Hyper Robo Grand Prix Q&A

[Elise]

Hey all!

Consider this the official announcement and working thread for the beginning of my own staff event, the Hyper Robo Grand Prix!

Love giant robots? Love watching them fight? This will be the event for you! There are several ways to participate, but be warned: this is not a cheap hobby! Be prepared to drain your precious coin reserves to achieve total victory! This is still a *bit* of a rough draft, so I'll be working on the exact wording and clarifications based on your questions and comments below.

OOC Expectations and Timing​

The HRGP is a long-term recurring event, that is not structure like the survival, battle royale tournaments hosted by Syntech or Carnivale Rosa. Instead, taking part in the HRGP is a collaborative, team-based event that will follow a greater plotline across multiple threads, more similar to the Olympics.


This event is experimental and bound to be fairly complicated, so there will probably be adjustments along the way. Luckily, flex-time will very much be in effect, and no HRGP threads will lock your character out of other storylines. As long as your team members are alive, it can be assumed that they found time to show up for HRGP events when called. The format and general order of operations will be as follows.

Creating a Team

To register an HRGP Team, they must provide a 2,000 Coin Buy-In to contribute to the grand prize. This Buy-In also covers the base cost of constructing a Mobile Base of the general size of a Mech.

An HRGP team can be comprised of any number of characters, both PC and NPC, but only two will have practical ‘jobs’. Each team requires at least one Pilot and one Engineer before the start of competition. Pilots must have some level of skill mastery in piloting their respective machine, and will be responsible for being in command of their machine during HRGP event threads.

Engineers must have at least three different categories for relevant Machine development (i.e. Electronics, Robotics, Aeronautics, Energy Weapons, etc.) These characters may be NPCs or Summons. Engineers are chiefly responsible for providing tactical updates to the pilot and using available Coin to develop new modules and repairs.

Any other characters may participate as support cast, such as technicians, investors, or just companions along for the Grand Prix. Teams may also be allowed to have backup pilots and engineers if those characters qualify.


Gaining Sponsors

After all teams are finalized for the HRGP, there will be a three month period of development for machines and funding. Negotiations can be held in threads labeled with (HRGP) anywhere on the forums, and HRGP event runners will write out the responses from the sponsor faction, but the actual payouts will be kept private. If a team asking for sponsorship does not have a character with adequate standing to gain that sponsor, that sponsor might offer a quest to gave some favor.


Building a Machine

Machines will be developed in secret, with purchases and approvals done with me and other referees via PM.

There are some unique rules for this event that are different than the usual rules for building a Mobile Base (in the interest of keeping things generally affordable). Most Machines would normally qualify as a x3 Size Mobile Base, but should instead essentially be built and priced as normal characters. The drawback is that the Machine will not be usable outside of the HRGP for general reasons, which is reflective of the Grand Prix's maintenance and general personnel assistance Teams will receive during the event. If, however, a Team wants to use their winnings from the HRGP to respec and purchase the Machine after the competition, any coin they have already spent on the Machine will count towards that Mobile Base purchase.

Purchase records must still be made through the Counting House, but can be marked as [HRGP Classified], without ability breakdowns. These purchases are considered public knowledge IC, so that teams can gauge how much other teams are spending. Public Machine dossiers with abilities will be marked as [CLASSIFIED] until revealed in competition.

All Machines entered for qualification in the Grand Prix must meet the following specifications:

• At least 80% Pilot controlled. No fully autonomous machines.
• Maximum coin investment of 20,000 at start
• Must have at least one of each system: Weapons, Armor, Mobility, Comms, Environmental Protection
• Must have ongoing Growth size between 5 (50 feet) and 8 (150 feet)

Competing in Periodic Events

After Teams, Machines and Sponsors are finalized, the main series of events will begin with the grand opening in Markov, starting with the All-Terrain marathon. Details and rules such as posting quantity and time limits for each event will detailed as their respective threads are posted. There will be a 1-2 month gap in between events to allow for repairs, upgrades, and time to recharge the writing zeal. Total point values will be calculated after the final event and announced at the Awards Ceremony.

ANY PLANET THAT HAS AN UNMAKING LEVEL OF 3 OR HIGHER WILL HAVE TO BE REDUCED BEFORE EVENTS CAN TAKE PLACE THERE.
(that currently means that, even after the development and sponsoring phase, the first even will not be able to take place until The Fade is defeated!)

Sponsors​

The following companies have indicated that they’re willing to sponsor teams entering the HRGP. Any sponsors unclaimed by PC teams will automatically choose their preferred teams if they are not claimed at the end of the preparation period.

Syntech
Contact: Karl Jak

Cytokine Industries
Contact: Aria T’Loak

Kaalakiota Corporation
Contact: Tibus Heth

The Izzet League
Contact: Niv-Mizzet

The Guild
Contact: Thelonius Rex

Rock Raiders Incorporated
Contact: Chief

Wondertainment Toy Company
Contact: Scrooge McDuck

Plainview Incorporated
Contact: Daniel Plainview

Comstock Enterprises
Contact: Zachary Comstock

Existing Teams​

The following teams are funded and organized by NPC factions, and are considered to have a fully functioning Machine ready to compete when the event is announced. Any team that is designated as having an Open pilot slot is actively searching for a candidate to operate their machine. Writers may offer their characters, NPCs, or Summons for these pilot roles as well, however be aware that these teams have very high standards.

