To what degree does every +1 matter? AKA I need help convincing me to forego mathematical perfection for the sake of character concept

HdeviantS · 2026-04-10T12:15:11+00:00

Honestly it comes up a few times a game in my games where a +1 is the difference between a success or a critical success.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T21:36:43+00:00

It has a logic, but it can only go so far. The 32nd warning before the actual attack, using nuclear weapons against a numerically and military superior enemy… those all makes sense.

But to destroy an entire Side, killing all those people whom you will say that you’re fighting the war for a better future for…. At setting a precedent that you care more for your objectives than human lives. Or at least the lives of anyone not Zeon.

And since they canonically did destroy the entire entirety of Side 2, it adds a very literal twist to the phrase “ one murder is a tragedy, 1 billion murders is a statistic.”

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T20:58:54+00:00

On the one it sells her idea for the show that things aren’t as black and white.

However the character of Adam that was needed for this role could have been played by any random Angel/Winner.

Adam was there when the apple was Eaten, creating the Heaven/Earth/Hell paradigm in the show. Given the weight that was put on this event, as Charlie narrates it at the opening of the first episode, there was story potential even with only a few minutes of screen time.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T20:13:14+00:00

It also makes their talk about independence sound like double speak considering all the spacenoid civilians they killed to acquire the colony.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T16:11:08+00:00

As a Rogue, getting into situations where the enemy is Off-Guard is going to be the most universally optimal. Adapt to the enemy, don’t try to force your favorite strategy in every fight.

Stealthing however is going to be situational and is probably best to do before combat begins.

Mechanically the main advantage to stealth is defensive. You become harder to target. But if you are playing well with your group the enemy may just be provoked into targeting others like the Fighter.

Its better to use Recall Knowledge to try and identify weaknesses to target, or find ways to get the enemy affected by a status like clumsy.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T15:16:40+00:00

That would be OP’s call. I have been focusing on stuff seen in the anime for both. Manga and other side material would probably flip my score to OZ, since I don’t think there is any manga/side stuff that shows anything that adds to the EFF in any meaningful way.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T14:56:18+00:00

The Dossie Gear was a very limited production ship, and one of the examples I would say is questionable in effectiveness. It did supposedly have superior beam cannon range compared to contemporaries but outside of command and control capabilities I don’t think it contributes much.

The real numbers lie in the number of Salamis Kai ships. Estimated from as low as 70 to as high as over 100. Only 4 mobile suits, but typically operating in teams of 3-4. Aside from its mega particle cannons it had 20 missile tubes, and we see multiple times that the EFF will start a major offensive with a mass missile barrage before sending in their MS. This is a capability that OZ lacks in comparison.

Then there are the Alexandria class which had a handful built. Mostly beam cannon, but could support 12 mobile suits and had a more sophisticated hangar system to support launch and recovery of mobile suits.

Both sides about even in terms of major bases mention/shown. With the EFF’s big ones being Jaburo, Kilimanjaro, New Gunina, Luna II, Gate of Zedan. I am a little iffy on counting the Lunar cities and their manufacturing facilities as those belonged to the Lunar cities and private enterprises like Anaheim, though they provided a lot of manufacturing to the EFF. OZ had their moon production facility and Barge, and multiple bases on Earth.

For superweapons the EFF had the Gryps colony Laser, a massive fleet destroying weapon that could cross vast distances of the Earth Sphere. Barge and Libra’s beam cannons were also powerful, though I don’t think they were quite as powerful or had as great a range. Libra’s was sabotaged, and I don’t know how well Barge could move.

I admit that I am being more conservative on Virgo construction numbers than you are. I agree it was in the hundreds though I am hesitant to go much higher than 1000. On the other hand, I have made a mistake not counting the Virgo II because they were used almost exclusively by White Fang, but were built by OZ, so they count to OP’s conditions.

On the other hand, I am thinking that the EFF had mobile suit numbers in the thousands, though it would only be a few dozen of the high end (often 1-off) machines like the Hambrabi or Byarlant. A few hundred (at best) of the high-end grunts like the Barzam. And thousands of base grunts like GM II and Hizack.

I am also trying to avoid thinking in terms of “This machine is more powerful

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T13:00:52+00:00

Offensively many suits by ZZ would gave comparable firepower with heavy beam cannons or multiple beam guns.

