Author Topic: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)  (Read 2951 times)

ANS Kamas P81

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13208
3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« on: 12 November 2017, 18:32:59 »
Early Orions had that jamming issue with the AC/10, which wasn't corrected until 3030.  So for us poor folks before that, what are you gonna do?  Well, the FWL may not be rich with PPCs, but they got Large Lasers for days, yo, and with single heat sinks you get juuust enough to make it work.  I went with the -V for the SRM launchers in each arm, just for some extra close-in firepower, then the real fun started  Yoink the AC10 to put it on someone's tank where it can go have a crew to clear jams, and with the tonnage left over you've got enough to replace the MLs in the arms with LLs that the SRMs shoot around.  Keeping the LRM15 rack, and not touching the ammo supplies of the missiles, gives a pretty decent all-round brawler.  8 SRMs and a large laser up close, 2 LLs at mid-range, and a mix of missiles and lasers at long.  I also shifted the armor slightly to give the arms better protection, as it was the -V would get ventilated by an AC/20 or a pair of PPCs.

Thinking of making this the personal ride of a character, hence the name.  Lyran noble who gets sick of the Commonwealth, heads south - or even gets her titled lands taken over in an FWL push, and decides the grass is purpler on the other side.
Quote
Orion ON1-V "Sylphaeia"
IS Introductory Box Set
75 tons 
BV: 1,335
Cost: 6,634,250 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 300
Heat Sinks: 16
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 114
Armor: 184/231
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               23       30
Center Torso (rear)                  9
Right Torso                16       20
Right Torso (rear)                   8
Left Torso                 16       20
Left Torso (rear)                    8
Right Arm                  12       20
Left Arm                   12       20
Right Leg                  16       20
Left Leg                   16       20

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
SRM 4                           LA     3
SRM 4                           RA     3
LRM 15                          LT     5
Large Laser                     LA     8
Large Laser                     RA     8

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
LRM 15 Ammo                     LT     8
LRM 15 Ammo                     LT     8
SRM 4 Ammo                      LT    25
SRM 4 Ammo                      LT    25
I wonder where this would go for 3050 upgrades.  DHS, of course, and LPLs over SRM4s for short-range barrages with...oh, maybe a second LRM15 if I XL the engine.  That'd turn into a nasty fire support ride, but it's not like it'll happen or the Star League is coming back or anything. 
« Last Edit: 15 November 2017, 07:30:43 by ANS Kamas P81 »
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Jadefalke Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr!

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #1 on: 12 November 2017, 18:48:01 »
Hmmm... paired Large Lasers always make me think Blazer Cannon...  ::)

Alsadius

  • Lieutenant
  • *
  • Posts: 926
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #2 on: 12 November 2017, 20:06:48 »
Quote
I wonder where this would go for 3050 upgrades.  DHS, of course, and LPLs over SRM4s for short-range barrages with...oh, maybe a second LRM15 if I XL the engine.  That'd turn into a nasty fire support ride, but it's not like it'll happen or the Star League is coming back or anything.

Replace the SHS with DHS, swap the missile launchers for a pair of MML-7s, and the LLs for ERLLs. It's a really easy and cheap upgrade, you improve firepower at every range, heat balances almost perfectly, and you have an extra two tons to throw around - I'd probably do CASE and a Guardian ECM, but 2x Artemis IV would make sense, as would just adding two tons of armour. Makes for a very nice fire support ride, I'd say, and without the cost of the XL engine.
Code: [Select]
Mass: 75 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 7,241,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,510

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2  ER Large Lasers
    2  MML-7s
    1  Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     114 points                7.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    6.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 3 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 184                 11.50
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     23           28       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     16           24       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     12           17       
                                             L/R Leg     16           23       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guardian ECM Suite                           LT        0         2         1.50
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        2         5.00
MML-7                                        RA        4         4         4.50
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        2         5.00
MML-7                                        LA        4         4         4.50
@MML-7 (LRM) (34)                            LT        -         2         2.00
@MML-7 (SRM) (28)                            LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 16

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 15
4          4       3       3       0      3     0   Structure:  6
Special Abilities: ECM, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1

You have space to use ES/FF as well if you want to, and that'd probably go to upgrading the MMLs to -9s.
Code: [Select]
Mass: 75 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 7,469,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,532

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2  ER Large Lasers
    2  MML-9s w/ Artemis IV FCS
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   114 points                4.00
    Internal Locations: 1 HD, 2 CT, 4 LT, 3 RT, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    6.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 3 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 184                 11.50
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     23           28       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     16           24       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     12           17       
                                             L/R Leg     16           23       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        2         5.00
MML-9                                        RA        5         5         6.00
    Artemis IV FCS                           RA        -         1         1.00
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        2         5.00
MML-9                                        LA        5         5         6.00
    Artemis IV FCS                           LA        -         1         1.00
@MML-9 (LRM) (26)                            LT        -         2         2.00
@MML-9 (SRM) (22)                            LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 0

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 15
4          5       4       3       0      3     0   Structure:  6
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 3/1/0, LRM 0/1/1, IF 1

CrossfirePilot

  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 2249
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #3 on: 12 November 2017, 20:30:30 »
This would be a variant I would actually use, not much of a fan of AC on the stock model.  Though I wonder if with 4 tons of ammo and only 11.5 tons of armor if you are asking for an early death?

