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[YankeeSamurai]

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Overwatch Trans-Human Arm
OFFICIAL GUIDE

-by YankeeSamurai



Contents

I. How to Roleplay As OTA
II. How to Roleplay With OTA
III. OTA Organization in City 18
IV. OTA Deployment Protocol
V. OTA Weapons and Equipment
VI. OTA Unit Loadout Protocol
VII. OTA Basic Tactics
VIII. OTA Injection Protocol


First, a quick disclaimer.  I am not trying to prove myself as an authority on all things Combine, or anything silly like that.  The guide's contents are subject to change.

The purpose of the guide's length and details is to create a rich, varied world for the Overwatch to exist in.
If nothing else, the guide is simply for your own reading pleasure.

edit: Some people are of the opinion that I stole this guide. This is false; the guide is my own work.

[YankeeSamurai]

I. How to Roleplay as OTA

I find it easiest to compare roleplaying an Overwatch soldier to roleplaying a CP. Of course, there are a few key differences that you must know.

1. The most important difference between the CCA and OTA is that CPs still retain their humanity. They wear armor and an identity-obscuring mask, but under it all is a genuine, living and breathing human being. Not so with the Overwatch.
Overwatch soldiers are unfeeling products of Combine bioengineering. Their bodies have (according to http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Combine_soldier) "undergone extensive modifications including, but not limited to, brain and chest surgery, removal of genitalia, and implantation of various mechanical devices in the throat and around the abdomen."
Combine soldiers are more machine than human. They are devoid of human emotions, such as fear, pity, or a sense of humor. Therefore, certain RPs are no longer acceptable including, among other things, joking around, anger RP, and fear RP. However, respect (for commanding officers) and pain should still be RP'd. Be sure to use /me's and /it's to their full potential.

2. The missions of the CCA and OTA are vastly different. The CCA is a police force, whereas OTA is comparable to an army. As far as HL2RP is concerned, CPs can handle law enforcement tasks like patrolling the streets, running identification checks, and amputating the odd anticitizen.
Overwatch support, on the other hand, should only be requested in dire circumstances where direct military force is necessary. Examples of such situations could be a citywide uprising, an armed group of citizens defending a building, or a Judgment Waiver.
Some may view this as a stretch, but in the urban setting of city 18, OTA can be thought of as a glorified SWAT team.

3. Both CPs and Overwatch units rely on their in-helmet radios for communication. However, CPs are fed incentives, addressed, and controlled by Dispatch. OTA units use their radios to give/acknowledge orders and to constantly update combat situations among their own squadmates.
A subtle difference between CP radio language and OTA radio language is the choice of words they use on the radio. CCA/Dispatch radio chatter is carefully phrased in medical terms- inject, cauterize, sterilize, and so on. Overwatch radio chatter uses openly violent terminology- blade, striker, reaper, etc.
Note: Overwatch units should not say, /yell, or /whisper anything. Units should /radio everything they "say." (maybe a macro could be made so units automatically radio everything /said, /yelled, and /whispered?)

4. As OTA is a military organization, Overwatch soldiers have better training and equipment than their Civil Protection counterparts. This should be reflected in a firefight by the level of S2M (shoot to miss) used by Overwatch soldiers.

There are two main environments in which OTA will engage in combat.
     a. Interiors
Interior combat generally takes place at short range. OTA should only shoot to miss if a target is behind cover. Targets in the open can be gunned down with minimal S2M.
     b. Exteriors
Exterior combat takes place at a variety of ranges, from cramped alleys to expansive streets. If you are a SeC or Element Commander, try to miss around 30% of your shots at long range (about the length of the Terminal street) and 0% of your shots at short range (about the width of the Terminal street). If not (an 02-05), go for 50% misses at long range and 10% at short range.

[YankeeSamurai]

Useful Overwatch Phrases:

Affirmative.
Negative.
Copy that.

Bouncer, bouncer! (enemy grenade)
Displace, displace! (fall back)
Get down!
Go sharp!
Lost contact.
One down! (friendly casualty)
Outbreak, outbreak!

Administer antiseptic.
Closing in.
Contact confirmed, prosecuting.
Cover me.
Engaged in cleanup.
Engaging.
Executing full response.
Extractor away. (throwing grenade)
Harden that position. (fortify it)
Have negative movement.
Inbound.
Locking position.
Move in.
No viscon. (visual contact)
One contained.
Request reinforcement.
Report in.
Priority 1 objective, prosecuting.
Report, all positions clear.
Standing by.
Stay alert.
Sweeping in.
We have infestation.
Wrap it up.
Vaccine incoming. (headcrab shell)
Visual on exogen.

