(Part of my Modular Objectives series. Prototype Pattern Groups includes the latest version of these rules.)
Command can’t get a visual on the objective — you’re going in blind. You know what to do once you find it.
Triangulate models situations where the PCs Search for an objective purposefully hidden from them. It is a Short or Medium duration sitrep often combined with another sitrep of similar length that reflects the sought-after objective (such as Fortify, Seize, or Transport). It can be used in place of Recon (Lancer, p. 273).
It is recommended to use this sitrep with the Sensible Sensors optional rule from Prototype Pattern Groups:
Mech frames with Sensors lower than 5 are almost universally better off avoiding anything that relies upon their Sensors. This greatly constrains those mechs’ build options, and it pressures GMs to design scenarios to accommodate this stark drop in Sensor range compared to most of the frames in the game. To relieve this pressure, setting the minimum Sensors for all mechs to 5.
Objective
The objective is an object hidden from the PCs in a randomly determined location or one chosen by the GM, typically away from the ADZ and the map’s edges. The GM may decide if the enemy forces know the location of the objective. To find the objective, the PCs must use the Search action (see Area Search), learning how distant the objective is if it is within their Sensors:
- Near: 2 or fewer spaces.
- Close: 3–5 spaces.
- Medium: 6–10 spaces.
- Long: 11–15 spaces.
- Far: 16+ spaces.
If the objective is Near after Searching, the PCs immediately find it.
(Note: It is recommended for PCs to draw where they have searched on their battle map. The map can become a bit busy with the drawings, but the objective is usually discoverable after 3-4 Search actions in appropriate locations.)
Victory Conditions
- Victory: Find the objective. If appropriate, transition to a new sitrep.
- Defeat: Fail to find the objective before Retreat.
Modifications
Decoy
Deploy 8–12 objectives whose locations are known to the PCs. One or more objectives are “real” objective(s); the rest are decoys. The Search action immediately reveals which objectives are real and which are decoys in its area. Once all real objectives are found, the sitrep proceeds as normal.
Recon
Deploy 3–4 sub-objectives across the map (like radio towers, computers, or informative noncombatants). Instead of using the Search action to find the objective, the PCs must successfully Interact with every sub-objective. Once they do, reveal the objective’s location and proceed as normal.