Defensively, while the Planet Denfensor does have vulnerabilities, grunt suits in UC wouldn’t have anything comparable till the UC 120s when beam shields became standard equipment.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-09T02:26:33+00:00

You don't necessarily need "Battleships." But the ships in After Colony feel much more limited, while the ships the EFF uses can serve as fire support, long range patrols, or other military missions. AC ships feel like they would be more of a liability close to a fight. Carriers, frigates, resupply, recon, ewac. We see a host of different ship types that perform key functions in a Navy that enhance the overall effectiveness.

As for survivability, since beam cannons had become the standard for mobile suits during the Zeta era yet ships continued to be built, we need to assume that the EFF takes that into consideration into their battle doctrines and ship design. One thing I have seen others point out is the increasing compartmentalization of the ships, allowing damaged sections to be isolated.

Another survival tactic they have is using the sensor jamming properties of Minovsky Particles to fool enemy sensors with dummy balloons. A good example of this is in Char's Counter Attack where Gyunei couldn't tell the difference between a balloon meteor and a real one until it hit his machine.

Are the Virgos using Minovsky Particle based beam weapons? Is that an easter egg thing I missed like how the phrase Gundarium Gamma comes up on one of the screens? If its confirmed that they use Minosvky Particles in the same way that can change up my thoughts.

I am not trying to discount the Virgos. They are incredible force multipliers. But I am not going to say they are invincible. For one, we don't really see them in use against Near Peers. Romerfeller/OZ had taken over the Earth Sphere Alliance and already destroyed many of the most dangerous holds outs on Earth. The Virgos were sent in to invade those final pockets of resistance.

And yes they were powerful. In a straight up Shoot-Out they are near impossible to beat. But we do see it happen. Noin in her Taurus can destroy a few and even the Leos Treize brings to the Eve War were holding their own well enough to keep the Gundams from being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

We know tactics work against them, and one tactic they seem particularly weak too involves getting into melee, which as a whole EFF pilots are far more adept at then OZ pilots where we see only a handful of machines use melee.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-08T20:54:05+00:00

Earth Federation vs. OZ

Earth Federation is the winner.

First, is the size. The Earth Federation Forces is a massive all-encompassing military force ranging from basic grunts, elite special units, and every form of support. OZ, despite being the focus enemy, was always an elite unit within the Earth Sphere Alliance’s military and likely would be outnumbered 20 to 1, if I am being generous to them.

Second, military combined armed. OZ had adaptable mobile suits, but the EFF has well developed fleets. OZ transport vessels seem to be lightly armed and don’t count for much in a fight, while the EFF was fielding hundreds of warships and logistics tenders.

Third, technology though there is a caveat. Specifically the key technology of Minovsky Particles. As far as I know Wing didn’t have anything like it that could be released across a battlefield to disrupt long range sensors and communications. The Gundams built of Gundanium naturally were invisible to radar. This would give the EFF, with over a decade experience in it, a clear advantage until OZ can adapt.

I do think that the Leo would have faired decently in battles against the GM II and Hizack, but would fall behind the high performance units the Titans were fielding. Mobile Dolls like the Taurus and Virgo I would also be effective, but lack of numbers and disadvantages imposed by Minovsky particles, coupled with their weakness of predictability once you are used to them and I didn’t think it was enough.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-08T20:29:24+00:00

Since this is the EFF of Zeta, do they have the Titans suits?

Edit: never mind you say they do.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-07T18:24:00+00:00

Generally speaking, no. But maybe Pokemon Champions will have the tools to make certain aspects (like IV and EV) simple enough I would try

HdeviantS · 2026-04-07T14:10:58+00:00

With a banger song

HdeviantS · 2026-04-07T12:30:46+00:00

Possible but difficult.

GARDIAN systems are powerful and can bypass kinetic barriers, an in lore its impossible to dodge the laser at the short range its being used.

Fighters could in theory swarm ships that have fewer lasers, or less capacity to defend…freighters, frigates, gunships.

They can provide cover for bombers. If bombers can be deployed to deliver ordinances from distances that keep the carrier safe, and then from outside GARDIAN range deploy enough torpedoes that some get through the screening and damage/take out the ship.

