Author Topic: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants  (Read 4255 times)

Liam's Ghost

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7856
  • Miss Chitty finds your honor rules quaint.
Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« on: 15 April 2017, 20:23:23 »
Inspired by the Scorpion Vehicle of The Week article, here's a couple of variants to the venerable Scorpion Light Tank. Feel free to add your own.

First, a Light PPC variant I imagine popping up among rear echelon forces who can't afford better hardware but like the idea of cutting their operations budget just a little. Vehicle Crews are mostly bewildered by the improved survivability. You don't get bounced to a Scorpion to survive the experience!


Scorpion Light Tank (LPPC)
IS TW non-box set
25 tons 
BV: 359
Cost: 387,083 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 80
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       20
Right                       3       14
Left                        3       14
Rear                        3       13
Turret                      3       19

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     TU     0
Light PPC                       TU     5

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100


Second, a Jade Falcon model. The Falcons already use the basic Scorpion, and I'm sure they don't do so because it's a great weapon platform, so the upgrade is less about improving it and more about plugging into the existing clan based infrastructure. A chemical laser would have been too obvious, so I went with something that could still accept flak and flechette rounds.


Scorpion Light Tank (CJF)
 Mixed (Base Clan)
25 tons 
BV: 340
Cost: 415,458 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 72
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       18
Right                       3       13
Left                        3       13
Rear                        3       11
Turret                      3       17

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
AP Gauss Rifle                  TU     1
ProtoMech AC/2                  TU     1
ProtoMech AC/2                  TU     1

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
AP Gauss Rifle Ammo             BD    40
ProtoMech AC/2 Ammo             BD    40
Good news is the lab boys say the symptoms of asbestos poisoning show an immediate latency of 44.6 years. So if you're thirty or over you're laughing. Worst case scenario you miss out on a few rounds of canasta, plus you've forwarded the cause of science by three centuries. I punch those numbers into my calculator, it makes a happy face.

(indirect accessory to the) Slayer of Monitors!

Empyrus

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 9102
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #1 on: 15 April 2017, 20:45:02 »
/\ /\
I really like the Light PPC variant. It loses some flexibility of ACs but the logistics simplification may be worth it. And the extra armor is very welcome.



Because the Scorpion is such a cheap unit, there's little point in putting in effort to make it good. But lazy modifications are OK.

So, i made a simple refit: I swapped the AC/5 with twin Thunderbolt 5s and three tons of ammo.
Firepower is doubled and more importantly, the indirect capability allows the vehicle to fire from cover and not risk its thin hide.

Somewhat ironically, for such low-effort thing, it is actually pretty good.

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (T-bolt)

Mass: 25 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Dark Ages
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 3125
Cost: 289 583 C-Bills
Battle Value: 388

Power Plant: SitiCide 100 I.C.E.
Cruise Speed: 43,2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64,8 km/h
Armor: ProtecTech Light Standard Armor
Armament:
    2  Thunderbolt-5s
    1 20mm Gatling Gun Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Quikscell Company, Joint Equipment Systems, Benson and Bjorn, Hellespont Industries
    Primary Factory: Pandora, Layover, Kalidasa, Ares (Quikscell), Alshain (JES), Spittal (Benson and Bjorn), Sian (Hellespont)
Communications System: Basix 200
Targeting and Tracking System: OptiSight-12

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      15 points                2,50
Engine:             I.C.E. Engine                100                       6,00
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             0                         0,00
Control Equipment:                                                         1,50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0,00
Turret:                                                                    1,00
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV -  64                  4,00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     16       
                                          Left/Right   11/11       
                                              Turret     16       
                                                Rear     10       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machine Gun                                  T         0         1         0,50
2 Thunderbolt-5s                             T         6         2         6,00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              BD        -         0         0,50
@Thunderbolt-5 (36)                          BD        -         0         3,00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 4
4t         1       1       1       0      1     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/1, IF 1/1/1), IF 1


EDIT As i think of this, this is actually hilariously good for its price. Just park behind a hill and keep firing missiles indirectly. If the enemy comes looking for you, they are not attacking your more important forces. And if they ignore the T-bolt Scorps, the hits will add up eventually.

Also, hilariously the name becomes very apt. The Scorpion was a Roman weapon that was pretty good for its time (basically giant crossbow), my Scorpion variant is rather similar...

