Help with a design

[Drewbacca]

Hello,
I am looking for comments on this design. I used SSW to make it, and the BV seems a bit high. I am thinking of losing the targeting computer. Any recommendations?

Platypus Prime

Mass: 65 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 14,532,760 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,705

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 325 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  ER PPC
    3  Medium Pulse Lasers
    1  Small Pulse Laser
    2  A-Pods
    1  Active Probe
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   104 points                3.50
    Internal Locations: 1 CT, 3 LT, 3 RT
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             325                      12.00
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 5 UMU
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL                       5.00
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    6.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 RA
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 211                 13.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     21           32       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  10       
                                           L/R Torso     15           23       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  7         
                                             L/R Arm     10           20       
                                             L/R Leg     15           30       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe                                 HD        0         1         1.00
Targeting Computer                           RT        -         3         3.00
ER PPC                                       LT        15        2         6.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           LT        4         1         2.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           RA        4         1         2.00
Small Pulse Laser                            RA        2         1         1.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           LA        4         1         2.00
A-Pod                                        RL        0         1         0.50
A-Pod                                        LL        0         1         0.50
                                            Free Critical Slots: 13

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      7    Points: 27
5u         5       5       2       0      3     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: UMU, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA

[Cryhavok101]

I'd ditch the A-pods. Pulse lasers double as anti-infantry these days, and can cover those needs much better than a-pods can.

The UMUs tell me this is intended for under water combat, and with that in mind, I would consider switching the active probe for a laser anti-missile system. Presumably it will still function under water, just like any laser, and help defend you against the LRT systems that will out-range your ER PPC in that environment.

[Andras]

You have 13 c/s open, swap armor to Light Ferro and for 12.5 tons have 100% coverage,which saves you a ton compared to the standard armor currently listed.

eta-
Just noticed this is Clan tech, which makes swapping to Clan Ferro evan more of a no brainer. 11 tons frees up 2.5t compared to Standard.

[Firesprocket]

A few items to mention.  First the BV seems about right when compared to a similar mech of weight and load out, the Arcas.  The TC jumps up the BV a few hundred.  UMUs seem (I'm to lazy to pull out Tac Ops) to cost the same as jump jets.

As far as the rest of the gear goes, I'd ditch the A-Pods.  I am fairly certain they won't work once submerged.  Even if they do a B-Pod would be better because the amount of infantry types you are likely to get that are going to be swimming around is pretty small.  They are more likely to be be battle armor which will laugh of the A-Pod.  I don't advocate the use of a B-Pod and only the reason to take one would they are situationally better A-pod.  I would put the probe in the leg rather than the head due to the restrictions on an Probe's use if you are planning to wade around in depth 1 water (see page 129 of TW).  CH101's recommendations are spot on.  Best to take some LRTs or SRTs since they are made for the environment. 

[Ice Hellion]

Best to take some LRTs or SRTs since they are made for the environment.

 O0

[Drewbacca]

Thanks for thw feedback. I considered ferrofibrous but the other variants don't have the crit space. And the original build had the torpedoes but I am having all kinds of trouble getting the torps to work on megamek.

[Col Toda]

I think the BV is OK. Think of what this mech is going up against . Mini Subs with LRT , and Industrial Security mechs for under water use . The chance of conning across the canon underwater Hatamoto is very slim. I do agree that a laser AMS is vital . Fighting mechs in an underwater environment is just about a death wish . If any torso is flooded an XL engine shuts down lose it .

[Drewbacca]

To the drawingboard!!! O0