>>OverviewWe are going to construct some mechs. This is a stand alone thread for mech construction challenges. Each scenario given will have 4 days to submit an entry. You may submit more than once (like we could tell anyhow) but each must be on its own post.The bids will then be compiled and voted on by Anons in the thread to determine who gets the contract. Voters should consider the mech's cost, effectiveness in the desired role, and the fluffiness of the sales pitch and description.>>RulesYear, tech base, and tech level to be used for the mech will be specified in the scenario, and should be followed.Positive quirks must equal or be exceeded by negative quirks, with no more than 6 quirks total.>>FormatingMech pitches should be formatted as follows:Chassis ModelRoleWeightQuirksBattle Value at a 4/5 pilotDry Cost in C-BillsSales pitch and In setting fluff.>> Voting categoriesWe will have a few. Often they will be1: Favorite design2: Most innovative design3: Best Narrative4: Meth babyWe may include a 5th “best fits the requirements” for some challenges.A top 5 of the most votes will also be listed>>Previous thread >>98585360New challenge up in a bit.
>>Challenge 17: Dark Age Melee mechWith Faction War raging across the Inner Sphere, line commanders need specialized shock troopers capable of breaking through fortified positions without exhausting limited ammunition reserves. Your design team has been contracted to build a dedicated close-quarters combat mech with survivability and kinetic delivery systems to crush entrenched positions in mind.>>RequirementsYou are making a melee mech. So it needs to have some melee weapons. Other than that, go wild folks.Year: 3145Tech Base: Inner spear or Innersphere based mixed techTech Level: AdvancedPrice: anyRole: AnySize: anyEquipment: Anything MML allows as advanced 3145 >>NOTES: We had a 3 way tie, so as always I rolled for the winner.End date: September 25th at 6 PM EST
>>98718020>You are making a melee mech.Hard mode: Make it better than the Phoenix Hawk IIC 10>inb4 fitting the Phoenix Hawk IIC 10 with triple strength myomer and calling it a day.
Bump because im at work and cant post mech yet
Forgot to upload last thread to the archive until now, it's at https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/2026/98585360/Put in your vote for the others if you haven't.
>>98721058Thanks for archiving. We get some good stuff here
>>98718020Gouf MS-07BStriker50 tonsBV: 1,118C-bills (dry): 9,000,000Quirks: Nimble Jumper, Non-Standard PartsArmor: 11.5 tons Impact-ResistantBuilt by Rambling Ral Industries the Gouf has been built for one purpose and one purpose only, the ability to successfully disable any mech in melee combat and emerge victorious. To this end it has a unique and specialized arsenal that allows it to ensnare its prey. The primary weapon system is a rather unusual chain whip that allows it to trip up enemy mechs and pull them to the ground. Its advanced jump jets allow it to be extremely mobile notably in an urban environment. Should the enemy try to counter-charge in melee then its impact resistant armor can absorb physical blows while shoulder mounted spikes impale their opponent. Five small pulse lasers in its left hand allows it to decimate infantry while also maintaining control its heat levels.Due to the focus of the Gouf in disabling over destruction there has been some interest by bounty hunters who believe it may be an asset for their line of work for capturing uncooperative targets. Even some conservative leaning Clan warriors have expressed that they are willing to re-evaluate their opinions on degrza melee combat should the Gouf prove to demonstrate a civilized form of fighting.
>>98718587Leaper LEP-3RJuggernaut75 tonsBV: 1,649C-bills (dry): 21,047,250Quirks: Hyper-Extending Actuators, Searchlight, Exposed ActuatorsArmor: 17 tons Ballistic-ReinforcedBuilt initially as an underwater fighting machine to entertain the crowds on Solaris VII in the pre blackout days of the Republic before fading into obscurity and sold on essentially as scrap, the Leaper has found a surprising new lease in life as a siege breaker on aquatic worlds during the Dark Age after a Republic force on Liberty that had taken refugee on an island fortress after been surrounded by raiders were rescued by a band of mercenaries who decided to take advantage of its unique propulsion system.The mercenaries were initially faced with a predicament as the island only had one accessible land route that offered no cover and the raiders had brought assault mechs which while vulnerable up close were equipped with long range weapons that would shred any opponent before they could close the distance. Pondering their dilemma the mercenaries came up with an innovative plan that involved some Leapers they had recently bought at a bargain. Their plan was that their main force would attack overland while a lance of Leapers would mount a simultaneous surprise attack from the water. This plan proved to be a success as the Leapers jumped out the water and began hacking the exposed assault mechs to pieces which caught their opponents off guard that quickly caused the raiders to flee. The only snag during the entire operation was when hostile battle armor climbed onto an exposed mech where upon the pilot then came up with the rather unique solution of simply leaping back into the water with the battle armor being shaken loose by their unexpected bath. The Republic forces who witnessed the attack were impressed as what had expected to be a costly battle became a very one sided fight with minimal casualties for their rescue party.
>>98718020MegaSiegenator M3C-1FJuggernaut80 tonsBV: 1,906C-Bills (dry): 10,314,090Quirks: Battle Fists (LA), Jettison-Capable Weapon (Mace)Armor: 17.5 tons (standard)The MegaSiegenator was designed by someone that was just tired of their hiding behind a fortress line shit. An 80 ton TriMech with a Mace, a Pile Driver, and Triple Strength Myomer, this TriMech is designed to get in close and reduce hardened fortifications even if one of its main weapons platforms goes down. Two RISC point defense systems mounted in the left and right torso provide for anti-missile defense, 17.5 tons of armor provide for a high degree of ablative security, and an ECM Guardian suite also provides for additional cover against ranged attackers and detection. A suite of small and medium ER lasers provide for further close-range defense as well as a way to heat the Mech up properly for optimal TSM assisted mace swinging.
Interesting question guys. Is it still Innersphere mixed tech if it's using clan info steel? As in 3145 the IS does make clan endo steel and is used in some Innersphere machines.
>>98718020Mianrong MNR-GJuggernaught100 tonsBV:2,294C-Bills: 10,612,000Quirks: Command Mech, Distracting, Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere), OversizedArmor: 26 tons HardenedAn rare assault-class Battlemech for the CCAF, the MNR-G Mianrong or "Visage" has been described by critics as a terror weapon, by more neutral observers as the meaner big brother of the Ti Ts'ang, and by the CCAF as "a symbol of Capellan might". While somewhat slow at full speed even for an 100-ton battlemech, the firepower and protection provided respectively by four plasma rifles and 26 tons of highly stylized hardened armor is straightforward and effective. A full volley from the Mianrong is more than capable of reducing fortifications to glowing rubble and instantly killing or disabling enemy battlemechs and vehicles and while the sword is widely viewed as a concession to propaganda it remains entirely functional and has been frequently seen in propaganda reels "executing" enemy battlemechs or smashing through scorched fortifications. To contain the egregious amounts of heat produced by simultaneous discharge of four plasma rifles the design mounts 20 clan-spec dual heat sinks, but even that isn't fully adequate to contain repeated alpha strikes.While no doubt a straightforward, efficient and relatively cheap battlemech, the Mianrong has produced mixed results as a propaganda tool; Clanners might feel privileged to die in a totem 'mech but Inner Sphere culture views the loss of something as blatantly representative as a Mianrong as something akin to losing one's flag. This has led to the Mianrong mostly seeing use crushing internal dissent in Confederation space, which in turn has led to it rapidly joining the ranks of the so-called "walking war crimes". Also of note is that the nature of the Mianrong's armament precludes certain high-profile assignments - in any environment that has to be defended instead of razed, the Mianrong is often a net liability even with an elite pilot.
>>98723808Ahhh damn it I forgot to save the name change before exporting. Correct sheet below.
>>98718020Ulfheðnar ULF-260tonsBV: 2,55518,855,360 C-BillsQuirks: Battlefists, Improved SensorsArmor: 11 tons standardKhan,This mech is the product of what we can only assume was a scientist being possessed by the spirit of a very angry viking from ancient pre-spaceflight terra given the name and purpose. We do not know much about the design process other than it was made by somebody, we do not know who though as the identity of the designer is difficult to pin down. Almost like everyone involved with making it went into a trance for a time. Some of the technicians report hearing faint whispers that sound similar to what our records indicate as old norse. Corroborating this is the report from those that pilot the mech, quote "when I activate the mech, I feel this strange cold hunger creep up my spine, I find myself barring my teeth like a predator animal does as a threat display without realizing it. When in a star it is almost as if the mech is reacting before I am able to, moving fluidly like wolf in a hunting pack yet when I close in I feel this burst of fury overtake me, flooding my senses and urging me forward to kill the foe. While normally I do not enjoy using melee whenever I am in that mech... it feels almost.. right, like it is as natural to me as breathing. In this 'trance' like state I do not register if I have been damaged or injured, often only realizing after I have gotten out of the mech and once I am no longer touching the mech I feel this great lethargy, as if I fought to exhaustion..."It is unknown the cause of these symptoms, be they delusion or hallucination or some other trick of the mind the medical teams are unable to diagnose properly. What is apparent is that those that pilot the mech tend to group up with others who have piloted the mech like an aforementioned wolf pack. These findings are disturbing to say the least,Hopefully what little information I have managed to acquire is satisfactory-Warrior Månsdottir
>>98723695Depends on how crazy you are with it.Like if you are using basically all IS tech except for Clan endo-steel then it'll be accepted as an IS mixed tech design.If you are someone who basically goes crazy and makes everything Clan tech except one component IS then yeah you'll get called out that is isn't IS mixed tech but Clan mixed tech.
>>98724282had it set wrong damnit, supposed to be IS mixed not clan mixed
>>98724282>>98724299damn brain runnin on autopilot when making this, I need sleep. I'll make a new entry in the morning if this one gets disqualified...
>>98721058If we can kidnap a drawfag do you think we could end up making TRO /tg/?
>>98724441If they're willing to draw im sure we have no shortage of designs.
Seems a shortage of interest this time around.
HBR-701R Honey Badger Role: BrawlerSize: 75 TonsPositive quirks: NoneNegative quirk: NoneBV: 2,230Cost: 19,173,875 C-BillsAre you looking to lay a beat down on the enemy front line? Then look no farther than this can of whoop ass!(Slaps mech leg) The HBR-701R Honey Badger is all the ass kicker you will ever need son! What you see here is 75 of shere fuck you up, built on good Lyran Endo steel and rocking a home grown clan spec 375 XL to get you to those front lines at 87.5 KPH. We included a 150 meter jump capacity just to help you skip over obstacles along the way. The honey badger has a clan spec ER PPC and 4 improved heavy lasers to help soften up a target and when you get there you have claws and talons to vent your fury on whatever poor bastards are still standing when you reach them. And to make sure you can stay in the fight the Honey badger is wrapped in 14 and a half tons of good, reliable standard armor.
>>98726920give it a bit, just in case
>>98718020Eisbär ESB-1Brawler80tonsBV: 2,96732,798,400 C-BillsArmor: 14.5 tons standardThis weird ass mech comes straight from the Lyran Commonwealth which is obvious from the pricetag but still this mech is built to rip your enemies a new one. Inspired by combat footage of the Rasalhague Dominion's Kontio mech in action, the mad bastards of House Steiner decided they should get one but bigger, thus the Eisbär was born. Because we at Fa/tg/uy Industries believe action is better than words we've included this video showcasing it's abilities: [ERROR ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
Arachnophobia APH-8ARole: BrawlerSize: 85 TonsQuirks: Nimble Jumper, Reinforced Legs, Difficult to Maintain, Minimal/No ArmsBV: 2024Cost: 20,479,038 C-BillsAn unusual tripod 'Mech, it is designed to harass an opponent from afar to drag them in closer with its PPCs to draw them in close, before using its 240 Meter jump range to suddenly leap on top of any that do try to draw close to perform a talon attack with its three legs or a death from above. Reportedly, the designer was inspired by a particularly poor experience with a variant of spider native to their homeworld.
This one wasn't as popular it seems, but we got some good designs all the same Okay we haveGouf MS-07BLeaper LEP-3RMegaSiegenator M3C-1FMianrong MNR-GUlfheðnar ULF-2HBR-701R Honey BadgerEisbär ESB-1Arachnophobia APH-8A>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?>>Which is your personal Favorite?>>Which is the most innovative?>>Who is the meth baby?>>Which had the best narrative?Our poll: https://strawpoll.com/mpnb1j5DYy5End Date: September 27th at 7 PM EST
>>98732676>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?Honey Badger because it feels like it embodies it's namesake>>Which is your personal Favorite?Eisbär ESB-1, fits Lyran bs to a T>>Which is the most innovative?Arachnophobia APH-8A, nobody expects a flying tripod>>Who is the meth baby?all of them are equally methed up>>Which had the best narrative?no idea but I personally like the MegaSiegenator because it is like an Iron Warrior made a mech out of spite
>>98732676>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?HBR-701R Honey Badger has the most effective focus on melee and while its speed can't reach everything, it's good enough to get to a lot.>Which is your personal Favorite?Gouf MS-07B, as Chain Whips tend to be a pretty rare one and it leans hard on the charging with the Spikes.>Which is the most innovative?Arachnophobia APH-8A. Literally zero canoical Talon tripod mechs, and it having Jump 8 I think makes it faster than any tripods as well - as few sheets as they have.>Who is the meth baby?Going to have to agree with >>98733019 in that pretty much all of them are pretty heavily meth'd up.>Which had the best narrative?Mianrong MNR-G, because it goes into why the 'Mech isn't really seen too often.
>>98732676>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?>>98723361I'm probably going to be a bit cruel here and say I don't think anyone actually met the challenge myself included apart from the anon that made the MegaSiegenator M3C-1FOP challenge was that we need something that can break fortified positions. You're going to need weapons that can tear down structures for that one. A pile driver will come in handy due to the bonuses it gets and I think it can also be used to clear rubble as well if I am not mistaken?>>Which is your personal Favorite?You know what I literally cannot decide. I like all these designs all in different ways.>>Which is the most innovative?>>98731977Going with the Arachnophobia APH-8A as other anons pointed out. A DFA tripod design is not something I expected to see and frankly we need more tripods.>>Who is the meth baby?The entries has turned this challenge into a methlab so I can't decide.>>Which had the best narrative?>>98723808I like the idea of an IS totem mech and the story that went with the Mianrong MNR-G does fit nicely.
>>98732676>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?>>Which is your personal Favorite?Ulfheðnar ULF-2 gets the job done and in style, love the shield and hatchet combination.>>Which is the most innovative?Arachnaphobia AHP-8A with its unique DFA-centric style>>Who is the meth baby?Gouf MS-07B. Chain whips and claws on a 50 ton frame, nice>>Which had the best narrative?Mainrong MNR-G
>>98736950fug, i messed up the first question.>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?MegaSiegenator probably fits it best, but as that is my own creation I will vote for Mianrong MNR-G. It has enough firepower and armor to lay waste to a fortified position, and it has a nice sword too.
>>98732676>>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?Mianrong because plasma rifles are hilariously effective against both buildings and whatever is inside of them.>>>Which is your personal Favorite?Eisbãr. It's like the Lyrans saw the Kodiak and then said "Och, those silly Clanners have forgotten ze claws. Ve vill make ein PROPER bãr to show zem how it is done".>>>Which is the most innovative?Leaper>>>Who is the meth baby?Arachnophobia>>>Which had the best narrative?Mianrong
>>98734808I think part of it is the question of "how fortified"? Basic trench lines would count, as would a Castle Brian. But that's very different levels of fortified, with a wide spectrum in between.
>>98738841Yeah its definitely open to interpretation. It is worth pointing out certain weapons like saws aside from being able to cut down trees get an attack bonus against buildings and infantry that make them surprisingly useful in say a combat engineering role. I would personally take that on board when deciding on a mech choice but not sure about other anons?
>>98739082when I picked Claws I imagined them used like an anteater's claws for ripping apart buildings and concrete bunkers
Okay I made the Honey badger, so I won't be voting for it>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?>>98728257 Eisbär ESB-1>>Which is your personal Favorite?>>98724282 Ulfheðnar ULF-2 the thing s reams Nordic warrior >>Which is the most innovative?>>98723361 MegaSiegenator M3C-1F, making an actual siege mech was a cool idea>>Who is the meth baby?>>98731977 Arachnophobia APH-8A, partial wing tripod with talons just seems like a non sober idea>>Which had the best narrative?I liked >>98723808 Mianrong MNR-G
Our current leading challenges are mini me, LAMs and nebula California
>>98740552>nebula Californiacan I get a qrd for what that is?
>>98740571It was an April fools book they put out. A hidden nebula out in the deep black that had "legally distinct" IP property. X men Star wars and so on.For this challenge you would pick something from a other IP, movie, anime, cartoon or whatever and make it's BT version. Kinda fitting as LAMs came from robotech.https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Welcome_to_the_Nebula_California
>>98740739A record sheet from it in case anon needs an example. Naturally megameklab won't support creating such a vehicle but you get the idea.
>>98740571>>98740739Pair of April Fools books, in fact.First one, "Welcome to the Nebula California" has:>a general fantasy setting that includes rules to convert characters from 3.5 edition D&D over to A Time of War (Forgotten Kingdoms of Toreel)>a Star Wars stand-in that includes a couple weapons and rules for shields (The Star Empire)>a Transformers stand-in (Syberia)>a DC/Marvel stand-in with rules for making superheroes ("Earth")The Second one, "Plenty of Room in the Nebula California" has:>a general mashup of every post-apocalypse from Fallout to Mad Max that includes jury-rigging rules (Wasteland)>a Star Trek stand-in that somehow squeezes in every faction (Alpha-Beta-Gamma)>a Battlestar Galactica stand-in with early drone rules (Cobolt)>a Halo stand-in with its own Forerunners and Flood (Jord)and some brief two-three paragraph summaries of a WWII themed world named Atlantropa, a Steampunk themed world named Baruum that is said to include Mechs, a Shadowrun Stand-In named Eighthworld, and a Mythology one that feels pretty Stargate Stand-In with Pantheos.A lot of them also bring in custom equipment, and all of them have design charts like Pic Related's Jord one for making ones accurate to the above pre-mades. Don't think most builders support adding in your own customs directly, but if there's something you want that there's no parallel for, people could probably append stuff to the right of the sheet they submit like what >>98664968 did or is done with omni variantsFor those writing fluff, basic rundown is that Interstellar Explorations was poking around and got trapped because the region around the Nebula has some anomalies where you can jump into and around the region but can't jump out of it. Thus trapped, they have been exploring it as a "what the fuck is going on" and throwing up bouys non-ftl broadcasting "Holy shit, don't make a jump here, there's fuckery afoot and we can't get out".
>>98740571>>98740936And to be fully clear, this is all stuff expressly stated as non-canonical to mainline Battletech. It's directly stated as such in the book, and the "Cannot Leave" element is to double down on that even if it were canon, it couldn't affect anything outside of it.It's pretty much a Pseudo-Official space to put all the wild, wacky, and crossover stuff you want. If it does win as the next challenge, I expect that the "Meth Baby" category will be very competitive.
Our challange 17 winners are>>Which do you feel fits the challenge best?Tie between HBR-701R Honey Badger and Mianrong MNR-G >>Which is your personal Favorite? A tie between Eisbär ESB-1 and Ulfheðnar ULF-2 >>Which is the most innovative?Arachnophobia APH-8A>>Who is the meth baby?Arachnophobia APH-8A >>Which had the best narrative?Mianrong MNR-G Our main contenders, we had some with our highest ever vote counts 7 votesMianrong MNR-G6 votesArachnophobia APH-8A3 votes MegaSiegenator M3C-1FEisbär ESB-1
>>Challenge 18: Mini Me ChallengeThe battlefield has always rewarded machines that can bring overwhelming amounts of armor and firepower to bear. But what happens when engineers are told to take one of the Inner Sphere’s legendary machines and cut it in half—literally?By 3150, advances in weapons miniaturization, myomer technology, compact electronics, and advanced armor have made such machines increasingly practical. Can your engineers demonstrate that tonnage isn't everything?>>RequirementsChoose any mech and create a version that keeps the spirit and role of the original at no more than ½ the tonnage. You need not keep the weapons of course, but it should feel like a Mini Me.Year: 3150Tech Base: Inner sphere or Inner sphere based mixed techTech Level: AdvancedPrice: anyRole: Same as Original Size: Medium or underEquipment: Anything MML allows as advanced 3150>>Note: As always, I rolled on ties and this one won.End date: September 30th at 6 PM EST
>>98741955Catapult 3 CAT3-1Fire Support30tonsBV: 1,1893,978,000 C-BillsQuirks: No ArmsRecording of Fa/tg/uys Industries meeting regarding how to market this mech:"It's called Catapult 3, it's a lighter Catapult that can provide the same fire support in a lighter package. It's not that fuckin hard guys... we aren't selling ice to tharkad here....[Unintelligible]... dumb fuckin bastards.... [Unintelligible]... never hire....[Recording end.]"
