GearHead
- Thread starter kcwong
- Start date
Rheinmetall
Interplanetary Assassin
Never heard of it. Looks interesting enough so I'll take a look at it.
I read about it looking for discussions on Dwarf Fortress and Incursion.
This is my character, screenshot taken earlier...
This is my mecha getting swarmed by terrorists called "Bone Devil"... it's very difficult to hit their tiny cars and robots...
I got defeated, though I managed to complete the mission objective (destroy power generator in their base) before that.
This is my character, screenshot taken earlier...
This is my mecha getting swarmed by terrorists called "Bone Devil"... it's very difficult to hit their tiny cars and robots...
I got defeated, though I managed to complete the mission objective (destroy power generator in their base) before that.
I do - it kicks ass! I finished GH1 a couple times, and played a few more up to where my char was built up to the point where finishing would be a cakewalk. I still want to try the criminal path, that's a real bugger.
I play in ascii mode, should give the SDL a try now that I'm off the laptop. Can't wait for GH2, what's there looks really promising.
Definitely one of my favorite roguelikes.
I play in ascii mode, should give the SDL a try now that I'm off the laptop. Can't wait for GH2, what's there looks really promising.
Definitely one of my favorite roguelikes.
Definitely read the guides and stuff on the wiki, they're pretty good: http://gearhead.chaosforge.org/wiki/index.php?title=GearHead
For mecha, the #1 skill to pump is piloting - if they can't hit you, gives you time to hit them. Then yeah, pick one of the distance skills - at start gunnery because the big weapons are harder to come by early. Also very important is initiative, awareness and spot weakness, then electronic warfare later when you get some ECM.
Also, even if you don't attack with them, "Mecha Fighting" is used to parry with your shields, and "Mecha Weapons" to parry enemy physical attacks, so don't completely neglect those.
Mecha repair is a good source of cheap xp early on. Mecha engineering is very important to get your mech optimized.
I personally have been starting most characters with maxed (15) reflex, speed, perception and knowledge, the other stats average, and low (7-10) charisma (why talk when I can shoot it
) I pay cash to train skills wherever possible, saving xp only for stat boosts and talents.
That Corsair is a pretty good mech to start, but you gotta get that MV and TR back closer to 0 especially early on when your piloting ain't so great - those -4s on your screenshots will be fatal. Dump your extra crap in town so it doesn't weigh you down. Later I use a cheap mech to keep my extra stuff in, so it doesn't clutter up the screen. Definitely take out the Corsair's heavy wheels, and stick in the best sensors, targetting and ECM you can buy - keep looking for upgrades there. Also keep your eye out for good light long ranged weapons. Until then, the Shaka Cannons are not too bad at all - but watch your weight.
I like to stick on a few personal scale weapons - bazookas/rapid fire bazookas give you something to do while waiting for your big guns to recharge. Early on the ammo is kind of expensive though. Sniper Rifles are cheap but shorter ranged, and I like a few shotguns (esp auto-shotguns) with shard ammo to strip off armor at close range.
Yeah, Mecha-fu is hard - you need good piloting, good Initiative, and a fast maneuverable mecha. And even then when you hit it will damage your own limbs
So it's best when you build up your mech for it - add extra legs and arms.
On the ground, same idea - Dodge is nice, pick one out of Small Arms/Heavy Weapons. Later don't neglect Armed Combat (used to block with shields). Watch your weight, it's easy to get overloaded. Martial Arts is OK secondary, but it's a bummer closing with enemies, so you really need a ranged skill first.
Tips to keep from going nuts:
-make lists of peoples names and keywords, especially shopkeepers, and guys with jobs like leaders, guardians, etc. Then you can use your phone to call them in the city to check prices/look for jobs, without having to spend a ton of time walking around and chasing them down. Keywords work in the phone too (the title under the portrait like "leader") so you can phone that way if you forget a name.
-make lists of shops, to really upgrade the mecha I tend to keep making the rounds of the good shops looking for those top level parts. The absolute best stuff is salvage only though.
Heh don't get me started, I could babble on for pages and pages
For mecha, the #1 skill to pump is piloting - if they can't hit you, gives you time to hit them. Then yeah, pick one of the distance skills - at start gunnery because the big weapons are harder to come by early. Also very important is initiative, awareness and spot weakness, then electronic warfare later when you get some ECM.
Also, even if you don't attack with them, "Mecha Fighting" is used to parry with your shields, and "Mecha Weapons" to parry enemy physical attacks, so don't completely neglect those.
Mecha repair is a good source of cheap xp early on. Mecha engineering is very important to get your mech optimized.