I don't, as a general rule, regard T-bolts as good weapons but as replacements for AC/5s and the like, they're wonderful.
« Last Edit: 15 April 2017, 20:55:28 by Empyrus »

Sartris

  • Codex Conditor
  • BattleTech Volunteer
  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 19826
  • Kid in the puddle eating mud of CGL contributors
    • Master Unit List
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #2 on: 15 April 2017, 21:31:30 »
Simple upgrade to keep the raider's aerospace away.

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (LB-X)
IS TW non-box set
25 tons 
BV: 321
Cost: 496,458 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 64
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       16
Right                       3       11
Left                        3       11
Rear                        3       10
Turret                      3       16

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
LB 5-X AC                       TU     1
Machine Gun                     FR     0

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
LB 5-X Cluster Ammo             BD    20
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100

An MML utility tank
Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (LB-X)
IS advanced
25 tons 
BV: 357
Cost: 528,333 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 71 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       18
Right                       3       14
Left                        3       14
Rear                        3       11
Turret                      3       14

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     FR     0
MML 5                           TU     3
MML 5                           TU     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100
MML 5 SRM Ammo                  BD    20
MML 5 LRM Thunder Ammo          BD    24
MML 5 SRM Inferno Ammo          BD    20

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your bt experience. Now what? | Modern Sourcebook Index | FASA Sourcebook Index | Print on Demand Index
Equipment Reference Cards | DIY Pilot Cards | PaperTech Mech and Vehicle Counters

Quote
Interviewer: Since you’ve stopped making art, how do you spend your time?
Paul Chan Breathers: Oh, I’m a breather. I’m a respirateur. Isn’t that enough?

Feign

  • Warrant Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 697
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #3 on: 17 April 2017, 22:38:13 »
Urban scout hunter.  Area Effect damage can really stack up. ;D

Scorpion Light Tank (AE)

Mass: 25 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 452,083 C-Bills
Battle Value: 249

Power Plant: SitiCide 100 I.C.E.
Cruise Speed: 43.2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Armor: ProtecTech Light Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    1  Thumper Art. Cannon
Manufacturer: Quikscell Company, Joint Equipment Systems, Benson and Bjorn, Hellespont Industries
    Primary Factory: Pandora, Layover, Kalidasa, Ares (Quikscell), Alshain (JES), Spittal (Benson and Bjorn), Sian (Hellespont)
Communications System: Basix 200
Targeting and Tracking System: OptiSight-12


Overview:
The Arloff Eigen redesign of the Scorpion Light Tank is an intriguing redesign
of the oft maligned Scorpion, incorporating new lighter armor, a very cleverly
reworked targeting system and upgraded larger bore cannon that can fire
standard sized Thumper shells, though at much shorter distances than the full
sized artillery piece.


Capabilities:
The Arloff redesign has the suffix (AE) is often mis-read as meaning "Area of
Effect" with good reason.  The Thumper munitions fired from the larger bore
cannon have a 30 meter detonation range, allowing the tank to fully damage a
target with near misses, and free up targeting software for calculating
indirect fire when needed.  To make room for the cannon, the anti-personnel
machine gun of the original Scorpion was removed, though many commanders have
found the tank's main gun to be disturbingly effective against infantry anyway.


Deployment:
Introduced in 3070, the Scorpion (AE) is regarded by many to be a product much
too late to be relevant.  Some planitary garrisons have spent the extra c-bills
for the odd upgrade and found them enormously useful when employed in company
or greater numbers.  Or when supplimenting infantry that can easily spot for
their indirect fire.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      15 points                2.50
Engine:             I.C.E. Engine                100                       6.00
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             0                         0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         1.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    1.00
Armor:              Heavy Ferro-Fibrous          AV -  59                  3.00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     16       
                                          Left/Right   11/11       
                                              Turret     12       
                                                Rear     9         

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thumper Art. Cannon                          T         5         1        10.00
@Thumper Cannon (20)                         BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 2
4t         1       1       0       0      1     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: ARTTC, EE, TUR(1/1/0)
All that is born dies,
All that is planned fails,
All that is built crumbles,
But memories continue on,
And that is beautiful.

