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BattleCalc3055
It's Here (v1.1.11):
BattleCalc3055
- Full Version
(1996k)
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BattleCalc3055
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A utility for BattleTech Players
Click here
for a screenshot
BattleCalc3055
v1.1.11
25Jan1999
1. Introduction
2. Key Features
3. Installation
4. Usage
5. Known Issues
6. Future Enhancements
7. Disclaimer
Intro:
======
This application was developed to help
speed up play of the BattleTech game. It helps calculate to-hit
numbers for several weapons simultaneously with a simple checklist
interface to include all applicable modifiers. The inclusion
of a variable target range gauge allows the player to conduct
"what-if?" scenarios quickly enough prior to their
move so as not to cause excessive delays to gameplay. To help
support gameplay over IRC, a function to automatically generate
weapons fire declarations and make them available to paste into
an IRC chat window was included.
Key Features:
=====================
- Quick point-and-click interface for to-hit
calculations.
- Includes all standard to-hit modifiers.
- Supports all Level 1 and most Level 2
weaponry.
- Supports both Inner Sphere and Clan weapons.
- Allows configurations of up to twelve
weapons per mech.
- Each mech can be given a unique designation
to allow it to be easily identified when managing multiple mechs
simultaneously
- Tracks heat generated by weapons fire
- For IRC play, declares weapons fire.
Installation:
=============
This application was written in VB6.
To run it on your PC, you must be running Win9x (NT may work
but I have not tested it - if you try it, let me know). One limitation
to VB6 is that the VB common control libraries must be installed
on the PC in order to run a VB executable. I had to assume that
users did not have the VB common control libraries and needed
them as well. As a result, the full download is over 1.9mb. A
slimmed-down version is available for those who have the runtimes
or are upgrading from a previous version.
Extract the downloaded zip file into a
temporary directory. Run "setup.exe" to begin the installation
program. Installation and the Uninstall routines are provided.
In some cases, installation of the VB runtime .dll files will
require that the PC be rebooted...don't blame me - blame Microsoft.
Please let me know if you have any difficulties with the installation.
The uninstall routine can be accessed from
the Control Panel: Add/Remove Programs
This software is offered 'as is' and without
warranty of any kind. The author takes no responsibility for
damages resulting from use or performance of this software.
Reasonable efforts were made to ensure
that all calculations were correct and the rules of play accurately
reflected. Constructive comments and bug reports can be sent
via e-mail to "madcat1@geocities.com" It is suggested
that users verify settings and calculations if they have concerns
and prior to submitting a bug report.
Installation and use were tested on multiple
Win9x PCs. The author accepts no responsibility for unforeseen
impact on systems, applications, or data.
Usage:
======
StartUp
Run BattleCalc3055 by either
selecting the menu option provided or by running bcalc3055.exe.
Setup/Editing the Mech
Upon program launch, the setup
panel for the mech will be displayed. The mech's type (IS or
Clan) must be selected. IS is selected by default. Some weapon
statistics vary according to mech type. Mixed-tech mech configurations
are not supported. The pilot's Gunnery Skill must also be entered.
All other fields are optional.
Input of the Mech Model and MechWarrior
name will cause these values to be displayed in both the program
Title Bar and on the program's desktop button. This feature is
useful when managing multiple mechs.
Selection of LB/X Cluster Munitions will
cause the modifier for this ammunition type to be applied whenever
the mech is firing Autocannons of the LB/X variant.
When complete, the user should press [Done]
to display the main BattleCalc window.
Defining Weapons Configurations
BattleCalc3055 supports up
to twelve weapons per mech. A weapon can be selecting by clicking
on the Weapon drop-down window and chossing the appropriate weapon
from the list. Weapon statistics according to the mech type are
displayed. Weapons can be changed at any time.
The location for each weapon can be optionally
defined. BattleCalc3055 tracks to-hit modifiers for damaged arm
actuators and will apply these modifiers to weapons shown to
be located in the damaged location.
Note to IRC users: Weapons fire declarations
are created in the same order as weapons are listed in the BattleCalc
window. Users utilizing this functionality may wish to consider
how they list their weapons in BattleCalc3055.
Adding Additional Mechs
Additional mechs can be created
by selecting the [New Mech] Menu Option. Mech setup data should
be entered and the user can optionally enter a Mech Model to
help distinguish multiple mechs.
Calculating To-Hit Targets
Each round, the user should
enter range to target and select all applicable to-hit modifiers.
Once this has been completed user can select [Calculate] to generate
the required to-hit number for each weapon.
Determining Heat Generated
If the Declare checkbox has been selected
for a given weapon, that weapon will be included in the heat
calculation for the mech. The total heat generated for all declared
weapons will be displayed in the Total Heat box.
Declaring Weapons Fire
For IRC users, to have BattleCalculator3055
declare fire, click on the Declare checkbox next to each weapon
you wish to fire then select [Declare]. This will cause weapons
declarations for each selected weapon to be displayed in the
Declarations box. Selecting [Copy] will copy the contents of
the text box to the Windows clipboard where it is available to
paste directly into the IRC chat window during your fire declaration
phase.
Resetting To-Hit Results
All modifiers, to-hit calculations,
and declarations can be reset by pressing the [Clear] button.
Known Issues:
=====================
- Some users experience out of memory errors
when managing more than three mechs simultaneously.
- Heavy Lasers, Micro Lasers and Heavy Machine
Guns are not supported.
Future Enhancements:
=====================
- Include Load/Save functionality to maintain
existing mech weapon configs.
- Additional weapons support.
- Add support for special level 3 terrain
types.
- Add support to declare torso twists in
IRC.
Disclaimer:
===========
Some concepts and terms used in this application may be associated
with the BattleTech board game, published by FASA Corporation.
BattleTech is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. Original
BattleTech material Copyright FASA Corporation. Any use of FASA
Corporation's copyrighted material or trademarks in this application
should not be viewed as a challenge to those copyrights or trademarks.
Constructive comments, enhancement
requests, and bug reports can be submitted on-line at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/8686/
or via e-mail to <madcat1@geocities.com>
The author can be found on #battleforceIRC,
/nick peteMoss |