>>98742524it doesn't say it but Clan CASE is added
>>98741955Goon GOON-3R40 tonsBV: 1,2046,028,027 C-BillsNote to staff: Whoever made the model code GOONER is getting beat when the boss finds out."A smaller Thug inspired by the Ocean Furries' smaller Mad Cat. Same weapons loadout, smaller package. Not really much to be said here. No the model designation wasn't intentional but we've already trademarked the damn thing. No we don't know who slipped that in there, yes we will find out and the perpetrator will be Keelhauled as punishment. Yes sir, understood.[Hang up noise] Dear Lord the paperwork this fuck up is gonna cause.... I need a drink." - Simon Malgrave of Broadshore Mechworks shortly before having a drink then beginning the investigation to figure out who did the thing then arranging for them to be Keelhauled at the nearest water port on Broadshore.
>>98741955Bushman BSM-2FJuggernaut40tBV 1,4465,460,000 C-BillsQuirks: Extended Torso Twist, Minimal Arms, Unbalanced"If you ask Sorenson Industrial, their Bushman is a 'Stalker in your pocket.' And I can not say it disappoints in that comparison on paper. The armor is comparable, it is reasonably faster while the myomer is hot, and it hits almost as hard once you close in. If the stability did not suffer so severely while exploiting the impressive torso twist, you could make a case that it has fair odds against a 3F. But you are not going to rotate a Bushman into service to replace one. Not unless the Ghost Bear touman has a model with more modern equipment, at least. Where the Bushman fares better is in comparisons to the Hunchback, or certain Thunderbolts at a stretch. But if your stable is searching for a lightweight brawler, few chassis in the weight class are as sturdy as the Bushman."-Excerpt from Rosalyn Sea Fox's Mech review segment on the King of Games holovid series, season 8 episode 14
>>98741955Funke FNK-3Brawler35tBV: 9274,733,685 C-BillsQuirks: Improved Sensors, Reinforced Legs, Non-Standard partsAssessment, CWO Hans Albrecht, Quartermaster Corps, CoventryHerr General, as instructed I have prepared an assessment for you regarding the new battlemech offered for the tender.The FNK-3 Funke is a 35-ton light battlemech from Coventry Metal Works derived from the venerable Thunderbolt TDR-5S. The Funke was first conceived during the Jihad after attacks by the Word of Blake almost completely destroyed their heavy and assault production lines, but the design never was finished and was shelved as CMW's heavier assembly lines were rebuilt. The plans were recently re-discovered and the decision was made to update them with available technologies and put them into limited production.>Speed and manuverabilityThe Funke has a cruising speed of 54km/h, a maximum speed of 75km/h, and mounts two jump jets. The top speed is slightly lower than the cruising speed would indicate, which is the result of the hardened armor.>Protection, structure and heat managementThe Funke mounts 6.5 tons of domestic hardened armor, has a domestic 175 XL engine and a domestic endo-composite frame with reinforced legs. Heat is managed by 10 domestic double heat sinks, 7 of which are engine mounted.>ArmamentsIn comparison to the TDR-5, the armaments have been re-worked for close-quarters combat. The large laser in the right arm has been replaced with a snub-nose PPC, the LRM-10 and SRM-2 in the right torso have been consolidated into an SRM-6 with two tons of reloads with CASE and the medium lasers and machine guns have been replaced with six clan-produced micro pulse lasers spread across the left arm and torso. At close ranges this assortment of weapons represents a tremendous amount of sustained firepower but significantly limits the effective range of the Funke.>PriceThe dry price of the FNK-3 is 1,220,021 Kroner, or 4,733,685 C-Bills.
>>98743560>Other considerationsWhile the micro pulse lasers mounted by the Funke have been proliferating throughout the Clans for some 90 years now and CMW has amassed a stockpile, the fact remains that they are imported components. Any interruption to logistics trains in the field or to trading relationships with Clan suppliers could turn units in need of repair into units in need of refitting. Also of note is that the Funke's hardened armor notably impairs many piloting maneuvers and as such it is not especially suitable to lesser-skilled pilots.>RecommendationProcurement. The Funke is a specialized battlemech, but in its niche it performs admirably at a moderate cost.[note attached to the report]Thomas, I like these things a lot but if you buy them make goddamn sure that they're only ever handed out to officers with functioning brains and decent pilots under their commend. Anders and I took them for a test drive and while they're vicious at point blank range they're coffins at even moderate ranges. The protection is passable but that hardly matters when you can't get a shot off before being picked apart and it also makes them hard to pilot. Given that I'm recommending procurement I expect the JAG to be on me as as matter of course but as far as I'm concerned they can kiss my ass; I stand by it. As always, my love to Maria and the kids.
>>98741955Griffin III GRF-2RSniper 25 tonsBV: 678C-Bills (dry): 2,081,042Quirks: Battlefists, Jettison-Capable Weapon (Light PPC), Easy to Pilot, Rugged (1 Point)Armor: 4.5 tons heavy FFThe venerable Griffin has been the golden standard when it comes to mobile fire support medium mechs for centuries and has never been surpassed in this role. It was therefore deemed fitting when a callout was made for a new training and militia fire support mech that only the best would be copied. The resulting Griffin III is more than half the weight of the original and a fraction of the cost yet is able to perform the same fire support mission as its older brother. A light ppc is able to gradually poke holes in opponents while a LRM launcher helps to exploit gaps made in the armor. Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor allows it to mount the maximum protection the chassis will allow although care should be taken when facing opponents equipped with heavier weapons. The limited use of advanced materials is to make this as affordable and easy to produce as possible making it an ideal choice for militia forces who face typically limited pirate raids. While the standard heatsinks can be overwhelmed this scenario only happens if the pilot excessively uses their jump jets and weapons without pause.Built with a lot of the same components and philosophy as the standard Griffin the main selling point of this design is how easy it is for a novice pilot to handle making it an ideal trainer for pilots wishing to improve their gunnery skills and not be overwhelmed. The weapons on the left side of this machine is to help distinguish it from regular Griffins with the added bonus allowing it to hold hands with its older brother if the pilot needs additional guidance.
>98741955Pygmy (Locust II) PGY-1MScout10 tonsBV: 360C-Bills (dry): 1,094,867Quirks: Easy to Maintain, Narrow/Low Profile, No/Minimal Arms, Weak Legs, Improved Cooling Jacket (Small X-Pulse Lasers)Armor: 2 tons heavy FFStarting out as an experiment by Lolita Industries to see how far they could push miniaturization technology the Pygmy quickly evolved into a somewhat capable albeit very fragile ultralight scout and anti-infantry platform. The design shares a lot of similarities to the larger Locust to such a point that some have started calling it the Locust II although Lolita lawyers have insisted that any similarities are purely coincidental and for their marketing team to not advertise with this name. The main offensive armament of this design are a pair of small pulse lasers mounted on large gun pods that give them additional cooling capacity and are ideal for this tiny mech acting as a screen against infantry units. While the medium laser does give it some ranged punch the very limited protection offered on this frame means that combat with heavier units is not advised as even employing swarm tactics there will likely be significant casualties. Additionally the fragile construction means that this mech is susceptible to being easily tripped over.The very small nature of this mech and the tiny cockpit means that piloting a Pygmy is an assignment often given to very small often younger pilots with a more feminine frame as anyone larger would have difficultly being squeezed inside. Despite all this the extremely low cost and easy maintenance of this design has brought some interest from militia units.
>>98741955Incredible INC-1RSniper40 tonsBV: 11133,355,893 C-BillsQuirks: Battlefists, Narrow/Low Profile, Low-Mounted ArmsA baby Awesome, also called a fat Adder/Puma, was developed as a cheap fire support mech. Designed with a low cost and respectable level of firepower and protection it would primarily serve in second line formations. An attempt to reduce the mech's profile would see the arms mounted lower than usual, which fortunately was not a problem as there were no weapons mounted in them.Also this is like the third Awesome inspired design I've made for the thread, lol.
>>98741955Sthenele SN7-LEJuggernaut50 tonsBV: 1,580C-Bills (dry): 6,649,500Quirks: Battlefists, Command Mech, Distracting, Improved Communications, Difficult to MaintainArmor: 21 tons hardened"A 'Mech as cuddly as possible, as adorable as possible, and as cute and fluffy as conceivable, so that cuteness itself will be our ally." - little Stacey playing with her Atlas plushies. "I saw you beat that 'Mech like no 'Mech ever got beat before and it just kept coming after you!" - Duke, chief technician at the Creed Mechwarrior Stable.The Sthenele started as a bunch of spare Atlas parts that were not enough to complete a full sized assault mech but perhaps to create something new in the hands of some inventive technicians. The question was what to create as various options presented themselves and arguments quickly ensued that were only settled when one technician overheard his daughter playing with her toys and suggested that they go with a half sized Atlas to show off their skill.Approving of this idea the technicians all got to work sourcing equipment from all cross the Inner Sphere including obtaining weapons from Sea Fox merchants to help build a machine that could mimic the capabilities of the original. The next step was to demonstrate it in action and this was done by entering it in various mech fighting tournaments where they deliberately sought to face it off against assault mechs due to its slow speed but also its formidable armor that exceeded that of even the venerable Atlas. This venture proved successful in cementing their fame as in many a match an opponent thought the Sthenele defeated only for it to get back up again and again to eventually win a battle of attrition against a much heavier opponent.
>>98741955Louse LSE-1MMissile Boat10 TonsBV 3791,088,542 C-BillsQuirks: Compact Mech, Narrow/Low Profile, No/Minimal Arms, Weak LegsA small mech in competition for the title of a miniaturized Locust, the Louse platform endeavors to take on the title of being the miniature version of the 1M and 3D variants of the platform with an ER Small Laser serving as a middle point between the former's Medium Laser and the latter's lack of any laser.This was achieved through contracts for the lighter Clan variants of the LRM 5s, but the rest of the platform is built using Inner Sphere technology.Of notable relevance is that even with all the advanced technology being employed in the creation of this platform, it is half a million cheaper than either of those variants of Locust, while maintaining identical speed, similar firepower and armoring at <35> vs <44> which allows for this to be procured as an even more budget 'Mech for those needing to rapidly rearm their forces in the wake of ongoing tensions and conflicts - with a full lance of 4 being able to be purchased at the cost of 2.6 Locust 3Ds.
>>98741955Eradicator ERD-1RJuggernaut50 tonsBV: 1,050C-Bills (dry): 3,710,000Quirks: Easy to maintainArmor: 10 tons standardThe Eradicator has been designed as a budget friendly walking fire platform with the mercenary market in mind. Four lightweight autocannons let it unleash an impressive barrage as it slowly makes it way towards a target often taking advantage of precision ammunition to make sure each shot lands a direct hit. An addition weapons bank of four medium lasers also provides sufficient backup should the ammunition run dry. Ten tons of armor help shrug off most typical return fire. Using all true Inner Sphere components means you are never at the mercy of a Sea Fox merchant when sourcing replacement parts. A truly fine machine for the mechwarrior who loves to waddle towards their enemy while peppering them with hits or is secretly a Davion inside. -MekGear Magazine, September issue, 3150
>>98741955Arbalester35 tonsBV: 1,3315,811,210 C-BillsQuirks: Command Mech, StableA result of the miniaturization programs done by many companies is the Arbalester, a mech from the Ogham Metals firm in the Federated Suns. The mech is based on the venerable Archer mech and has a similar weapons loadout in a smaller package. Based on field reports the mech has exceeded expectations in performance. The mech quickly spread through out the FedSuns for use as a garrison mech, a role which it performs admirably in. Buy your Arbalester today!!
>>98741955Deadeye DDI-2NSniper30 TonsBV 1,0344,325,100 C-BillsAA Targetting, Nimble Jumper, EM Interference, Poor Targeting ShortWatch the sky with the Deadeye!With the agility of the Stinger and the precision targetting of a Rifleman, the Deadeye is the perfect fire support for your reconaissence lance. Engage at your discretion, claim the high ground, and withdraw without fear of airborne pursuit. Star League-grade heat sinks and modern small-bore PPCs allow for consistent accuracy while repositioning, with a pair of secondary laser banks ready for when your enemy is outmaneuvered. Also available is the -2C upgrade package, augmenting your firepower with top-of-the-line Clan components. Contact your local dealer for pricing.Clan Sea Fox does not provide support for mounting electronic support systems to the Deadeye.
>>98718019Reaver REA-8k (Non-canon)Quad BattleMekBase Tech Level: Standard (IS)Tech Rating: E/X-X-F-DEarliest Tech Date: 3055 (Clan Invasion)Availability Era --------------------------------------------Prototype 3067-3071 (Civil War to Jihad) Production 3072-3079 (Jihad) Common 3080+ (Jihad and onwards) Cost: 7,899,733 C-billsSource: (Unknown)Weight: 40 tonsBV: 1,365Movement: 7/11Engine: 280 XLDouble Heat Sinks: 11 [22]Cockpit: Small CockpitGyro: XL GyroInternal: 75 (Endo Steel)Armor: 128 (Standard) Internal Armor ----------------------------------------Head 3 9 Center Torso 12 16 Center Torso (rear) 5 Right Torso 10 15 Right Torso (rear) 4 Left Torso 10 15 Left Torso (rear) 4 Front Right Leg 10 15 Front Left Leg 10 15 Rear Right Leg 10 15 Rear Left Leg 10 15 Weapons Loc Heat --------------------------Snub-Nose PPC LT 10 Snub-Nose PPC RT 10 TAG RT 0 Equipment Loc ---------------------------Targeting Computer LT ECM Suite (Guardian) RT
>>98718019>>98751002cont.sorry i didn't follow the format, but your not paying me, so
>>98751059Whatever format works. Usually people use RS as its much easier to visualize.
>>98751220i don't remember how to do that or what rs means, i remember being able to export to pdf but like before i think you uploaded a dummy version where that part of the program doesn't function and crashes megamek.
>>98751525Record Sheet. If you're using MegaMek Lab, it's the rightmost sub-tab in the preview section. You can copy the image and save it as a PNG.
>>98751691
>>98750380fighting that would be hella annoying
I know this is not a legal entry for the challenge as LAMs are Experimental tech, but I couldn't help myself after remembering the Wasp LAMs were titled "Angel on Our Shoulders" by the SLDFMini Wasp LAM Mk.1 WSP-100bScout15 tonsBV: 388C-Bills (dry): 1,449,388Quirks: None
>>98752156I legit had to double check the tech manual as I didn't think ASF could go lower than 20 tons thus I thought a LAM going under this weight would be illegal. Turns out I was mistaken and they can go as fact as low as 5 tons.
>>98741955Thunderstroke TDS-5SSBrawler30 tonsBV: 789C-Bills (dry): 2,326,090Quirks: Multi-Trac, Rugged (2 Point), Ubiquitous (Inner Sphere), Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere)Armor: 6.5 tons standardWhen Chiseler Industries wanted to enter the mech market by developing a militia mech for low tech worlds the initial buy orders exceeded their wildest expectations which included even several line units from Great Houses expressing interest. Never anticipating this level of early success they thought they had cemented their reputation until their buyers took delivery of their mechs and the complaints started rolling in.The issue had turned out in their eagerness to use the popular Succession Wars era Steiner Thunderbolt as direct inspiration many a buyer had not looked too closely at what they were purchasing and had assumed that it was actually cheap surplus Thunderbolt TDR-5SS models they were buying. It was therefore a shock when in fact they had purchased a mech less than half its tonnage albeit with firepower not that far off the original. The resulting demands for refunds which Chiseler were both unwilling and unable to fulfil left multiple customers with mechs they did not want and nobody wished to buy.Despite the poor reputation it gained due to this purchasing debacle the Thunderstroke does have some positives. It is an extremely reliable trooper design where parts can be found virtually anywhere making it ideal in its intended role as a garrison unit or in a force that does not have the luxury of a strong logistics chain to fall back on. Indeed the most complicated parts on it are the CASE and double heatsinks which can are not exactly hard to come by in the Inner Sphere or even Periphery. It is this low tech and low cost nature of the design which has made it find some popularity with pirate groups who have been more than delighted to purchase a heavily discounted mech from disgruntled sellers.
>>98751917What is this a mini me of?
Anons being confused over what Nebula California is made me think that we probably should give a bit more of a rundown on the other challenges that are being suggested so anons know what they actually voting for.The better Raven 3L/EWAR challenge is basically coming up with something equipped with ECM+BAP along with a NARC and/or TAG so it can provide electronic warfare as well as spotting that unlike the RVN-3L isn't actually shit.Republic police mech you are looking at equipment capable of non lethal takedowns. So essentially mech tasers and TSEMP but also might want to consider something that can deal with riots like SRMs to fire gas, machine guns which have rubber bullets in fluff albeit no rules. Weapons and ammo that can interdict an opponent like magnetic pulse, haywire, and chain whips might be on the menu assuming we go with experimental tech. Alternatively could go full SWAT mode for mechs designed to bring someone down without collateral damage?Counter Blakist challenge I assume is going to be trying to build something to counter some of the insane mechs anons came up with like the one that could stack a +7 attacker modifier making it virtually impossible to hit or void signature designs that could lob artillery while remaining invisible?Aerospace it probably would be best to explain to anons that Aerotech rules means that there are a lot different things to consider they wouldn't normally have to. For starters anything with under 5 tons of fuel is frankly considered low for an ASF. Heat is way more important since go +5 in a mech you slow down, in an ASF that's a chance to lawndart. Weapon ranges are also different and while SL and ML both share the same range you also have to factor in that damage thresholds exist i.e. say you are facing a Shologar, yes you can boat SL and tickle it to death but a single ML hit can pierce through its armor and cause a crit. ASF 50 tons and over can carry a nuke and 100 tonners can carry two.
>>98756136On the back of this I would like to propose a Monster Hunter mech challenge due SRM harpoons which can be used to hunt creatures giving me an idea. Essentially design a mech to go onto a world filled with giant monsters to slay them so they may mount their head on the wall as a trophy. So going on safari with mechs in all reality.I also think a pirate mech challenge could be fun something that is essentially more geared for raiding and pillaging rather than direct fighting. If it does fight it basically wants gadgets that help it escape a pursuer or make them back off like how the Arbiter uses a heavy rifle to appear like a much bigger weapon. In fact let us call it a heist mech.
>>98756136Probably a good idea to give a rundown. Also may be a good idea to not try and cram everything into one poll but split it across multiple.Make stuff like "IlClan IS Experimental Heavy" or the more generic ones like "Tripod" into "<ERA> <FACTION> Tripod". We then take highest voted era where that challenge would be legal, and then the highest voted faction (with one being "Any") for that given Era.There'd be some challenges like Nebula California or the Better Raven L3 that would skip the Era and Faction stuff if they win, but this would allow for us to compress a few of them together like the two Experimental Heavies and the two Omnis, as well as move out the Solaris and Society ones.May also give some funny results. Like "<Star League Era> Counter-<Capellan> Design" or "<Clan Invasion> <Federated Suns> Warcrime Machine".But I'm just speculating here.