I personally have been starting most characters with maxed (15) reflex, speed, perception and knowledge, the other stats average, and low (7-10) charisma (why talk when I can shoot it
) I pay cash to train skills wherever possible, saving xp only for stat boosts and talents. That Corsair is a pretty good mech to start, but you gotta get that MV and TR back closer to 0 especially early on when your piloting ain't so great - those -4s on your screenshots will be fatal. Dump your extra crap in town so it doesn't weigh you down. Later I use a cheap mech to keep my extra stuff in, so it doesn't clutter up the screen. Definitely take out the Corsair's heavy wheels, and stick in the best sensors, targetting and ECM you can buy - keep looking for upgrades there. Also keep your eye out for good light long ranged weapons. Until then, the Shaka Cannons are not too bad at all - but watch your weight.
I like to stick on a few personal scale weapons - bazookas/rapid fire bazookas give you something to do while waiting for your big guns to recharge. Early on the ammo is kind of expensive though. Sniper Rifles are cheap but shorter ranged, and I like a few shotguns (esp auto-shotguns) with shard ammo to strip off armor at close range.
Yeah, Mecha-fu is hard - you need good piloting, good Initiative, and a fast maneuverable mecha. And even then when you hit it will damage your own limbs
So it's best when you build up your mech for it - add extra legs and arms.On the ground, same idea - Dodge is nice, pick one out of Small Arms/Heavy Weapons. Later don't neglect Armed Combat (used to block with shields). Watch your weight, it's easy to get overloaded. Martial Arts is OK secondary, but it's a bummer closing with enemies, so you really need a ranged skill first.
Tips to keep from going nuts:
-make lists of peoples names and keywords, especially shopkeepers, and guys with jobs like leaders, guardians, etc. Then you can use your phone to call them in the city to check prices/look for jobs, without having to spend a ton of time walking around and chasing them down. Keywords work in the phone too (the title under the portrait like "leader") so you can phone that way if you forget a name.
-make lists of shops, to really upgrade the mecha I tend to keep making the rounds of the good shops looking for those top level parts. The absolute best stuff is salvage only though.
Heh don't get me started, I could babble on for pages and pages
Thanks for the hints!
I've read some of it... I don't want to read too much spoilers though.
I took Initiative a bit late - after I finally realized why the enemies kept moving away before I can perform my attack. My piloting is at 6 right now, but the tiny cars and tanks are still damaging me (for over 30 damage) from time to time.
I have Mecha Fighting at 6... wiki said it can help knock out the pilot so I can salvage the mecha mostly intact. I don't know about Mecha Weapons though... now I have to raise my Knowledge to get it.
At first I just paid the mechanic in Hogye to do it, but I soon realized how good DIY Mecha fixing is. I attacked a raider base for 300XP, then with some food and time, I got another 300, 0% risk, from repairing!
My Mecha engineering is at 6 right now... not nearly enough apparently, seeing how often I destroy components. I'm going to take Tech Vulture... just 200 more XP to go.
I like talking to people though... I got a lance mate. She's Lorne, a princess I rescued earlier in the game. After I won the Hogye arena, I got a Buru Buru as prize... Lorne's better at heavy mecha weapons than me, so I gave her the Corsair and set it up with heavy cannons while I go light with a little long range laser weapons. The Buru Buru came with hover jets!
Also, my starting Corsair has no armor at all... just two shields. So I'm very happy to switch to the Buru Buru, which has armor all over. I'm the one going into melee combat after all.
Can I take those dumped items back later? Currently I told Lorne to hang back and have her as the pack mule.
Wheels are heavy? Hmm, I never even checked their weight... I'll see if I can make Lorne go lighter. Not much luck on sensors, targetting and ECM... never seen any in shops, and the occasional captured mecha does not have better ones.
I read about this on the wiki... it's one of the spoilers I read. I tried it with rocket launchers (or whatever with DC22)... it's not as great as I expected. I kept sufficient weapons on so recharge is not too big a problem.
My Buru Buru is MV-3/TR-3, Lorne at -5/-5. There're certainly room for improvement...
Okay - so Tech Vulture will certainly be useful by providing extra limbs... as long as I can install them...
I'm thinking about getting Armed Combat (currently 0) now, some NPCs in the game told me it works with boomerangs. I'm again using Lorne as mule, having her carry a lot of lunch boxes.
My personal combat is currently facing a stone wall - poison causing critters. I met some in a sewer quest... they made me running back to the doc. I've also met stuff that set my armor on fire. I have no way to fight them.
Yeah I found the old phone with my first character, when she's chasing people around. I have a Micro PC for that for my current character.
I haven't found any good ones... most are just selling personal weapons and armor, with the occasional mecha (the good ones I cannot afford yet).
You've already helped a lot.
BTW, any recommendation on good food? I think I'll need some for those sewer runs... terrible mood makes every stat red.
I've read some of it... I don't want to read too much spoilers though.
