Battle Armor Design Challenge

[Black_Knyght]

I found a picture that I thought looked terrific as a suit of Battle Armor, and I started to wonder IF such a suit were possible within the rules of Battletech. Could such a nasty beastie as this be built? Or was it just another pipe dream?

Then it occurred to me - Take it to the Pros!

Who here has what it takes to design a suit of Battle Armor that is a close match to the picture attached below? Can you create a suit of Armored Badassery? Or would it just the next clunker?

Challenge issued to one and all, consider the gauntlet thrown down....

[Sharpnel]

Within the scope of the rules I don't think it can be done to the image provided. It's all about slot and there are just not enough in the arm. Now spreading the four LMGs across the BA suit is another story. One in each arm and two on the torso just might work, but you may forego any special armor as that would eat up slots like crazy.

[Brother Jim]

You could put 2 LMG in each arm, but not 4 in one arm.
 HMBA won't allow 4 Anti Personnel weapons in one arm either, so no Mauser IICs instead of LMGs.

[Cryhavok101]

Yeah, like other said, rules prevent mounting that many weapons in one arm. However it could be a single weapon system that had four barrels cosmetically, but functioned as a single weapon. I'd have to look through the list to see if any would be appropriate. I am thinking "And this specially designed array of personnel sized machine guns functions as a standard BA machine gun" or some such thing.

[Vehrec]

...So why not just put two in each arm on the design sheet and then say 'btw, there's nothing actually on the other arm, they're really all on this one?'  Or is the rule of WYSIWYG too strong to allow for that much rule/fluff gap?

[Cryhavok101]

I would allow it in a home game I was running, but I have no idea if it would be tournament legal.

[Brother Jim]

It appears I was wrong. HMBA says that only one Support weapon can be placed in each arm.
I did not notice this earlier.
So no putting 2 LMGs in each arm.
I have no idea if the current rules are different or not.

[Cryhavok101]

It appears I was wrong. HMBA says that only one Support weapon can be placed in each arm.
I did not notice this earlier.
So no putting 2 LMGs in each arm.
I have no idea if the current rules are different or not.

Current rules are 1 battle armor weapon and 1 AP mount per arm max.

[Maingunnery]

I would fluff it as an "Quad-Barrel" Heavy Machine Gun. 

[Sabelkatten]

Hmm...

Mixed-tech heavy BA
IS chassis, 400 kg
2 ground MP, 80 kg
2 basic manipulators
12 points IS standard armor, 600 kg
Clan BA LB-X LA, 400 kg
APWM RA, 5 kg
Searchlight Body, 5 kg

BA LB-X is a bit long-ranged, but it does cause 4 hits. :)

The fluff is that a second-rate IS manufacturer manages to get his hands on a shipment of LB-X guns and puts together a chassis to mount them on. Thus the very basic chassis and armor.

[Brother Jim]

This sort of just happened. Just fluff the RR as being a set of guns that has the same game stats as a MRR.

Code: [Select]

Type/Model:    Black_Knyght* 01
Tech/Era:      Clan / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Medium Battle Armor (751 - 1,000 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  32.4 km/h
Armor Type:    Basic Stealth

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Black_Knyght* 01
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Medium Class Humanoid with HarJel      0       250
Motive System: Ground Movement (3 MP)                 0        80
Armor Type:    10 Points Basic Stealth                3       300

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   Basic Manipulator                      0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Improved Sensors                     Body             1        45
Medium Recoilless Rifle              LA        40     3       290
  (with High-Explosive Ammo)
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
 Shotgun, Automatic, Solid Shot      RA        24     0         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               9       975
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        25

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     548,404 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 200,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   59 (295 for 5)  Weapon Value: 30 (Ratio=.51)
Cost per BV:    5,905.15 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 2   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can perform Swarm and Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 3   Armor/Structure: 3 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 3    Specials: mec, srs, car5

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/8/8/8    Coverage: Full
                IR: +6,  ECM: +6,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -1
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +4,  Running: +8,  Sprinting: +12
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +4,  DEX: -1,  RFL: -1
                Equipment Rating:  F/D/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor



[worktroll]

This came in while I was asleep ... I'd put in an SRM-4, and call it an advanced quad ultra LMG mount.

You can have that, and make it jumping (with bad armour, though).

[Cryhavok101]

I hadn't thought of using missiles for it, that is a nice idea. Noted for future use.