>>98757402OP here, I could add some eras but that could make a massive poll, with already close to 30 options.I do tend to roll era unless it's era specific in the poll
Our challange 18 voting is now open. And we haveCatapult 3 CAT3-1Goon GOON-3RBushman BSM-2FFunke FNK-3Griffin III GRF-2RPygmy (Locust II) PGY-1MIncredible INC-1RSthenele SN7-LELouse LSE-1MEradicator ERD-1RArbalesterDeadeye DDI-2NReaver REA-8kThunderstroke TDS-5SSAlso shout out to the not legal Mini Wasp LAM Mk.1 WSP-100b, because it was a fun ideaOur categories >>Which do you think fits the challenge best?>>Which is your personal Favorite>>Which is the most innovative?>>Who is the meth baby?>>Which had the best narrativeOur next poll: https://strawpoll.com/jVyG2kNGPZ7Voting ends: October 2nd at 6 PM EST
>>98758639I didn't mean add those to the exisitng poll. I was talking about making a second/third Strawpoll that is also linked alongside the core challenge poll.Anyway,>>98758996>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?I think it may be the Pygmy >>98743853, as it goes the lightest on needing Clantech in order to replicate the Mech that its going for being a Mini version of while also being a near direct parallel to the original.>>Which is your personal Favorite?The Deadeye >>98750380. I don't think its as effective of a Mini Me as the Pygmy, but I just like its setup.>>Which is the most innovative?The Sthenele >>98744155 goes pretty hard on Clantech while also having what feels like a pretty god setup.>>Who is the meth baby?Since the Mini Wasp LAM is not something legal for the challenge, I'm gonna go with the Louse >>98746127 because both Mini Locusts are pretty meth baby but I've already voted for the other one elsewhere.>>Which had the best narrative?Thunderstroke >>98753099 takes this for me.
>>98718019> And we have...> ...> Is this an Urbanmech!?!>> Dah.> *Sigh!* Go ahead, I guess.>> Me and Ivan had idea. What is good melee? Speed. Armor. Like car. Demolition Derby!> Like car...>> Dah. So we went by junkyard. Found Urbie. Ivan found big reactor. Real big. Stuffed in here. Take all space. Like dead body in trash can.> And it works?>> Dah! Took it on field. Chased down Locusts with it. Very fast.> What about weaponry? I don't see the Autocannon!>> Of course not. Cannon is heavy. Armor is heavy. Reactor is super-heavy. Machine gun do trick. If they run fast, tickle feet until you catch up. Oh. And ram here. Spikes.> On the turret?>> Dah. Sharp on sides too. If spikes get into target, put reactor power on turret spin, and hold! You be the chainsaw!> Oh... my... and how much?> Reactor is very pricy. 3.5 million C-Bills and 8-9 bottles of Vodka for me and Ivan!
>>98758996>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?>>98742609Goon GOON-3RWas a tightly fought contest here but this narrowly wins out mainly because it matches the firepower exactly of the original. Interestingly enough this is also one of the designs here I probably would never field.>>Which is your personal Favorite>>98750380Deadeye DDI-2NOkay making a mini jumping rifleman was quite clever and the fact it uses all IS components to achieve this is a huge mark in its favor. Felt there was a missed opportunity to put the ER mediums in the arms but overall I love this design. Small pulses are a great idea as a backup and I could easily find use for this design myself.>>Which is the most innovative?>>98746127Louse LSE-1MMore so because it answers a question I've been pondering in what would even be the point of an ultralight design considering they would explode the moment someone so much as sneezes at them. A fast missile boat harasser makes a lot of sense.>>Who is the meth baby?>>98743190Bushman BSM-2FAnon has taken the thin line between genius and madness and decided to use it as a skipping rope. It will struggle to get up if it gets knocked down but its a tough little brute that is well armed for its size and it does this with absolute minimal Clan tech. Squeezing TSM into it was the chefs kiss. I would use this cause it seems like a fun wildcard to put on the table.>>Which had the best narrative>>98743560Funke FNK-3I like anons style here in writing it like a quartermaster report.
>>98761576>what would even be the point of an ultralight design considering they would explode the moment someone so much as sneezes at themIf analyzed primarily from the perspective of a traditional Mech, certainly. But there is also this really, really funny threshold aspect in the Advanced rules where you make up to 15 ton Protomechs, and you get some very funny stuff going on where:>10 Ton Protomech, base: 7750 kg (7.75 tons) of free space, 5 Crit Slots, ~1 million C-bills>10 Ton Ulralight, every bit of weight saving equipment from XXLs, Endo-Steel, etc: 6.5 tons of free space, 10 Free Crit Slots (No Weight Free Single Heat Sinks), ~800k C-BillsWhich looks to favor Protomechs...but with them you have to pay for Heat Sinks on top of equipment while Utlralights come with them and give you control over them, and can get Doubles for free.It gets even funnier at the 15 Ton mark, where:>15 Ton Protomech, Base: 12000 kg (12 Tons) free space, 5 Crits, 1.132 Million C-Bills>15 Ton Ultralight, max weight saving: 11 Tons of free space, 10 Free Crit Slots (No Weight Free Single Heat Sinks), ~800k C-BillsThe heat sink situation just favors the Ultralights over the Protomechs with the whole control element as well as more crit slots opening up as you improve the engines. The pilots for Ultralights can be generic people while Protos need specialized guys, and with the advent of Hardened armor, Protos don't even win on the armor front anymore because a 15 tonner can only get 67 armor points while Hardened and other damage reduction specialized ones can give a 15 ton Ultralight an effective max of 110.This in addition to all the various equipment that Mechs can also take that meant that for when they did Halo in "Plenty of Room in the Nebula California", they used Ultralight Mechs instead of Protomechs to build the Hunter expy in Pic Related. And said Pic Related...doesn't use all of the weight saving tech.
>>98761689Thanks for the rundown anon. Makes me now even wonder what is the point of a protomech and imagine if there was a 5 ton ultralight mech?
>>98762194Protomechs increase in 1 Ton increments of 2 Tons (Maximum Battle Armor) to 15 Tons (2nd lowest Mech Size). I also believe that the 10 to 15 tons remain only 1 Terrain Level tall so they're harder to go after compared to Ultralights remaining 2 TL, and their armor is split across only 5 Hit Locations instead of the 11 Hit Locations of a complete Mech.There are some uses as they are still what's roughly a TitanFall Titan or 40k Armiger in terms of size. They just have quickly diminishing returns when you go past the Standard rules limit of 9 into the Advanced rules limit of 15 where they compete with Ultralights.
>>98762456I legit thought protomechs could only go up to 9 tons? I also was wondering if JJ weight may be where protomechs could shine over ultralights i.e trading firepower for mobility?
>>98762684Page 92 of Interstellar Operations - Alternate Eras has a section on Expanded Protomechs brought about during the Wars of Reaving. The info in it includes Clan Cloud Cobra being the inventors of the Quadrupeds in 3083 in its "Introduced" tech but seems to have been intended as a creation of the Society via Feralize treatments, Snow Raven invinting the Glider type ones in 3084 that are basically Protomechs with LAM's AirMech movement style, and Clan Coyote having invented the "Ultraheavy"/Ultra Protomechs in 3083.The 10-15 Ton options are naturally the final of these, though something stated in the section but not restricted by rules is that the Glider Protomechs came about as a component of the Ultras and it looks like they may have been intended to be restricted to that but weren't?
>>98763113I'll definitely have to have a read through that at some point. Thanks anon for explaining.On another note anyone think a good few of these mini-me mechs would make excellent mooks to face off against if you were running a campaign with people? A few are good enough that they don't feel they would be patronizing to face but also don't have enough firepower to say one shot someone with a lucky ass headshot.
>>98754875i dunno, a bishonen?
>>98754875I don't think he read the challenge?
>>98766718Yep, doesn't look like it.
Looking at the votes, LAMs might actually win this time. So, I have been pondering. Clans don't make LAMs as it messed with the caste system they got going. But of all of them, Maybe the Raven Alliance might. Bloodspirts had a whole protomech pilot Phenotype, which ended up with the Stone lions.What if the Raven Alliance tried something like that? It might be too messy as it's not a clear line as the prototype. But maybe they could even revive the falcon idea of two warriors.Just good for thought.
>>98768772Probably want someone short and thin that can handle the G's but also fit in the rather complicated cockpits of a LAM. So essentially loli warriors.
>>98768851Kinda what they look like now
>>98769607Yeah but can they sing while flying?
>>98768851>short and thin that can handle the G'sShort, yes, but you want bulging leg muscles and really good core&neck strength there.
Our challange 18 winners areWhich do you think fits the challenge best?Pygmy (Locust II) PGY-1MGoon GOON-3R>>Which is your personal FavoriteDeadeye DDI-2N >>Which is the most innovative?Sthenele SN7-LELouse LSE 1M>>Who is the meth baby?Louse LSE-1MBushman BSM-2F>>Which had the best narrativeThunderstroke TDS-5SS Funke FNK-3Lots of ties here. Our top contendersGoon GOON-3R 1Bushman BSM-2F 1Funke FNK-3 1Pygmy (Locust II) PGY-1M 1Sthenele SN7-LE 1Louse LSE-1M 2Deadeye DDI-2N 2Thunderstroke TDS-5SS 1Next challenge in a bit
>>Challenge 19: Silence of the LAMs“A LAM is the pinnacle of BattleMech engineering.” —Someone who has clearly never had to maintain one.The Land-Air ’Mech was supposed to be the future: a machine capable of fighting as a BattleMech, taking to the skies as an aerospace fighter, and doing everything in between. In practice, it was an engineering department's fever dream wrapped in a maintenance nightmare.For centuries, the LAM has occupied that strange corner of military technology where “because we can” somehow became a design philosophy. Every generation of engineers has sworn they could improve upon the concept. Every generation has discovered that making a ’Mech turn into an aircraft is considerably more complicated than the recruitment brochure suggested.But 3150 is the era of experimental technology. Fusion engines are commonplace. Exotic weapons are appearing on battlefields. Clans, Inner Sphere powers, mercenaries, and corporations are all pushing the limits of what a combat machine can do.So perhaps the LAM deserves another chance.Your mission: take the LAM concept and push it as far as the rules will allow.>>RequirementsWe are building LAM and The Rules I have are from Alternative Era page 108 and sweet gods they have more restrictions than I recall. See next postYear: 3150Tech Base: Innersphere or Innersphere based mixed techTech Level: Experimental Price: AnyRole: AnySize: Medium or lessEquipment: Anything MML allows as Experimental in 3150 that you can actually put on a LAM.End date: October 5th at 6 PM EST
Requirements and restrictions Actuators: LAMs must be constructed with both lower arm actuators.Minimum Jumping MP: LAMs must be constructed with a minimum Jumping MP of 3Fuel: LAMs receive 1 free ton’s worth of fuel as part of their conversion equipment. This free ton provides 80 fuel points but does not add to the unit’s allocated weight, nor does it occupy a critical slot. Additional fuel may be added in full-ton lots (each providing an additional 80 fuel points), with each ton of fuel occupying 1 critical slot.Structural Integrity: A LAM’s structural integrity is equal to the number of center torso internal structure points.Weapon Locations: Unlike fighters, LAMs do not need to mount weapons and equipment symmetricallyConversion Equipment Bimodal LAMs must devote 15 percent of the unit’s total mass (rounded up to the nearest whole ton) to conversion equipment.Standard LAMs only require 10 percent of the unit’s total mass (rounded up to the nearest whole number) in conversion equipment. Both Bimodal and Standard LAMs must then allocate additional “conversion equipment” on their Critical Hit Table as shown on the Conversion Equipment Table.Bomb Bays LAMs may mount up to 20 bomb bays, each of which weighs 1 ton and occupies 1 critical space in the unit’s left or right torso. Each bomb bay accommodates a single-slot bomb, and has no effect on the unit’s movement.Prohibited TechnologiesExcept as noted on this list, a LAM may use any equipment not prohibited to BattleMechs, IndustrialMechs, or aerospace fighters. The following items are prohibited in LAMs:Armor: LAMs may not use hardened armor and any other armor that requires critical hit slots, including ferro-fibrous armor, modular armor, and stealth armor. LAMs may use armored components, however.Cockpits: LAMs may not use torso-mounted cockpits, nor any cockpits that requires additional critical hit slots.
>>98768772Okay I actually did theorize how Raven Alliance might want to make LAMs. The important thing is you'd have to sell it as something that doesn't replace or step on roles that Mech or Aerospace have, the Clan side of the military wouldn't allow it. I'm unsure of what kind of pilots would be used too since you'd have to prove this idea via trial before any accepting.Basically the thing I came up with was trying to go for the things that LAMs could be theoretically good at in a campaign sense. They can patrol or watch an area as an aerospace unit without spending fuel by positioning themselves in mech mode on the ground, then launch themselves to respond to threats. They can also be launched or picked up by ships without using dropships so that's another advantage, plus hand actuators can allow them to raid faster than a traditional mech.For my idea I was picturing something with a fairly simplistic loadout, a pair of CERLLs with a little extra fuel along with what little weight saving you can do on a LAM which is just Composite structure. The problem with LAMs is I'm not sure if I'd call them 'solved' but you're severely limited in creativity with what you can do even with all rules available and most people have theorycrafted what good LAMs would look like already.
Engines: LAMs may not use any engine other than a standard or a compact fusion engine and cannot mount a supercharger.Gyros: Only standard, compact, and heavy-duty gyros may be employed by LAMs.Internal Structure: LAMs may not use any internal structure that requires critical hit slots, such as endo steel.Primitive Components: LAMs may not mount any primitive core components, such as engines, cockpits, gyros, and the like. Primitive and prototype weapons may be mounted on a LAM, however.Extra-Large Weapons: LAMs may not mount any weapon system that must be allocated to more than one hit location (e.g. Right Arm & Right Torso), such as the Thumper or Arrow IV artillery weapons, nor may any weapon that can be optionally split between locations be mounted in more than one location. LAMs may not carry artillery weapons of any kind (bomb munitions are permitted via bomb bays). Other Items: Aside from avionics and landing gear, any items that require the allocation of critical slots to more than one hit location may not be mounted on LAMs. This includes items that may normally be split between multiple hit locations on other BattleMech types. For example, a LAM may mount MASC or triple-strength myomer as either system may be allocated entirely in one hit location, but it cannot mount the Chameleon Light Polarization Shield, because that system requires 1 critical slot placed in each of the ’Mech’s limbs and side torsosLAMs also may not mount backhoes, bridge-laying equipment, combines, dumpers, external stores, mechanical jump boosters, partial wings, or jump packs/drop packs.Finally, except for physical attack weapons, LAMs may not mount any weapon that requires a Piloting skill as part of its use (such as the heavy Gauss rifle).Sorry for the poor format. Good look y'all
>>98770745Wonder if it might be a good idea to have an image attached to the voting start, since it looks like this time that ended up getting a bit buried. And unlike the Challenge Start, there wasn't a wide array of sheets posted to indicate one's up.
>>98770857That's a great idea. May attach them to voting and new challenges
>>98769702So dwarfs? >>98770854>LAMs may not mount any weapon that requires a Piloting skill as part of its use (such as the heavy Gauss rifle).I have always found the need to mention this weapon as an example of this rule retarded. Mainly because a heavy gauss is impossible to fit on a LAM without violating the extra large weapon rule.>>98770857Anons clearly can find the poll. They just aren't voting in the thread.
>>98770844It's boring. It's like a Tomahawk C that can turn into a mech. But for my idea of a Raven Alliance mech it works out pretty good I think. I imagine Stars of these would mostly be made up of second line Aerospace pilots that have some mech experience, and they wouldn't be deployed in large numbers.The idea is more "arrive, investigate, disrupt, extract" rather than "stay and fight". Doctrine would insist if the mission has become a conventional Battlemech engagement or Aerospace engagement, disengage for conventional forces.I still really like the idea that it can just sit somewhere that you couldn't normally land an Aerospace fighter and respond at a moment's notice. The surprise factor alone could win a few points.
>>98770844>We are building LAM and The Rules I have are from Alternative Era page 108 and sweet gods they have more restrictions than I recall.Are these restrictions all setup in MegaMekLabs, or are there ones that its missing?
>>98773233They usually are taken into account.
Maxell MXL-3Scout40 tonsBV: 1816C-Bills (dry): 5,269,927Quirks: Anti-Aircraft Targeting, Exposed ActuatorsDuring the age of the First Star League, the Wasp LAM was considered by the common soldiers to be an "Angel on our Shoulders" for its ability to rapidly arrive at their locations and either provide Close Air Support from its Aerospace or Airmech configurations, or to land and serve as a reinforcing Battlemech long before any others would arrive.However, the production of the platforms suffered as the factories in the Inner Sphere steadily declined from damage or outright destruction, and the Clans' Caste System could never properly account for the platform - ultimately coming to a head in Clan Nova Cat destroying the last major Star League LAM factory. The one faction which has prior attempted to create a new LAM design in the Word of Blake strayed significantly from the design space the Wasp operated within and tried to fight both Battlemech and Aerospace platforms.The Maxell is our attempt to create a true successor. An increase in size by 10 tons has allowed for us to upgrade the engines and with improved jump jets to increase the speed while also increasing the armor by 2.5 tons to 6.5. With contacts in Clan Sea Fox, we have doubled the number of Medium Lasers while additionally extending their range. The choice between SRM and LRM versions has been combined into one with the modern MML launchers with ammo protected by Clan-spec CASE II.All weapons systems are hooked into a Targeting Computer that will ease the difficulties of Gunnery which has historically had issues in LAMs. This Targeting Computer has additionally had specialized programming done with it to allow for greatly improved Anti-Aircraft Targeting to aid in another historic weakpoint of LAMs. While the Small Cockpit does neccessitate some additional Piloting training, we believe that the savings in Gunnery training will more than offset this need.
>>98770844Hyper Laser LAM Platform HLP-XAmbuher50 tonsBV: 2632C-Bills (dry): 6,708,625Quirks: PrototypeAn experimental platform by RISC, it was made to investigate the possibility of overcoming the inherent danger of the RISC Hyper Laser's explosivity by making a platform fast enough that it would be hard to shoot at. Unfortunately for the few looking forwards to where the design may go, the number of heat sinks needed to cool the weapon system were too great for the platform to be able to achieve all to great a speed and before attempts could further be made, the Republic would fall to Clan Wolf who ordered the project scrapped.
Whistler WST-1AScout15 TonsBV: 312C-Bills (dry): 1,210,490Quirks: Easy to Maintain, Easy to Pilot, Flawed Cooling System, Weak LegsWe're in a time of uncertainty right now and everyone's needing some good old assets in order to defend their territory. But a painful decision for those with little money is the question of Meks and other ground forces or Aerospace and other air/space assets. We at Totally Legitimate Industries (or as we prefer, TLI) have just the mech for you!Acquired via old lawsuits over us owning the patents to the Wasp LAM (don't believe the liars saying we don't, no matter what evidence they bring up), we have further modified the platform to the point that it does the work of both for the price of two Hetzers, without compromising the Easy to Maintain and Easy to Pilot quirks prior owners who infringed on our totally legit copyright! You surely won't regret this purchase - all rumors of the legs now being very prone to breaking and the cooling system having flaws are false!And if you say they are true, you will hear from our lawyers.
>>98773233It takes it into account, but as the rules are so weird, I thought I would list them as a refresh. They are funky and often seem designed to make LAMs unworkable
>>98770844QGL-Y QuigleySniper55 TonsBV: 3,341C-Bills: 8,881,488Quirks: Improved Targeting (Long), Poor Performance, Prototype, Accurate Weapon (RISC Hyper-Laser), Accurate Weapon (RISC Hyper-Laser)A short-lived project with a place of honor in the RISC lab annals, the Quigley is regarded by those unfamiliar with the project as being the result of a wager, a fever dream and/or drug-induced psychosis. Those few in the know, however, tend to consider more charitably as a case of tunnel vision. The R-LAM project was initiated in 3144 to yet again re-examine the LAM concept, but after four years of bearing no fruit, it was shelved and became "free game" for groups looking for a project to tinker with. In 3150 an idle team from the laser research division found a super-heavy LAM prototype in storage and decided to refit it with hyper-lasers to create a dedicated "clan-buster" sniping 'mech that would use the LAM capabilities to reach vantage points and have no expense spared for accuracy enhancements. The result was a large, slow LAM armed with nothing but two of the most powerful, most expensive, hottest and most unstable weapons to ever leave the drawing board and less armor than some battlemechs half its size. Fortunately for Republic pilots, the Quigley narrowly avoided reaching piloted testing. Unfortunately for both Republic pilots and Clan Wolf the sole prototype would be pressed into combat during the Invasion of Terra, where it was credited with scoring four kills with five shots across two engagements before experiencing a critical failure.>>98773845Great minds think alike, apparently. Wish I'd sacrificed some sleep to finish mine last night.