Sartris

  • Codex Conditor
  • BattleTech Volunteer
  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 19826
  • Kid in the puddle eating mud of CGL contributors
    • Master Unit List
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #4 on: 18 April 2017, 18:29:04 »
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (Chem)
 Mixed (Base IS)
25 tons 
BV: 490
Cost: 539,896 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 Fuel Cell

Internal: 15
Armor: 76 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       19
Right                       3       15
Left                        3       15
Rear                        3       12
Turret                      3       15

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Large Chem Laser (Clan)         TU     6
Large Chem Laser (Clan)         TU     6
Light Machine Gun (Clan)        FR     0
Light Machine Gun (Clan)        FR     0

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Large Chemical Laser Ammo       BD    10
Half Light Machine Gun Ammo     BD   100

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your bt experience. Now what? | Modern Sourcebook Index | FASA Sourcebook Index | Print on Demand Index
Equipment Reference Cards | DIY Pilot Cards | PaperTech Mech and Vehicle Counters

Quote
Interviewer: Since you’ve stopped making art, how do you spend your time?
Paul Chan Breathers: Oh, I’m a breather. I’m a respirateur. Isn’t that enough?

Red Pins

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3970
  • Inspiration+Creativity=Insanity
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #5 on: 18 April 2017, 19:42:48 »
Actually - I really like the concept of the (AE) variant.  Have you seen the high-tech version of the UrbanMech with a Sniper?  Kind of reminds me of this.
...Visit the Legacy Cluster...
The New Clans:Volume One
Clan Devil Wasp * Clan Carnoraptor * Clan Frost Ape * Clan Surf Dragon * Clan Tundra Leopard
Work-in-progress; The Blake Threat File
Now with MORE GROGNARD!  ...I think I'm done.  I've played long enough to earn a pension, fer cryin' out loud!  IlClan and out in <REDACTED>!
TRO: 3176 Hegemony Refits - the 30-day wonder

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37046
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #6 on: 18 April 2017, 20:05:08 »
Sartris' fuel cell version is interesting... If you replace the ICE on the AE with a fuel cell, you can put a real amount (6 tons per SAW) of normal armor on it, and maybe save a few C-bills in the process...

Liam's Ghost

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7856
  • Miss Chitty finds your honor rules quaint.
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #7 on: 18 April 2017, 20:06:24 »
I consider it absolutely necessary to throw up a Scorpion Variant that completely misses the point of being a Scorpion.


Scorpion-MTP Light Tank
 Mixed (Base IS)
25 tons 
BV: 646
Cost: 4,992,292 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 XXL

Internal: 15
Armor: 77 (Ferro-Lamellor)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       20
Right                       3       15
Left                        3       15
Rear                        3       12
Turret                      3       15

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Improved Heavy Large Laser (Clan)  TU    18
AP Gauss Rifle (Clan)           TU     1

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
AP Gauss Rifle Ammo             BD    40

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
CASE (Clan)                     BD
Good news is the lab boys say the symptoms of asbestos poisoning show an immediate latency of 44.6 years. So if you're thirty or over you're laughing. Worst case scenario you miss out on a few rounds of canasta, plus you've forwarded the cause of science by three centuries. I punch those numbers into my calculator, it makes a happy face.

(indirect accessory to the) Slayer of Monitors!

Sartris

  • Codex Conditor
  • BattleTech Volunteer
  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 19826
  • Kid in the puddle eating mud of CGL contributors
    • Master Unit List
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #8 on: 18 April 2017, 21:21:53 »
i love the idea of a scorpion that costs the same as fifteen scorpions

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your bt experience. Now what? | Modern Sourcebook Index | FASA Sourcebook Index | Print on Demand Index
Equipment Reference Cards | DIY Pilot Cards | PaperTech Mech and Vehicle Counters

Quote
Interviewer: Since you’ve stopped making art, how do you spend your time?
Paul Chan Breathers: Oh, I’m a breather. I’m a respirateur. Isn’t that enough?

Giovanni Blasini

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7101
  • And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #9 on: 19 April 2017, 02:13:10 »
Not quite as expensive, but still a bit more fancy than the stock Scorpion, but also under 600 thousand C-Bills.

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (PPC)
IS Introductory Box Set
25 tons 
BV: 437
Cost: 580,208 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100

Internal: 15
Armor: 72
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       20
Right                       3       12
Left                        3       12
Rear                        3       10
Turret                      3       18

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
PPC                             TU    10
Flamer                          TU     3
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes / When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
-- Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

Giovanni Blasini

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7101
  • And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #10 on: 19 April 2017, 02:32:18 »
And if the standard Scorpion doesn't scream crapcan enough, here's one that swaps the AC/5 for a heavy rifle:

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (Heavy Rifle)
IS experimental
25 tons 
BV: 332
Cost: 278,958 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 64
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       16
Right                       3       11
Left                        3       11
Rear                        3       10
Turret                      3       16

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     TU     0
Heavy Rifle                     TU     4

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100
Heavy Rifle Ammo                BD     6

Six shots in and you're down to a machine gun!

