Author Topic: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker  (Read 58784 times)

Orin J.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #120 on: 10 May 2013, 10:40:06 »
.......Secret torso?
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A. Lurker

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #121 on: 10 May 2013, 10:42:06 »
The ST?

Side torso, probably.

And yeah, that works...as long as one doesn't mind that a side torso thus stuffed to the gills won't have room for CASE anymore. Failing that, though, it will take some more juggling to really fit everything in.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #122 on: 10 May 2013, 11:23:08 »
I guess it could be scrotum, which in the stalker's case would be the side torsos. :)
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HazMeat

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #123 on: 12 May 2013, 10:18:47 »
Curse you all, I've been trying to unsee that for years.  My first impression was chibi zeppelin or Goodyear Blimp, but now I mostly see a giant bomb.  Some one needs to put a mannequin up on top of a Stalker, stradling it like Doctor Strangelove. 

I kinda like the general idea of combining SRM and/or Medium Lasers with LRMs in classic bracket-firing manner, but including some sort of PPC (with minimum range) in both brackets' heat budget since it slots so neatly in between their optimal ranges.  I think the Stalker is ideal for that purpose, and a renaissance upgrade might be able to fit a pair of PPC that way... 

Edit: example 'mech posted in "fan designs" section
« Last Edit: 12 May 2013, 11:33:37 by HazMeat »
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #124 on: 05 May 2014, 06:22:47 »
Any chance of getting an addition covering the Stalker II?

Martius

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #125 on: 05 May 2014, 07:23:40 »

Sjhernan3060

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #126 on: 16 October 2017, 10:03:19 »
O0

Love the old girl, my only wish for it is a MWO style mini.

I will be using the Stalker II mini ( which I really like) for my Blood Spirits Stalker ( C )

I try to stock my Spirits with FUGLY units that are tough as nails. I think the Stalker fits the bill!

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #127 on: 26 October 2017, 03:09:15 »
Although not specifically called out in the fluff, I think the old girl is probably the most common Assault 'Mech (if the term common can be applied to Assault-weight BattleMechs, that is) in both the Inner Sphere and Periphery.  It appears on every House's table and is found in Periphery and Mercenary units as well.  In sheer numbers, it is likely one of the most-produced Assaults in history; and as such has a LOT of variants.  Let me know if I miss any.   O0

Well, since this discussion has been resurrected, I'm pretty sure that the original TRO 3025 did call the Stalker the most common Assault Mech in the Inner Sphere.  I know that the CCG did.
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Minemech

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #128 on: 26 October 2017, 13:17:28 »
deleted
« Last Edit: 26 October 2017, 13:22:37 by Minemech »

Giovanni Blasini

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #129 on: 26 October 2017, 21:20:18 »
Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #130 on: 26 October 2017, 21:51:52 »
On the STK-5M, I think the logic (such as it is) on the Narc is about the same as the ON1-M: Remember, this is the FWL.  LRMs are one of their things. Plus Narc is something they can slot into even un-upgraded 'Mechs if a spotter is handy.  They build and have a large stock of Archers, Longbows, Crusaders, and Trebuchets.  They also have a certain number of Scimitars and  LRM Harassers, plus lots of SRM Harassers.  Later on, semi-guided LRMs would fill this niche and the FWLM de-emphasized Narc.  Since both 'Mechs are typically assigned to units closely attached to LRM fire lances, there's a certain degree of logic in giving your heavy and assault lances organic Narc support to enhance fire once they get tangled up in the swirl of close battle.

They were also some of the first units to mount Narc out of game, and some of the first in centuries in game.  The FWLM was still feeling its way into proper spotter doctrine with new hardware at that point.

Well, since this discussion has been resurrected, I'm pretty sure that the original TRO 3025 did call the Stalker the most common Assault Mech in the Inner Sphere.  I know that the CCG did.

I think you're right about TRO3025.

Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?

That sounds rather wacky.  I'm curious how it works out for you.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #131 on: 26 October 2017, 22:12:11 »
Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?
I just did it. With only 11 heat sinks, 3- Jumpjets can be fitted with partial Wings on STK-3F.
It over heats like crazy but it works. 

With 10 Double Heatsinks, reducing armor to 11.5. Dropping 1 SRM launcher, 1 ton of ammo.  You can get 6 jump with 5 Improve Jumpjets, but the armor is kinda weak for assault.  That's just using a baseline 3F.

Though i can imagine it be kinda crazy looking.  I keep thinking this could be a LAM if weren't illegal be that's heavy.  ;D
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #132 on: 26 October 2017, 23:38:41 »
It's not terribly effective, but Stalkers can fly, if only for short distances when applying a liberal amount of new tech firepower can be sufficiently applied at shorter ranges.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #133 on: 27 October 2017, 02:09:05 »
"When Stalkers fly" is much better compared to "When Pigs fly"


Sjhernan3060

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #134 on: 27 October 2017, 06:05:23 »
Are there any command versions that folks have made? And how does work in game terms?

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #135 on: 27 October 2017, 08:53:38 »
Requests for fan designs go in the Fan Designs forum, please.

That being said, the game rules for true command units tend to result in them providing initiative bonuses, so gear and quirks that do that are what you should look for.
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MarauderD

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #136 on: 27 October 2017, 10:30:39 »
I've never really gotten behind the Stalker as a model. In a world where bipedal mechs are supposed to be the ulitmate fighting machines.....I can't get around having absolutely no arms. The first time this thing gets knocked down, it isn't getting back up. Ever.

There are other mechs that fall in this category for me. The Yeoman. Possibly the Longbow. If I can't explain, with a straight face and no giggling, how a mech would stand back up after a knock down, I just don't use it.