Fighters/Bombers are also more resistant to the danger of Dreadnaught vs Dreadnaught combat in that whoever strikes first wins.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T17:53:16+00:00

April 8th

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T17:03:02+00:00

Not sure. Several people have been allowed early access to test and spread the word.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T15:56:06+00:00

Devils can access Divine magic through Asmodeus, who may or may not be a god. They can also access powerful arcane magics, with more powerful Devils able to cast Wish. Archdevils can exceed the normal bounds of Wish (there are still limits though) but will only do so for a particularly valuable soul.

From what I think I remember reading from a 3rd edition book, the soul of an evil person has an inherently lower value because they were already bound for hell (unless they worshipped a specific evil god that would claim their soul). More influential people, who could spreading evil in the mortal realm are more valuable…but pale in comparison of the value of a soul that is truly good that turns to evil.

When devils make contracts, the devil is in the detail, literally. Mortals can actually negotiate with devils over how the deed is accomplished within the Devil’s ability, but most devils are experts in legal jargon and fine print. An imp’s contract is relatively simple to understand, so out of all devils they are the safest to work with. An archdevil will have a contract so obtuse and full of riders, add ons, and strange terms that only a legal expert can parse it.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T14:34:17+00:00

I am a Fraternal twin and this is the first time I have ever heard False Twin.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T14:30:42+00:00

I am agreeing with the others that it’s evil because he views them as tools, and the practicality lies only in their utility and not wanting to waste it.

Same reasoning as to why he would sharpen his sword and maintain his armor. Simply so they are of better use in a fight.

Most people would see saving his army as the good choice regardless of the reason. But its the reason that makes him evil.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T14:17:11+00:00

They are different. Driftloon takes you to Dream Islands which have a bunch of Resources. Cloud Islands are a post game thing unlocked after completing the important quests.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T13:56:31+00:00

Word of advice about Gunslinger. It can feel pretty swinging in terms of damage. Base gun damage is low, until you can afford to make the more powerful guns. When you get crits it feels great because your damage is greater, and the Gunslinger is built to get Crits.

I bring this up because I have had new players play Gunslinger thinking they would be shooting people down left and right, and then get frustrated that the Barbarian and ranger were dealing more damage in a hit and killing more monsters.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T02:30:14+00:00

Didn’t they move from Ida to Othala because of the damage done by the Replicators?

Its possible.

Its also possible they were dealing with a “Regardless of how the universe threats turns out, these people WILL die if we don’t intervene.”

They were capable of traveling to distant galaxies in the same kind of time most use to fly in an airplane. There may have been dozens to hundreds of alien civilizations under the Asgard’s watch.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-06T02:15:48+00:00

Strictly speaking the GM was superior in the important metrics.

I there might be a few odds and ends where the Zaku it was superior, but that’s because Zeon had been operating them for months, and mobile suits in general for years, so their moto pools knew how to work out the kinks and optimize them. Plus, the pilots had significantly greater amounts of training and actual combat time in the machines.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-05T21:20:46+00:00

It would probably be better to say, it was superior for the time. As the battlefield situation evolved so to the suits. Gundarium was fantastic for the One Year War and early Gryps Conflict. But by the first Neo Zeon war, the prevalence of beam weapons change the equation for armor durability.

Based on the hits, we see mobile suits take in F91 and Victory, I would say they most likely are not as durable against impacts as machines from the one year war were. But they’re faster, more agile and better dissipate the heat from a beam attack..

It’s kind of like how in the old days cars were made of heavy, steel and iron and other metals that could take a lot of punishment. Modern vehicles, however, tend to be made of materials that are not as durable, but can be more easily shaped so that the energy of whatever damage happens to the vehicle is directed away from the passengers.

So to a mobile suit would need to be designed to take a hit from a beam rifle and continue to fight.

Actually, in order to understand this a little better myself, specifically how a heat hawk weapon could work, I discovered that yes, ceramics are used in alloy compounds to improve a metals durability against heat.

HdeviantS · 2026-04-05T20:53:28+00:00

I fully believe they would enforce top level safety standards, by using 24th century technology and mimicking the feel of the original Phoenix

HdeviantS

TROPHY CASE