Author Topic: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus  (Read 13052 times)

Maingunnery

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #30 on: 23 May 2017, 11:23:02 »
But would the Clan warriors have accepted the Cephalus and Nova CEWS? If not what would the Cephalus become? A new Fire Moth used to deliver Elementals? ProtoMech support? Scout unit?
I think that they would only have started using the Cephalus, after running out of Fire Moths....

The generation of surviving warriors might have become more liberal about weapon technology and at the end say "more toys please".
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YingJanshi

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #31 on: 26 May 2017, 18:26:39 »
Now...just imagine for a moment how the Society 'Mechs would have turned out if they'd (somehow, someway) had access to Clan Interface Cockpits...

CIC + NCEWS = "Yikes!!"

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mbear

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #32 on: 30 May 2017, 08:53:10 »
well there are always the

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Nov. Col.

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #33 on: 23 June 2017, 08:33:36 »
Now...just imagine for a moment how the Society 'Mechs would have turned out if they'd (somehow, someway) had access to Clan Interface Cockpits...

CIC + NCEWS = "Yikes!!"

A Star or so of Nova equipped Ryoken IIIs?

Crow

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #34 on: 31 July 2017, 09:59:19 »
I find it strange that there isn't an iATM equipped Cephalus variant, tbh
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wantec

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #35 on: 31 July 2017, 11:51:24 »
I find it strange that there isn't an iATM equipped Cephalus variant, tbh
That falls under the "wrong way of thinking" that the scientists exploited against the warriors. First off, it only has 5.5 tons available which could get you a pair of iATM 3s with 2.5 tons for ammo and other stuff. Or a single iATM 6 with 2 tons for ammo and extras. That's not much to work with as some of the lighter Omnis have shown with their ATM variants. The true job of a Cephalus is spotting for it's Trey/Sept. If it's engaging in regular combat, it's doing it wrong.

What's more likely, would have been a variant with 2-3 Fusillades and some extra stuff. That gives it some options for a few specialty ammo shots if a great target, or the need, arises, but not enough to tempt a pilot into getting himself out of his role.
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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #36 on: 31 July 2017, 11:54:17 »
That falls under the "wrong way of thinking" that the scientists exploited against the warriors. First off, it only has 5.5 tons available which could get you a pair of iATM 3s with 2.5 tons for ammo and other stuff. Or a single iATM 6 with 2 tons for ammo and extras. That's not much to work with as some of the lighter Omnis have shown with their ATM variants. The true job of a Cephalus is spotting for it's Trey/Sept. If it's engaging in regular combat, it's doing it wrong.

What's more likely, would have been a variant with 2-3 Fusillades and some extra stuff. That gives it some options for a few specialty ammo shots if a great target, or the need, arises, but not enough to tempt a pilot into getting himself out of his role.

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Crow

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #37 on: 01 August 2017, 02:37:48 »
That falls under the "wrong way of thinking" that the scientists exploited against the warriors. First off, it only has 5.5 tons available which could get you a pair of iATM 3s with 2.5 tons for ammo and other stuff. Or a single iATM 6 with 2 tons for ammo and extras. That's not much to work with as some of the lighter Omnis have shown with their ATM variants. The true job of a Cephalus is spotting for it's Trey/Sept. If it's engaging in regular combat, it's doing it wrong.

What's more likely, would have been a variant with 2-3 Fusillades and some extra stuff. That gives it some options for a few specialty ammo shots if a great target, or the need, arises, but not enough to tempt a pilot into getting himself out of his role.

Point taken, but 2x iATM3 with two tons of ammo and a Light TAG is fine by me.

If the Cephalus was really meant not to engage (like the primary), I'm not sure why the D and E configs exist
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wantec

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #38 on: 01 August 2017, 06:44:11 »
Point taken, but 2x iATM3 with two tons of ammo and a Light TAG is fine by me.

If the Cephalus was really meant not to engage (like the primary), I'm not sure why the D and E configs exist
Out of universe, I'd say the D & E exist to give players something to do with a Cephalus. This is still a game and it's about having fun. Not a lot of folks find enjoyment from moving a spotter around without ever getting to fire back. So I'd say these are to make some variants that actually have offensive weapons.

In universe, I'd say the heavy lasers of the D give it a few weapons in case it has to fight its way out of harm or gets a really great chance at a headcapping shot. The E is a sniper and can take pot shots from long range acting as a back up spotter. Once the main spotter goes down, the E gives up firing and moves in as a spotter.
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glitterboy2098

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #39 on: 01 August 2017, 15:33:51 »
in setting, i suspect the D and E exist because sometimes you need a fast moving harrasser and don't have any other chassis available to your cell.

UnLimiTeD

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #40 on: 02 August 2017, 05:12:45 »
That's kind of the point of an OmniMech, no?
Would be weird to have a fast configurable design and not a single config with a serious punch.
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Crow

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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #41 on: 02 August 2017, 06:36:55 »
in setting, i suspect the D and E exist because sometimes you need a fast moving harrasser and don't have any other chassis available to your cell.

The Cephalus D reminds me a lot functionally as an EW Solitaire, tbh
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Re: ‘Mech of the Week: Cephalus
« Reply #42 on: 02 August 2017, 08:58:15 »

IMP and IIW warheads are actually the perfect complement to the Cephalus's speed and spotting role.  They degrade the target's accuracy, firepower, and mobility, making it easier and safer for the Cephalus to maintain contact until its Nova CEWS-mates take down the target.  I wish there was a canon configuration with a couple iATM-3s or an iATM-6.

If there are fluff concerns about giving a Cephalus too much ammo and it staying out in the field too long, then apply iOS rules to iATM-3s.  (Simulates the Fusillade on an omnimech while remaining rules-legal.)  An iATM-3(iOS) will weigh one ton, so a Cephalus could carry five and a light TAG unit.  Since iATMs have Streak capability, no iOS shots will go to waste.  And 15 IMP or IIW warheads will cripple an omnimech or two.
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