>>98775651[RISC procurement office single-party transcription record, 1547 29 December 3150]Hey Victor, this is Cameron. I was doing my weekly round-up when a field test approval form just slid across my desk and- Yeah, that's the one. Would you care to explain to me exactly what the hell I'm looking at?[...]No, smartass, the report came through fine. What the hell do you mean "then what's the problem"? The only guns on this thing blow up almost ten percent of the time and the heat from firing both of them at once would turn an Atlas back into ingots. Besides that, where the hell did you even find the LAM to make this thing?[...]Yes, I saw the targeting computer and the accurization on the guns and the C3 unit and the targeting software optimization. I have no doubt that it's accurate, but that's not the issue. What exactly is the plan if someone shoots BACK?[...]"Redundancy" is part of the issue. As far as I'm concerned that just means that even if the pilot somehow survives the first gun taking half of the 'mech with it they won't survive the second; it's a "when" question, not an "if" question. You don't even have CASE in this thing. And on the topic of survivability, this thing has the speed of a Thunderbolt while being slower off the mark and it has a composite structure and less than five tons of armor.[...]No, the armor is not a "formality " and I really don't care that you're going to try to add a void-sig in the next model. When one of those lasers goes off you can see it from orbit, much less a few hundred yards away.[...]Yeah, no kidding you're having trouble finding volunteers.[...][sigh][...][...]Victor, take a breath. This thing is a coffin that costs almost 9 million C-bills. I'm not approving this, Andy isn't approving this.[...]Yeah, getting more sleep is probably a good idea. We're all stressed with the Clanners so close, but you need some fresh air. Try Australia, it's nice this time of year. Uh-huh, yep. Bye.[call ends]
>>98775651>Great minds think alike, apparentlyYou're not kidding. I got torn between either this or moving up to 40 tons to fit a Clan GR. Guess I'm gonna have to go with that one, then.
>>98776599Yeah, if I wasn't like 90% of the way done before that guy posted his I would have restarted.
>>98774314>They are funky and often seem designed to make LAMs unworkableThey were. The rules writer didn't like LAMs and this was the next best thing he could do to entirely squat them from the game. He also apparently wanted them to have even more restrictions.They actually do this a often enough. They put in terrible rules for handheld weapons that didn't fit existing examples just so that players would be less likely to use them.
>>98770844Wingback WNG-LAM-4BKAmbusher50 tonsBV: 1,639C-Bills (dry): 4,6611,531Quirks: UnbalancedArmor: 10.5 tons standardWhen a group of eccentric engineers with too much time on their hands got drunk one night and questioned if they could make a Hunchback fly many had dismissed it as idle talk and thought nothing of it despite them disappearing every weekend for the next six months. Thus it was somewhat of a shock when the Wingback was revealed to the world, a Land-Air-Mech mounting a massive ultra autocannon that could quickly inflict devasting blows on unsuspecting targets.Military procurement officers quickly scrutinized the design for possible applications. While the small cockpit and large autocannon gave it unusual handling characteristics, along with the limited ammo giving it very little endurance, there was promise in it being used as an ambush platform that could be quickly deployed onto the battlefield and unleash its load before retreating to resupply. Unfortunately before any order could be made the prototype was destroyed by a terrorist group known as the Word of Herb.
>>98770844Slasher SLH-LAM-3RStriker45 tonsBV: 1,562C-Bills (dry): 5,547,628Quirks: Battlefists, Jettison-Capable Weapon (Hatchet)Armor: 8 tons standardAfter the setback that was the Wingback being destroyed, the same engineers decided instead to develop a different LAM design this time seeing if they could instead make the Hatchetman fly. Six months later and the answer was apparently yes.Featuring what many would normally consider an unremarkable armament for its weight, the main punch from what was dubbed the Slasher is a three ton hatchet which thanks to being paired with triple-strength myomer can inflict devasting blows once the right heat threshold has been reached. The designers originally intended for the hatchet to be discarded in an emergency so that the craft could enter fighter mode with ease to escape the battlefield but in practice the test pilots discovered they could instead throw the hatchet at targets which made a handy distraction in certain circumstances. This inspired the engineers to incorporate battlefists into the design allowing the pilot to engage in further melee should the hatchet be thrown.Unfortunately the Word of Herb caught wind of this design as well and decided to destroy all prototypes before any orders could be made. The engineers have now vowed vengeance upon Herb.
>>98770844Cosmere 1-C3M-BScout50 TonsBV: 2,114C-Bills (dry): 15,382,938Quirks: Improved Sensors, Low Mounted ArmsA platform designed with the idea of building a C3 Master LAM as well as a craft able to pierce into ECM protected defenses and use TAG to transmit more precise coordinates while also being difficult to shoot down, the Cosmere lived only a very brief lifespan as a project as the initial test run of craft revealed that the scope had grown outside of the point of viability - especially in terms of the cost the platform would carry if anyone would think of purchasing it with the ongoing reputation of LAMs as a boondoggle and the weapons systems - even if several sourced from clantech - were far from enough to be able to make the system worth consideration. This even before the number of roles that were attempted to squeeze into proved to be excessive and the platform was unable to excel in any of those areas as the project's scope stood.
Warthog WRT-10Skirmisher55 TonsBV: 2296C-Bills (Dry): 8,514,693Quirks: Combat Computer, Non-Standard PartsThe Warthog is a LAM designed around the idea of maintaining combat endurance, and was designed around a Reinforced structure with a particularly large, segmented fuel tank in the interests of this goal.This has resulted in it possessing a fairly limited speed compared to what could it could achieve if this goal was expressed with a focus more on speed, but the designers at Drask Industries considered this less of an issue for an idea they were hoping to market the platform upon - Boarding Actions. The LAM was intended to use Aerospace mode to fly up to the Dropship or Station intended to be assaulted and then transform into Battlemech form to climb along the craft before using its Medium Lasers to cut through the hull and allow it to get inside, with the Flamer being used to scorch personnel away.While this direction did not need ER variants, they were selected for assault of various ground installations in AirMech mode.The viability of this tactic is yet uncertain, but the focus on theft and the manner of it led to some nobles asking questions about whether Drask Industries had any connections to piracy. Investigations are ongoing as of 3150, and this has stalled the open market sale of the platform.
>>98777662It could have been even worse, anon. One of the original things I had been poking at with >>98773845 as also a dual-RISC build.As you said in >>98775651, great minds think alike it seems.
>>98777787Yeah, there is no reason for many of these weird restrictions. They hated protomechs too. We we could have overrided the MML restricts I personally would have been cool with relaxing or removing some of those nonsense rules.
>>98780383>I personally would have been cool with relaxing or removing some of those nonsense rules."Protomechs but without so many gay restrictions" sounds pretty rad, honestly.
do you think clans would accept a heavy mech that's 4/6/0 if it meant extra tonnage for stuff?
>>98780573You mean like the Nova Cat, various second line and Dark Age stuff? Nah don't think it will catch on.
>>98780675The design in question is a 70ton omni with 4/6/0 movement, 33 tons of pod space, maxed ferro fibrous armor, endo steel, a IS compact gyro and a regular fusion engine.
>>98780704>maxed ferro fibrous armor10 tons actually, forgot the max for a 70 is 11.5t
>>98780573Ehhh. I think heat is going to kill you here; yeah it's cute if you have the space for four CERPPCs but what's really the point if you can't bring them all to bear at once?
>>98780704Yeah you're not getting that without a small cockpit. In fact you get more closer with all IS tech over Clan tech.
>>98780721That is doable however forgot to add.
>>98770844Peregrine PER-3GScout50 tons7,527,000 C-BillsBV: 1823Quirks: Anti-Aircraft Targeting, Battle Fists, Cowl, Easy to Pilot, Difficult EjectionDeveloped to serve in a reconnaissance and raiding role the Peregrine is a classic LAM meant to sweep down from orbit, strike lightly defended targets or reconnoiter a more defended position for a larger attack, and then return to friendly lines. The inclusion of an enclosed ejection system, meant to provide greater safety and protection to the valuable pilots in hostile environments, proved prone to injuring pilots more than normal if they didn't land it carefully due to the greater mass of the system.
>>98770844Polo PO-10 ExplorerMechScout?30 Tons2,046,834 C-BillsBV: 335Quirks: Extended Torso Twist, Non-Standard Parts"I'm sorry, WHO made a WHAT version of the Marco ExplorerMech?"
Is this a bad time to point out that most anons have woefully underarmored the rear of their LAMs at least those who intend to make use of the fighter mode?
>>98786061Shhhhhh. Let it happen.
>>Challenge 19 votingHonestly we got more options than I expected with the restrictionsOur voting options.Pica PA-1AMaxell MXL-3Hyper Laser LAM Platform HLP-XWhistler WST-1AQGL-Y QuigleyWingback WNG-LAM-4BKSlasher SLH-LAM-3RCosmere 1-C3M-BWarthog WRT-10Peregrine PER-3GPolo PO-10 ExplorerMechOur categories >>Which do you think fits the challenge best?>>Which is your personal Favorite>>Which is the most innovative?>>Who is the meth baby?>>Which had the best narrativeOur next poll: https://strawpoll.com/GeZARWMjkyVVoting ends: October 7th at 6 PM EST
>>98786061I just close my eyes and let MegaMekLab auto distribute armor.
>>98786214I wonder how close the number of designs this challenge got to the number canon LAM designs there are.
>>98787008There is six canon designs that actually made it to production. But you might be able to double that with prototypes.I think this would be a fun challenge to revisit with some of the nonsense restrictions created to make them suck removed.
>>98786214>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?I'm gonna say the Quigley >>98775651. It is very much hitting the limits of what is possible, since the big things holding it back are the lack of Ferro-Fibrous and RISC Hyper Lasers being so experimental.>>Which is your personal Favorite?Bit of a personal bias as I made it, but I'm going to go with the Maxell >>98773658 . Just feels like a decently solid modernized version, even if in hindsight it needs some of its armor redistributed to the back for dogfighting.>>Which is the most innovative?Considering the nature of the challenge was pushing the LAM to its limits, I kinda think the best fit of the Quigley also takes this one.>>Who is the meth baby?Polo >>98784057 is basically trying to make a civilian industrial LAM is its own special meth.>>Which had the best narrative?While it is only really innovative in doctrine and thus I think it slips behind the Quigley, I like the Warthog >>98778799 's description mentioning they were trying to carve a new warfare niche.
>>98786214You know what I am going to preface this with that I was initially tempted to abstain from voting because I don't think you can really make an interesting LAM with the current rules but that would be letting Herb win. The main reason for this line of thinking is that you really can't do much interesting with the LAM concept because the rules just frankly suck having been designed to be needlessly convoluted and trip you up. Hell the damage rule changes screwed over official LAMs like the Stinger, Wasp and Phoenix Hawk because previously they had sufficient rear armor as those shots would have first been tanked by the leg armor in Fighter mode but not now. So well done anons for making an attempt.Anyway onto voting.>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?>>98771481Pica PA-1AThe challenge was to see how far you could push LAM technology and I think anon has achieved this completely by accident. One of the biggest things holding LAMs back is they absolutely suck in Fighter mode, like unbelievably so. To put it in perspective imagine that you're facing off against UrbanMechs but all they had was a small laser tier kind of suck. Anon here has made a LAM that can actually hold its own in a dogfight. It has speed that matches Aerospace fighters in its weight class. It has firepower that go out to extreme range and punch holes clean through most armor. While the limited fuel and lack of rear armor means it can't endure for long this at least has a fighting chance.>>Which is your personal Favorite>>98773658Maxell MXL-3Giving it here as it does feel like what a modern LAM should be. You probably would want to redistribute the armor a little thanks to Herb but yeah perfectly sensible little thing. Although it doesn't have the fuel to take advantage of it that Fighter speed is extremely good for a LAM
>>98789492Part 2 >>Which is the most innovative?>>98784057Polo PO-10 ExplorerMechYou know what an exploration LAM is actually a pretty neat idea. In fact its a brilliant idea that it is surprising it didn't exist previously. Funny enough this also has enough fuel to be deemed sufficient endurance in Aerotech.>>Who is the meth baby?>>98774013Whistler WST-1AAn ultralight LAM is cursed on so many levels its hard to not give it here.>>Which had the best narrative>>98778799Warthog WRT-10Really well thought out idea so I want to give credit where credit is due. Too bad it won't work or at the very least be a one way trip due to hull breach mechanics for LAMs but still a possible application for where a LAM could be useful.
>>98789492I really wish we could modify the rules in MML. There is no reason for many of those silly restrictions. I mean engine, armor and IS restrictions make zero sense as areospace fighters can also use most of those
>>98790921You can *sorta* work around it in one way. You effectively build out two sheets, then you fuse them together in an image editing software. You take the Mech Data (Engine adjusted to type), Warrior Data, Heat Data, and the Advanced Movement Compass from the LAM sheet that MML makes, while you take the Armor Diagram, Internal Structure Diagram, and Critical Table from the standard Mech. Critical Table then gets slightly modified to add the Landing Gear, Avionics, and Structural Integrity parts.This takes more work, but you can end with something that works, as the sheets MML generates *can* be overtonnage from what's allowed. Though BV in this fused sheet may be a bit off and you would need to make sure to add the "Illegal" quirk as one of them.
>>98790921There is a glitch with MML where you can in fact trick it to use equipment and armor not normally available by equipping said equipment then switching unit type without touching any other settings it should retain the items. Haven't figured out a way to make it work on LAMs though yet.
>>98790921I think the reasoning is that the internal components that facilitate the transformation uses up the same space that you would have to use for XL or endo steel. Not sure about Ferro-Fiberous/Ferro-Alluminum. I still say that if they cared in universe they could probably make it work.
>>98791636Apparently because they can't do split crits so everything has to be in one section which is why TSM is allowed but that doesn't really explain why then they can't use light FF or endo-composite.
>>98789492>lack of rear armorI just auto distribute armor, but it does make me wonder what a better armor distribution would be. 7.5 tons of armor is kind of thin, not sure what would be better. 10/12/10 on the rear I guess? Enough to tank a solid hit?
>>98718019Not sure about where your at with your contest, but posting just for fun.
>>98792914where's the ammo?
>>98793172>>98792914Lol he forgot to post the fixed version.
>>98793172>>98793180its in the head, dumbass.
>>98792914We are currently voting for challenge 19 the post is here.>>98786214 it also has a link to a poll for challenge 20
>>98791689On the one hand, I can understand this in the case of equipment and weapons systems because those spilling over easily being able to get in the way. Even for engines this is at least somewhat understandable. But Endo-Steel and Ferro-Fibrous? Aren't those just material upgrades? How the hell do those get in the way?
>>98794124Because something something something get in the way of transformation something something Herb is a bitch something something.
>>98792773I personally like the idea of having weapons focused in the torso and leaving the arms weak. Also I tend to overvalue CT armor and undervalue leg armor because I get fucked by gyro hits more often than leg hits.
>>98718019Chassis: BCB-3A "Brown CrabRole: 2nd line Command Mech/Sniper/JuggernaughtWeight: 70 TonsQuirks (I'm ignoring your limits because so do all canon mechs. Þe Marauder has only 3x positive quirks and no negative): >Command Mek | Easy To Maintain | Improved Communications | Rugged (1) | Accurate Weapon [Arm-mounted Large Lasers]>Bad Reputation | Cramped Cockpit | Difficult EjectionBattle Value: 1,631C$ cost: 5,899,850 Þe BCB-3A Brown Crab is þe ideal BattleMech for holding positions where you simply can't afford to send your most expensive units! At 159,233 C$ less expensive þan þe cheapest Warhammer and only slightly slower, þe Brown Crab's 14 tons of Carapace Standard Armor (4 more tons þan þe Warhammer!) Wiþ it's 4x Large Lasers & 2x Medium Lasers split between its arms & 2x Small lasers mounted in ball turrets on its legs to deal wiþ any pesky infantry þat get too close, þe Brown Crab will hold þe line long enough against most any foe to be able to allow any necessary reinforcements to arrive if it can't outright repel þe invader outright! Even more, due to our economic and efficient designs þe mech easily can use most-any brand for replacement parts as long as þey're for a similar class of mech! Þe mech also comes wiþ a disket loaded up wiþ schematics for replacement part fabrication þat can be accomplished wiþ standard dropship manufacturing capacities*! *Þese schematics do not include all potential parts, but only what can be manufactured on a dropship's machine shop.Now hear from some of our customers' testimonials!>Þis is Commander Phygia Dama of þe Marian Hegemony. While þe likelihood of deaþ via ejection is high, þis is acceptable for þis mechs abilities.>I'm Cecil O'Neill of þe Taurian Concordat. It overheats if you try to fire all lasers at once, but a lance O' þese'll melt most any Pirate raid right-quick!
>>98795721I wouldn't be obligated to humor your shitbox if it were within the constraints, on-theme, or put out during submission time instead of the voting period, but I'm definitely not getting paid to read around your fucked up text formatting.
Are these challenges just going to be just two anons voting from now on?
>>98796565nah, just give it a minute as some anons are at work rn
>>98796565There's seven people voting in the strawpoll, so it seems most are just too lazy to vote for mechs in the thread proper.Either that, or unlike the Dark Age Melee Mech this thread started with that got 6 people voting, people haven't been sure what makes a best fit/most innovative/meth baby for Mini Me and LAMs, thereby not voting because of that.
We have been having low votes but that just may be the challenges.Anyhow our challange 19 winners are>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?QGL-Y QuigleyPica PA-1A>>Which is your personal FavoriteMaxell MXL-3 >>Which is the most innovative?QGL-Y QuigleyPolo PO-10 ExplorerMech>>Who is the meth baby?Polo PO-10 ExplorerMechWhistler WST-1A>>Which had the best narrativeWarthog WRT-10 Our top preformers areMaxell MXL-3 QGL-Y QuigleyWarthog WRT-10 Polo PO-10 ExplorerMech Next challenge in a bit
>>Challenge 20: Extinct 1st Secession War mechThe opening years of the First Succession War were not just a clash of armies; they were the systematic murder of human progress. Between 2787 and 2821, the Inner Sphere transformed from the pinnacle of Star League enlightenment into a desperate, feral slaughterhouse. In this brief, apocalyptic window, the Great Houses scrambled to weaponize every scrap of advanced technology they possessed before the factories burning around them turned to ash.>>RequirementsYou are to build a mech that fits in the timeline, it can be advanced tech for its year, but no matter what it didn't make it past the 1st Succession Wars. Factories bombed, tech lost, poorly revived design or just low production numbers. Whatever the case it was created and vanished in this one era of history.Year: 2787-2821Tech Base: InnersphereTech Level: AdvancedPrice: Not a factor, but maybe in procurement votes.Role: AnySize: AnyEquipment: anything MML as 2787-2821 IS advanced settings.>>Challenge closes: October 10th at 6 PM EST
>>98797176Praetor PRTR-255tons10,035,837 C-BillsBV: 1,298Quirks: Accurate Weapon(Gauss Rifle), Hard to MaintainRecords of this mech are spotty, apparently a rarity even during Star League it was just beginning to be put into the field when Amaris kicked off his coup. Unfortunately for Amaris the company was firmly loyal to House Cameron and destroyed not only the technical data but also the entire goddamn plant in a single act of defiance. As such after the factories and facilities to make spare parts were bombed to shit the design faded and never really returned at all. After a memory core was discovered with some technical documentation on this mech was when we got proper information on it. Details attached
>>98797683SRMs and AC in one arm is interesting
>>98797683it shouldn't say gauss rifle but I guess I'm an idiot
Ruhm RUHM-175 tonsCommand Mech15,309,973 C-BillsBV: 1,408Quirks: Command Mech, Multi-Trac, Difficult Ejection, Non-Standard PartsA "light command battlemech" according to period Lyran sources, the RUHM-1 Ruhm ("Glory") was a domestic attempt by the LCAF to create a novel SLDF Royal design from increasingly scarce advanced parts in 2800, allegedly descending from the Excalibur and the Battleaxe. While most major powers became aware that the technological base for advanced Star League-era weapons systems was rapidly deteriorating, the LCAF decided to to install as much advanced technology as possible into prestige units for personal use by high-ranking commander on the field, of which the Rhum is the most well-known example.Mounting two LB-10X autocannons with four tons of CASE-protected ammunition, an extended-range PPC, AMS, Guardian ECM suite, command console, double heat sinks, an XL engine, multi-trac targeting and 9 tons of stylized ferro-fibrous armor, the Ruhm was an eye-wateringly expensive buffet of the premium military technologies of the time. A favorite subject of propaganda videos, the Ruhm was also a priority target which was easily identifiable at extreme ranges thanks to its distinctive armor, which added insult to injury by complicating ejection. The small number of units produced acquitted themselves well on the battlefield by all accounts, but their near-total reliance on LosTech made them increasingly difficult to refit and almost impossible to repair as the war dragged on and industrial capacity waned, with less than a dozen in active service at the end of the conflict and all known survivors recorded as scrapped for parts by 2030.While there is no concrete answer and opinions vary as to why the LCAF felt it advisable to concentrate so many premium technologies into battlemechs that were so difficult to maintain, the prevailing opinion is simply that the LCAF erroneously believed that what became LosTech would not in fact be lost.
