Thanks Captain...

...
...
... So what's next? My recommendation would be to free Elora, but as paladin will just as easily destroy the tropical beast as logic gate, I would have him target the sniper in D2. I have a wave surger charge that I can use on the cwm's in G2, once I get off my ass and dust myself off. So that would leave caretaker to take careful aim on the tentacle beast that is groping logic gate. Neo Angel, I would recommend initiating combat with the tentacle beast from a good safe distance as to avoid a grapel check, damn monks. If you could close the distance and still attack, I would advise you go around that mess and get the sniper, but I doubt you have that kind of movement speed to get there and attack.

Those are my humble suggestions.

Also, quick question. Black star is prone, does that mean my standing up counts as a movement?

@Mr Rage
Your movement systems have not been compromised, so no. But the collapse did cause a minor synchro drop.

@Dragoknighte@Ammokkx@AtomicNut
Combat Strengths
AA-XOTRY - Melee
Yeager - Short-Medium
Eiswolf - Long

The way I look at it, only three Mechas are battle capable, which leaves us with the ability to eliminate only three targets. All the other enemies will be able to hit, and hit hard. So the objectives here are to eliminate key targets in addition to moving to a position that will allow for the least amount of repercussion from enemy fire.

I have three estimates based on map changes and their actions.
-I estimate that all three tentacle beasts can get close enough to engage the main group. (Eiswolf, Yeager, AA-XOTRY)
-I estimate that all three Cruxi squads can engage the group- (Assuming they have short-medium range weaponry, based on their shooting at Harold's corpse from previous position.)
-The sniper is currently only in position to engage Magus, but possibly can move enough to engage others.

Also, note that Magus's capacitors are on a cooldown. They will weaponized and able to fire four posts from now. (Which is a LONG time.)

Options:
Stationary:
If the group remains stationary, no matter which three targets are engaged, another three will be able to attack with no repercussion, with possible additional sniper fire. Group has low chance of survival.

North:
If the main group moves two sectors north, and elimates three targets, (Likely B3, C2, B6) this will leave the group vulnerable to potential sniper fire(H1) and in range of at least one Cruxi squad (E2). It is also possible that the superior movement would allow the tentacle in E6 to engage in B3. This option leaves 1-3 possible attackers. (Assuming the southern cruxi squad can't engage effectively due to repositioning.) Group+Magus may have a chance of surviving.

South:
If the main group moves two sectors south and abandons Magus, eliminating targets in sectors B6, B7, and E6, they should be out of the attack range of all other enemies excepting possibly the squad in B3. As a bonus, enemies taking the time to eliminate Magus will be temporarily stalled, giving the group a chance to reposition. Highest chance of group survival. Negligible chance of Magus surviving.

The options really depend on the tactical importance of Magus. The weapons are on a huge cooldown, so his only possible use would be to take down MIST. (GM labeled the LEL as medium range while moving, long stationary.) However, the Northward option is risky and could very well cripple the squad.

I recommend abandoning Magus in favor of better position and lower chance of mass casualties. (Also, PDF might be of some help.)

@Gate Keeper
I decided to add in a new rule that if Magus doesn't move for a turn (instead taking defensive position and the like), it can recharge two capacitors for less forced waiting on your part and more tactical choices.

@Gate Keeper That 'South' strategy won't work. Eiswolf is awful in close range, and AA-XOTRY can't move more than two tiles without attacking. Aditionally, Serah's blade sickles are significantly weaker than her actual slash. So her only real target is the tentacle beast. Yeager can pump the squad south full of lead all he wants, it's not going to kill them all at once. I think the beasts have a three tile normal, five tile sprint radius so we should be safe from the one in the east.

TLDR: Moving south, we can't take out enough targets. We'd still be open for attack.

@Ammokkx Excellent points. I was thinking of AA-XOTRY engaging the tentaclebeast diagnolly, as you said. If you ARE safe from the one in the east, then Eiswolf could assist Yeager in attacking the squad. (Shoot, and then move towards the squad, relying on AA-XOTRY to take out the tentacle in the time it takes you to shoot and move.)

As you said, it is unlikely that Yeager could eliminate the squad, but one or two members of a cruxi squad make far better opponents than facing off the forces in the north. There are two squads in the north, which would be harder to defeat than any single squad together.

@Ariamis
I'll add it to the CS, danke :D

@Ammokkx Excellent points. I was thinking of AA-XOTRY engaging the tentaclebeast diagnolly, as you said. If you ARE safe from the one in the east, then Eiswolf could assist Yeager in attacking the squad. (Shoot, and then move towards the squad, relying on AA-XOTRY to take out the tentacle in the time it takes you to shoot and move.)