Find a warehouse full of Rheinmetal 120mm smoothbore cannons left over from the 21st Century?  Throw 'em on a Scorpion!

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank (Medium Rifle)
IS experimental
25 tons 
BV: 333
Cost: 299,896 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 64
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       16
Right                       3       11
Left                        3       11
Rear                        3       10
Turret                      3       16

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     TU     0
Medium Rifle                    TU     2
Machine Gun                     TU     0
Machine Gun                     FR     0
Vehicular Grenade Launcher      FR     1
Vehicular Grenade Launcher      TU     1

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100
Medium Rifle Ammo               BD     9
Medium Rifle Ammo               BD     9
VGL Fragmentation Grenade      None     1
VGL Smoke Grenade              None     1
VGL Smoke Grenade              None     1
VGL Fragmentation Grenade      None     1
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes / When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
-- Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

Feign

  • Warrant Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 697
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #11 on: 22 April 2017, 16:19:46 »
If you replace the ICE on the AE with a fuel cell, you can put a real amount (6 tons per SAW) of normal armor on it, and maybe save a few C-bills in the process...
Heavy ferro really isn't all that expensive.  The Fuel Cell version ended up costing about 100k more.

But to go for as cheap a Scorpion as possible, I decided to go for the cheapest possible main weapon that might still do 5 points of damage occasionally.  The MRM10.

I put almost all the tonnage saved by switching over to the MRM into the engine, increasing the tank's speed by 50%.  The leftover half-ton went into more armor.  Even with the huge engine upgrade, it's still cheaper than a standard Scorpion tank by 64,000 cbills.  A real bargain! 8)
Scorpion Light Tank (MRM)
IS TW non-box set
25 tons 
BV: 358
Cost: 263,125 C-bills

Movement: 6/9 (Tracked)
Engine: 150 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 72
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       18
Right                       3       13
Left                        3       13
Rear                        3       11
Turret                      3       17

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     TU     0
MRM 10                          TU     4

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100
MRM 10 Ammo                     BD    24
All that is born dies,
All that is planned fails,
All that is built crumbles,
But memories continue on,
And that is beautiful.

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37046
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #12 on: 22 April 2017, 20:15:47 »
Heavy Ferro isn't that much more expensive when you're building a machine, but when you're operating it, you're buying that armor over and over again.

Cipher

  • Recruit
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #13 on: 18 May 2017, 05:56:17 »
Code: [Select]


Scorpion Light Tank Model 292 IFV
IS Introductory Box Set
25 tons 
BV: 375
Cost: 364,583 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 88
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       23
Right                       3       16
Left                        3       16
Rear                        3       10
Turret                      3       23

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     TU     0
SRM 4                           TU     3
SRM 4                           TU     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100
SRM 4 Ammo                      BD    25



Carrying Capacity:
Troops - 3.0 tons



----------------------------------------------------------------------

During the Succession Wars and the continuing loss of resources and technology, many factories producing more sophisticated and capable combat transports were either converted to produce frontline vehicles, or simply broke down due to lack of spare parts.

Additionally, as Third Succession War continued, the increasingly desperate Capellan Confederation was keen on acquiring combat capable machines of any type, hoping to bolster the conventional forces facing aggressive AFFS and FWLM attacks. Finding existing common APC designs lacking in both firepower and protection, Capellan Confederation Armed Forces issued a tender for a infantry transport that could fight and support the dismounted troops rather than simply ferrying them to battle, allowing armored units to fight battlemechs and other tanks instead.

The CCAF Emergency Combat Transport Requirement of 2941 mandated minimum frontal and side protection exceeding or matching a single ton of armor, armament capable of potentially damaging equal amount and finally, capacity to at least carry a single platoon of foot infantry or more. Minimum speed of 60-64 kilometers was mandated, as any vehicle slower than that would fall behind most tanks. Vehicles with low logistics footprint would be preferred.

Enter Quickscell, arguably the most prolific weapons manufacturer in the Inner Sphere.