>>98797176Monoeye MNI-4M80tSkirmisher20,848,200 C-BillsBV 1,876Command Mech, Difficult to Maintain, Obsolete 2805, Poor SealingA once-common command 'Mech during the opening years of the First Succession War, the Monoeye commonly lead heavy recon lances in defense of House Marik. The chassis' service to the Free Worlds League was cut short when its factory on Oriente was obliterated by Capellan forces during the Second Battle of Oriente. While stockpiles of parts allowed the agile Assault to survive to the end of the war, the Duchy had no choice but to abandon attempts to restart production after saboteurs destroyed all known copies of its specifications. The example known to have survived to the IlClan's founding stands vigil at a museum on Atreus, long since repurposed into an immobile monument after its valuable components were stripped out.
>>98797176Operation ConfStar Platform50 Tons"Cost": 12,008,917,500 C-BillsBV: 468Quirks: RamshackleAt the turn of the 2800s, Maskrova discovered information that would supposedly lead to a Star League cache of Mobile HPGs in a hard to reach boneyards. Recognizing the value in acquiring this asset that would let them gain an extremely useful advantage with how the Inner Sphere was shaping, the Capellans scrounged whatever parts they could get their hands upon to make a set of fairly heavily mismatched 'Mechs that could reach the site through the damaged terrain and would be able to bolt on two of these Mobile HPGs each for exfiltration through terrrain considered too difficult for standard Salvage Arms to safely carry them.Unfortunately for the Confederation, the preparations would be discovered by ROM and when the recovery operation was underway, it would be intercepted by what appeared to be a Federated Suns military force that claimed to be a unit that later correlated intelligence would find had already been wiped out two months prior. This unit would destroy all forces part of the operation and would pull out all of the Mobile HPGs before reinforcements for the secret operation could be mustered.Maskirova would presume that the unit had merely been made hidden for special operations rather than truly wiped out, in spite of its merely average reputation, though they were uncertain as to where the Federated Suns were using the Mobile HPGs recovered until it was eventually presumed they were merely destroyed in another incident. However, a handful of records accidentally released after Comstar was rendered defunct in the wake of Grey Monday would reveal that this was a false flag operation that had been conducted by ROM.
>>98797176Satsuki Sho STS-325 TonsScoutCost: 4,602,083 C-BillsBV: 582Quirks: Nimble Jumper, Exposed Actuators, Obsolete (2815)The Satsuki Sho was an advanced light scout 'mech of the Draconis Combine named after an ancient horse race in its old Terran homeland of Japan. Designed as an incredibly fast Mech that could both take on and outdo the capabilities of the famous Locust and Wasp battlemechs while maintaining similar armaments and greater armor, the platform generally succeeded at this goal. Unfortunately for it, this came at a very high price tag with it costing double to triple the price of those platforms. It similarly required very advanced technology in order to construct and maintain.As such, when the Draconis Combine's economy began to break down and falter, the general technology capabilities of the Inner Sphere were declining, and the Satsuki Sho's own production lines were struck, the platform fell into a death spiral which it would never be capable of recovering from, with only heavily damage or partially complete frames in the private collections of some Horse Racers being the only places that it could be found by the time of the Helm Memory Core's discovery. While the lines were never able to be fully brought back online, the Core's discovery did allow for these fragmented versions to be rebuilt to production standards and ultimately served as prestige pieces from then on.
>>98804487Whoops, grabbed the wrong sheet that had the WIP name before I decided to make it a Combine 'mech. Here's the proper one.
I wonder if a good challenge would be something like "Robbing the Taxpayers" where you are trying to make a 'mech that feels like it was worth it, if it were being sold for 3-4 times its listed cost because the company making it is trying to get some extreme markups.
TXI-2R ToxotaiRole: Missile Boat Size: 40 TonsPositive quirks: Improved targeting long, nimble jumperNegative quirk: Nonstandard parts, difficult to maintain BV: 1’292Cost: 5’766’277 C-BillsThe Toxotai was designed by the Brigadier Corporation as a light fire support mech in 2790. Slow for a 40 ton mech, it was seen as fast enough to keep up with heavier units and support them with its LRM 20s. Only a few dozen runs were finished before Lyran Commonwealth erased the manufacturing plant on Karachi, and pretty much everything within 65 KM with nuclear fire.With the Toxotais being difficult to maintain and parts hard to come by, the last operational Toxotai also died by nuclear fire on Caldrea in 2812 as First Leutnant Kurt Bernhard of the 9th Arcturan Guards held the line against the Draconis Combine as his own side dropped nuclear weapons on his position.
Inevitable INV-2Role: Juggernaut100 TonQuirks: Fast Reload, Multi-Trac, Flawed Cooling System, Poor Targeting (Short), Obsolete (2812)Dry Cost: 9,960,667The name of the Inevitable displays a large component of the hubris that went into the design. At its unveiling and until the Succession Wars, it had long been crowed that it would be able to fight any 'mechs while simultaneously supporting its allies that existed in any direction with its turret mounted LRMs able to swivel into aid them in their fights.The reality as revealed in the Succession Wars was that while it could take a punch and do a fairly potent Alpha Strike in many directions at once, its cooling systems were completely incapable of managing this in any sustained capacity even before a series of nasty flaws were discovered within the Cooling System.During the First Succession War, generals that too strongly believed its hype would rush i towards the front and lose many examples and it would slowly be relegated to more backline duties where it would be considered a fine enough mech to contribute to artillery bombardments that was capable of switching to a defensive focus if said positions were attacked.Between the destruction of its factories and the priority of repairing them growing lesser and lesser as the hype died, the platform would ultimately go fully extinct in the latter days of the First Succession War.
>>98797176Blue Crab BCB-A1Tech Base: InnersphereTech level: AdvancedPrice: 7,177,188 C-Bills (dry)BV: 1,665Quirks: Barrel Fists (LA, RA), Easy to Pilot, Poor Cooling Jacket x 2 (Ultra AC/5s)The Blue Crab is the first of a new series of Mecha designs for the Free Worlds League, under the new leadership of Charles Marik. This Mech is designed to control the air and dominate enemy vehicles from long range. Two Ultra AC/5s and two LRM-15s complete the weapon complement, with a top speed of 54 kp/h and 12 tons of armor. Ultimately passed over in favor of more flexible designs, the BCB-A3 ended up being a relic even in its own age.
>>98797176Sneed SND-1C55 tons9,455,362 bills (dry)BV: 950Quirks: Easy to Maintain, Rugged, Rumble Seat, No Cooling Jacket (Large Pulse Laser), Accurage Weapon (Fluid Gun), Exposed Weapon Linkage (Backhoe), Exposed Weapon Linkage (Buzzsaw)The devastation laid upon the Capellan Federation by the first Succession War was immense, with the agricultural sector suffering as much as the rest of them. Some whole worlds starved as war raged on and the value of being able to quickly build back farmland that had been damaged was clear. This encouraged the Capellan Federation to create a Mech that could engage in various agricultural activities, with a primary emphasis on seeding, feeding, chucking, and whatever else was necessary in the field. Thus, the Seeding Networked Ecological Editor Device was created, SNEED for short. The SND-1B is capable of e-agriculture on a level unsurpassed by its peers, with one ton dedicated to networking and communications equipment to properly coordinate large scale farming. It is stocked with a backhoe and a dumper for basic agricultural work, a half ton of liquid storage and a fluid gun for distributing water and nutrients, a buzzsaw for clearing trees and debris from fields, and a large pulse laser for various tasks, including defense. Paramedic equipment, remote sensors and a searchlight allow for dealing with emergency medical situations with both humans and livestock in the field, with one ton of cargo space in each leg and two in the left torso for transportation of feeds, seeds, or livestock. An XL engine provides a top speed of 85 mp/h and 8 tons of armor provide ample protection for a mech that should not be seeing any worse hazards than inclement weather and falling hazards. This design may have gone on to great farming deeds, but its only factory was located on Outreach which was devastated in a nuclear bombardment by the Free Worlds League.
Springhill SPH-3RRole: Skirmisher Size: 50 TonsPositive quirks: Extended Torso Twist, Multi-TracNegative quirk: Flawed cooling system, Non standard parts BV: 1’638Cost: 11’206’500 C-BillsThe Springhill was a Rejected SLDF design by General systems. It was pitched to replace the Wolverine. But the procurement offices went with the WVR-7H Wolverine II instead. The prototypes and plans for the Springhill would languish until the federated Suns claimed Caph 2787 when it would once more see production and join the ranks of the AFFS. When the Capellan Confederation conquered the planet in 2791, Springhills would also serve in the CCAF.Production ceased with the destruction of General Systems factories in 2793. The Springhill teaming suffered high casualty rates, not only due to the role they filled, but the flawed cooling system, advanced electronics and the ever increasing lack of hard to find parts. More and more damaged Sprinhills would be stripped when heavily damaged or suffering any MASC damage. The last few remaining Springhills in the AFFS were stripped for their valuable engines and Endosteel by the end of the 1st Succession war.
>>Challenge 20 voting is now openOkay our mechs for challenge 20 arePraetor PRTR-2Ruhm RUHM-1Monoeye MNI-4MOperation ConfStar PlatformSatsuki Sho STS-3TXI-2R ToxotaiInevitable INV-2Blue Crab BCB-A1Sneed SND-1CSpringhill SPH-3ROur categories >>Which do you think fits the challenge best?>>Which is your personal Favorite>>Which is the most innovative?>>Who is the meth baby?>>Which had the best narrative?Our next poll: https://strawpoll.com/LVyK2Ql75Z0Voting ends: October 12th at 6 PM EST
>>98812124Seems like I fucked the poll up guys. Give me a bit to fix or remake it
>>98812333Okay voting count should be 3 not one. Unsure if those of you who voted can add other options however.
>>98812350Doesn't seem that way, so sucks to be me.
>>98812374Damn. Not sure why it did that.
>>98812124>>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?Ruhm RUHM-1>>>Which is your personal Favorite?Toxotai Mek TXI-2R>>>Which is the most innovative?ConfStar Platform>>>Who is the meth baby?Inevitable INV-2>>>Which had the best narrative?Satsuki Sho STS-3
>>98807182>Our next poll: https://strawpoll.com/LVyK2Ql75Z0>>98810358>>98810734>>98811122>>98811180Bro, are you just dumping all your mechs? I was trying to show you some of my designs but it looks like these are all the same format and all done by the same person.
We use the Format in the OP. But two of those are mine, sometimes I have a single idea, sometimes I have two, sometimes I set it out.
>>98813706You've lumped at least three different people together with what >>98814157 mentioned.
>>98812124>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?I think I'll lean towards the Inevitable >>98810358 for this one, but only narrowly. It feels like a Peace Dividend mech, and the ultimate decision came down to the Obsolete quirk which is used to indicate when a platform lost its main factories (even if poorly named).>>Which is your personal Favorite?Ruhm >>98799001 which is the one that I feel was only narrowly beaten out. It's just a very well made entry, and it was only beaten out because it has an unclear death date.>>Which is the most innovative?I think I'll go with the Praetor >>98797683 on this one>>Who is the meth baby?The Operation ConfStar Platform >>98802561>>Which had the best narrative?Satsuki Sho >>98804487 / >>98804492 is a fun one
>>98813706Blue Crab and Sneed are mine, Blue Crab was pretty boring so I decided for a bit of a shitpost Mech
>>98813706OP here. There is nothing wrong with submitting multiple designs. This is about fun and everyone is supposed to use the same template. So it seems there are 3 people across the 5 designs you listed.If you have 5 ideas for one challenge, feel free to post them. Some folks skip challenges and done have more than one idea. Nothing is wrong with either.
>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?>>98804487 the Satsuki Sho STS-3 feels like a design that would have fallen by the wayside because of its tech.>>Which is your personal Favorite>>98810734 the blue crab. It just seems interesting to add to an assault lance.>>Which is the most innovative?>>98810358 Inevitable INV-2, 4 LRM 15s on turrets are just fun.>>Who is the meth baby?>>98811122 the Sneed SND-1C. It's a funky farming mech.>>Which had the best narrative?>>98799001 Ruhm RUHM-1, it sounds like LCAF alright.
I find it hilarious that even when the three votes made so far include the same mech, they put those mechs in different categories from each other.
>>98812124>>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?Ruhm (>>98799001)>>>Which is your personal FavoriteSatsuki Sho (>>98804487)>>>Which is the most innovative?Inevitable (>>98810358)>>>Who is the meth baby?Inevitable (>>98810358)>>>Which had the best narrative?Tie between Satsuki Sho (>>98804487) and Ruhm (>>98799001) and I'd be obliged if you'd split the vote but if not then I flipped a coin and the Ruhm won.
>>98820899That happens a bit in these votes, as folks view things differently. Sometimes you might have a mech that just dominates a category, but often you will see the same name across most of them
Our challange 20 winners are>>Which do you think fits the challenge best?Ruhm RUHM-1 >>Which is your personal FavoriteTXI-2R ToxotaiBlue Crab BCB-A1Ruhm RUHM-1Satsuki Sho STS-3>>Which is the most innovative?Inevitable INV-2 2>>Who is the meth baby?Inevitable INV-2 >>Which had the best narrative?Satsuki Sho STS-3 Ruhm RUHM-1 >>Top Contenders --5 votes--Ruhm RUHM-1Inevitable INV-2--4 votes--Satsuki Sho STS-3 Next challenge in a bit
>>Challenge 21: Tripods - Three legged madness Two legs are tradition. Four legs are stability. But three legs? Three legs are a declaration that someone in BattleMech design has finally lost their mind or got into the good drugs. The year is 3051. The Inner Sphere is already struggling to keep pace with the technological horrors emerging from the Periphery, and now you are gonna throw out one of the most fundamental assumptions of BattleMech engineering: Even numbered legs. Yes drugs are likely involved, yes they were expensive and possibly experimental drugs.>>RequirementsYou are to make a tripod mech, it can be IS or IS mixed tech as clans so far are immune to tripod madness. Well so far, some clans indulge in the good drugs too, give em time I guess.Year: 3051Tech Base: Innersphere or IS based Mixed techTech Level: AdvancedPrice: Not a factor, but maybe in procurement votes. Let's be honest, here, financially responsible people tend to run from the weird stuff, unless there are kickbacks to be had.Role: AnySize: AnyEquipment: Anything MML as 3051 IS or US based mixed tech advanced settings.>>Notes: I Rolled the tie and selected this era for more options Challenge closes: October 15th at 6 PM EST
Just a bump to keep it out of archive for now
>>98822281Fulcrum F7L-1CMMissile Boat80 tonsBV: 1,544C-Bills: 23,332,440 Quirks: Battle Computer, Improved Sensors, Non-Standard Parts, OversizedArmor: 14.5 tons standardWhen Comstar first learned of C3 technology many within the Comguards were intrigued at the potential applications. The limitation of the technology however was that due to its infancy the majority of units were based on its use within a single lance and what the Comguards desired was a machine that could link multiple level II's together while holding its own on the battlefield.Various designs were proposed with multiple C3 masters that would be capable of linking forces together but none held great appeal for Comguard commanders until an unorthodox solution was suggested to build such a machine using a tripod design capable of providing its own artillery support. This innovative suggestion held a certain appeal as although nobody had built a combat capable tripod since the fall of the Star League the twin cockpit design made it a natural candidate for a command unit.Despite showing early promise the inexperience with tripods manufacturing meant that production costs overran since each component essentially had to be engineered from scratch and the end product was a rather bulky monster of a mech. Regardless the newly christened Fulcrum would perform its task admirably in trials able to sit comfortably in the rear lines guiding and supporting friendly units where if it was attacked could weather the enemy fire till support arrived. While unconfirmed it is believed that some of these machines took part in Tukayyid acting as mobile command units which no doubt would have provided valuable artillery support.
>>98826707>AIV C3 missile boatWell, at least I have the time to start again this time.
While I know this are not popular and I think they look silly, there are actual benefits bro this layout and I want to point them in case folks don't know them. This Rules can be found in Alternative eras on page 157.- crew : mechs a 100 tons or less have a two man crew, a pilot and gunner/equipment officer. Super heavies have a 3rd a Technical offer. You can fight them with one crew, but at a penalty.*A dedicated pilot gets you a -1 to all piloting rolls, including physical attacks.*Dedicated gunner let's you target up to three targets without penalty, in place of the normal One target limit.*The super heavy technical officer gives a +1 to intuitive and a +2 to not shut down or ammo not go boom.Movement 1 movement to change any direction,.-1 to avoid fallsCan go hull down as a quadCombat360 degree field of fire. If it's not mounted on legs it's considered a turret Physical attacks can only be on the front archAs long as it's legs are working can go prone and fire everything on the torso or arms.They also have their own leg hit and pilot damage rules.Hope some of this gives some inspiration
>>98822281I was building around a gimmick that turns out to be completely illegal in 3051 according to the books but MML is giving me a thumbs-up; is that kosher or nah?
>>98829434Honestly the books change a lot and I have been using MML as the final word after a few challenges with contradictory rules.Out of curiosity I would ask you to list what it was when you post, but if MML allows it, go with it.
>>98829539Ehh, this one is "file a bug report"-tier illegal so I think I'll keep it in my back pocket in case that drac war crime challenge ever gets rolled out (assuming it's set Jihad or later, and I'm gonna cry if it isn't) but I have a backup plan. Thanks for the answer.
>>98827882I legit had this idea since the C3 Company challenge. I was very much annoyed couldn't submit it as part of that challenge due to the rules at the time.
>>98822281Skitterer SKT-1Scout10 TonsBV: 259C-Bills: 1,290,813Quirks: Compact Mech, Narrow/Low Profile, Cramped Cockpit, Poor Life SupportThe Skitterer is an ultralight mech created at the advent of the Clan Invasion. While initially conceived an infantry support mech, the arrival of the Clans prompted the marketers to make a drastic shift to claiming it is a Protomech but better as there were no Clan Protomechs that were able to match both its armament and speed, and this platform did not only did not require a specially engineered pilot to use it, they were able to have both a pilot and a gunner, allowing one to focus on difficult maneuvers while the other can take difficult shots to thereby surpass clan warriors with their teamwork, with it only being slightly cramped as a side effect.
>>98832723>Vehicle flamer with no ammoBold I say.
>>98829302I am glad that you bring up these benefits, I love Tris and despite their drawbacks these are some interesting benefits, the key thing to me being the 360 degree torso rotation. That means that getting flanked just does not matter; that along with the heavy leg armor can result in (Princess) some opponents forgetting and getting devastated as a result.