ANS Kamas P81

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13208
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #4 on: 12 November 2017, 23:48:03 »
Good point to consider re: ammo, but at least it's in the same torso as the LRM rack and a couple heat sinks.  I won't argue it's not a torso bomb, but then again the original ON1-V carried six tons of ammo with that much armor...and in all honesty 184 points isn't that bad.  It's still AC20 proof (once) across all the major points, and won't crit itself if it falls on its back.

Just a fine example of the heat/armor/firepower triad Battletech uses.

Replace the SHS with DHS, swap the missile launchers for a pair of MML-7s, and the LLs for ERLLs. It's a really easy and cheap upgrade, you improve firepower at every range, heat balances almost perfectly, and you have an extra two tons to throw around - I'd probably do CASE and a Guardian ECM, but 2x Artemis IV would make sense, as would just adding two tons of armour. Makes for a very nice fire support ride, I'd say, and without the cost of the XL engine.
Double points for no XLFE.  Though for a tough commander/firesupport machine, it's got a nice bit of throw weight, and the MMLs make for hilarious surprises on someone trying to get in close. 
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Jadefalke Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr!

Alsadius

  • Lieutenant
  • *
  • Posts: 926
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #5 on: 13 November 2017, 06:11:32 »
Yeah, that's what I love about MML refits. They're bulkier than LRMs, a bit heavier, and a bit less heat-efficient(in this build they're 9 tons, 8 slots, and 8 heat vs 7 tons/3 slots/5 heat for the LRM-15), but they single-handedly cover your short-range needs on most LRM boats. If the unit already had SRM launchers, the integration is usually a no-brainer.

Sharpnel

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13414
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #6 on: 13 November 2017, 08:16:42 »
Hmmm... paired Large Lasers always make me think Blazer Cannon...  ::)
Yep, just tuck it in where the AC10 used to be and job well done.
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

Giovanni Blasini

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7103
  • And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #7 on: 13 November 2017, 17:59:35 »
Blazer Orion FTW.
"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"

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #8 on: 13 November 2017, 19:34:15 »
Blazer mafia FTW!  8)

ANS Kamas P81

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13208
Re: 3SW Orion variant
« Reply #9 on: 15 November 2017, 07:30:16 »
Continuing the thoughts, but switching 'Mechs - what if our little noble brought over a Steiner favorite, the TDR-5SS...but wanted to make something more interesting?  The PPC would, of course, find a home with the FWLM by hook or by crook so we're going to pull that off anyway. Lose a pair of heat sinks...oh, look what fits.
Quote
Thunderbolt TDR-5SSM
IS experimental
65 tons 
BV: 1,334
Cost: 5,313,935 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 260
Heat Sinks: 19
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 104
Armor: 208/211
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               21       30
Center Torso (rear)                 11
Right Torso                15       24
Right Torso (rear)                   6
Left Torso                 15       24
Left Torso (rear)                    6
Right Arm                  10       20
Left Arm                   10       20
Right Leg                  15       29
Left Leg                   15       29

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Blazer Cannon                   RA    16
SRM 6                           LT     4
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Flamer                          RT     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 6 Ammo                      CT    15
Now, this was just a straight theme swap, but frankly...you're oversinked with the thing.  Either you fire the Blazer, and run, for -1 heat or else you fire the three MLs, SRM, and run for...-4 heat.  You could add in the Flamer and basically match the heat load from the Blazer.  So why not go all-out and bracket your heat (and range) with it?  Move the flamer to the left arm, because that's where God intended Thunderbolts to have their antinfantry weapon, and it opens up a little bit of space.  Just a little bit though, I'd have liked to have scraped one more ton out of the deal.
Quote
Thunderbolt TDR-5SSM 2
IS experimental
65 tons 
BV: 1,341
Cost: 5,436,035 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 260
Heat Sinks: 16
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 104
Armor: 208/211
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               21       30
Center Torso (rear)                 11
Right Torso                15       24
Right Torso (rear)                   6
Left Torso                 15       24
Left Torso (rear)                    6
Right Arm                  10       20
Left Arm                   10       20
Right Leg                  15       29
Left Leg                   15       29

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Blazer Cannon                   RA    16
SRM 6                           RT     4
SRM 6                           LT     4
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Flamer                          LA     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 6 Ammo                      CT    15
Now I'd point out that there are four heat sinks in the legs.  So if you're daring and have a shallow pool to stand in, trading that 15th heat sink in the torso for a second ton of SRM ammo, perhaps infernos or something, would be a consideration.  But really....you've already got the flamer for fires, there isn't that much more that 90 more SRMs can do, and still being able to laugh at PNT-10K jockeys for overheating with one gun is a plus.  I mean, you're already laughing at them for only having a piddly ten point main gun, as it is...

