How do I draft a squad that isn't incompetent?

[Executor]

First off, it seems character stats aren't really random. They're just spit out using a formula that starts with the character name. Meaning that I can't just reroll to get a combination of name and stats that I like. A character with Name X will always come out with the same stats no matter how many times I delete and try again.

I refuse to play with characters using the stupid names I've found to generate decent stats, but on the other hand I'm tired of my jocks tripping over their own feet and shooting everything but the enemy.

I've yet to finish a battle, because after 15 minutes of a 90% miss rate, I assume I must be doing SOMETHING wrong and make a new squad.

[Burzmali]

Don't worry about the hit rate in the beginning, just close to 1 or 2 hexes, wait for the enemy to come to stop, and concentrate fire for your first few battles. After all, it is kind of unfair to think that rookie recruits are going to be able to plink a moving target a kilometer away [:)]

[Sleeping_Dragon]

New jocks aren't all that good[;)] Concentrate your DPs into a very few skills, also look for titans that have a good handling modifier, that will help keep your feet with new jocks. you can use the titans with bad handling modifiers as you get your jocks pilioting built up over time.
Firing while moving and firing at moving targets will not net you alot of hits with a new jock and tends to lead to alot of close combats, but as your jock gains skils and gets access to better electronics this changes.

[LarkinVB]

Seems its more a problem of the player than of the squads stats. Of course same name will provide same stats. It's not a bug, it's a feature.

Note that you can start with new jocks which are already green rank. Check the readme, it was added with patch v1.2

[aquietfrog]

Stats are tied with the name so whenever you come up with a name that generates good stats, remember it and use that name to suit a job position. first three generated are given bonus for leader, manager them mechanic. For the leader you want someone with decent Intelligence and relatively high Charisma. Manager needs high Int and decent Cha. Mechanic needs High Int and decent Dex. Try to keep rookies who have at least 10 in all attributes. An attribute of 12 is already awesome. If you definitely want to use a name despite bad stats, try compromising by changing the spelling by a few letters. I think the Call sign affects the stats as well.

Then you'll want at least 60% skill in piloting a recon/light, 60% in at least 1 combat skill, and boost up the other appropriate skill for the job that jock is doing ideally to 70% but 60% will do. Raise the attributes so that he skill limits will go up.

then, match the titan to the jock.

a jock with cannon skills using a titan with energy weapons (e.g. lasers) will definitely suck.

btw, don't fire while running or moving of any sort. if you are using long range weapons, try crouching. 5% bonus accuracy counts for a lot.

[Thorgrim]

ORIGINAL: Executor

First off, it seems character stats aren't really random. They're just spit out using a formula that starts with the character name. Meaning that I can't just reroll to get a combination of name and stats that I like. A character with Name X will always come out with the same stats no matter how many times I delete and try again.

Hmm, since you're searching a *database* for a particular jock... [;)]

[Executor]

The latest patch doesn't seem to be available. The link to it on the VB site is dead. Think I'll just wait for it to come back before I get into this again. As it is, I push my guys Recon/Light skill as high as possible, and they still can't cross anything but totally flat earth without falling over repeatedly.

I really think these terrain skill checks are way too hard on newbies. Even a "rookie" has to have graduated some sort of piloting school, and I can't imagine such a school producing students so incapable of manuvering without crashing.

[LarkinVB]

1. The patch is available here
2. The chance for a rookie with 60% piloting skill to cross water in walk mode is 75%. Even better if his titan has a positive handling mod. I will call this 'some sort of piloting school'.

[Thorgrim]

What terrain skill checks are you refering to? Crossing water/lava/acid or jumping up from dense woods? Dodging and landing aren't exactly terrain related.

[Burzmali]

Try standing up after you go down in water, it's always a riot to watch the AI tear itself apart after a rookie goes down in the drink [;)]

[Reliable Royce]

ORIGINAL: Executor
A character with Name X will always come out with the same stats no matter how many times I delete and try again.

I don't worry about the stats at the beginning... I pop a few points into their stats until everything is at least 10. Its more important to build the skills. Concentrate on few good skills rather than a little everywhere.

ORIGINAL: Executor
I've yet to finish a battle, because after 15 minutes of a 90% miss rate, I assume I must be doing SOMETHING wrong and make a new squad.

My favourite tactic at the beginning is to run, stop, fire weapons, and run again. Stopping usually increases your chance to hit. If you are moving first, then firing, you will always have a disavantage.

Also I somtimes resort to Hand to Hand combat with Axes / punches.

Check the hardware in the Titan too... A Titan with a cheap Battle Computer and Scanner isn't going to be helpful either.

Try not to run hot all the time... You will constantly have a modifier against you in the blue/yellow/red ranges. If you're gonig to shoot all your weapons in one volley, then make sure to give some time cooling off after... You'll be more effective shooting that way.

Maybe I'm gonig a little too far, but I really believe in knowing the Titans before going into the battle. For Example: I like to know how many C/second my Titan can get rid of... Then I can judge how many seconds it will take to drop my current heat so that I can fire again.

Royce

[Executor]

Can someone tell me why this link is dead?

http://www.matrixgames.com/support/downloads.asp