Referee's Briefing 4: Mercenary Forces

[MongooseMatt]

The latest entry in the Referee's Briefing series for Traveller is here, covering Mercenary forces!

You can grab your own copy here: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/194632/Referees-Briefing-4-Mercenary-Forces?affiliate_id=7242

Violence can and does solve problems, if properly applied. Of course, the application of violence can result in new or additional problems, but the original issue is solved at least. Mercenaries offer a short-term solution to the question of where to obtain and how to deliver the necessary violence, and can also solve other problems by being officially deniable. Referee’s Briefing 4: Mercenary Forces is a guide to local mercenary outfits and how they operate, letting you know who is for hire, who is recruiting… or who will be storming through your own defences.

 

[alex_greene]

Very useful. I can definitely see uses for this.

 

[-Daniel-]

Is it covering similar materials already in Mercenary 2?

Just curious about the overlap.

 

[Liodre]

I noticed a couple small, very common, errors in the 'Tools of the Trade' section.

The stat block for the VRF still has the 'Light Gatling Laser' label. The rest of the stat block seems to be accurate.

Also, just noticed: the last sentence in the Gatling laser description has an 'm' instead of a comma after 'However'.

 

[-Daniel-]

Is it covering similar materials already in Mercenary 2?

Just curious about the overlap.

Just following up on my question regarding the amount of overlap betwwen this and the 2e mercenary book. If one already ownes both versions of the mercenary books is there enough new material in this to make it worth buying?

Thank You

 

[MongooseMatt]

There is no overlap - this is all new material.

 

[-Daniel-]

There is no overlap - this is all new material.

Thanks, I appreciate the answer. I will pick this up today then.


EDIT: Picked it up today at lunch time and am reading it now. :mrgreen:

 

[-Daniel-]

Question: Page 13, the Fire Team Org Chart. Should the Support Squad be tucked under the command squad the way the Rifle Squads are tucked under their command squad?

Page 16; Technical Team. The last line seems to be a spelling error and maybe should be technician? Either way I think "Technicia" just seems odd to me.

Otherwise, I liked this book quite a bit. Some great ideas and possible ways to bring in characters. Well done.

 

[arcador]

I like this book. It gives somewhat more realistic frames on the Merc groups rather than a "blob of soldiers adapting to whatever the DM wants them to." It makes sense for a Merc group to have a specialization. I will modify the existing ones in my campaign based on insights from the booklet.

However, a minor question/remark.

The Man-Portable Light Assault Gun weights 40 kg. Is this a mistake? No character can carry 40 kg, even with STR enhanced battle dress (unless it possesses vehicle mount mod). Also, other seemingly massive weapons (heavy laser) weight less than this. If the 40 kg is a penalty for the significant dmg this weapon has, then it might make some sense. It can't be negated even with STR DM +2 (which is enough for the Very Bulky), so it can only be used in bi-pod mode (or with BANE on checks due to the carrying weight rule).

Of course, it could easily weight 15 kg and has the same effect - either not possible to fire out of undeployed mode, or requiring vehicle mount on a battle dress.

 

[Condottiere]

It really comes down to what customers can afford, and that may be small, specialized, well trained and equipped units.

Hiring Falkenberg's Legion, which is mostly well disciplined, trained, equipped, supported and led light infantry, is a major investment.

The Covenanters would expect the paymaster to provide all the supporting combat arms and technical support.