Vestigal arms, fine. Battle fists, or gunbarrel arms, sure. No arms at all? Can't do it.

(I know I'm probably going to get lightly singed on this one, so have at it)

*Edited for grammar and spelling!

Tai Dai Cultist

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #137 on: 27 October 2017, 10:45:08 »
Though i can imagine it be kinda crazy looking.  I keep thinking this could be a LAM if weren't illegal be that's heavy.  ;D

The "Illegal" quirk allows for even Stalker LAMs!

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #138 on: 27 October 2017, 12:08:02 »
It's not terribly effective, but Stalkers can fly, if only for short distances when applying a liberal amount of new tech firepower can be sufficiently applied at shorter ranges.

I'm reminded of a certain line from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade >:D
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #139 on: 20 May 2023, 23:52:26 »
Well, necroing this thread to talk about the STK-9F, the variant introduced in Rec Guide 24.

And it's a mean one.

Like the Stalker II before it, it uses Hardened Armor to give itself a major boost in durability.

And it's better than the Stalker II in pretty much every other possible way.

Instead of the II's anemic firepower of 2 Extended LRM 10s and 8 medium lasers, the 9F packs the standard array of the classic 3F, but better.  The LRM and SRM pods are both Clantech now, as are the large lasers, which are now Clantech for boosted range and damage.  Only the quartet of medium lasers remain the same as the original, but they and the large pulses are now tied to a targeting computer for boosted accuracy.  A Clan Light Active Probe rounds out the equipment.  The low speed makes using the probe tricky, but its armor and firepower does make it good for getting close for dealing with would-be ambushers.

Aside from the speed issue of Hardened armor, the biggest weakness this mech has is heat.  A mere 13 DHS cool it, and 26 heat dissipation is not remotely sufficient for that weapon array.
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #140 on: 21 May 2023, 07:47:59 »
Aside from the speed issue of Hardened armor, the biggest weakness this mech has is heat.  A mere 13 DHS cool it, and 26 heat dissipation is not remotely sufficient for that weapon array.

Add in its quirk of a Combat Computer, and the heat is a bit better, especially if you bracket fire. Both LPL and LRM racks at a run would be heat neutral, or both SRM racks, all medium lasers and one LPL only generates Movement heat with that quirk and 13 DHS’s. No missiles and all lasers would be movement heat+2. Not too shabby.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #141 on: 21 May 2023, 10:32:54 »
True, I did forget the quirks since my group never plays with them.

Alpha striking is still going to be toasty.
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Ruger

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #142 on: 21 May 2023, 12:12:22 »
True, I did forget the quirks since my group never plays with them.

Alpha striking is still going to be toasty.

One really should not be alpha-striking with a Stalker, but the option is there if needed.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #143 on: 21 May 2023, 17:21:40 »
 The Stalker is a bracketing beast. What makes her truly scary is that she keeps moving while maintaining some of those brackets.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #144 on: 21 May 2023, 21:24:41 »
I've never really gotten behind the Stalker as a model. In a world where bipedal mechs are supposed to be the ulitmate fighting machines.....I can't get around having absolutely no arms. The first time this thing gets knocked down, it isn't getting back up. Ever.

There are other mechs that fall in this category for me. The Yeoman. Possibly the Longbow. If I can't explain, with a straight face and no giggling, how a mech would stand back up after a knock down, I just don't use it.

Vestigal arms, fine. Battle fists, or gunbarrel arms, sure. No arms at all? Can't do it.

(I know I'm probably going to get lightly singed on this one, so have at it)

*Edited for grammar and spelling!

I have the same issue if I think too hard about total realism. I imagine Stalker pilots digging a huge trench with the “nose” of the mech as it tries to stand back up. Similar with a Warhammer trying to use its PPC barrels to push itself up…I always think of them standing up with several feet of earth packed in the barrels. So I agree with your thoughts, and just try to not put as much thought into it.

Different note: the hardened armor 9F, does the RecGuide mention who uses that?

Other Different Note: regarding the bracket fire and NARC, I e always pictured the Stalker as a mech best used always moving forward. It walks and attacks long range with LRMs, gets closer and adds the larges, closer still drops the lrms and adds in the mediums and then closes with the mediums and srms. The NARC addition made sense to me in that, as it closes, it starts using the NARC to tag units for the LRM boats coming in the second wave.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #145 on: 21 May 2023, 21:26:01 »
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.  Shouldn't be hard to fit 20 tubes, matching the 3F's throw weight of LRMs and increasing the SRMs by 66%.
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #146 on: 21 May 2023, 22:22:46 »
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.  Shouldn't be hard to fit 20 tubes, matching the 3F's throw weight of LRMs and increasing the SRMs by 66%.
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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #147 on: 21 May 2023, 22:25:50 »
Different note: the hardened armor 9F, does the RecGuide mention who uses that?

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #148 on: 21 May 2023, 22:58:18 »
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.  Shouldn't be hard to fit 20 tubes, matching the 3F's throw weight of LRMs and increasing the SRMs by 66%.

That’d be a pretty vicious build. I always forget about MMLs. At first, i misread it as MRMs.

Free Worlds League and Sea Foxes- it's built as a joint venture between Irian and the Skate Khanate.

Thanks. I was hoping it was a Kurita variant to go with their other hardened armor Mechs. Stills seems like a great build.

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Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
« Reply #149 on: 22 May 2023, 20:00:48 »
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.

Nah, you want to see an ATM Stalker.
« Last Edit: 22 May 2023, 20:03:22 by Natasha Kerensky »
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