[worktroll]

I do that with my custom vehicles all the time. The "ultralight ultra-AC-2" - 1 tons, 50 turns ammo. Always fires double-shot, never jams, roll on 2 column to see how many rounds hit. Range 3/6/9.

Basically I always wanted something like the magshot, but for "intro" tech - for the sort of role a 20mm cannon plays on today's light armoured vehicles & APCs.

W :)

[Sharpnel]

Here's one with all the weapons requested spread across the armor a the rules won't allow to the four LMGs be in one arm. I gave it jump jets as well.

Code: [Select]

        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                        * CUSTOM EQUIPMENT

Type/Model:    Tommy Gun Urban Assault Armor
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3085 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Heavy Battle Armor (1,001 - 1,500 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Custom design

Ground Speed:  21.6 km/h
Jump Capacity: 60 meters
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Tommy Gun  Urban Assault Armor
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Heavy Class Humanoid                   0       300
Motive System: Ground Movement (2 MP)                 0        80
               Jump Jets       (2 MP)                 0       250
Armor Type:    10 Points Standard                     0       500

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Battle Claw                            0        15
  Right Arm:   Battle Claw                            0        15

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Light Machine Gun*                   LA        50     1        75
Light Machine Gun*                   RA        50     1        75
Light Machine Gun*                   Body      50     1        75
Light Machine Gun*                   Body      50     1        75
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 Blazer Rifle                        LA               0         0
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
 Blazer Rifle                        RA               0         0
Mission Equipment (25kg Capy)        Body             1        25
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               8     1,500
Slots & Mass Left:                                    4         0

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     822,880 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   37 (148 for 4)  Weapon Value: 25 (Ratio=.68)
Cost per BV:    18,185.95 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 2   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 2J   Armor/Structure: 2 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 1    Specials: mec, car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/8/8/7    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -2
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: -1,  Running: -2,  Sprinting: -3
                Jump:  60 m/turn
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +3,  DEX: -2,  RFL: -3
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor


A second version is slower on the ground and offers a power pack and an extra point of armor

Code: [Select]

        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                        * CUSTOM EQUIPMENT

Type/Model:    Tommy Gun Urban Assault Armor 2 
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3085 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Heavy Battle Armor (1,001 - 1,500 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Custom design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Jump Capacity: 60 meters
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Tommy Gun Urban Assault Armor 2
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Heavy Class Humanoid                   0       300
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
               Jump Jets       (2 MP)                 0       250
Armor Type:    11 Points Standard                     0       550

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Battle Claw                            0        15
  Right Arm:   Battle Claw                            0        15

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Light Machine Gun*                   LA        50     1        75
Light Machine Gun*                   RA        50     1        75
Light Machine Gun*                   Body      50     1        75
Light Machine Gun*                   Body      50     1        75
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 Blazer Rifle                        LA               0         0
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
 Blazer Rifle                        RA               0         0
Mission Equipment (30kg Capy)        Body             1        30
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               9     1,470
Slots & Mass Left:                                    3         0

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     808,880 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   39 (156 for 4)  Weapon Value: 28 (Ratio=.72)
Cost per BV:    16,894.36 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 2   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 2J   Armor/Structure: 3 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 2    Specials: mec, car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/8/8/8    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -2
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: -3,  Running: -6,  Sprinting: -9
                Jump:  60 m/turn
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +3,  DEX: -2,  RFL: -3
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor


[Brother Jim]

So going with worktrolls idea of using an SRM4 instead of guns, I got this.

Code: [Select]

Type/Model:    Black_Knyght* 02
Tech/Era:      Clan / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Medium Battle Armor (751 - 1,000 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  32.4 km/h
Armor Type:    Basic Stealth

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Black_Knyght* 02
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Medium Class Humanoid with HarJel      0       250
Motive System: Ground Movement (3 MP)                 0        80
Armor Type:    10 Points Basic Stealth                3       300

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   Basic Manipulator                      0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Improved Sensors                     Body             1        45
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
 Shotgun, Automatic, Solid Shot      RA        24     0         0
SRM 4                                LA         4     3       300
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               9       985
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        15

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     568,524 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 200,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   60 (300 for 5)  Weapon Value: 56 (Ratio=.93)
Cost per BV:    6,142.07 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 4   MRDmg = 1   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can perform Swarm and Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 3   Armor/Structure: 3 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 3    Specials: mec, srs, car5

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/8/8/8    Coverage: Full
                IR: +6,  ECM: +6,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -1
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +3,  Running: +6,  Sprinting: +9
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +4,  DEX: -1,  RFL: -1
                Equipment Rating:  F/D/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor


And if you want a version that jumps.