As you said, it is unlikely that Yeager could eliminate the squad, but one or two members of a cruxi squad make far better opponents than facing off the forces in the north. There are two squads in the north, which would be harder to defeat than any single squad together.

@Ariamis
I'll add it to the CS, danke :D

That doesn't work. Ariamis established that line of sight works in the way that, if something occupies the same space or is in the line of sight, it compromises firing range. So the squad would be unable to be targeted by the sniper rifle. And we're not safe from the ones in the north, since they could move down south and shoot us in the back.

EDIT: In the sense that, they have no reason to go for Magus. He'll be finished off by the beast.

Well, in that case, I can only wish you guys good luck. All issues present in the south are equally present/amplified in the north. Of course, East is technically an option, but I haven't bothered looking into that.

Well, in that case, I can only wish you guys good luck. All issues present in the south are equally present/amplified in the north. Of course, East is technically an option, but I haven't bothered looking into that.

That's why I said to remain stationary. In that way we'd take some fire, yes, but we'd have the best chance. Yeager could take out one or two cruxi, which would make them be unable to land as much punishment on him. Serah could hope to one-shot the beast, at which point her barrier shield could maybe take some punishment for it. If Eiswolf then stands still, it could stall out some time for Magus to recover.

I would like to mention that while line of sight is important for the purposes of aiming, it doesn't mean it's impossible to hit something even if it's obstructed by something before it, as what happened with the sniper in Joppa.

I would like to mention that while line of sight is important for the purposes of aiming, it doesn't mean it's impossible to hit something even if it's obstructed by something before it, as what happened with the sniper in Joppa.

If Serah engages the tentacle beast, there's no way the squad behind it is going to be able to be fired upon. My reasoning is that there's two bodies in the way, and if Serah slashes it in half the rubble would cover the LoS.

Unless the tentacle was crouching and Eiswolf's sniper rifle is charged up enough to fire off a shot before AA-XOTRY moves, I don't see a realistic scenario in which Eiswolf hits that squad.

Hey, Ariamas, which city did i get told to go reinforce? I am trying to keep track.

Hey, Ariamas, which city did i get told to go reinforce? I am trying to keep track.

The post is literally still on the same page. I quote;

To the east of Troas lies Nazareth, a tiny colony of only 150 million. While not as important as the two capital colonies, it is a major source of agriculture for the planet, filled with big domes wherein fertile crops are grown and distributed to the other colonies. To protect it, an auxiliary unit was sent in to protect the valuable resource; the Doom Squad. Named after a mythical space marine who has been believed to have fought a one-man war against an otherworldly invasion, it is led by the squad officer Jason Diavolus, and includes Xane Sterling, Celeste Sezia and Barry Montreno. As the planetary attack began they were given orders to stand their ground and repel any invaders, but suddenly a new order came from their HQ after a bit of static: "Troas is under heavy assault. Head out there and eliminate the threats. Ov-" The comms suddenly turned to static again.
However, it was then that Nazareth was also attacked; by two Cruxi War Machines and a single tentacled beast that roared as it charged straight at Jetto Chosa's direction. The battle for Leviticus IX has begun.

As the planetary attack began they were given orders to stand their ground and repel any invaders, but suddenly a new order came from their HQ after a bit of static: "Troas is under heavy assault. Head out there and eliminate the threats. Ov-"

"Troas is under heavy assault. Head out there and eliminate the threats. Ov-"

Troas

@Mr Rage your actually thinking along the same lines as me. Although I need to reread the boss mans post to finalise any plans. That will be done the moment I get home from work. Been itching foe the fight to continue, si very eager to post.

My posting rate will likely suffer, I am doing the idiot in Belgium this week till wednesday.

@Ariamis Great, thanks. I just wasn't sure if standing up from on the ground would actually cost me one of two potential movements.

@AtomicNut What is the Idiot in Belgium?

@Ammokkx Hilarious. Comedy Gold.

Post will up tomorrow a bit after I get home form work. Sorta of passed out on my laptop with post half done.

@Evil Snowman I've done that more times than I'd like to admit ._.

@Jasonhero it a common pass time for me. Pretty sure I've got a full keyboard permanently imprinted on my forehead and face.

Right so post is ready to go, pretty much going with @Mr Rage said. Before I post though, I have quick question for @Ariamis. I know the rules of moving and attack in one turn is you can move two squares and attack. However are well allowed to do that in any order we like. So say attack first then move two squares or move a square, attack then move another?