MERCS: Recon. Kickstarter - unboxing video released - wave1 (two base games) to ship in December

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**yamato**

I know that he is called a Sniper,.. But he's quite different from the others in the game.

A couple of notes,.... First, it is not just an anchoring mechanic,... The shot has the potential to do damage as well. Second: while it has the better roll-to-hit ability of other sniper weapons,... It is unrestricted with regard to rate of fire,... The big LRK weapons with the higher weapon strength have to at least Load for a round, and some Load and Aim.

**Salacious Greed**

Isoulle wrote:
Way higher rate of fire..... besides that not much of a reason I suppose. Probably best not to dwell on it too much. If it makes you feel better just imagine him as not a sniper but a type of support troop. I mean, he's way heavier armored than other factions snipers and basically is an assault support both rules and fluff wise. Sniper is just a poor title choice when I think about it.

So they're really like Carl Gustav gunners (recoilless rifle), and some have a Nickelodeon slime round to anchor people with...I think the mechanic works in the near-future tone of powered armor close quarter fights.

**yamato**

It has been finally moving a little bit over the past two days.

Hopefully the 400k update will have some good stuff in it.

**PsychoticStorm**

If they manage to do it right, atm its not really good.

**Azazelx**

How many Myth-related stretch goals have been unlocked at this stage?

**spiralingcadaver**

Azazelx wrote:
How many Myth-related stretch goals have been unlocked at this stage?

-the witch hunter-looking Agent
-the hero with goggles and a crossbow
-the zombies (won't be exclusives)

...right now, the hero is really the only incentive. $40 is a bit steep for me. That said, if someone were interested in selling the Hero (and maybe the agent), I'd be interested in a PM...

**CptJake**

Zombies (or Infected) are not unlocked yet.

**spiralingcadaver**

Oh, guess that is the case. Yep, just the 2 models, then.

**Azazelx**

Thanks. Not exactly an overwhelming deal or reason to pledge even for those in that case. (especially with Int'l shipping on top!)

**spiralingcadaver**

Yeah... I can only assume that the $40 tag assumed they'd be hitting 6-800k and they were padding it for when it got big, since there were myth goals at each 100k mark after 2.

**Sining**

Sounds like the rest of their campaign. Pad everything.

**Barzam**

Just read update #37. This is an update that they should have done, like, back at the very beginning. They actually bothered to explain some stuff.

**PsychoticStorm**

It should have been update #1 or 2, not 37.....

**yamato**

Yeah,... Cool tidbit about being able to add extra SG material in the PM later,..... Like if you wanted to buy more not-robocop minis.

Even with what is there,.. There is still so much more to cover,.... I think many really want to see just how different the other factions play. They can say it all they want, but potential backers want to know HOW they are different. The EU inc video was good at showing that,... They should at the very least already have up info about the other two factions from the Assassination. Protocol box as well.

**CptJake**

The ability to add extra SG stuff could kill the Myth pledge. Unless a lot more for it gets unlocked, it is probably gonna be a lot better to have a buddy getting a full Recon package buy you the couple of Myth figures with the pledge manager rather than cough up $40.

I assume that means they really intend to plus up that Myth pledge...

Of course, guys like me with no interest in Myth are going to whine like little girls with skinned knees if they don't concurrently plus up our pledges.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
As for the latest update, I liked it a lot.

Now they need to really break out the details of each mission pack for me. Since I likely will not be able to afford all of them I would like to see what really differentiates each, different missions, what the office workers are, how the faction plays... Heck, even for the known mission packs, there are still MERC figures which are unknown. Do they really not know which 5 from the faction we'll get?

**Dujek**

Posting the update text for those who aren't backers. Agree that this should have been update #1, but at least it's great info. Makes the game actually sound interesting beyond just raw mechanics.

One thing i'm not clear on is that the descriptions of missions mention 'rewards' and then they say there won't be leveling up or a campaign. Unclear if the 'rewards' are the item cards they also mention.

EDIT i noticed that they mention half the missions form a mini-campaign for a faction, i'm betting the rewards are for said mini-campaign. Nothing you can carry to the next campaign but at least there is some progression within one? Hope they post more info on that. Campaigns are a good way to make a game into one that gets played regularly instead of once in a while.

All the Juicy Bits
22 comments
36 likes

This is the update where I attempt to answer and give details on all the stuff backers have asked.

What do Mission Packs do?

They provide extra stuffs for the base games AND give players new MERCS factions to play. Each MegaCon play so different, the game changes considerably.

In addition, each Mission Pack provides unique a Breach & Clear tile to all Recon games. These Breach & Clear tiles can then be grouped and drawn randomly so the MERCS do not know what kind of B&C they are going into.

Mission Packs also have an extra Mission Pack important structure tile. This is a large tile and can be used in any structure, for any group or game. The difference is this tile is significant to the unique missions present in the pack.