Unit is closing.
Unit requests backup.
Unit is holding.
Unit is moving in.
Unit has viscon.

Overwatch advise, we have heavy resistance.
Overwatch, confirm.
Overwatch is inbound to your position.
Overwatch, restricted data has been contained.
Overwatch, report possible biotics inbound.
Overwatch, request reserve activation.
Overwatch, request force field.
Overwatch, target contained.
Overwatch, target sterilized.

Sector is secure, no viscon.
Sector is not secure.
Sector overrun, repeat- sector overrun.

Stabilization team has sector secure.
Stabilization team holding postion.

Target compromised, move in.
Target ineffective.
Target is out of range.

Biotics inbound.
Necrotics inbound.
Viromes inside the perimeter.

[YankeeSamurai]

II. How to Roleplay With OTA

   As a Citizen:
It's pretty straightfoward. FEAR RP. And lots of it.
Overwatch soldiers make your everyday CPs look like cuddly kittycats. You may snicker at the local protection officer behind his back, but when the Overwatch comes calling you don't make a sound. Better yet, make yourself scarce. You know people who've been shipped off to Nova Prospeckt simply by looking at a unit the wrong way.
The only reason why you shouldn't be terrified of the Overwatch is if you're some seasoned Resistance veteran... and right now I doubt there are any...

                  As a CP:
You've gotten the hang of bullying a suppressed population of civilians, but when you see an Overwatch unit, you know it's "the real thing." These guys look legitly badass to you; you feel intimidated and a little scared of them.
Respect and mild fear RP should be observed in their presence, especially for anyone in the enlisted ranks. Officers and Division Leaders feel more comfortable around OTA due to their experience working with them. Some OfCs and DvLs may even have aspirations to join the Overwatch ranks one day.

[lemonshit]

-snip-

[YankeeSamurai]

III. OTA Organization in City 18
All OTA forces in the city are under the command of the City Administrator, who has (in theory) several Sector Commanders who report to him. The Sector Commanders each command several elements made of individual soldiers, also known as units.

   OTA Rank Hierarchy:
1. City Administrator
2. Sector Command :SeC:  -uses the elite playermodel, with a custom skin if so desired
3. Element Command :EcM:  -uses the normal elite playermodel
4. Soldier :02:  -uses the brown/orange shotgunner model
5. Soldier :03, 04, 05:  -uses the blue/gray soldier model


OTA Serial Number format:
   OTA.C18-APEX-03.987

   Breakdown:
OTA= branch of service
C18= city #
APEX= element designation
03= element position- This unit is the #3 man for his squad.
987= three-digit unit ID

[YankeeSamurai]

-snip-

[YankeeSamurai]

Anatomy of a OTA element:

SeC (sector commander): the commander of all (theoretical) Overwatch elements in his (theoretical) sector.   -Not technically part of the element, but heavily involved with element deployments.
   -Grants or denies CCA requests for OTA support.
   -Coordinates heavily with the City Administrator and CCA DvLs.
   -Reports on Overwatch activity to the City Administrator.
   -Serves as the City Administrator's personal bodyguard and assistant (this is so the SeC and C.A. can have RP with each other, but it is optional)

EcM (element commander): the leader of the element.   
     -Decides what equipment his units carry into combat.
     -Gives the orders in combat.
     -Can request extra support. (Vaccines, snipers, Airwatch, etc.)
     -Coordinates element actions with Civil Protection forces.
     -Briefs and debriefs the element.
     -Reports on element actions to SeC.

02: the pointman, so to speak, of the element.
   -Takes orders from the EcM, but physically leads the element in combat.
   -Takes command of the element if the EcM is incapacitated.
   -Can request extra support.

03, 04, 05: the element's basic units
     -Takes orders from the EcM, follows the #02 into combat.


Example OTA Roster:
Sector Command:
OTA.C18-SeC.012  -Albert

APEX:
OTA.C18.APEX-EcM.123  -Roflwaffle
OTA.C18.APEX-02.234  -Kazuo
OTA.C18.APEX-03.345  -exampleplayer1
OTA.C18.APEX-04.456  -exampleplayer2
OTA.C18.APEX-05.567  -exampleplayer3

[YankeeSamurai]

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[lemonshit]

Where did you get APEX and EcM from? Why do you keep using MPF?

[YankeeSamurai]

IV. OTA Deployment Protocol

1. A CP will request support to OTA SeC.
   a. He must briefly state why Overwatch support is needed.
   b. In the absence of SeC, the EcM considers the request. If neither SeC nor the EcM is online, Overwatch support is IC-ly considered unavailable.