Always willing to go for the easy, quick C-bill, Quickscell sales department sent the details of the tender to the engineering team. Reflecting their company and its policies (Minimally Working Product), the underpaid (intern) engineering team ran numbers between desperate sessions of trying to figure out new ways to cut corners, and then slapped together the easiest solution they could manage with the barest of effort and care.

The end result was the Scorpion IFV, Model 292.

On paper, it met all requirements. It had the armor, firepower and the speed required. Due to using the Scorpion chassis, spare parts would be plentiful, thus minimal logistical requirements. The tracked chassis would allow the transport to traverse over broken terrain, and the light weight meant that effectively all bridges could support it.

First test batch sent to CCAF did not break down. Nor did they catch fire. Or explode. Even if the troop compartment was cramped, uncomfortable and smelt faintly of fuel, all systems functioned, as much as any Quickscell product functioned.  Needless to say, the officers in charge of inspections were shocked but yet ever so cautiously pleased. Noting the smell, they asked Quickscell as to the cause of the stink. Claiming that it was due to the old fuel tank smelling after removal, Quickscell representatives assured the Colonel in charge of procurement that there was no cause for worry, as the residual odor would vanish in a month or two. As technicians could not find anything wrong, the vehicles were sent to a second line unit for field tests.

Tragically, when tested at the front, an entire battalion of infantry was lost inside half an hour as even stray support laser fire to the rear or side could cause the poorly sealed fuel tanks to heat and then burst into flames. Right next to the infantry inside. To say that Chancellor was livid when he eventually heard of this would be an understatement. It is not known what Tarlak Liao told the local branch management of the corporation, but Quickscell would imburse for the lost vehicles, men, and proceed to supply first batch of hundred vehicles at twenty percent discount.

After the unfortunate combustion issue was fixed by adding the missing internal heat reflection panels and properly applying sealant to the fuel tanks, the Scorpion IFV would prove functional, if unimpressive in its role. Poor reputation and rumours of fires would lead to the vehicle being distrusted by those assigned to it, not helped by the overall build quality of the machines.

The Model 292, using the internal company designation system, mounts two SRM-4 launchers fed by a single tonne of ammo, giving the vehicle a solid close ranged punch if little staying power. The machine gun of the base model is retained with half a tonne of ammunition, and five point five tonnes of armor provides a decent protection, exceeding that of the base model.

Model 293 replaces the dual SRM launcher with a single LRM-5 and an SRM-2, both fed by a single tonne of ammo, improving the long range firepower at the expense of short range support. Otherwise, it is identical to the 292.

Model 294 is perhaps the most similar to the standard model, when comparing the IFVs to the light tanks. Mounting pair of LRM-5 launchers fed by a single tonne of ammo, the Model 294 has limited combat endurance but can on occasion exceed the damage capacity of the parent chassis. Otherwise, unchanged from 292.

The Model 295 mounts an LRM-10 launcher with a single tonne of ammunition, giving it more consistent firepower. Machine gun is retained, but moved to the bow. Armour is downgraded by a tonne, to four point five tonnes. This results in a 20/20/11/10 pattern, Front/Turret/Side/Rear, respectively.

The 296 mounts a medium laser, a small laser and returns the machine gun to the turret. The energy weapons lessen the ammunition requirements, making this model the least dependent upon a steady stream of supplies. Armour is identical to the Model 295.

Final model, the 297, mounts a small laser, an SRM-6 with a single tonne of ammo and retains the machine gun. Armor same as previous model.

By the time of Fourth Succession War many of these vehicles were relegated to Home Guard units, where they would be used as substitutes for actual tanks, though their carry capacity would give poorly motorized infantry additional mobility.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A cramped, somewhat slow and horribly built deathtrap that can transport a platoon of foot infantry armed with peashooters to the meat grinder while providing a bit of fire support before being destroyed, possibly as a direct result of being built by a million ( actually dozen unpaid intern) monkeys with spanners.

Optional Flavor:
For every four vehicles, roll 1d6. If 1, one vehicle has Fragile Fuel Tanks quirk.


« Last Edit: 18 May 2017, 07:02:12 by Cipher »

Giovanni Blasini

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7101
  • And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #14 on: 18 May 2017, 10:04:06 »
Ok, that's downright hilarious, and a perfect dirt bag militia IFV.
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes / When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
-- Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

Sharpnel

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13414
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #15 on: 18 May 2017, 13:03:48 »
A Scorpion with a fusion engine and a large laser. More armor and some backup weapons as well.