>>98822281KrinMech KMC-02Policemech25 tonsBV: 470C-Bills: 1,472,708Quirks: Distracting, RamshackleThe KrinMech KMC-02, as its name suggests, originates from the periphery world of Krin. Nobody is entirely sure why a tripod layout was chosen, how it was constructed (aside from "poorly") or if there was ever a KMC-01, but notes from the odd mechspotter with either the courage or misfortune to be on the streets of Krin during one of the frequent periods of unrest indicate that they seem to be mostly constructed from UrbanMech remains and the term "pirate ingenuity" comes up frequently as well as the red-and-black color scheme.Weighing in at approximately 25 tons and featuring a maximum speed of 64kph with two jump jets, by conventional standards the KrinMech is underarmed with its three machine guns on the legs (one rear-mounted) and an SRM-2 fed with one ton of frag ammunition in an arm. More interestingly, the KrinMech also mounts a claw for destroying barricades and other obstacles, and at least one account exists of it being used to "detain" a rioter. In combat (ie. being deployed against a riot) the preferred tactic is in "shock and awe" tactics, gaining speed before leaping into the heart of the disturbance and firing its machine guns while retaining the ability to disengage. While this tactic potentially opens up the 'mech up to fire from the back, this has also been taken into consideration as the KrinMech features symmetrical torso armor and spikes on all three legs to dissuade especially brave or foolish rioters from attempting to topple or climb itDespite the highly unconventional nature of the 'mech, it seems to be effective in its given role - when KrinMechs are seen rolling out from the city garrison, rioters tend to lose their enthusiasm in a hurry.
Yan Shu YSU-2LRole: ScoutSize: 35 TonsPositive quirks: Improved communications, improved sensors Negative quirk: Flawed heating system, weak head armorBV: 1’308Cost: 8,524,418 C-BillsAfter the debut of the Republic's tripods, many companies looked into the benefits and issues of such a design. For Earthwerks Limited several prototypes were tried, most failures with fragile cooling systems and weaker cockpit armor than it should have. However, not all such projects were abandoned. Some looked upon the abilities such an odd arrangement had and pushed though, even with the flaws..The Yán Shû is named after a fast and rather vicious rodent-like creature native to Tikonov. The designers thought to take advantage of the tripods unique abilities in making a fast and capable scout, hoping to take some sales from the Raven and Raven II.The Yán Shû is capable of 126 kph, and a 164 kph with the MASC engaged. Making it fast and agile. The core of its capabilities however is a Dian-bao Comms Advanced R3C common cations array paired with guardian ECM, a Bloodhound active probe and a Styler Electronics TAG and remote sensor dispenser. All of that tied into 7 tons of ceres heavy stealth armor. For armament the Yán Shû has four BlazeFire Longshot ER medium lasers.
>>98833366They actually are interesting units. The maneuverability and multi targeting really can be explored. Unless you surround them, you are not hitting their ass. And going hull down but using arm weapons is just evil.
>>98822281Bastion BS-1BMissile Boat/Juggernaut80 TonsBV: 1812Cost: 15,419,520Quirks: Anti-Aircraft Targeting, Improved Sensors, No/Minimal Arms, Non-standard parts, UnbalancedArmor: 15.5 Ferro-FibrousThe first encounter with Clan Battlemechs sent waves through the Federated Commonwealth's military establishment. Entire formations were being destroyed by opponents whose 'Mechs outranged, outmaneuvered, and outgunned their Inner Sphere counterparts. The response was expected in accelerating Battlemech programs, rediscover lost technology and put weapons in experienced pilots' hands.Originally called the FedCom Area Defense System designers had a straightforward plan: Detect enemies at range, engage both air and ground targets and deliver sustained fire across a broad defensive perimeter. Not a radical new replacement, but a defensive anchor for forces to rally around. The engineers eventually settled on an 80-ton chassis. They wanted enough mass for substantial armor and ammunition, but not so much that the machine became a static defensive emplacement that needed specialized transport and extensive logistical support.The Bastion's first fire live-fire exercise would show mixed promises. Although its sensor suite was impressive at detection and accurate enough to combat both simulated ground and air assets the Tripod design proved to be more trouble than it was worth. While incredibly stable on flat ground it had issues balancing itself on broken and uneven terrain. Maintenance crews also expressed displeasure in how much effort was needed to calibrate the delicate sensor suite.Despite these shortcomings, the Bastion's advocates regard it as a necessary experiment. Against an enemy that can dictate the terms of a conventional engagement, they argue, the ability to detect threats early and make every approach costly may be more valuable than another attempt to build a faster or more heavily armed Battlemech.
>>98834335I could see this design influencing the Republic era Tripods.
Yeti YTI-1Brawler55 TonsBV: 1172Cost: 8,695,991Quirks: Fast Reload, Difficult to PilotThe Yeti is not a particularly fast mech for its size at 55 tons, as its manufacturer was quite unused to the Tripod design and could only push its speed so far without having troubles for the pilot, and even the speed it reaches meant that the platform was overall hard to pilot.In order to make up for this, they installed 10 Streak SRM 2s to decimate at close range and added a UAC/5 for longer range strikes. This forced them to do the rare thing of needing more than 1 ton of the mech dedicated to SRM 2 ammo so that the combat platform could have endurance longer than a single minute of sustained fire. As a ballistics heavy platform, great care was taken so that it would be capable of being reloaded very quickly.
Gonna be honest guys, I played around with a few designs and as we have do few, fuck it I'll post em. I find the tripods more interesting than I thought I would
>>98822281Gamera GMA-GJuggernaut100 TonsBV: 2,656C-Bills: 14,869,000Quirks: Accurate Weapon (Left Gauss), Accurate Weapon (Right Gauss), Hard to Pilot, PrototypeBuilt by the same company as the Yeti, the Gamera was a platform that was unable to make it past the prototype stage as it was in the middle of its testbed trials at the time the Clans threatened to invade the world it was being designed upon and priority of the world's limited dropships at the time had to go to getting the manufacturing equipment for the Yeti offworld, with even that having been something that was not fully complete at the time that Clan Smoke Jaguar attacked the world.The five prototype frames of the Gamera were deployed alongside the remaining Yetis on the world and reports indicate that the prototypes had a decent performance against the Clan mechs, even if they would ultimately be felled.Unfortunately for the Gamera, the company would be unable to capitalize upon this as the expenses needed to relocate their assets several times in the face of the speed the Clans achieved left them unable to pursue continued research into the Assault Mech space until decades later and when they finally could reopen a Research and Development branch, their focus was instead upon replicating Clantech. Specifically, the more civilian branches of Clantech as both general trends of the Inner Sphere, internal shakeups of management, and long term adjustments to their product lines resulted in them having long since moved away from weapons production.
Deathbloom DBM-2ARole: Ambusher Size: 50 TonsPositive quirks: Easy to pilotNegative quirk: bad reputation Innersphere, poor life support BV: 1’287Cost: 4,440,250 C-BillsThe Deathbloom started as a pro type to figure out tripods and was shelfed after trsting.Then someone went “fuck it how many tickets can we fit on this thing?” The answer was 260, considering someone thought it needed back up weapons. So that is what you get, an ambusher that can say fuck it and fling 260 tickets at a target. Now some of you might be thinking it would cook the crew, not true we installed a coolant pod just for this one glorious moment! Now after that the crew has 4 medium lasers for backup as they flee the battle! And with 10.5 tons of standard armor there is an excellent chance they make it!The Deathbloom is really a newbie machine, throw some green recruits in there and let them gain experience! Sure the composite structure is weak and the sealing is a wee bit questionable, but she is easy as hell to pilot.
Chieftain CFN-304Role: Skirmisher Size: 75 TonsPositive quirks: Battle computer, improved life support Negative quirk: Non standard parts, oversizedBV: 1’958Cost: 22,318,188 C-BillsThe Chieftain was made to explore the idea of using the two crew aspect of tripods as a command mech. It's a mixed tech design built on an Inner sphere clan spec Endo steel wrapped in 14 tons of Innersphere ferro fibrous armor. It is outfitted with a battle computer, C3 Master and a Guardian ECM to help fill it's role as a command mech and equipped with an ER large and LRM 15s for a long range punch allowing it to kit the enemy using its superior maneuverability. For close-in attacks it's armed with 4 Heavy Large Lasers, making it also dangerous at close ranges.
>>Voting challange 21Not the most popular but I found it interesting none the less.Our mechsFulcrum F7L-1CMSkitterer SKT-1KrinMech KMC-02Yan Shu YSU-2LBastion BS-1BYeti YTI-1Gamera GMA-GDeathbloom DBM-2AChieftain CFN-304Our categories >>If you were a procurement officer for a unit, which one would you purchase?>>Which is your personal favorite?>>Which was the most innovative?>>Who is the meth baby?>>Which had the best narrative?Poll for challenge 22 is here: https://strawpoll.com/wby5QM0VjyAVoting Ends: October 17th at 6 PM EST
>>98837681>>>If you were a procurement officer for a unit, which one would you purchase?Gamera GMA-G. A hulled down one in a good spot could be pretty potent. Double Gauss with extra accuracy quirks would be pretty nice. Though its role probably should be Sniper imo.>>>Which is your personal favorite?>>>Which was the most innovative?Honestly for both of these the KrinMech KMC-02 fits. Machine guns in the legs? Spikes? For the role it's made for it seems amazing. Jump into a riot, spray bullets everywhere and deter people.>>>Who is the meth baby?Skitterer SKT-1. I wasn't even aware you could make a tripod that light. The mental image of this tiny little thing screaming across at 118.8 kph with all three legs SOMEHOW managing to stay coordinated is too much. Also Vehicle flamer without vehicle flamer ammo.>>>Which had the best narrative?Bastion BS-1B. Like I said in >>98834410 it almost seems like a proto version of some of the 3130s developed Tripods. I forget which one but there's a blurb where they said engineers referenced some earlier Tripod designs when making it and I could see this one being an influence. Its downsides make a lot of sense for how hastily it was put together.
>>98837681>>>If you were a procurement officer for a unit, which one would you purchase?It is a tough choice, with so many of them being well built for their purpose, but Yan Shu YSU-2L will do its job and more at, so that is my choice.>>>Which is your personal favorite?Yeti YTI-1. My dumb ass forgot to submit my design and this is the closest to it, just slap on 4 jump jets and a hatchet and you are there.>>>Which was the most innovative?Deathbloom DBM-2A. An ambush Mech stands out, and I love rocket launchers en masse.>>>Who is the meth baby?KrinMech KMC-02. And nothing against it in this, it is a very innovative and fun build, with spikes AND a claw!>>>Which had the best narrative?Bastion BS-1B. Again, good competition, but BS-1B gets it.
>>98838019Just because I want to share, here is my kickass TriMech. DEFINITELY try them out with jump jets, Triple Strength Myomer and a hatchet sometimes. This one can do up to 32 damage with one hatchet swing and has a lot else going for it, such as 4/6/4, heavy armor and a nice decent spread of ranged weapons. My final version dropped the LB10-X and most lasers for stacks of Stream SRM-2s, kudos to Yeti thinking of the same.
>>98838037Tripod with a hatchet and jumpjets is fun!
>>98838051I had to minmax this one over and over for space due to the XL engine, Endo Steel AND TSM, ended up with every single slot occupied. And with all that it still is not any better than the submitted designs, just the best at jumping into the middle of a melee and hatcheting things.
>>98838078Sometimes that is what you want!
This was supposed to be a secret project. The idea was it would take a lance of Arrow IV VTOLs and a company of mechs along a ravine underneath the radar, ambushing any patrols before they could report back, and pop up in the middle of the enemy Strong hold.The project was mothballed, but one day hostilities renewed and a team was sent to accomplish the original mission.I wanted to add rearming and refueling pads for the Arrow IV VTOLS, and have the TAG systems be able to target things seperately, with independant gunners, but there is no way to do that so I added a couple 10 ten cargo containers to represent the landing pads.
>>98838574Cargo Containers need some support, to be able to move stuff from Torsos to Legs and out quickly. How else are you going to move important things like VTOLS or Taurian sized cattle? And on that note, now I have an idea for a mega cattle round up scenario, I thank you all
>>98838574That would have been a fun one
>>98838818yeah, was hoping someone else could take it and run with it some day.
>>98826707I feel bad now for not giving this more credit, this is a great design with an appropriate name and role, Tripod Mech C3 gangs could really do a lot of damage and this is the leader type of that setup.
>>98838851This challenge made me reevaluate tripods honestly. There are some good ideas here and the rules, unlike LANs don't cripple the idea and make them valid and interesting. We really need a quad centuar now as tripods prove you could do it.
>>98838892It would be neat if tripods avoided the refire penalty as well because three-leg stability and whatnot.
>>98837681>>If you were a procurement officer for a unit, which one would you purchase?I think I'll favor the Gamera GMA-G on an "if this actually hit full production" basis. It's a pretty solid mech.>>Which is your personal favorite?Skitterer SKT-1 clearly had a mistake made with its flamer being assumed to just be a lighter variant rather than one that needs ammo, but the mental image that >>98837916 brought up is just too funny.>>Which was the most innovative?Yan Shu YSU-2L goes strong on the equipment side to make a nice detection/sensor/EWAR mech.>>Who is the meth baby?Deathbloom DBM-2A with its bootleg Macross Missile Massacre>>Which had the best narrative?I have to echo the other two and say the Bastion BS-1B.
>>If you were a procurement officer for a unit, which one would you purchase?Yan Shu YSU-2L, I think it would fit in any company.>>Which is your personal favorite?Deathbloom DBM-2A, it's stupid fun.>>Which was the most innovative?Gonna go with Yan Shu YSU-2L again.I like the Ewar aspect.>>Who is the meth baby?Skitterer SKT-1, I didn't think you could make one that small. Extra points for accidently using the wrong weapon>>Which had the best narrative?Bastion BS-1B, It feels right to me
Our current top runners for the next challenge are clan 2nd line, monster hunter and auto cannon.I tend to go ilkhan era a lot as it gives us the most options. What era would folks like to play with in the future?
>>98846297I have no preference on the timeline. I am just psyched because 2nd line clan mech would let me make an updated Linebacker, one of my favorite second-line Clan Mechs for a looong time
Ok folks our winners are>>If you were a procurement officer for a unit, which one would you purchase?--Tie--Gamera GMA-G Yan Shu YSU-2L >>Which is your personal favorite?--4 way tie--KrinMech KMC-02Yeti YTI-1Skitterer SKT-1Deathbloom DBM-2A>>Which was the most innovative?Yan Shu YSU-2L >>Who is the meth baby?Skitterer SKT-1 >>Which had the best narrative?Bastion BS-1B (clean sweep)>>Top Contenders --4 votes--Yan Shu YSU-2L--3 votes--Skitterer SKT-1 KrinMech KMC-02 Bastion BS-1B Deathbloom DBM-2A
>>Challenge 22: Early Republic Clan 2nd line battlemechThe year is 3090 and the ilClan era may still be decades away, but the Clans have already learned that the old ways cannot survive unchanged. The Jihad shattered the Inner Sphere, the Word of Blake has been defeated, and the newly formed Republic of the Sphere is struggling to rebuild a ravaged civilization. Amid the ruins, the Clans must reconsider how they equip their warriors, defend their holdings, and prepare for a future cut off from the home worlds>>RequirementsYou are to build a second line clan Battlemech to fill some core role,whether it's a rugged garrison defender, a fire-support platform, a specialized hunter, or an economical workhorse.Keep in mind this is a battlemech challenge, not an Omimech challenge. Go wild, this is a weird time for the IS clansYear: 3090Tech Base: Clan or Clan based Mixed techTech Level: AdvancedPrice: Not a factorRole: AnySize: AnyEquipment: Anything MML as 3090 clan or clan based mixed tech advanced settings.>>Notes: I random rolled erasEnd date: October 20th at 6 PM EST
StellarCalvary65 TonsBV: 2,062Quirks: Easy to maintainCost: 6,960,910Armor: 11 tons Ferro-FibrousThe Stellar is a 65-ton BattleMech developed by Clan Nova Cat in the years following the Jihad to help fill the lack of good options for commanders needing heavy calvary 'Mechs in second line garrisons. The Draconis Combine had less involvement than other designs such as the Morrigan, but provided the fusion engines needed to build the 'Mechs. In exchange Clan Nova Cat provided the Combine with a number of Stellar designs.Powered by a 325 rated Standard fusion engine matches other heavy calvary 'Mechs like the Timberwolf, but at a fraction of the cost. This does come at the cost of a more limited loadout. Its primary weapon is a pair of Large Pulse Lasers providing it with highly accurate firepower at range. Backing this up is an ATM9 with both Standard ammo to support its Pulse Lasers, as well as HE ammo to dissuade lighter mechs and provide punch when the distance is closed. Lastly a Small Pulse laser is mounted on the wrist of the left arm to give it an ammo free option for anti-infantry work.The lack of an XL engine or jump jets is a point of contention with commanders but they also praise its simplicity and effectiveness for what it is. Mechtechs on both the Clan and Inner Sphere side also appreciate its almost spartan internal design, letting them repair it far easier than other more complex designs. Spare parts are easy to find as well as it lacks any highly advanced technology or costly XL engines.
>>98846839Xanthos C XNT-9CSniper100 TonsBV: 3,322Quirks: Improved Life Support, Protected Actuators, Stable, No Ejection SystemCost: 12,600,000 C-BillsPrior to the Periphery Uprising the 81st Mechanized Infantry Division was gifted a battalion of Xanthos battlemechs by the Capellan Confederation where they would be used to good effect. A few of these machines would survive in service with the SLDF until the Exodus. One particularly lucky example would end up making it onto the ships and heading away from the Inner Sphere, sparing it from annihilation like the rest. While Clan scientists had little interest in continued work on the design that would change in the wake of the Jihad. The Xanthos C was designed by the scientists of Clan Snow Raven to serve as a second line fire support mech after having heard reports of the success of modern variants in service with Capellan and Lyran forces. Production would only begin in earnest after the finalization of the negotiations for the formation of the Raven Alliance brought an increased need for garrison mechs to protect their holdings.
>>98846839Hussar CScout30tImproved Communications, Bad Reputation, Difficult to Maintain, Directional Weapon (IHML)BV 10456,846,840 C-BillsAmong the most loathed chassis within Clan Jade Falcon's touman, those assigned to the Hussar C are offered few chances at honorable combat due to the BattleMech's limited armaments and dezgra Stealth plating. These opportunities are yet more sparse on the few occasions the design can fulfill its true purpose; to arbitrate over batchalls issued by Inner Sphere forces. Galaxies equipped with a Hussar are more willing to accept these dubious challenges, on the condition that they are allowed to authenticate the declared forces. This duty is placed upon the Hussar's capable shoulders. After arriving at the battlefield ahead of the bid forces, the MechWarrior will patrol the area with his Bloodhound probe in search of any ambushes or traps. Should he be denied proof of such transgressions, the Hussar will rarely be allowed to engage; in most cases, it is bid away in the opening minutes and can only spectate the conflict after making its report. The dedication these MechWarriors show towards searching out the slightest breach of decorum has lead to rumors of desperate warriors fabricating reports of infantry teams or demolition charges to justify their participation in proper combat, though no evidence for these accusations has ever been made public.
>>98846839Didn't we recently do this challenge?
>>98848728Ugh we did. I think it got swapped out on my list. We are 22 in, that was challange 16. I forgot to check my list hell it's even the same year.I'll let folks discuss it as I sleep today. Do we wanna run this one or swap it for one of the runners up?
Okay guys, I goofed this one up. Gonna go though and clean up my lists and hopefully this won't happen again. Reworked challenge incoming.>>Challenge 22: Redux - Monster Hunter Edition The year is 3100 and the Republic's military buy back is in full swing. Within the Republic and elsewhere some mech manufacturers are losing sales. Others, like yours, are looking for other markets. Some Innersphere worlds have fierce beasts, and while there are industrial mechs like the Cattlemaster for herd animals, there are none to handle truly wild and dangerous beasts. That is where you see a gap in the market.>>RequirementsYou are to build an animal handling mech. It can be designed to herd , hunt or even move large animals. As long as it's animal related. Cost and size is not limited but could be a factor in voting. Year: 3100Tech Base: Innersphere or Innersphere based Mixed techTech Level: AdvancedPrice: AnyRole: AnySize: AnyEquipment: Anything MML as 3100 Innersphere or Innersphere based mixed tech advanced settings.End date: October 21th at 6 PM EST
Okay guys, the mistake of mine was in a few ways, so I am gonna redo how I do polls and track things to not goof like this again. I have addressed the good that got an old challenge put back on the poll, but as one poster suggested the poll is just to big which made me sloppy posting it Moving forward I am going to put out smaller polls, 12 challenges. If a challenge gets zero votes for 3 polls in a row, I will remove it and replace it. We currently have 35 suggestions so it should not be hard to fill 12 choices with a good variety.Sound good?
