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Author Topic: Rats v the MUL  (Read 1743 times)

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Blacknova

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Rats v the MUL
« on: January 16, 2012, 12:33:59 AM »

Just started this topic http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,15103.0.html as a poll over on the BT boards. 

The question was: Are Random Aassignment Tables now outdated due to the existence of the Master Unit List?

Any thoughts from our own esteemed clientele?
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Dread Moores

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Re: Rats v the MUL
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2012, 03:52:50 AM »

RATs were never meant to be the end all be all for a faction. They were always noted as a very tiny sliver of the most common designs for a faction. MUL is an entirely different need being filled. They're not equivalent, or something that can replace one another.

All that being said, I also have objections to the MUL, as its usefulness is questionable. Telling me that the FedSuns has access to Daimyos is not really accurate, simply because they salvaged a few dozen. Telling me what FedSuns produces and imports officially in sizable numbers...well that's a useful way to build a representative force. The problem with the MUL is that it went too far. It's already bit them in the ass in terms of the questions and fan rage it generates over certain results.

My guess? RATs still have a place in things like Era reports and potential future Field Manuals.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 03:54:11 AM by Dread Moores »
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Knightmare

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Re: Rats v the MUL
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2012, 02:07:55 PM »

I agree with Dread on all counts here.

Sadly, the MUL's scope and focus should have been separated by users. One for developers, the other for everyone else. Each should have been geared to answer specific questions and provide specific information. While information like intro dates, factories (by era), common & rare users, are useful, pains should have been taken to address audience in relation to search output.

For example, want to cut down on fan rage? Provide common & rare users by era. So those few dozen salvaged Daimyos might still show up in a MUL-generated report for some Davion Fanboy ala 3057, but they'll sitting in a rare column, and perhaps completely gone by 3090 and so on. Not sit in the same "common" column hosting an Enforcer, or Warlord.

I like the idea of the MUL, I just think output could be a little better developed. 
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Rainbow 6

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Re: Rats v the MUL
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2012, 03:45:01 PM »

Gotta agree with Dread & KM, they've covered it all in there posts so i'll leave it at that.
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