Author Topic: Phaeton Assault Quadvee  (Read 3690 times)

marauder648

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Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« on: 21 October 2017, 15:47:59 »
Phaeton Assault Quadvee.

The Phaeton was Clan Hell’s Horses first attempt at an assault weight Quadvee and is generally seen as a success.  Although less well armed than an equivalent weight Mech it has allowed the Horses to add a well-armed ‘anvil’ unit to their ‘Mixed Vehicle’ Nova’s.  It fills a gap as the Horses actually lack for an equivalent tank in the same weight class, with the Tourman being notably top heavy with the inclusion of the Aithon assault transport and the venerable Mars XL.

Built around a 340XL engine the Phaeton can reach a maximum speed of 64kph in Mech or Vehicle mode.  Its four broad tracks give good ground resistance.  Its endo-composite skeleton is draped in 17.5 tons of armour allowing the Phaeton to take a considerable amount of damage.  And its speed allows it to outrun heavier assault tanks and keep up with the slower assault Omni Mech’s in Horse service.
Unlike the smaller Anansi/Euros the Phaeton, named after one of steeds of Ares, the ancient Greek God of war, there was no ‘controversy’ with the Quadvee’s name.  Like the Anansi, the Phaeton also features a dual ejection seat for both driver and gunner but again, the ejection problems that trouble the Anansi are repeated, with ejection being easier for the gunner and more dangerous for the driver in the well shielded cockpit. 
Designed as a general-purpose unit the Phaeton whilst difficult to maintain and due to it being newly deployed, spares are somewhat hard to come by, the Scientists in charge incorporated an Ares A/44 Battle Computer.  This system helps sync the conversion systems as well as assists in coordinating the firing cycles of the Quadvee’s weapon systems.  When fully active the system helps the Quadvee run somewhat cooler by regulating recharge cycles and reactor draw.
 
Like the Anansi the Phaeton makes full use of modular technology to carry a wide range of weapons and electronics.  In Iota Galaxy, the Phaeton is still fairly rare but is often a command unit for a ‘vehicle’ Binary.  This has not stopped them from being massed together for larger engagements although this is rare due to the low number of them in service.

Variants


Prime – The ‘standard’ and thus far most common variant is a hot-running general-purpose design that can engage targets at all ranges.  A gauss rifle, fed by a 2-ton ammo bin forms the Prime’s main armament whilst a quartet of ER Medium lasers and a pair of SRM-6s provide additional firepower as the range drops.  The SRM’s only have 1 ton of ammo between them but they are viewed as a more defensive weapon than offensive and this somewhat limited ammunition supply is not viewed as a negative.  Finally, an ECM suite can help spoof hostile fire control systems and jam enemy C3 systems.  The Prime is a jack of all trades and its flexibility make it popular with its crews.

Code: [Select]
Phaeton Prime
Clan advanced
85 tons 
BV: 2,282
Cost: 22,418,609 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 340 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 138 (Endo-Composite)
Armor: 279/279
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               27       41
Center Torso (rear)                 13
Right Torso                18       27
Right Torso (rear)                   9
Left Torso                 18       27
Left Torso (rear)                    9
Front Right Leg            18       36
Front Left Leg             18       36
Rear Right Leg             18       36
Rear Left Leg              18       36

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
ER Medium Laser                 RT     5
ER Medium Laser                 RT     5
SRM 6                           LT     4
SRM 6                           RT     4
Gauss Rifle                     LT     1

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Gauss Ammo                      LT     8
Gauss Ammo                      CT     8
SRM 6 Ammo                      RT    15

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Tracks                         RLL
Endo-Composite                  CT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Endo-Composite                  RT
ECM Suite                       HD


Alfa – The Phaeton A is built as a support unit, capable of engaging foes with indirect fire as well as in open battle.  A pair of LRM-15’s with Artemis IV guidance form the main armament, with each launcher drawing from its own 2-ton ammo bin.  A large pulse laser buried in the chest is supported at short ranges by a pair of Heavy Medium lasers, giving the A an impressive bite which has surprised several opponents.  A pair of heatsinks were also installed to allow the A to use its weapons although like the Prime, the A runs hot when pushed.  The A has also picked up the nickname of ‘boom-box’ amongst its crew due to the sheer volume of explosive or unstable equipment in the side torsos.  Because of this, crews of the A tend to hang back and rely on their missiles and pulse laser to bring down opponents.