>>98850619Sounds good. I feel bad for pointing it out as I haven't been following these threads much lately due to other things. We could also make a rule to revisit some challenges in different eras if they prove popular enough
>>98850676Don't worry about pointing it out. We are 22 deep, we have been doing this since like July. We are on our 5th thread and I have ADHD brain, stuff blends and time is wonky .It did make me go and better organize my files and folders. It also made me realize I didn't write the first 2 challenges down in my notes. They start at challenge 3 retro mechs. I recall 1 was urban mech replacement but damn if I am not blank on what 2 was.
>>98850356Kommandant KMD-1SSkirmisher80 tonsBV: 1,325C-Bills: 8,820,840 Quirks: Battle Fists (LA), Battle Fists (RA), Improved Life Support, Improved SensorsArmor: 15 tons impact resistantWhat ho gentlemen! I hear you men of leisure are seeking the tools to go on a good old fashioned Lyran safari? Then may I present to you the Kommandant, a finely refined machine able to go toe to toe with the most fearsome of beasts and guarantee that you'll be mounting their head on your wall as a trophy! Designed to stalk the most illusive of prey the sophisticated sensor system means that no creature can hide for long! Once you have them in your sights the large rifle can bring down large beasts with ease though should they charge or if you fancy a more sporting fight you can discard it and engage in a game of good old fashioned fisty cuffs! Our special armor system will cushion the blows and jump jets will keep you on your feet! Should the creature attempt to flee then a pair of SRM harpoon launchers can pin it to the ground and reel it in so you may finish the job!As you know tracking through the wilds can be thirsty work so each Kommandant comes with a one ton drinks cabinet in the cockpit for all your refreshment needs which when combined with the advanced life support system keeps each pilot in great comfort for extended periods on the field. Additional supplies can be carried in a four ton torso bay which can also be used to store your prizes should you so wish.For the true gentlemen explorer there is no finer machine. Order yours today!
>>98850619Sounds good.
>>98850744Looked into the archive, and it didn't have a formal name, but it was about making Inner Sphere Mediums for the Clan Invasion.
>>98850356Beastmaster BST-1MRancher/Skirmisher50 TonsBV: 946Cost: 3,804,563 C-BillsQuirks: Easy to Maintain, Easy to Pilot, Fine Manipulators, Rugged, No Ejection System, Exposed Weapon Linkage (Fluid Gun)Decades before mechs like the Ares came into existence a small company on Marik by the name of TriTachyon was building a tripod. The Beastmaster was created to serve a dual role both in agriculture and as a security mech. A pair of ER Flamers allowed the machine to burn clear fields and to ward away wild animals. The Fluid Gun can be used to put out fires, accelerate them, or even just wash other equipment depending on what fluid was loaded into the tank. A Light PPC gave the Beastmaster enough punch to deal with large, aggressive predators, or anything else that threatened the owners livelihood. Due to the unlikeliness of civilians being capable of operating a battlemech to its fullest potential the controls were split allowing for a dedicated pilot and gunner, with special attention to ease of piloting. Further design work went into ruggedizing it and making it easier to maintain, including the removal of an ejection system, due the high probability of austere workshops and jury-rigged components being all that are available for repair work. While built with Industrial TSM for hauling objects, Beastmasters maintained fine dexterity in its hands for delicate work. After the fall of the Republic rumors would slowly begin to spread that this company might be building more than just IndustrialMechs, especially once Ares that had to have been newly built began to lumber across battlefields.
Bushman BNH-3BRole: AmbusherSize: 35 TonsPositive quirks: Rugged, jettisonable weapon (AC)Negative quirk: Poor targeting medium, exposed weapon linkage (AC)BV: 595Cost: 2,567,610 C-BillsThe Bushman was a project by Kressly Technologies to tap into a more civilian market. The original plans called for an industrial mech but Kressly Technologies didn't think the retooling was worth it for a single line and choose to create a battlemech aimed at the civilian market.The Bushman is a Hunter mech, it's meant to be a long distance killer of large, dangerous wildlife. The Bushman is powered by a General Motors 175 engine, allowing it to reach speeds 86 KPH. It's wrapped in 5 tons of kressly stoneskin 40, making it tough enough to stand up to powerful beasts. The core weapon is modified Mydron Snipehunter, the RC-1Bwhich is a jettisonable “rifle” with its own magazine for ammunition. Paired with a Accutech M41-C targetting computer makes the Bushman a deadly sniper. For back up the Bushman is armed with a Diverse Optics type 10P small pulse laser and a Johnston Industries Mk11 small vibroblade, sheathed in the mechs left forearm.The Bushman is further enhanced by a spacious cockpit, a full ton of torso cargo space for equipment, a 12 million candle power searchlight and a bay of 30 LCI tripwire remote sensors.A few Bushman have found use in planetary garrisons and mercenary companies as snipers. The Mydron Snipehunter RC-1B allows for a wide selection of ammunition, which can be put to merciless use on soft targets.
>>98851277Ah thank ya, I'll add that to the list
Bump
Think this challenge got fucked by Blakist infiltrators causing a PHP blackout.
Know this is technically post-deadline, but PHP issues stalled.>>98850356Iowa IWA-1Farming/Ranching30 TonsBV: 222Cost: 1,038,880 C-BillsQuirks: Jetison-Capable Weapon (Flamer), Reinforced Legs, Poor Life SupportAn industrial mech designed to handle dangerous beasts under the concept of keeping the pilot in an armored shell for the relevant tasks of doing the most important thing of handling dangerous beasts: keeping them happy.An in-built fluid suction system and fluid gun is used to refill water or whatever other liquids are neccessary for drink or animal cleaning from the safety of a 20 meter tall metal machine, while it is also able to use its Lift Hoist to bring sedated animals up for transport into its 3 ton cargo bay, both of which designed to cause the least disturbance possible. This cargo bay can also be reached into by the mech's hands to move feed, or in a pinch, it can be used to carry trucks below 3 tons of weight to odd locations - via jump jets.A rigid ladder has been included to make it easier to board the mech in the rare circumstances that someone would need to exit it in the enclosures of such beasts, or just get into it without dedicated equipment with more normal farms. The cockpit's long term life support was reduced in order to include a minor paramedic suite for better emergency aid and to carry a passenger so someone is always inside when one person needs to exit.The Flamer is the only weapon - out of the idea that fire is a very primal fear of most animals for intimidation purposes only as well as for aiding in clearing out undesired plantlife - and its armor is weak leaving it less than ideal for Mech on Mech combat, but it is considered generally sufficient for the circumstances it would typically be in. The Flamer was also made able to be jettisoned so that its power ports as well as a few other high capacity points could be hooked up so the Fusion Engine could provide power to rural or post-disaster locations.
Clearly guys, this one wasn't popular and I made a goof so we are gonna vote on all seven mechs. Also the site lock down kinda threw us as well. We haveStellarXanthos C XNT-9CHussar CKommandant KMD-1SBeastmaster BST-1MBushman BNH-3BIowa IWA-1We will have 4 categories this time.>>Your personal favorite >>Most innovative >>Who is the meth baby>>Best narrative>>Challenge 23 will use the new voting format from aboveChallenge 23 voting here: https://strawpoll.com/3RnYXr3JDyeVoting ends: October 23rd at 6 PM EST
>>98861557>Also the site lock down kinda threw us as well.Considering the site was locked in Read Only for 22 hours, we functionally lost a day on the challenge so I am not shocked how few there were.
>>98862167To be honest, I didn't realize it was on lockdown that long. Got busy and hadn't checked up on the site and thought it was just a few hours.
>>98862237Yeah really was nearly a whole day. PHP blackout fucked us all.
>>98862434I guess with how my posting lined up I just didn't notice. This challenge was just all kinds of fucked up
>>98864404Yeah I wanted to submit this. A mech meant to ambush creatures by using cattle as bait but could also launch said cattle out of its artillery gun. Fucking PHP!
>>98864608I honestly didn't know it was that long, ai checked and saw no new posts but didn't try and post myself. I have been sick so I have been asleep more than awake and missed the whole panic over the php issue. Just fucking slept though it.
>>98864690I am going to blame Herb for the PHP issue cause I can. Clearly he caused it as he didn't like the challenge and hated anons having fun.
>>98864979When in dought, blame Herb
>>98861557>>Your personal favoriteIowa IWA-1>>Most innovativeXanthos C XNT-9C>>Who is the meth babyBushman BNH-3B>>Best narrativeKommandant KMD-1S
Going to abstain from voting for this one mainly because the challenge got fucked and I am about to have to go out without having a chance to read through them. I probably will comment on the designs later though whenever I get back.
>>98868991That is fair, this whole challenge has been fucked from the get go.Also folks, our current leader is Missile boat
Well guys this one was a wash. We had one set of votes, >>98866227 so that one calls it. Maybe we will revisit this one later . Next challenge coming up
>>Challenge 23: Republic era Missile boat The year is 3130. The Republic of the Sphere has found its footing in a battered Inner Sphere, holding off several on axions. With advancements in technology BattleMech designers are looking for ways to get the most out of every machine they send to the battlefield. Sometimes that means closing with the enemy and trading blows. Sometimes it means bringing overwhelming firepower to bear from a distance.>>RequirementsYou are to build a missile based mech, its core weapon systems must be in the missile weaponry category. The Era allows a bunch of options for that category however.Year: 3130Tech Base: Innersphere or Innersphere based Mixed techTech Level: AdvancedPrice: AnyRole: Missile BoatSize: AnyEquipment: Anything MML as 3130 Innersphere or Innersphere based mixed tech advanced settings.>>Notes: I rolled eraEnd date: October 26th at 6 PM EST
>>98870039Hwacha HWC-AMissile Boat / Juggernaut100 TonsBV: 1802C-Bills (Dry): 9,848,667Quirks: Multi-Trac, Difficult to MaintainThe Hwacha is a mech that limited the amount of advanced tech that went into its frame for largely easier ability to rapidly produce it, with the major exceptions being its Star League grade Guardian ECM and Small Pulse Lasers, and its Clan grade CASE II and Double Heat Sinks. The latter of which creating some difficulties in maintaining the platform even beyond the basic acquisition of Clantech.While it theoretically holds only one minute of sustained fire for its four MRM 40s, the innate troubles with heat over even 10 seconds of firing ultimately means that this ammunition pool will last longer even if not excessively long. However, it is still capable of firing all of these missiles in one volley for a devastating alpha strike across multiple targets thanks to its Multi-Trac capabilities, even if it will need some time to cool afterwards or may even shut down.
can these threads also be used for advice regarding homebrew designs that aren't related to the challenge?
>>98870793Probably. People have posted stuff like pic related's Engine Optimization Chart that goes all the way into the fractional accounting rules for how much Available Tonnage you have with different engine sizes for Mechs at different tons and speeds.And on similar notes, under current BV rules, the trifecta for most min-maxed weapons systems in commonly played eras are:>Succession Wars: Medium Lasers>Post-Helm, Pre-Clan: Gauss Rifle>Post-Clan Invasion: Clan Large Pulse LasersBut the most relevant piece of advice when it comes to making Battletech designs is to pretty much consider the Min-Max list as a soft banlist, or otherwise cheat codes to make a strong mech. You can be fine using 1 or 2, but if you use a lot, it's the same thing as using Inner Sphere Mixed tech with only Clantech.You can pretty easily build a top tier mech on the tabletop using these, I won't bullshit you on that. But this thereby means they are bad for making interesting mechs because any builds using them are pretty much solved. And additionally, when making homebrew, you tend to want to make mechs that are interesting. Both because it is harder to do and because people are more likely to be willing to play against them.
BEHOLDI HAVE CRAFTED THE ULTIMATE MACHINE
>>98870039Tu Ying TYG-3RMissile Boat65tBV 1,51917,394,575 C-billsMultitrac, Rugged, No Arms, Non-Standard PartsWell aware of the benefits of a C3 networked Lance, the Capellan Commonwealth sought to deploy the Tu Ying as a sturdy command station for long range support teams. A lack of suitable lancemates for this purpose within the Commonwealth quickly guided the Mech into a more aggressive role. Rather than holding position towards the rear of the battlefield to supplement dedicated LRM platforms, MechWarriors will instead follow after their more agile lancemates while firing volleys of missiles. The Tu Ying will close in for the kill once its target is sufficently worn down, then retreat while its commander designates a new target. As most deployments are alongside Strikers, one LRM magazine will commonly be replaced with smoke missiles for concealment.The most common modifications for the Tu Ying are the 3C, which replaces the C3 Master and one MML with a Plasma Rifle and two tons of ammunition, and the 4R, which carries a Guardian system in place of the Laser AMS.
>>98870981The kickin' chicken
>>98870039Peltast PLT-S7Missile Boat50 tonsBV: 1,209C-Bills: 10,556,250 C-bills Quirks: Nimble Jumper, Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere), Difficult to MaintainArmor: 7 tons light FFThe Peltast is a product of feature creep due to various interests fighting over a limited military budget. Initially a segment of the Republic military wanted a mobile skirmisher mech that could provide fire support, then another department wanted a long range artillery platform while another wanted a new C3 capable medium support mech. Various battles over what the requirements were resulted in the final design satisfying no one but due to so many resources being invested already the machine still entered service.The positives is that the use of extended LRM launchers give this mech phenomenal range over most other designs which when part of a C3 network means that opponents are getting harassed by a target that can be extremely difficult to reach. The mech is also relatively fast for its tonnage and quite mobile especially when jumping which means it can typically get to hard to reach places.The negatives though are immediate. The tonnage wasted on such launchers leave it with rather anaemic firepower especially if enemies are to close the distance. Its armor while deemed sufficient is also quite limited. The final damning report comes from the technicians assigned to it who find the bulky weight saving materials used in constructing it becoming a nightmare when performing basic maintenance.
>>98870039Kite KT-1EMissile Boat40 tonsBV: 1,355C-Bills: 9,395,400 C-billsQuirks: Improved Targeting (Long), No/Minimal Arms, No Ejection SystemArmor: 7 tons FFA product developed under RISC the Kite shares many similarities with the Raptor II especially with the inclusion of a small cockpit and void signature system but is a vastly different mech internally. The reason for its commissioning was for requirement of a mech that could take advantage of the leftover Word of Blake void signature technology but at a cheaper cost and be capable of ranged combat.Most of the weight saving technologies used are considered off the shelf and thus considered more affordable than those used on other mechs. With the ability to readily purchase Clan equipment a decision was made to use a Clan based LRM launcher as its main offensive armament and a Clan ECM system to power the stealth system. A light PPC acts as a backup ranged weapon should ammunition run out. There was the temptation to use more Clan equipment but this was rejected as it would have seen costs significantly increase.The Kite is considered not only a stealthy missile platform but also a deadly ambusher since as long as it remains in place it can fire without being detected as the sophisticated tracking computer assists the pilot in landing their shots at range. This tactic however is not preferred to be relied upon due to the small cockpit making operating one of these mechs for extended periods a rather unpleasant experience despite being a very cool running machine. The exclusion of an ejection system and CASE is a deliberate design decision as the Republic would prefer any such mechs to be destroyed than risk capture. This does not stop the Kite being a moderately popular mech especially with those who have had experience piloting the Griffin and are thus used to the weapon combination on offer.
>>98870793Sure ask what you want. This thread is for fun, it's not gonna hurt the challenge to have conversation and ask for input and advice
>>98873257I'm just having some mental block regarding making a clan mech that is in a similar vein to the Rime Otter, Mastodon and Hammerhead. a simple durable trooper, I can't quite get the loadout down right and it's bugging me. I always struggle with clan tech mechs
>>98874728It really depends on what you want. The mechs you mentioned have different design goals. * Rim Otter is a Nova replacement * Hammerhead is made to be a stable slab of armor good for green pilots.* The mastodon is designed to be a wallSo before you pick weapons, what role and design idea pushes this? Is it just a basic trooper? If so which clan is making it and what design do you feel it's replacing ? What need is it filling?
>>98875287design for clan ghost bear/rasalhague dominion ilclan era.55 tonner focused around durability, uses a reinforced structure and a standard fusion engine with 9.5 tons of FF.not really replacing anything that I'm aware of.Ideally it's a front liner but realistically it's a second liner due to it's limited loadout size. got 13 tons to work with. will reply in tomorrow with the loadout I've created and get your critique and make changes.
>>98875385I'd basically look at something like the Grizzly and then miniaturize it if that was what I was attempting to do. Think I remember reading that Bears and Rasalhague were into speed+protection over firepower as well.
Cause I intend to be a man of my word going to give some comments on the mechs anons made during the PHP blackout.>>98847330Pretty much what I'd expect from a Clan second line design especially a budget trooper. Cheap (outside of BV) but brutally efficient. Something like this would be selling like hotcakes if it was on the open market. In fact I swear there must be something like this already. Fits the bill the most.>>98847985Bit meh on this one. It's not bad but it feels more like a Goliath C rather than a Xanthos C if that makes any sense? I can't really put it into words but it feels really out of place and unfitting for a mech of this type.>>98848277I'm a sucker for the Hussar even if I am not too fond with the loadout for this thing. I do really like the lore though. Its basically a Clan referee mech which I find somewhat amusing as a concept. >>98851832Okay I quite like the tripod industrial and feels like a workaround you'd expect to see for militia forces who want access to mechs but know if they made it obvious they'd be called out. Not sure why this is mixed tech as I see no Clan components on it?>>98852219This puts me in mind of the Jackrabbit a little and would make a fine explorer mech on a hostile world. I do feel there is a market for civilian battlemechs out there as in ones not quite aimed for frontline combat but are for more rough and rugged style operations. Think they'd make a TRO Interstellar Expeditions roster just for something like that?>>98861167I didn't expect to see a mobile beast pen but now I think about it yeah that makes a fair bit of sense. Anon made the perfect zoo mech.
>>98870039Draconicida DC-3KScout40 tonsBV: 1,032Cost: 31,028,760 C-Bills (dry)Quirks: Easy to Pilot, Difficult to Maintain, Flawed Cooling System, Non-Standard PartsHouse Davion in 3130 was shifting its tactical doctrine towards fast and easily deployable units that could dynamically respond to situations on the ground. In order to achieve strategic and tactical victory via deployments and maneuvers rather than brute force and set piece battlesthe the Draconicida DC-3M was designed, the result of cutting edge technology applied to a Mech that utterly embodies the modern Davion philosophy towards modern conflict.The build begins with a General Motors XXL 320 engine from New Valencia, which provides a top speed of 194 km/h. top is augmented with both a General Motors MASC system and Supercharger. The MASC and Supercharger systems are built at Kathil and El Dorado respectively. Using the MASC system alone will grant a top speed of 259 km/h, the Supercharger alone allows a top speed of 259 km/h, and the combined systems allow for a top speed of 324 km/h. The infrastructure of the Mech is comprised of Endo Steel from the Moon Talon, due to its proximity to the major GM factory centers. The armor is standard and is only 6 tons total; this mech relies on speed far more than armor.The weapon systems for the Draconicida are designed around shaping and controlling the battlefield and identifying enemy targets. Four MML 3 systems provide the deployment system for 1 ton of Thunder mine-deploying ammunition and one ton of Narc-capable SRM ammo. There is also a Narc system onboard with 1 ton of ammunition. This firepower, however modest, is quite capable of eliminating slower and less armored enemy scouts given the opportunity, while mapping the battlefield for friendly forces.In summary the Draconicida line is intended to be a combat multiplier, working with front and second line units in order to shape and dominate the battlefield.