Code: [Select]
Scorpion Light Tank [Laser]

Mass: 25 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D-A
Production Year: 2807
Cost: 564,583 C-Bills
Battle Value: 494

Power Plant: SitiCide 100 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 43.2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Armor: ProtecTech Light Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Large Laser
    1  SRM-6
    1  Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Quikscell Company, Joint Equipment Systems, Benson and Bjorn, Hellespont Industries
    Primary Factory: Pandora, Layover, Kalidasa, Ares (Quikscell), Alshain (JES), Spittal (Benson and Bjorn), Sian (Hellespont)
Communications System: Basix 200
Targeting and Tracking System: OptiSight-12

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      15 points                2.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                100                       4.50
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         1.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    1.00
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV -  88                  5.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     24       
                                          Left/Right   15/15       
                                              Turret     20       
                                                Rear     14       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machine Gun                                  FR        0         1         0.50
Large Laser                                  T         8         1         5.00
SRM-6                                        T         4         1         3.00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              BD        -         0         0.50
@SRM-6 (15)                                  BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      3    Points: 5
4t         2       2       0       0      1    0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: TUR(2/2/0)
« Last Edit: 19 May 2017, 07:10:07 by Sharpnel »
Consigliere Trygg Bender, CRD-3BL Crusader, The Blazer Mafia
Takehiro 'Taco' Uchimiya, SHD-2H Shadow Hawk 'Taco', Crimson Oasis Trading Company

"Of what use is a dream, if not a blueprint for courageous action" -Adam West
As I get older, I realize that I'm not as good as I once was.
"Life is too short to be living someone else's dream" - Hugh Hefner

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37046
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #16 on: 18 May 2017, 21:13:05 »
I like Cipher's write up, very nice!  O0

And Sharpnel's variant is interesting too...

I'm surprised I didn't link my own PPC version already... What was I thinking?

Cipher

  • Recruit
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #17 on: 18 May 2017, 22:05:01 »
Ok, that's downright hilarious, and a perfect dirt bag militia IFV.

I like Cipher's write up, very nice!  O0

And Sharpnel's variant is interesting too...

I'm surprised I didn't link my own PPC version already... What was I thinking?


Thank you.

I had intended it to basically be a disposable tracked clown car with guns.
Albeit one filled with angry clowns toting SRMs. 
Not something you want to blunder into, at the very least.

And yeah, Shrapnel's version outguns lot of things, like the Goblin.
A pocket medium tank. :D

Your's is a Scorpion 2.0. Twice the firepower and less reliance of fuel.


Code: [Select]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Scorpion Light Tank: Scorpion Transport Tank I-A
IS Introductory Box Set
25 tons 
BV: 361
Cost: 353,333 C-bills

Movement: 4/6 (Tracked)
Engine: 100 ICE

Internal: 15
Armor: 80
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Front                       3       20
Right                       3       15
Left                        3       15
Rear                        3       10
Turret                      3       20

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Machine Gun                     TU     0
Medium Laser                    TU     3
SRM 4                           TU     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Half Machine Gun Ammo           BD   100
SRM 4 Ammo                      BD    25



Carrying Capacity:
Troops - 1.0 tons
----------------------------------------


It wasn't long until Quickscell's competitors began to produce their own takes on the idea, many of the unlicensed copies better built and more reliable than their parent design. Thus Quickscell found itself facing stiff competition in the already saturated Scorpion market, forcing additional sales to less savory and discerning customers.

One of the more thoughtful takes on the idea came from Hellesspont Industrials, the largest manufacturer of combat vehicles in the Capellan Confederation at the time. It too produced Scorpion Light Tanks, and rather than attempting to fit an entire platoon of men inside a small, cramped chassis, they scaled back the concept and applied thought and consideration. Based on the already existing Medium Laser armed Scorpion, the Scorpion Transport Tank is slightly redesigned model with a modified turret. The design work was finished within few months and in 2943, the STT-IA was presented to Capellan Confederation Armed Forces.

In effect, the I-A is intended to serve as a budget Goblin, tank capable of carrying a squad of infantry to support it, rather than a tank supporting infantry. A light tank company can carry a company of infantry to protect it, freeing transports for other tasks. This would give less wealthy but more discerning militia and cash strapped mercenary units more flexibility while allowing high degree of parts communality with the abundant and plentiful Scorpions.

