear - Kestrel Goes Full Auto - BNC's Flanking - Time to Heal -
**********************

Spoiler

Once the weapons have been cleaned and reloaded the team continue towards Cali-Cantinos.

Here's their target, hiding inside a church of all places.

The team get into position, since there's six of them, they'll all pick one target each.

Everyone except Rob Yu fires at the same time, all hitting their targets.

HK's position at the hospital roof gives him a good vantage point.

Geroj hits his target again, but doesn't seem able to penetrate the armor.

HK solves the problem though, the 7.62x51mm FMJ round have enough power.

The loot turned up a semi-automatic HK SL-8.

Back at the Blue Sun Base they sell the loot and get their reward, Tang also have a new mission for them, one that can be solved several ways.

They go for the sniper killing since it comes with this:

Then off to the Training Camp where their new target is located.

The Plan
HK, Kestrel and The Brock will take over-watch positions covering the majority of the compound. Geroj will take out the patrolling guard. Rob Yu will cover the access road and be ready to turn around to cover their rear if BNC spots any reinforcements.

HK switches to his L96A1 and takes out their target with a headshot.

The Brock suppresses the guards at the entrance with his silenced MP5.

Kestrel spots an enemy sniper and manages to hit him, way beyond the Crossfire Mk-1's effective range.

The Brock continues his suppression fire, manages to cripple one of the guards.

HK helps Kestrel take out the sniper, then starts looking for another target.

Geroj has taken out the patrol and will run down the access road while The Brock covers him.

Another good hit from the L96A1, but not good enough to bring the target down.

The Brock scores a few good hits with his MP5, but even the .40 S&W round is starting to get too weak.

The enemy is now aware of HK's position and lays down massive fire at him.

He gets hit and needs to apply some bandages quickly of he'll bleed out.

Geroj has now reached the gate and hip-shoots both of the unconscious guards to death.

The Brock has switched to his Bofors AK5, and since Geroj is in position he starts shooting at the enemies trying to hit HK a second time. The enemy has fumbled with a grenade, as The Brock fires it explodes.

HK has managed to crawl back and Kestrel helps him patch up.

Geroj will move inside the compound and use his skirmisher skills where they are best suited, close up and personal. The Brock will have to pull back since the sound of his Bofors AK5 has drawn the enemy's attention to him.

As The Brock pulls back he gets grazed by a bullet, he manages to continue out of the firing line without getting hit again.

As Geroj goes through the guard house he spots 2 enemies. A burst from his SA vz.58 knock one of them unconscious.

The second guard runs straight at him and gets the second burst. Then a third guard appears, and gets the third burst.

He then continues inside the compound and almost gets surprised by an enemy coming from behind the container.

Geroj need to retreat into the guard house again, there's too many enemies about. The Brock will move back to his previous position and help cover Geroj. HK is finished healing and will use his L96A1 to pick off some more targets. Rob Yu and BNC has spotted some reinforcements coming from the south, Kestrel will help deal with them.

The Bofors AK5 is very accurate, but also very loud. As soon as he shoots the enemy turns toward him and start aiming.

Kestrel has a group of enemies very close together, BNC wont have time to switch to her China Lake before he and Rob Yu has taken care of them.

The Brock spots a laser coming closer and does the right thing by switching target. Even the 5.56x45mm FMJ round doesn't do much damage at this point, enough to cause the enemy to drop his weapon though.

Kestrel switches to full auto mode and start to do some real damage.

The enemy spots HK again, after a couple of shots they manage to hit him again.

HK will have to pull back and heal. Rob Yu and Kestrel have the enemy pinned down, so BNC will flank them. Geroj will assault the compound again, there's not that many enemies left inside.

The Brock finally takes down his target, it took him 9 shots.

As Geroj starts moving forward, a grenade explodes. Had he moved a couple of meters more he would have caught a few shrapnels.

As BNC comes around the corner she spots an enemy with an FN Minimi. Even if the enemy tried a hip-shot, the MP7A1 in quick aim mode was faster.

The enemy has gathered below the watch tower, Geroj throws a grenade to get them moving.

The Brock takes down an enemy trying to shoot Geroj while he moves behind the containers. He then throws another grenade for good measure.

As the grenades explodes, the enemy gets up and starts running way.

One of them stops to shoot at Geroj, The Brock takes him down.

The last enemy gets a little further before The Brock manages to score a hit, a fatal hit.

Once again, good loot.

Back at the Blue Sun Base, Rob Yu sells the loot and gets reward from Tang.

Before the team accepts the next mission, The SIGINT Facility at Radio Hill, they need to spend some time at a hospital. HK and Geroj will have to stay for several days, The Brock about twelve hours.


Here's the team stats, load-outs and weapons gathered. They will have to upgrade their gear before the assault of the Radio Hill.

I suggest that the team picks up Kelly again while HK and Geroj is at the hospital. Then go out in the wild looking for trouble, maybe find some AP ammo if we encounter any Badasses.

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

Someone definitely needs to be pimped out with that TAR 21. Also, upgrade BNC's Browning HP with a CZ. 75. Since The Brock's .40 is starting to be ineffective towards armor, it might be time to upgrade both the SMG and pistol to P90 and five seven combo.

Also, not going to put a red dot sight on Kestrel's shooter?