>>98870793>can these threads also be used for advice regarding homebrew designs that aren't related to the challenge?I am not OP but I don't see any problem with that within reason. The problem would be if the thread got dominated by irrelevant questions about Mechs unrelated to the challenge, and the solution to that would be directing those posters towards the BTG general thread. Use your judgement and don't post spam walls and you should be fine
>>98870981You are learning...
>>98870981This reminds me that I made some Mechs based on old McDonalds toys
>>98877822>Make a mech based off of old McDonalds toysSounds like a potential idea for a future challenge?
>>98876218currently got an ER L Laser, a Medium Pulse, a Micro Pulse, Streak SRM4 with 1t on ammo, Laser Anti Missile System, TAG and a light probe. that a good use of 13 tons or can it be improved?
>>98876785>Not sure why this is mixed techI was thinking about including some Clan tech but decided against it since it didn't fit the vibe I was going for.
>>98870039Crusader II CR2-4D60 tonsBV: 2055Cost: 14,112,960 C-BillsQuirks: Easy to Maintain, Improved Targeting (Long), RuggedDeveloped to serve as a long range fire support mech the Crusader II featured a pair of Clan LRM20s backed by a pair of Clan Medium Lasers. Due to it's role not requiring close range engagements the designers decided to utilize the more fragile Composite structure over Endo Steel in an effort to save space. A 300 rated Light Fusion Engine was used over an XL in an effort to keep costs low while a Small Cockpit was installed to save more weight, with the understanding that pilots would not be stuck in their mechs for long periods very often due to the limited ammunition storage. Due to the extra space freed up in the head the Angel ECM Suite was mounted there, though a few of the test pilots would complain about aches in their groins whenever using the system. This issue would be rectified on production models by rearranging the cockpits emission shielding. A Compact gyro was chosen to allow for the BAP and TAG systems to be mounted under the heavy center torso armor.
>>98870039Stalker STK-M1SS1L385 tonsBV: 2074same quirks as regular stalkerDeveloped using the latest tech available by a team of sleep deprived autists, this new variant of the Stalker proves to be a capable mech. Attached is it's performance data from both lab testing and combat testing with mercenaries[ERROR: FILE TOO LARGE TO DISPLAY]
>>98878659What's the speed and is it meant to be a heavy scout or a trooper?
Ironflight IFT-4RRole: Missile boat Size: 150 TonsPositive quirks: Anti aircraft targeting, Fast reloading,improved targeting long,multi-tracNegative quirk: exposed actuators, minimal arms, non standard parts, poor targeting shortBV: 2’285Cost: 58,187,500 C-BillsDo you need to hit a motherfucker at super long range but can't use artillery? Well, look no farther my friend. Defiance Industries have you covered. What we have here is a 150 tons of fuck you. The ironflight is clan spec Endo steel wrapped in 26 tons of Durallex Light ferro fibrous armor, with integrated CASE II’s in both torsos.The real show is a set of Extended LRM 20’s paired with a set of Extended LRM 15’s. That's right, you can send 70 Extended range missiles from way the fuck over there! And you can do it 12 times with the Ironflights deep ammo bays! We do have 4 ER mediums for if the enemy gets in close and both a laser anti missile system and a coolant pod to extend protections and help you get the fuck out once the ammo is dry!
>>988815685/8/0, trooper/lite-zombie mech. could either be a front line trooper supporting other designs or a second line mech working with others
>>98882124A trooper to me makes me think of a hole punching weapon, a crit exploitation weapon and an anti-infantry weapon. The TAG and light probe makes me think you were going more heavy scout. Could also consider Watchdog CEWS? If it was up to me I'd give it something aliong the lines of an ER PPC, LRM10 and a small pulse as backup but that feels it might be a bit dull. If you wanted to be cruel to the pilot could make essentially a Clan Shadow Hawk with 13 tons of equipment space?
>>98882553>heavy scout.now that you mention it, that does make sense but in my head the TAG is used to coordinate arty while the light active probe is for situational awareness. like I said the design is meant to function in a star as a sort of 'anchor' not sure if I'm using that right. might drop the ER L and M Pulse and slap a ER PPC onto it>>98882553>Watchdog CEWSis there any point in taking the Watchdog over a light probe and ecm seperately?
>>98882842>is there any point in taking the Watchdog over a light probe and ecm seperately?Based off of Core Rules? You trade 1 ECM range to gain 2 probe range. So yeah slightly better.
Okay folks time to vote for challenge 23We have Hwacha HWC-ATu Ying TYG-3RPeltast PLT-S7Kite KT-1EDraconicida DC-3KCrusader II CR2-4DStalker STK-M1SS1L3Ironflight IFT-4R>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?>>Which is your personal Favorite?>>Which is the most innovative?>>Who is the meth baby?>>Which had the best narrative?Our next challenge poll: https://strawpoll.com/NoZrzv42aZ3Voting ends: October 28th at 6 PM EST
>>98882882>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?Crusader II CR2-4D>>Which is your personal Favorite?Kite KT-1E feels like some bs the Republic would pull.>>Which is the most innovative?Ironflight IFT-4R because I haven't seen a superheavy missile boat before>>Who is the meth baby?Hwacha HWC-A, 4 MRM40s is pure methhead ideal>>Which had the best narrative?Ironflight IFT-4R because I can hear duncan fisher reading this advert through a broadcast
>>98882882>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?>>98871452>Tu Ying TYG-3RI think this wins out for me as a missile boat C3 master mech no less is a bit of a gap for this era. most if I recall are all energy boats Doesn't pack the most punch but doesn't need to be as it'll help integrate a lot of missile fire which is more what you want than anything. Command console turning this into a command mech is going to make this machine worth its weight in gold once the Dark Age kicks off but that is more hindsight.>>Which is your personal Favorite?>>98879131>Crusader II CR2-4DI kind of like it especially the electronic package it has got. Does feel a rather natural attempt at making a newer Crusader. >>Which is the most innovative?>>98881695>Ironflight IFT-4RGiving it here as a superheavy was not something I expected to see and now I think about it is about the only realistic way to make ELRM's viable.>>Who is the meth baby?>>98877647>Draconicida DC-3KCause spending 30+ million C-Bills on a 40 ton narc boat is outright insane on so many levels but also cause I think you could legit accomplish this with a lighter mech. Also the supercharger doesn't even work cause its not in the engine.>>Which had the best narrative?>>98877647>Draconicida DC-3KWas a toss up but giving it here as I did like the explanation given for the complete madness.
>>98885351Was wrong on the supercharger placement. Forgot its an XXL and I've usually been putting those on standards lately. Am right though you can pretty much accomplish this with a lighter mech and just an XL so it remains my methhead of choice.
>>98882882>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?Crusader II>>Which is your personal Favorite?Hwacha>>Which is the most innovative?Ironflight>>Who is the meth baby?Hwacha>>Which had the best narrative?Draconicida
The Ironflight is mine, so I won't vote for it.>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?>>98879131 the Crusader II CR2-4D, it's a faster, lighter archer loaded with Ewar stuff.>>Which is your personal Favorite?>>98872365 Kite KT-1E is just fun.>>Which is the most innovative?>>98872241 Peltast PLT-S7, it also tried to make use of the Extended range LRMs>>Who is the meth baby?>>98877647 Draconicida DC-3K all day, the price tag along is madness.>>Which had the best narrative?Also >>98877647 Draconicida DC-3K. I dig the fluff
>>98882882>>98882882>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?Stalker STK-M1SS1L3. It is the design with the most native Inner Sphere weapons and parts and it can perform at long and short range along with good armor and a reasonable speed. Many of these designs are superior by the numbers, however those numbers rely on captured Clan technology that I can by no means assure a steady supply of.>>Which is your personal Favorite?Ironflight IFT-4R. 58 million C-Bills, 2/3 movement speed, and most importantly the pitch made me raugh>>Which is the most innovative?Kite KT-1E. I like the idea and it would be scary to have to deal with in certain situations,>>Who is the meth baby?Tu Ying, for having a C3 master in the right arm. That's just crackers to me.>>Which had the best narrative?Peltast PLT-S7. Because it is how military procurement seems to actually go.Welp, it is 6:44 PM CST but I will post this anyway. As I did spend some time going over every design and making my choices, perhaps Loremaster will count them, but if they do not it is fine with me.
>>98893004If you make the post before I can post I count it.Once more everyone got at least 1 vote, well done y'all. And our challange 23 winners are!>>If you were the procurement officer for a unit, which mech would you order?Crusader II CR2-4D >>Which is your personal Favorite?Kite KT-1E >>Which is the most innovative?Ironflight IFT-4R >>Who is the meth baby? A tie!Draconicida DC-3K Hwacha HWC-A >>Which had the best narrative?Draconicida DC-3K >> Top Contenders --5 votes--Draconicida DC-3KIronflight IFT-4R--4 votes--Crusader II CR2-4DNext challenge in a bit
>>Challenge 24: Republic era Autocannon mechThe year is 3125, and the Republic of the Sphere has never been shy about trying something a little different. With the Inner Sphere's military landscape still full of uncertainty, there's always room for a new BattleMech design or at least a new way to put a truly ridiculous amount of autocannon fire downrange.>>RequirementsFor this challenge, we're going back to basics: big guns, rapid fire, and enough ammunition to make the quartermaster nervous.You are to build a mech with Autocannon as its main weapon. We are gonna go up to experimental this time as the Republic like to do the weird shit.Year: 3125Tech Base: Innersphere or Innersphere based Mixed techTech Level: Experimental Price: AnyRole: AnySize: AnyEquipment: Anything MML as 3125 Innersphere or Innersphere based mixed tech Advanced settings.>>Notes: I rolled eraEnd date: October 31st at 8 PM EST
>>98893118Experimental Tech level, you say?Affront Mk. 155 TonsBV: 1389Cost: 6,526,301Quirks: Anti-Aircraft Targeting, Easy to Pilot, Non-Standard Parts, PrototypeThis "affront" to god and man was produced as a result of someone attempting to siphon the military budget and accidentally causing the funding to go somewhere other than them to cause the creation of a modernized LAM equipped with an Autocannon. This baffling failure was fairly quickly uncovered when the initial prototype was completed and requested use of testing grounds, and while there were some improvements noted, the project was swiftly canceled. Both as the corruption was investigated and broken down, and because even with the design adjustments, the limitations of Ballistic LAMs were extremely clear even with more modern technology.
>>98893118Ribauldequin R1B-DQ3Sniper100 tonsBV: 1,727C-Bills: 24,525,000 C-billsQuirks: Distracting, Fast ReloadArmor: 20.5 tons ballistic-reinforcedWatching the House Davion continued use of autocannons thanks to advancement in ammunition technology caused some within the Republic to question whether they should take an interest in developing an autocannon based design themselves. Various research groups quickly got to work in developing a new generation of autocannon armed mechs all experimenting with various types and sizes of autocannon. One project that gained some early notoriety was the Ribauldequin mainly due to the impact it left on those who got to witness its first and subsequent unexpected second live fire testing.At first observers had questioned how so much money had been spent on a mech that appeared to be armed with two albeit rather large and intimidating rotary autocannons until it started shooting at a dummy target. Then kept on shooting for a whole three minutes without jamming leaving behind a target riddled with holes many of which had scored penetrating hits. The observers who in the process of shuffling away after noting some ringing in their ears stated they were somewhat impressed and looked forward to a future demonstration only to their horror see the Ribauldequin have its magazines quickly replaced on the field and a new target lined up then and there. Those who were not completely deafened by the experience drew up plans to see how this design could act as sharpshooter unit for a C3 lance.
>>98893118Vindicta VDC-1AAmbusher50 tonsBV: 1,574C-Bills: 13,930,725 C-billsQuirks: Accurate Weapon, Improved Life Support, Variable Range Targeting, No/Minimal ArmsArmor: 9.5 tons standardFeatures DNI and damage interrupt Throughout the life of the Republic there had always been stories of RAF personnel being hunted down and eliminated by phantom mechs. These reports had been dismissed as exaggerations often attributed to random terrorist groups being able to catch individuals unaware. That was until an encounter by a Knight and their bodyguard unit by a mech of unknown configuration featuring advanced technology.The RAF were escorting the Knight as part of a goodwill visit when suddenly autocannon shells appeared from nowhere instantly crippling one of the escorting units by scoring what had been assumed was a lucky hit on the gyro. When the second volley instantly pierced through the armor of another mech destroying a PPC in the process they quickly realized this was no ordinary threat. Deciding to disperse and charge towards the gunfire the RAF mechs took multiple critical hits penetrating their armor as if it wasn't there. Opening fire roughly in the direction of their ambusher pulled results as the unknown hostile dropped its cloak and began moving towards the Knight's mech firing extremely accurate shots in the process. Several shots connected with the torso which destroyed the engine of the Knight's mech and the hostile attempted to crush the cockpit with its feet but was brought down by the focus fire of the remaining RAF mechs before it could do so. The pilot of the mech had committed suicide and the forces that had engaged the hostile only got to briefly inspect it before Republic intelligence confiscated the remains and classified all records. This did not stop the surviving pilots from sharing stories about the time they engaged a crazed cyborg hooked up to their mech although most believe it is nothing but an attempt at a ghost story.
>>98896873correct me if I'm wrong but you don't need a gyro if you have an interface cockpit, right?
Bulletstorm BLT-10Juggernaut130 TonsBV: 2786C-Bills: 57,510,580Quirks: Hard to Pilot, Poor Targeting (Short), Stabilized Weapon (Both Ultra AC/10s)As part of the general study of the Omega platforms and Superheavy Mechs as a whole under the Orca program, the Republic created a Superheavy mech that made use of a conventional 390 rating XL fusion engine with a primarily ballistic loadout. Work was done to integrate the then-old Capellan style of Stealth of Stealth Armor and an ECM unit to force engagements into a favorable envelope to the platform.While it did help and there were some improvements noted such as the stabilization of the guns, it wasn't considered effective enough in comparison to the Poseidon and Ares programs, especially with the Omni capabilities of the latter that came at a significantly cheaper cost overall, and would ultimately be discontinued.
>>98898638It can be constructed without one but you don't have to.Also in hindsight we should have made this a Spookymech themed challenge considering Halloween.
>>98899624Black Marauder type of spooky where its a maybe real, maybe rumor part of canon Battletech, or a making mechs for Gothic type of spooky?
>>98901939I was thinking more just a general ghost and ghouls themed mechs. So stealth and zombie designs perhaps but I don't want it to be too limiting. Hell a headless mech with a torso mounted cockpit could be fun if someone was creative enough with the design. Bit late now but perhaps if these threads continue to December could do some fun Christmas themed mechs?
Horse FlyTBN-D330 tonsSkirmisherBV: 603C-Bills: 4,863,300Quirks: Narrow/Low-Profile, Multi-Trac, Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere), Bad Reputation (Clan), Static Ammo Feed (LAC/2) [x3]A petite mech with a grim reputation, the Horse Fly is nevertheless effective in its role as a dedicated infantry hunter. Featuring a maximum speed of 97kph (with the TBN-D3-1 featuring a supercharger for a top speed of 130kph at the cost of a half-ton of armor and greatly increased cost), multi-trac trageting and a single jump jet, the horsefly is designed from the ground up to use its triple array of flechette-optimized LAC/2s and stealth suite to devastate unaware infantry and rear-echelon elements before fading away. As it is unsuited for mech-on-mech combat except in the most opportunistic way (and even then poorly), standard doctrine is to flee if there's the possibility of taking substantial return fire or being run down by something even faster and the compact size and aforementioned stealth elements enable this admirably. Despite its effectiveness and affordability, the Horse Fly has not found much commercial success. The more traditionalist clans find the offensive and defensive doctrines abominable on their face and even the more liberal inner sphere clans and militaries which don't outright reject the concept and acknowledge the COIN potential of such a mech are uneasy about the lack of both armor and armament and not many mechwarriors (Clan or otherwise) relish being assigned to mow down infantry in the dark or being outmatched by almost anything else. Nevertheless, [REDACTED] and the [REDACTED] have allegedly taken delivery of some and they are doubtless being put to use.
>>98899624>>98901939I honestly didn't think of it.
TorrentTOR-2K100 TonsJuggernautBV: 2,451Cost: 12,017,000 C-BillsQuirks: Improved Cooling Jacket x4 (RAC5), Extended Torso Twist, Difficult ejection, Exposed ActuatorsThe Torrent started life as a drunken bet between Achernar BattleMechs engineers drawn on a literal napkin when said engineers were at a bar when they allegedly argued how many Rotary Autocannons you could put on a Battlemech. The following night they realized the design might actually work with a little bit of modification.Built on a 100-ton Chasis the primary weapons were twin paired Mydron Model RC Autocannon 5s. The sheer amount of space the RACs took necessitated the use of a standard fusion engine, but engineers attempted to make up the difference by using other weight saving technology. Additionally the RACs being located so close together required a vastly improved cooling jacket system or else the barrels would literally melt. The Ammo feed system became a problem as well to feed the sheer amount of ammunition coming in, needing to expose some of the actuators in order to fit the required belts. CASE II protects the Bins themselves, protecting the Torrent from ammo cookoff. An arm mounted ER Large Laser serves as a backup weapon and ammo saving for targets that don't need a full barrage from the RACs.Built as a limited production run at first it wouldn't become a terribly popular model from Achernar but serves an excellent defensive backbone for garrison units. Few mechs can stand up to the torrent of fire that it can output and the psychological effect can give even hardened warriors pause.
>>98903133You know a thought occurs. Does an Improved cooling jacket on a RAC actually work? It says it doesn't reduce heat below 1, so would it be 5 heat or 6 heat for a full barrage?
>>98903179Should be 5, it reduces total heat not per shot.
>>98902787I don't think any of us did till we noticed the dates.
>>98893118Grand Turtle GDT-1R200 tonsBV: 4061Cost: 108,827,500 C-BillsQuirks: Anti-Aircraft Targeting, Distracting, Easy to Pilot, Improved Targeting (Long), Multi-Trac, Difficult Ejection, Difficult to Maintain, Flawed Cooling System, Poor Targeting (Short), Poor Cooling Jacket (LAC/5) x8, Stabilized Weapon (LAC/5) x8, Accurate Weapon (LAC/5) x8An oft forgotten product of the Rhodes Project the Grand Turtle was designed to siege down targets with precision fire. 71.5 tons of Hardened armor provided extreme amounts of protection to the mech but the lack of speed and weapons range meant that it was almost impossible to use in any form of maneuver warfare, aside from being treated as a form of semi-static fortification. Consequently the design would see little further development.
>>98893118I'm not sure if that equipment setup prevents this, but here's a funny Charger variant designed to have one weapon in hands and a back mounted weapon held via lifting hoist.Charger CGR-HH-X80 TonsBV: 1253 + 294 + 208Cost: 10,015,440 + 652,000 + 497,000Quirks: Easy to Maintain, Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere)Going to skip a lore section because I think this may not qualify as Handhelds I think fall under the same category of disallowed as Experimental Equipment.
>>98904637Just an FYI this is an illegal design. You can only mount a single quad turret on a quad cause reasons.
>>98904718Alright.>>98904637Updated version.BV: 3642Cost: 108,707,500 C-BillsFeatures two more LAC/5 and two tons more ammo. Swaps Precision ammo for standard. Drops 13 tons of armor.
>>98904793You could technically have mounted the rest on a head turret but hot damn!
>>98904858Get sandblasted, nerd.
Herstal HTL-3RRole: SniperSize: 50 TonsPositive quirks: accurate weapon(AC)Negative quirk: crapped cockpitBV: 1,362Cost: 9,346,500 C-BillsThe Herstal was an experiment in homegrown clan spec tech pitched as a sniper. With clan spec Endo steel and 250 XL clan spec engine, it can reach speeds of 83.4 kph. It's armed with a targeting computer assisted Hyper-Velocity Autocannon/5 with deep ammo bins and a single clan spec stream SRM 4. It's covered in 9 tons of stealth armor to protect it and make it harder to hit at range. While mostly a test, someone in marketing thought they could sell it. After all you have a hard to see sniper with a long reach and decent mobility. Someone is gonna buy it to Drop behind enemy lines on its own to cause havoc.
New thread for voting>>98905921