Code: [Select]
Phaeton A
Clan advanced
85 tons 
BV: 2,210
Cost: 23,045,759 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 340 XL
Heat Sinks: 12 [24]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 138 (Endo-Composite)
Armor: 279/279
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               27       41
Center Torso (rear)                 13
Right Torso                18       27
Right Torso (rear)                   9
Left Torso                 18       27
Left Torso (rear)                    9
Front Right Leg            18       36
Front Left Leg             18       36
Rear Right Leg             18       36
Rear Left Leg              18       36

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
LRM 15                          LT     5
LRM 15                          RT     5
Large Pulse Laser               CT    10
Improved Heavy Medium Laser     LT     7
Improved Heavy Medium Laser     RT     7

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo  LT     8
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo  LT     8
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo  RT     8
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo  RT     8

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Tracks                         RLL
Endo-Composite                  RT
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Artemis IV FCS                  LT
Artemis IV FCS                  RT


Bravo – Designed with an eye towards anti-armour and infantry operations the B also provides long range AA protection thanks to its HAG-20 which draws from a 2-ton ammo bin.  The opposite torso is home to a Plasma cannon and its 2-ton ammo bin as well as a pair of Medium pulse lasers.  A pair of flamers allow the Phaeton to destroy infantry forces whilst the Plasma cannon can cripple tanks and cause heat problems for hostile Mechs.  An active probe allows the Phaeton to hunt down targets in rough terrain or built up areas and then it can engage them with its wide range of firepower.  Unfortunately, like the Prime, the B has no extra heatsinks installed and it runs hot when pushed, and this forces the gunner to be quite selective with their weapon choices.

Code: [Select]
Phaeton B
Clan advanced
85 tons 
BV: 2,056
Cost: 22,773,809 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 340 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 138 (Endo-Composite)
Armor: 279/279
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               27       41
Center Torso (rear)                 13
Right Torso                18       27
Right Torso (rear)                   9
Left Torso                 18       27
Left Torso (rear)                    9
Front Right Leg            18       36
Front Left Leg             18       36
Rear Right Leg             18       36
Rear Left Leg              18       36

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
HAG/20                          LT     4
Plasma Cannon                   RT     7
Medium Pulse Laser              RT     4
Medium Pulse Laser              RT     4
Flamer                          LT     3
Flamer                          RT     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
HAG/20 Ammo                     LT     6
HAG/20 Ammo                     LT     6
Plasma Cannon Ammo              RT    10
Plasma Cannon Ammo              RT    10

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Tracks                         RLL
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  CT
Endo-Composite                  CT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Active Probe                    HD


Charlie – Built to operate with minimal support in longer engagements the C is a dedicated sniper.  A pair of ER PPCs and a pair of small pulse lasers comprise the C’s armament, making it little more heavily armed than the 35-ton Adder.  Like the Adder the C is equipped with a targeting computer, which makes it a fearsomely accurate sniper.  And unlike the Adder, the C is fitted with an extra six tons of laser heatsinks which allow the Quadvee to use both PPC’s without any heat troubles.  In service, the C has started to replace the venerable Athena Combat vehicle as a long-range support direct fire unit.  And although less well armed at shorter ranges, its considerably faster and much better protected, and does not have to worry about ammunition.  Finally, the flexibility of the Quadvee allows it to cross terrain that an Athena crew could only dream about traversing. 

Code: [Select]
Phaeton C
Clan advanced
85 tons 
BV: 2,390
Cost: 21,416,834 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 340 XL
Heat Sinks: 16 [32]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 138 (Endo-Composite)
Armor: 279/279
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               27       41
Center Torso (rear)                 13
Right Torso                18       27
Right Torso (rear)                   9
Left Torso                 18       27
Left Torso (rear)                    9
Front Right Leg            18       36
Front Left Leg             18       36
Rear Right Leg             18       36
Rear Left Leg              18       36

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
ER PPC                          LT    15
ER PPC                          RT    15
Small Pulse Laser               LT     2
Small Pulse Laser               RT     2

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Tracks                         RLL
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Targeting Computer              RT


Delta – Designed as a ‘brawler’ the D is built to bring heavy firepower to bare against opponents at medium to short range.  An Improved heavy large laser and Ultra AC-10 give it the firepower to quickly bring down hostile Mechs, whilst a pair of ER Medium lasers can also be employed, all be it at a significant heat burden.  Finally, the D has a micro-pulse laser for limited anti-infantry defences.  An ECM and AMS are installed to buy time for the D to get into range to bring its heavy firepower to bare.  Two extra laser heatsinks barely help with the heat of the D’s weapons though and even with the Battle computer operating at full capacity the D runs very hot.

Code: [Select]
Phaeton D
Clan advanced
85 tons 
BV: 2,103
Cost: 22,777,972 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 340 XL
Heat Sinks: 12 [24]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 138 (Endo-Composite)
Armor: 279/279
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               27       41
Center Torso (rear)                 13
Right Torso                18       27
Right Torso (rear)                   9
Left Torso                 18       27
Left Torso (rear)                    9
Front Right Leg            18       36
Front Left Leg             18       36
Rear Right Leg             18       36
Rear Left Leg              18       36

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
AMS                             HD     1
Micro Pulse Laser               LT     1
Improved Heavy Large Laser      LT    18
Ultra AC/10                     RT     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
AMS Ammo                        CT    24
Ultra AC/10 Ammo                RT    10
Ultra AC/10 Ammo                RT    10

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Tracks                         RLL
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Endo-Composite                  RT
ECM Suite                       CT



Echo – Whilst the ATM would seem like a good match for a Quadvee, the weight of the launcher and the required tonnage of ammo cut into the limited space and weight available on a Quadvee chassis, and this limits its utility. 
Armed with a pair of ATM-9’s each drawing from a 2-ton ammo bin, the Phaeton E can make full use of the flexible warheads of the ATM, but this also entails careful ammunition selection prior to deploying.  Alongside the ATMs, an ER large laser gives the E a potent long-range bite, and to defend itself at short range, a quartet of ER small lasers can cause a surprising amount of damage and act as a deterrent to hostile Battle Armour forces.  Three extra heatsinks allow the E to use its laser and ATMs without any heat concerns whilst retaining full mobility.  Despite its somewhat limited battlefield endurance the E is quite popular and is one of the more commonly seen variants.