About half the Missions in each pack can be used by any MegaCon. The other half provide a linked mini-campaign for the MERCS team provided in the pack. All the Blood Contagion Mission Pack missions are used by any MERCS team.

Finally, each Mission Pack provides special Employees that can be used by all the game. This broadens the importance of the Capture and Interrogate mechanic, as MERCS can find the objectives quicker. However, each special Employees has unique rules and interrogation threshholds.

Tell us more about the missions?

Half the Missions in each game form a mini-campaign for the MERCS. In the base game, there are dueling objectives in each Mission. In the Mission Packs, they are singular objective missions.

Missions have a specific structure:

Briefing – quick framing text
Recon – first objective
B&C – B&C tile info
Evac – Winning conditions.
Reward – What you get. Also mission continuation name.

The Briefing is a short bit of text that sets up the mission. This text isn’t as expansive as Myth. It frames the mission.

URGENT: A neighboring MegaCon has infiltrated Shuisky’s lab. Shuisky is too valuable. Find him and escort him to safety. If the other MegaCon has him, do not let him escape. Use any means necessary.

Recon provides players with a location that must be interacted with. Locations are things like: open terminals, CFO, or a hostage that must be rescued. These are the first things the MERCS are looking for.

The Recon text for the above mission briefing would be:

Find Shuisky. The MERCS will have a set amount of rounds to find Shuisky. If they fail to find him in that time, then the opposing MERCS have discovered him and attempt to flee.

The B&C provides players with the Breach & Clear setup for the Recon location. If the Mission calls for a specific B&C tile it is listed here. OPFOR locations will be communicated through graphics and numbers.

Evac represents how the mission is won. Oftentimes, it is a split victory similar to the Myth success and failure resolutions. For the above mission:

Escort Shuisky to safety. To escape the building with Shuisky, Shuisky must be alive and the MERCS with Shuisky must get to the northeast corner of the structure.
Kill Shuisky. If the opposing MegaCon have Shuisky, then the opposing MERCS must be killed or Shuisky killed.

The rewards change based off how the MERCS win the mission. In addition, they can lead to different missions or different circumstances in the next mission.

What types of missions can there be?

All kinds. Many are centered on combat, but not all. We have a couple surprises. The missions are created by pairing two complimentary ideas, then adding purpose. Here are some general ideas:

Capture and Escape – MERCS need to find a person and get them out of the building alive.
Sweep and Destroy – MERCS need to kill a specific group of OPFOR and destroy a location.
Protect and Escort – MERCS need to protect fleeing Employees and ensure they escape the building.
Occupy and Defend – MERCS need to defend the building against another MERCS group.
Escort and Infiltrate – MERCS need to escort in an informant and plant information certifying him.
Infiltrate and Kill – MERCS need to enter a building without increasing the Security Level past a certain point and kill a specific person.
Plant and Destroy – MERCS need to find a specific location and plant an explosive device.

Missions can have a lot of variety before the specifics of a mission are added that make it unique. Almost all missions have special twists that differentiate them from other similar missions.

Can the MERCS “level up”?

Recon doesn’t have a continuing campaign where MERCS increase in power. However, we have a stretch goal (not revealed/not unlocked) that provide Recon players with one time use power cards that are earned from successful missions or interacting with non-objective locations.

Examples would be interacting with the R&D department and getting the experimental ammo card. This card can be kept by the player between missions. If used before a reload, all the ammo in the current clip receives bonus dice.

There are close to 30 of these “power” cards (we don’t have an official uniformly liked name yet). They are all pretty cool and are as level up as Recon gets.

Are you guys having a pledge manager and what will I be able to do after the KS closes?

We are going to have a pledge manager. Backers will be able to add product afterwards and upgrade their pledge level. In addition, several KS exclusive stretch goals will be able to be added-on after the fact. So if you wanted multiples of say a CPP mini (but only get one in the Kickstarter), you could add additional in the PM. This is to help those backers that are going into the KS with additional people and each backer wants a stretch goal (of if a single person wants many of one thing).

What about all the members of a team in the base game? Mission Packs?

This question has come up often, especially in regards to Snipers. It is certainly our goal to reveal all the factions and all the members. We’ll have to get deeper into the SGs to do that, and we won’t artificially put in MERCS or teams we haven’t got to. However, I can guarantee all the Snipers will be available.

Several more Mission Packs will be added/revealed. In addition, we are going to offer a special “all-in” mission pack add-on for one price. If a backer adds it, they will get all Mission Packs unlocked. It will be priced competitively. This will be added in the last days. Currently, it would not make sense and doesn’t offer a significant price advantage.

Are there any more Myth cross overs?

Yes.

Will EIC show up?

Possibly/Yes. We have to move past the current SGs.