2. If Overwatch support is granted by SeC, SeC must alert his EcM and brief him on the situation.
   a. (optional) Logs must be made by the CP DvL or OfC detailing why OTA support was requested, and the outcome of the request.

3. The SeC will brief his EcM on the situation.

4. The EcM will assemble his units to brief them and assign weapon loadouts.

5. Overwatch will deploy from the Nexus and must take the safest route to the combat zone.

6. On completion of a mission, Overwatch must restrict access to the combat zone until CP units can relieve them and dispose of on-site contrabrand.

7. After being relieved by the CCA, the element will return to the Nexus for debriefing.

[YankeeSamurai]

APEX is supposedly in the game files for an MPF or Overwatch phonetic alphabet. I made up the abbreviation EcM, although I took "Element" from a suggestion Skeptik made awhile back. MPF is an abbreviation that ReignServers, a server I played on for a few times, uses for their CCA. I'm just used to using it, sorry.

[YankeeSamurai]

V. OTA Weapons and Equipment
(information from http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Weapons)

     Primary Weapons:
SMG1/MP7- low power, high fire rate, poor accuracy. Low recoil. Undermounted grenade launcher. Ideal for close-range combat.

Shotgun/SPAS 12- extremely high power, low fire rate. Fires buckshot in a cone-shaped pattern. Can fire both barrels at once. Ideal for close-range combat.
   NOTE: only the 02 and higher ranks are authorized to use the shotgun.

AR2/pulse rifle- high power, low fire rate, moderate accuracy. High recoil. Can launch energy balls. Ideal for medium-range combat.
   
     Equipment:
Body armor upgrade- further protects wearer from bullets and shrapnel in the form of more plating, padding, etc.

HE (high explosive) grenade- useful for flushing enemies from cover

Smoke grenade- useful for screening assaults

Flashbang- useful for clearing rooms

SMG grenade- useful for neutralizing enemies in cover

Energy ball- ideal for causing chaos in enclosed spaces.
   NOTE: only the EcM and SeC are authorized to fire the energy ball.

[YankeeSamurai]

VI. COTA Loadout Protocol

Note- the purpose of this mechanic is to allow the EcM a wide variety of tactical choices and customization for his team.

Loadout Protocol:
   -Each unit must use one primary weapon with 5 boxes of ammunition
   -05, 04, 03 have equipment slots x1
   -02 has equipment slots x2
   -EcM has equipment slots x3
   -SeC has equipment slots x5

   One slot is filled for each piece of equipment taken.
   Multiple grenades and energy balls can be taken at one slot per grenade/ball
   Multiple armor upgrades cannot be taken.

Sample Element Loadouts:

Injection team-
   05: SMG1. HE grenade.
   04: SMG1. HE grenade.
   03: SMG1. flashbang.
   02: shotgun. armor upgrade, flashbang.
   EcM: AR2. energy ball, flashbang x2

Urban combat-
   05: SMG1. SMG grenade.
   04: AR2. HE grenade.
   03: AR2. HE grenade.
   02: SMG1. flashbang x2
   EcM: AR2. armor upgrade, smoke grenade x2




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chart showing available equipment slots

[YankeeSamurai]

VII. OTA Tactics

Fire and Movement (information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_and_movement)
   Fire and and Movement is an assault tactic used by Overwatch units in HL2, as well as by real life military units.

The basic principle: One group pins down the enemy while another group advances and flanks.

     How to Perform Simple Fire and Movement-
1. The EcM divides his element into two groups, typically one led by him and one led by his 02.
2. Group 1 pops smoke to cover themselves as they set up.
3. Group 1 lays down near-continuous fire on the enemy.
     a. Suppressive fire limits enemy firepower and renders the enemy unable to react or assess their situation clearly.
4. Group 2 advances while group 1 has the enemy pinned down.
5. Group 2 flanks around the enemy's cover and destroys the enemy in close-quarter battle.

     The "Leapfrogging" varient of FaM
When group 1 sets up its base of fire, group 2 will not advance all the way to the enemy. Instead, they will advance part of the way there, then set up their own base of fire.
When group 2's BoF is set up, group 1 will advance under the cover of the new firebase.
   The proccess continues until one group reaches the enemy and destroys him.

IC Note: As a rule of thumb, OTA units should always act as a team. A single unit is little more threat to enemies than an armed citizen. Overwatch elements are lethal because of the exeptional teamwork they demonstrate in combat.