Field tests of the design proved that the four test vehicles could easily transport a platoon of infantry between them and still fight, arguably better than the baseline model.  Additionally, the troop compartment was comfortable and reasonably spacious. This lowered the fatigue of the soldiers inside it during transport. The compartment could also easily carry a tonne of supplies or other equipment instead, thanks to intelligently designed seating that could be compacted and repurposed to secure crates of materiel. As fit and finish was good to acceptable, CCAF purchased these vehicles to partially compliment existing Medium Laser Scorpions. The improved armor and more flexible weapons array meant that it could perform better as a slow scout and a tank while carrying a squad of infantry, or even as a light courier in a pinch.

As Hellesspont Industrials already produced all the components needed, production was mostly a matter of setting aside space for final assembly and modification, though low rate initial production would not begin until 2946, owing to shortage of supplies and existing orders.

Quickscell quickly copied the 'new' design, producing knock-offs themselves. They in return, were copied and the various variants of both 292 and STT I-A would spread far and wide by the time Fourth Succesion War would wind down.

The Scorpion Transport Tank I-A is protected by a five tonnes of standard plate, giving it a sufficient protection for its weight class. Armed with a medium laser and an SRM-4 fed by a single tonne of ammunition in the turret, the design is capable of defending itself in close to medium ranges. The machine gun is retained for anti-infantry work and remains unchanged. This results in a light tank best suited for urban combat.

The I-B mounts a LRM-5 instead of the SRM-4, but is otherwise identical.

I-C relies on the machine gun and the infantry dismounts for close range protection, as it only carries a single LRM-10 launcher and two tonnes of ammunition, alongside the standard machine gun. This transforms the vehicle into a cheap fire-support design.

I-E, as the D was skipped for patriotic reasons, mounts an SRM-4 and an SRM-6 in the turret, both fed by a single tonne of ammo, retaining the machine gun. Usually, the I-C and I-E are paired, as the designs cover for their individual weaknesses.

I-G, sacrifices a tonne of armor and the machine gun, dropping the protection to the same level and layout as the standard Scorpion. Mounting a Medium Laser, an SRM-2 and an LRM-5 in the turret, both fed by a single tonne of ammunition, the I-G is a generalist design capable of filling all roles but lacking protection.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Something bit more practical that can fill the role of a Goblin when you're really on a budget and dont want to give your troops claustrophobia. Less flavor, bit more cheese.
I could see less important House units using these even when they aren't desperate.

For optional flavor, I usually allow the infantry bay to be converted into two half a tonne cargo bays and back with some time.

« Last Edit: 18 May 2017, 22:21:39 by Cipher »

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37046
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #18 on: 18 May 2017, 22:13:59 »
You're very welcome!  I'd say it's pretty hard to compete with the various Goblin variants though... they're not very expensive themselves...

Cipher

  • Recruit
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #19 on: 18 May 2017, 22:50:01 »
You're very welcome!  I'd say it's pretty hard to compete with the various Goblin variants though... they're not very expensive themselves...
In terms of pure BV or C-bills, that's true enough, though two vehicles is better than one in some cases. Allows you to cover more ground.

In a campaign and in-universe in my opinion it's less so due to logistics, availability and shipping. You can ship five Scorpions in dropship cargo bays over three Goblins. A Light Vehicle Bay can probably be used for some extra storage when carrying a Scorpion over a Goblin, bridges that can only support light vehicles can be used, lower fuel usage and so on. Plus the Scorpions are probably as common as dirt, meaning you can get spare parts on almost any mudball. Though this depends on the circumstances, as a light vehicle bay doesn't officially care if you have a forty five tonner or a twenty five tonner.

But still, if you can get a Goblin and carry it, it can make sense over a pair of Scorpions. Sometimes you can't afford to maintain more than a handful of vehicles, and a large laser is nothing to scoff at. That's my take on it, for what it's worth.
« Last Edit: 18 May 2017, 23:05:34 by Cipher »

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37046
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Rock you like a moderate breeze! Scorpion Variants
« Reply #20 on: 19 May 2017, 06:18:42 »
The LRM (2 10 racks), SRM (3 six racks) and MG (5 MGs plus 5 tons of infantry) variant Goblins are pretty sweet too, even if the MG variant is technically only a Kurita version.