Maximilian Tank Destroyer

[Empyrus]

I was reading about the Hanse MBT and decided to make a tank destroyer of my own (because the Hanse isn't really an MBT functionally). The Hanse uses Liao weapons but is a Davion design, so how about a Liao design with Davion guns?

The name came easily at that point. I envision this being as a direct counterpart to the Hanse during Dark Ages by House Liao.
Since the Maximilian is a stealth-armored design, i figure the chassis is based on that of Pixiu's. Parts commonality isn't necessarily terribly high but design process was quick. Outwardly this would look a bit like the Pixiu but no turret, with the main guns protruding from the tank's roof.
Like the Pixiu, the Maximilian has ability to move backwards quickly, thanks to Power Reverse quirk.

The Maximilian is a 70-ton tracked design, like the Pixiu, but uses a smaller (and cheaper) engine, giving it 64 KPH maximum speed. The Maximilian has slightly more armor at 11.5 tons, and the lack of turret means the hull has thicker armor. Due to large amount of explosive ammo, CASE was added. Guardian ECM powers the stealth armor as usual.
The main guns are a pair of Rotary AC/5s, linked to a targeting computer and supplied with 7 tons of ammo. For close defense, the tank has two front-mounted and one rear-mounted LMG, supplied with half a ton of ammo.

Code: [Select]

Maximilian Tank Destroyer

Mass: 70 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: 3145
Cost: 11 511 833 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 698

Power Plant:  280 Fusion XL Engine
Cruise Speed: 43,2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64,8 km/h
Armor:  Vehicle Stealth Armor
Armament:
    2  Rotary AC/5s
    3  Light Machine Guns
    1  Guardian ECM Suite
    1 Unknown CASE
    1 Unknown Targeting Computer
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      28 points                7,00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             280                      12,00
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0,00
Control Equipment:                                                         3,50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0,00
Armor:              Vehicle Stealth Armor        AV - 184                 11,50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     66       
                                          Left/Right   44/44       
                                                Rear     30       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Rotary AC/5s                               FR        2         2        20,00
2 Light Machine Guns                         FR        0         2         1,00
(R) Light Machine Gun                        RR        0         1         0,50
Guardian ECM Suite                           BD        0         1         1,50
CASE                                         BD        -         1         0,50
Targeting Computer                           BD        -         1         5,00
@Rotary AC/5 (140)                           BD        -         0         7,00
@LMG (1/2) (100)                             BD        -         0         0,50

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 17
4t         5       5       0       0      3     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: ECM, STL, CASE


One variant exists as well, this one equipped with paired MRM-40s with Apollo FCS. 6 tons of ammo keep the launchers well supplied.
(Solaris Armor Werks doesn't seem to support Apollo for vehicles so i added it manually to the stat block below.)

Code: [Select]

Maximilian Tank Destroyer (MRM)

Mass: 70 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: 3145
Cost: 11 681 833 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 453

Power Plant:  280 Fusion XL Engine
Cruise Speed: 43,2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64,8 km/h
Armor:  Vehicle Stealth Armor
Armament:
    2  MRM-40s with Apollo FCS
    3  Light Machine Guns
    1  Guardian ECM Suite
    1 Unknown CASE
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      28 points                7,00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             280                      12,00
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0,00
Control Equipment:                                                         3,50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0,00
Armor:              Vehicle Stealth Armor        AV - 184                 11,50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     66       
                                          Left/Right   44/44       
                                                Rear     30       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Light Machine Guns                         FR        0         2         1,00
2 MRM-40s w/ Apollo FCS                  FR        24        2        26,00
(R) Light Machine Gun                        RR        0         1         0,50
Guardian ECM Suite                           BD        0         1         1,50
CASE                                         BD        -         1         0,50
@LMG (1/2) (100)                             BD        -         0         0,50
@MRM-40 (36)                                 BD        -         0         6,00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 15
4t         5       5       0       0      3     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: ECM, STL, CASE


The latter variant doesn't really keep with the "Liao design with Davion guns" idea but whatever. The standard variant did that.
I'm not sure but i have a feeling the variant is actually a better tank destroyer. Hilarious amount of missiles for sure.

What do you think?

[Chaeronea]

If you're going for the paired autocannons style, maybe drop 2 tons of ammo from the original configuration and replace the RACs with a pair of LB-10X autocannons with 5 tons of ammo. I think the targeting computer doesn't work with RACs but it's compatible with slug loads for the LBXs. Plus the cluster rounds scatter effect enables multiple hits, for more chances for a mobility crit.

On the other hand if you're not making a big point of using Davion guns, considering the availability of Clantech due to the activitis of Clan Sea Fox it's possible to remove rip out the RACs and replace them with a pair of Clantech Ultra AC-10s.

[Cryhavok101]

I thought the targeting computer would still give it's bonus to hit, just not let it make called shots? Either way though, LBX ACs with cluster shot are not bad against tanks, wracking up all those possible extra criticals and motive system hits that vehicles suffer from.

Even though the HVACs aren't Davion, AC's are a Davion theme though, and HVACs were developed by the Capellans. Would you consider a version with HVAC's? What I am thinking is the design can go backwards really well, and that could combo well with the smoke the HVAC produces when it fires, firing, then backing through your free smoke screen. The extra range on the HVAC is nothing to laugh at either.

[Col Toda]

There is a wheeled combat Vehicle that has 2 RAC / 5s and a C3 Master .  A Shiltron E  I think  from the old field refit book .  MRM Plus Apollo FCS on a hover platform may be a different vehicle killer or even AC / 20 Ultra with Targeting computer might be combined with a missile launcher might be a better vehicle killing combo .

[Empyrus]

1) I forgot i ever made this thing
2) The weaponry is not chosen for effectiveness but style. The Hanse uses Plasma weapons, a Liao invention, so this uses RACs, a Davion invention...
3) Cappies have limited amount of Clan-tech and i think they'll stick it to their 'Mechs first, not tanks.
4) HVACs suck. I like them for style but i won't actually ever use them... not because they explode but because other ACs and Gauss weapons are simply far better. They weight enough small changes allow upgrading to Gauss weapons (light or standard) which offer greater range and damage. (Move the weapons to Succession Wars era and i can actually find use for them, otherwise the go the same junk pile with Blazers.)
5) The missile variant exists only because 80 missiles at once is too hilarious.
6) I have no idea what Col Toda is saying or what his point is.