Will the full GCC show up?

Possibly/Yes. We have to move past the current SGs.

That is all for tonight. Sorry for a big update with not a lot of images. We simply do not have the capacity here. We’ll be at PAX through Sunday (then drive through the night). I will continue to communicate through my phone, but I am also giving demos most of the day. The hall here runs from 10:00 am to Midnight.

Here are some shots of MCG at PAX. These were taken early in the show before we were all swamped and no pics could be had. Tomorrow I'll grab a picture of the hall in the afternoon and evening. Wall-to-wall.

Goodnight.

**Salacious Greed**

Hmm, that was a great update. That was a lot of useful information that everyone has been clamoring for.

However, that really had zero enticement to attract new money. Not sure that the stretch goals are driving this, and I think everyone thought they were going to adjust/add to the SGs.

**Alpharius**

Interesting that now you CAN buy extras of the exclusives!

**yamato**

Yeah, I liked that too,..... They talked about also revealing some new stuff, goals, add ons, etc. once it got past 400,....

I wonder if that will have to wait until after PAX

**deleted20250424**

So is there a pledge calculator out there for this like the Myth KS?

I'm still on the fence on this one.

**BobtheInquisitor**

yamato wrote:
Yeah,... Cool tidbit about being able to add extra SG material in the PM later,..... Like if you wanted to buy more not-robocop minis..

So, if I wanted just to get the drones ($5), ED 209 ($15) and Robocop (???), I could get them through the Pledge Manager, or latch onto an actual backer's pledge and order through his or her pledge manager? Or do I need to scramble for the money now and try to find someone willing to add some stuff to his order?

**yamato**

Sounds like funds can be added later,... The new news was that you could add additional copies of not only add on items, but also stretch goal items,..... This was something that was not available with MYTH.

This is an interesting thing,.... Let's say that you are in for the MYTH only pledge,.... But maybe you really liked something in the stretch goals that was not part of your pledge (like the RoboCop mini),.... You could then add it for a cost.

**Salacious Greed**

Well, the latest update sounds pretty good. Just have to see if they follow through on it.

Bundles work great, and knowing what the roadmap looks like would be great. But with only 5 days left, if they don't do a big update tomorrow, I don't see this going much beyond $550 maybe...

**highlord tamburlaine**

I keep hoping and waiting for this to really grab me.

That update was a good start. I'd like to see them keep rolling with the momentum.

Still would like to see more mechanized opfor options.

**Dujek**

PAX update is below. Not much info, other than a 'we are too busy to post more info but we will totally post more info later'.

The total $$ has been increasing steadily for a few days now, I assume it's a convention-related boost combined with the bonus expansion pack stretch goal getting hit and luring more people in.

Update #38

Apr 12 2014
PAX East Day 2
9 comments
39 likes

Man what a day. Extremely busy.

At one point we had 3 demos of Myth, 2 Recon, 1 Conflict, and 2 Tabletop. We really moved product AND added to the backers or potential backers. Everyone really had a good time. Here some pics of the shenanigans.
Demos comin' out of all the nooks and crannies.Demos comin' out of all the nooks and crannies.

In addition, we had some good conversations with backers about “all-in” add-ons for Mission Packs and an “all-in” Recon pledge. We are in discussions. Stay tuned.

We did 4 interviews between the 3 partners and really had a lot of excited gamers. I know some of you are tiring of the lack of daily commentary from us, but like Myth, these two conventions (in successive weeks) really bring a lot of exposure and ultimately drive up the total a great deal.

We’ll reveal the next group of stretches early next week. We have some fantastic stuff ahead and you’ve earned some love.

**Barzam**

With luck, it'll at least clear the $500,000 mark by the end. Hopefully they'll reach 3000 backers so I can get that hopefully free Behemoth.

**yamato**

Now at $425k,.... 16 stretch goals unlocked so far:

84 miniatures and over 50 unique sculpts

**Dujek**

The 425 stretch was just 4 workers and a saboteur with a wonky pose. Glad they hit it - yay freebies - but not very exciting. Heck we don't really know what the game mechanics for the saboteur are.

Next stretch is 450k for 4 more secfor III minis, in two poses. That's desirable. After that it's 475k for some more special employee minis, and 500k for some bonus zombies and unlocking the paid zombie add-on.

Hoping they add more intermediate stretches and/or reveal some further ones that are appealing. They've grown solidly the last few days but now that the conventions are past I fear they may stagnate again.

**CptJake**

Can the wonky posed saboteur be used if we don't get the rest of his faction?

How? Can you mix factions in your team of MERCs?

Or is this a case of plussing up one of the $25 mission packs rather than adding to the basic game?

**yamato**

well, it is time for them to hit with some serious updates,..... they should have some more stretches released and some new information and add-ons today,....

If not,... the natives will get very restless.