Code: [Select]

Type/Model:    Black_Knyght* 03
Tech/Era:      Clan / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Medium Battle Armor (751 - 1,000 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor Type:    Basic Stealth

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Black_Knyght* 03
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Medium Class Humanoid with HarJel      0       250
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
               Jump Jets       (3 MP)                 0       150
Armor Type:    9 Points Basic Stealth                 3       270

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   Basic Manipulator                      0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
 Shotgun, Automatic, Solid Shot      RA        24     0         0
SRM 4                                LA         4     3       300
Mission Equipment (20kg Capy)        Body             1         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               9       980
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        20

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     712,824 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 200,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   58 (290 for 5)  Weapon Value: 55 (Ratio=.95)
Cost per BV:    8,841.79 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 4   MRDmg = 1   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can perform Swarm and Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 3J   Armor/Structure: 3 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 3    Specials: mec, car5

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/8/7/7    Coverage: Full
                IR: +6,  ECM: +6,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -1
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: -1,  Running: -2,  Sprinting: -3
                Jump:  90 m/turn
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +4,  DEX: -1,  RFL: -1
                Equipment Rating:  F/D/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor



[Natasha Kerensky]

It's too bad detachable weapon packs (DWPs) don't officially carry more than one weapon.  Then you could shove four of some ballistic BA weapon into one arm-mounted DWP to match the art.

[Cryhavok101]

It's too bad detachable weapon packs (DWPs) don't officially carry more than one weapon.  Then you could shove four of some ballistic BA weapon into one arm-mounted DWP to match the art.

The art even looks like it is something like that to me.

[Maingunnery]

I present the Quadlet. A four barrel HMG, and some mission equipment to represent the front pouch.

Code: [Select]

        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                        * CUSTOM EQUIPMENT

Type/Model:    Quadlet 
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Medium Battle Armor (751 - 1.000 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  32,4 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Quadlet
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Medium Class Humanoid                  0       175
Motive System: Ground Movement (3 MP)                 0        80
Armor Type:    10 Points Standard                     0       500

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   Modular Equipment Adapter              2        10
               Basic Manipulator                      0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy Machine Gun*                   LA        50     1       150
Searchlight                          LA               1         5
Mission Equipment (30kg Capy)        Body             1         0
Extended Life Support                Body             1        25
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               7       970
Slots & Mass Left:                                    3        30

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     440.000 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150.000 C-bills
Battle Value:   33 (132 for 4)  Weapon Value: 14 (Ratio=,42)
Cost per BV:    8.787,88 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can perform Swarm and Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 3   Armor/Structure: 2 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 1    Specials: mec, car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/8/8/7    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -1
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +3,  Running: +6,  Sprinting: +9
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +3,  DEX: -1,  RFL: -1
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor


[Black_Knyght]

So going with worktrolls idea of using an SRM4 instead of guns, I got this.

I like!  O0

WorkTroll's idea was clever, and your design works well within the rules so no one (*cough, cough, RULES LAWYERS, cough*) can gripe about it. And I do like the idea of a detachable quad rack of heavy machine guns being equivalent to a BA SRM-4. Never thought to considered Stealth armor, and the jump jets are a nice addition. 8)

And I am OFFICIALLY way beyond dealing with any more WYSIWYG issues! ;)

[Cryhavok101]

Just be prepared for the rules lawyers to try to use antimissile to counter that "4-barrel heavy machinegun array"

[Sabelkatten]

Just be prepared for the rules lawyers to try to use antimissile to counter that "4-barrel heavy machinegun array"

Since AMS are able to engage them they're obviously firing very slow and massive bullets... ::)

[Cryhavok101]

Since AMS are able to engage them they're obviously firing very slow and massive bullets... ::)

Ah.... the manufacturer should be Nintendo lol.

[Black_Knyght]

Just be prepared for the rules lawyers to try to use antimissile to counter that "4-barrel heavy machinegun array"

Damn! That's a very good point I hadn't considered.

Damn Rules Lawyers........ [madflame]

[Cryhavok101]

Damn! That's a very good point I hadn't considered.

Damn Rules Lawyers........ [madflame]

Of course if they don't use antimissile at all it's a moot point.