I took Initiative a bit late - after I finally realized why the enemies kept moving away before I can perform my attack. My piloting is at 6 right now, but the tiny cars and tanks are still damaging me (for over 30 damage) from time to time.
I have Mecha Fighting at 6... wiki said it can help knock out the pilot so I can salvage the mecha mostly intact. I don't know about Mecha Weapons though... now I have to raise my Knowledge to get it.
At first I just paid the mechanic in Hogye to do it, but I soon realized how good DIY Mecha fixing is. I attacked a raider base for 300XP, then with some food and time, I got another 300, 0% risk, from repairing!
My Mecha engineering is at 6 right now... not nearly enough apparently, seeing how often I destroy components. I'm going to take Tech Vulture... just 200 more XP to go.
I personally have been starting most characters with maxed (15) reflex, speed, perception and knowledge, the other stats average, and low (7-10) charisma (why talk when I can shoot it
I like talking to people though... I got a lance mate.
She's Lorne, a princess I rescued earlier in the game. After I won the Hogye arena, I got a Buru Buru as prize... Lorne's better at heavy mecha weapons than me, so I gave her the Corsair and set it up with heavy cannons while I go light with a little long range laser weapons. The Buru Buru came with hover jets!Also, my starting Corsair has no armor at all... just two shields. So I'm very happy to switch to the Buru Buru, which has armor all over. I'm the one going into melee combat after all.
Can I take those dumped items back later? Currently I told Lorne to hang back and have her as the pack mule.
Wheels are heavy? Hmm, I never even checked their weight... I'll see if I can make Lorne go lighter. Not much luck on sensors, targetting and ECM... never seen any in shops, and the occasional captured mecha does not have better ones.
I read about this on the wiki... it's one of the spoilers I read. I tried it with rocket launchers (or whatever with DC22)... it's not as great as I expected. I kept sufficient weapons on so recharge is not too big a problem.
My Buru Buru is MV-3/TR-3, Lorne at -5/-5. There're certainly room for improvement...
Yeah, Mecha-fu is hard - you need good piloting, good Initiative, and a fast maneuverable mecha. And even then when you hit it will damage your own limbs
Okay - so Tech Vulture will certainly be useful by providing extra limbs... as long as I can install them...
I'm thinking about getting Armed Combat (currently 0) now, some NPCs in the game told me it works with boomerangs. I'm again using Lorne as mule, having her carry a lot of lunch boxes.
My personal combat is currently facing a stone wall - poison causing critters. I met some in a sewer quest... they made me running back to the doc. I've also met stuff that set my armor on fire. I have no way to fight them.
Yeah I found the old phone with my first character, when she's chasing people around. I have a Micro PC for that for my current character.
I haven't found any good ones... most are just selling personal weapons and armor, with the occasional mecha (the good ones I cannot afford yet).
Heh don't get me started, I could babble on for pages and pages
You've already helped a lot.
BTW, any recommendation on good food? I think I'll need some for those sewer runs... terrible mood makes every stat red.
Oh yeah, Armed Combat + boomerangs is a decent way to start - just watch out, the boomerangs get damaged so don't leave yourself defenseless far away from home. Unless you have Repair Later, Solar Spear + Return Token = pretty kickass offense, and not too heavy either.
Slightly abusive spoiler: The xp you get, especially early on from rats and stuff is scaled by the bpv of the equipment you're carrying. So a rat that will give 10-15 xp if you're naked will only give 1xp if you're carrying something like autocannon+full Maximus Armor. Naked Boomerang Boy (2-3 boomerangs) can clear out the upper levels of the early stuff pretty easily. Then a little bit of armor for the lower levels with a cheap shield. If you're carrying expensive stuff drop it by the stairs.
In friendly cities (most of them, if you can camp to repair your mech it's friendly) stuff you leave on the ground won't be touched, same with mechas and parts BUT it gets annoying to have page after page of parts, which is why I stash it in cheap storage mechs here and there. I am a complete pack rat though
Ahh food, quite a pain as it's kind of heavy. The in-town food vendors are all OK, so I *always* eat just before I leave (telephone "rest" or "food" so I don't have to walk hehe). For carrying, Deluxe Rations are a good compromise, usually my first choice. Chocolate is the best for morale but not very filling for the weight and cost. A couple of deluxe noodle cups or light meals are handy backups, and the Nutrient Pills are light enough to make a good emergency backup, but do ding morale a little. I keep a bunch of spare food in the mecha, which is annoying to scroll through
Better than starving though. Basically remember when you've had to eat, and replace the food at the next store, or from your piles (when I find a vendor with good food or other consumables, if I have the cash I buy a bunch and leave the extras in piles near the entry points). It gets a bit easier when you have lancemates, you can make them haul food and extra medical/first aid/repair supplies for you.