Code: [Select]
Phaeton E
Clan advanced
85 tons 
BV: 2,059
Cost: 22,307,609 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 340 XL
Heat Sinks: 13 [26]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 138 (Endo-Composite)
Armor: 279/279
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               27       41
Center Torso (rear)                 13
Right Torso                18       27
Right Torso (rear)                   9
Left Torso                 18       27
Left Torso (rear)                    9
Front Right Leg            18       36
Front Left Leg             18       36
Rear Right Leg             18       36
Rear Left Leg              18       36

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
ATM 9                           LT     6
ATM 9                           RT     6
ER Large Laser                  CT    12
ER Small Laser                  LT     2
ER Small Laser                  LT     2
ER Small Laser                  RT     2
ER Small Laser                  RT     2

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
ATM 9 Ammo                      LT     7
ATM 9 Ammo                      LT     7
ATM 9 Ammo                      RT     7
ATM 9 Ammo                      RT     7

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Tracks                         RLL
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  LT
Endo-Composite                  RT
Endo-Composite                  RT

Deployment

Only just entering service the Phaeton often acts as a command ‘vehicle’ for a Nova or Binary, but it’s also been used as a general assault unit thanks to its toughness and firepower.  One Phaeton, the personal ride of Star Colonel Zarak Hawker and the Star Colonel is viewed as being somewhat eccentric due to his open channel broadcasts during battle which are a mixture of barked orders and high-handed taunts to his opponents from the gunnery seat of his green and purple Phaeton.  The Star Colonel is a proponent of Quadvee’s despite not being a TankWarrior himself and his Cluster makes extensive use of the ‘tanks’ in Trials against Clan and Spheroid opponents alike.







Art by the AMAZING Matt Plog - https://mattplog.deviantart.com/
Fluff and variants by me with input from Dragon Cat. 

Thoughts and comments are most welcome!
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jimdigris

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #1 on: 21 October 2017, 16:45:08 »
An awesome beast!  It looks more like it belongs in the Scorpion touman, though.

Wrangler

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #2 on: 21 October 2017, 21:11:56 »
Wow, what amazing image and machine!
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marauder648

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #3 on: 22 October 2017, 00:10:47 »
An awesome beast!  It looks more like it belongs in the Scorpion touman, though.

When I was chatting with Plog about these vehicles I did specify the split cockpit layout, perfering that over the assault helo's double decker like cockpits which raised the quadvee's profile and kind of limited what they could look like.  With the cockpits being split it lowers and lengthens the profile somewhat and gives you more options on what it can look like.  And we did discuss stylizing them a bit, and we both agreed to stay away from anything Ballius shaped :p Which is why they are basically a spider and scorpion as you noticed (and if any noticed a lil nod in the fluff :p).
 
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jimdigris

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #4 on: 22 October 2017, 08:52:18 »
I actually like the idea of an equine quadvee.

marauder648

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #5 on: 22 October 2017, 09:11:31 »
I actually like the idea of an equine quadvee.



:D had to :)

Was the fluff alright, and the variants etc? 
« Last Edit: 22 October 2017, 09:13:06 by marauder648 »
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packhntr

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #6 on: 05 January 2018, 14:51:11 »
Hmmmm...Looking over this beast (which is AWESOME)....kinda wondering about something.  The pilot cockpit is down in front (Correct?) and the gunners cockpit is mounted in the turret?  If so, how would you account for that in game terms?  I mean, the weight and space of the gunners cockpit needs to be added into the turret mounted items somehow.  It really cannot be just thrown into the general weight of the head cockpit.  I am not really sure how it can be done?
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marauder648

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #7 on: 05 January 2018, 15:52:02 »
I'm glad you like the look of the big beasty :) Did you like the fluff etc?
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packhntr

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #8 on: 05 January 2018, 16:05:38 »
I do! 
If at first you don't succeed, make it worth the repairman's time!

Leozack

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #9 on: 05 January 2018, 18:08:14 »
Oh, now that is rather nice! It is a really impressive looking beast, and has some nice configs.

I do like the noteable pilot too... Star Colonel Zarak.... Clearly hailing from some Nebulos location :-)

Karl
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marauder648

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Re: Phaeton Assault Quadvee
« Reply #10 on: 05 January 2018, 23:32:31 »
:D :D Someone spotted the geeky nod :D
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