Kingdom of Arcadia
Machine: Evangelion Unit-00
Chief Engineer: Dr. Ritsuko Akagi
Pilot: Rei Ayanami

Kingdom of Palatinus
Machine: XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam
Chief Engineer: Dr. Jay Null
Pilot: OPEN

The Pilot’s Union
Machine: RZ-041 Liger Zero
Chief Engineer: Dr. Steve Toros
Pilot: Claudius Dulmare

House of Wakanda
Machine: TRV-06k-H Viper II
Chief Engineer: Shuri
Pilot: OPEN

The Dwemer Kingdom
Machine: Wraith Knight “Will of Kagrenac”
Chief Engineer: Kagrenac
Pilot: Kagrenac

Alliance to Restore the Crossroads
Machine: 2167b Jehuty
Chief Engineer: Dr. Rachel Links
Pilot: OPEN

Events​

All-Terrain Marathon
Type: All Machines Compete Simultaneously
Location: Cevanti - Markov
Rules of Engagement: Limited - May only engage Machines one place ahead or behind in race.
Summary: Machines must travel across several different types of terrain using all mobility systems at their disposal. Naturally, Machines equipped with flight systems are at an advantage, but certain checkpoints will be placed inside dense forests, caves, or even underwater where those systems will not function. This race is formatted as one long sprint to the finish line, starting in Markov.

Firepower Exhibition
Type: Individual Turns
Location: Mesa Roja - Karim
Rules of Engagement: Free
Summary: Machines have a limited amount of time to destroy a variety of hardened targets with various types of defense, including heavy armor, energy shielding, active camouflage, long range, and target rich environments.

Adverse Conditions Endurance
Type: All Machines Compete Simultaneously
Location: Inverxe - The Azure Citadel
Rules of Engagement: Prohibited
Summary: Machines and their Pilots must endure a grueling series of weather and environmental hazards, making it to the next specified waypoint before time runs out. Machines that fail to do so are eliminated from the race. There will be no set path ahead of time, though the gauntlet will take place both above and belowground on Inverxe.

Tactical Precision Showdown
Type: Individual Turns
Location: Sweetzerland - Nos’Talgia
Rules of Engagement: No Weapon Systems
Summary: Pilots must use the full extent of their Machine’s non-weapon systems to hunt down and locate a priority target inside of dense terrain. Expert use of maneuverability, sensor suites, and any auxiliary systems will be key to score the lowest time.

Orbital Operations Circuit
Type: All Machines Compete Simultaneously
Location: Erde Nona - Mond
Rules of Engagement: Free
Summary: All Machines will compete in a high-speed circuit race, consisting of five laps across the low-gravity surface of Mond. Naturally, Machines not designed to survive or maneuver in low to zero g environments will be at a severe disadvantage. To compensate for this, all Machines may direct weapons fire at any target on the course, potentially making the lead position in this race very dangerous.

Durability Gauntlet
Type: Individual Turns
Location: Kraw - New Abraxas
Rules of Engagement: Prohibited
Summary: Individual Machines must take turns weathering various types of firepower while remaining inside of a given arena. This will allow machines designed to be more maneuverable room to evade, but ultimately scoring will be based on the number of systems damaged or destroyed before the firing period ends.

Battle Royale
Type: All Machines Compete Simultaneously
Location: Opealon - The City of Hope
Rules of Engagement: Free
Summary: All Machines will compete in a final, no-holds-barred skirmish, allowing full use of all available systems and pilot skills. Machines will be ranked and scored in order of who ceases to function first, with the last Machine standing taking first place.

Damage and Upgrades​

Given that most events allow for a certain amount of violence between competing Machines, onboard systems will be assigned damage after each event, potentially making them unavailable for subsequent events until repair costs are funded.

Teams will be periodically allowed to upgrade and modify their Machine loadouts after each event during the Grand Prix up to a certain Coinage amount, though this is not mandatory.

Scoring and Winnings​

Each machine is ranked based on total performance score per event. Each event grants points towards total tournament score, based on number of teams. Example:
1st - 20 pts.
2nd - 15 pts.
3rd - 10 pts.
4th - 8 pts.
5th - 7 pts.
6th - 6 pts.
7th - 5 pts.
8th - 0 pts.

Finally, there will be a points bonus given to teams who have managed to spend the least amount of Coin during the Grand Prix, tallying the base cost of the Machine, repairs and upgrades.

First Place: Wins the Buy-In Pot (This includes the NPC teams enrolled, for a minimum of 60k)

Second Place: 50,000

Third Place: 30,000

 

[Pecan]

Is it possible to make a mech that requires two(or more) people to pilot? Mainly just for RP purposes rather than any intrinsic benefit?

EDIT - Also will death be possible in this event?

 

[Arbiter]

Two Pilots - Don't see why not; seems like a bit of a handicap tho.

Death - Yes, but only if things go terribly, terribly wrong. There will be some IC tournament rules regarding blowing other machines to smithereens, but it's also prudent to give your pilot some protection both in and out of the cockpit.

Generally speaking, your machines are going to get knocked out of operation before the pilot is in danger.

 

[Pecan]

In-universe, has there been other HGRPs before? Or is this it's debut?

 

[Elise]

There have been, every few years or so. It's a pretty big operation so it takes time to set up new courses and let teams situate their loadouts

 

[Jim Raynor]

"Pilots must have some level of skill mastery in piloting their respective machine"

Does this mean the pilot needs a Master Skill in this discipline?

 

[Elise]

Yup! Something like Pilot (Mobile Suit) or Pilot (Mecha) would work fine, but at least one rank is required to qualify as a pilot.

It's relevant for when I need to gauge who might come out on top in a scenario where two machines are an even match, statistically.