Yeah, poison is a drag, I've started taking Medical early to get a jump on that, but it's not very effective til you get it fairly high, PLUS have the Mental points to use it repeatedly. Still, then you get to do the medical rescue missions which aren't bad at all for money, xp and fame.
Another slight-abuse tip I got from the wiki that works great: Start out with 1 point of Athletics and Concentration. Whenever you're in town, "Run" from place to place til you're almost exhausted. Also if you're not going to be needing Mental points for a bit, "Search" a couple times to exercise Concentration. This isn't TOO fiddly, and if you do it pretty consistently those skills shoot up for free, and it's ALWAYS handy to have extra stamina/mental, especially later where you're getting swarmed or have a ton of Mecha repairs/engineering to do.
Also, that's the main reason for L0/L1 weapons on a mecha - they *can* ding the armor a bit, and if you're really lucky get a critical hit for a few points, but mainly it's to use up the other pilot's dodges. Personal scale dodges use up Stamina, and I *think* mecha scale uses mental but I forget now. Either way, once it goes red it's a LOT easier to hit them (or you).
And mecha armor - later in the game it gets more useful on bigger mechs, but to start out I've come to agree with the general consensus on the gearhead bbs - if it affects your MV/TR ditch it. Maaaaybe keep the chest or head armor over your cockpit, but it's way better to keep your MV/TR high, and *keep moving*, the faster the better. I stick in as many of the Arc Jets and overchargers as I can, and really zip around, especially behind cover while waiting for the big stuff to recharge. Every 20 speed is a -1 to hit, iirc. That adds up fast!
Later, Solar Spear + Return Token = pretty kickass offense, and not too heavy either.Slightly abusive spoiler: The xp you get, especially early on from rats and stuff is scaled by the bpv of the equipment you're carrying. So a rat that will give 10-15 xp if you're naked will only give 1xp if you're carrying something like autocannon+full Maximus Armor. Naked Boomerang Boy (2-3 boomerangs) can clear out the upper levels of the early stuff pretty easily. Then a little bit of armor for the lower levels with a cheap shield. If you're carrying expensive stuff drop it by the stairs.
In friendly cities (most of them, if you can camp to repair your mech it's friendly) stuff you leave on the ground won't be touched, same with mechas and parts BUT it gets annoying to have page after page of parts, which is why I stash it in cheap storage mechs here and there. I am a complete pack rat though
Ahh food, quite a pain as it's kind of heavy. The in-town food vendors are all OK, so I *always* eat just before I leave (telephone "rest" or "food" so I don't have to walk hehe). For carrying, Deluxe Rations are a good compromise, usually my first choice. Chocolate is the best for morale but not very filling for the weight and cost. A couple of deluxe noodle cups or light meals are handy backups, and the Nutrient Pills are light enough to make a good emergency backup, but do ding morale a little. I keep a bunch of spare food in the mecha, which is annoying to scroll through
Better than starving though. Basically remember when you've had to eat, and replace the food at the next store, or from your piles (when I find a vendor with good food or other consumables, if I have the cash I buy a bunch and leave the extras in piles near the entry points). It gets a bit easier when you have lancemates, you can make them haul food and extra medical/first aid/repair supplies for you.Yeah, poison is a drag, I've started taking Medical early to get a jump on that, but it's not very effective til you get it fairly high, PLUS have the Mental points to use it repeatedly. Still, then you get to do the medical rescue missions which aren't bad at all for money, xp and fame.
Another slight-abuse tip I got from the wiki that works great: Start out with 1 point of Athletics and Concentration. Whenever you're in town, "Run" from place to place til you're almost exhausted. Also if you're not going to be needing Mental points for a bit, "Search" a couple times to exercise Concentration. This isn't TOO fiddly, and if you do it pretty consistently those skills shoot up for free, and it's ALWAYS handy to have extra stamina/mental, especially later where you're getting swarmed or have a ton of Mecha repairs/engineering to do.
Also, that's the main reason for L0/L1 weapons on a mecha - they *can* ding the armor a bit, and if you're really lucky get a critical hit for a few points, but mainly it's to use up the other pilot's dodges. Personal scale dodges use up Stamina, and I *think* mecha scale uses mental but I forget now. Either way, once it goes red it's a LOT easier to hit them (or you).
And mecha armor - later in the game it gets more useful on bigger mechs, but to start out I've come to agree with the general consensus on the gearhead bbs - if it affects your MV/TR ditch it. Maaaaybe keep the chest or head armor over your cockpit, but it's way better to keep your MV/TR high, and *keep moving*, the faster the better. I stick in as many of the Arc Jets and overchargers as I can, and really zip around, especially behind cover while waiting for the big stuff to recharge. Every 20 speed is a -1 to hit, iirc. That adds up fast!