I wonder if I should take a swing at photoshopping this second one somehow.  This, a Wolverine 6M, Treb 5N, and...eh, something with a little more antiinfantry.  I suppose the ubiquitous Pixie wouldn't hurt, especially if it's a command lance and needs a good communications aide.
« Last Edit: 15 November 2017, 07:39:12 by ANS Kamas P81 »
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Jadefalke Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr!

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #10 on: 15 November 2017, 19:12:32 »
Sweet!  I have to admit though, I'd probably go for that first one and just fire more weapons until I ran out of ammo, then fire even MORE weapons per turn!  :))

LastChanceCav

  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 2519
  • Repossessing the dispossessed ...
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #11 on: 15 November 2017, 19:45:48 »
This looks like fun ... here's my take:

Orion ON1-BX

Mass: 75 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-E-A
Production Year: 2817
Cost: 6,331,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,453

Chassis: KaliYama Standard
Power Plant: Vlar 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Valiant Lamellor Standard Armor
Armament:
    1 Diverse Optics Binary Laser Cannon
    2 IWW Medium Lasers
    2 Doombud LRM-5s
    1 IWW Class 4 SRM-4
Manufacturer: KaliYama Weapons Industries
    Primary Factory: Kalidasa
Communications System: Irian Orator-5K
Targeting and Tracking System: Wasat Agresspr Type 5

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     114 points                7.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             19                        9.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 LL, 2 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 231                 14.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     23           35       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  11       
                                           L/R Torso     16           24       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  8         
                                             L/R Arm     12           24       
                                             L/R Leg     16           32       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1.00
LRM-5                                        RA        2         1         2.00
Medium Laser                                 LA        3         1         1.00
LRM-5                                        LA        2         1         2.00
Binary Laser Cannon                          RT        16        4         9.00
SRM-4                                        LT        3         1         2.00
@SRM-4 (25)                                  LT        -         1         1.00
@LRM-5 (24)                                  CT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 31

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      8    Points: 15
4          3       3       1       0      3     1   Structure:  6
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


Cheers,
LCC

Last Chance Engineering - Bespoke Battlemechs for the refined gentleperson.

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #12 on: 15 November 2017, 20:03:11 »
Another nice one!  Man, I wish had by "thumbs up" smiley back...

Giovanni Blasini

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7103
  • And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #13 on: 15 November 2017, 22:24:33 »
I never knew how much I needed a Blazer Orion.
"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"

ANS Kamas P81

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13208
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #14 on: 16 November 2017, 03:04:40 »
So I wondered, the TDR-5SSM being a custom and all, that it might be nice to hand down to future kids.  Might as well see what can be done by 3050, when the Star League's hardware has been proliferating.  The trick was keeping it relatively simple as far as refits go, which...well, the only real change was the DHS upgrade.  It turns this bracketer into a headcapping, critseeking alphababy brawler in a big way - putting out over 50 damage downrange for only +1 heat, and one of those is a headcapper.

I wanted to make it a little more survivable, which of course meant some advanced tech, even more than the massive critpadding of the DHS.  Well, some Ferro armor was an easy-enough swap and a lot more believable than a whole new Endo Steel skeleton.  That let me stock another ton of SRM ammo for some extra options as well as endurance now that it's just that much tougher.  I did lose two points of armor in the swap, one from each leg.  Meh.  The last half-ton that armor swap bought me went right into CASE; ignore what I said previously about deep changes to the 'Mech's skeleton.

Quote
Thunderbolt TDR-7SSM
IS experimental
65 tons 
BV: 1,475
Cost: 5,866,685 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 260
Heat Sinks: 16 [32]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 104
Armor: 206/211 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               21       30
Center Torso (rear)                 11
Right Torso                15       24
Right Torso (rear)                   6
Left Torso                 15       24
Left Torso (rear)                    6
Right Arm                  10       20
Left Arm                   10       20
Right Leg                  15       28
Left Leg                   15       28

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Flamer                          LA     3
Blazer Cannon                   RA    16
SRM 6                           LT     4
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Medium Laser                    LT     3
Medium Laser                    LT     3
SRM 6                           RT     4

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 6 Ammo                      RT    15
SRM 6 Ammo                      RT    15

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
CASE                            RT

No streak-sixes, and no ERMLs; this is only a 3050 version.  I'd love to slap CASE II on that thing as soon as it gets available, fortunately it pops up before the Jihad.  I don't think it needs an LFE, though that would let me (by the end of the Jihad) kick it up to two MML7s, an HPPC, three ERMLs, and the flamer.  I just like the toughness of the design, so it'd be nice to keep an SFE in it.

Guess I should do a 3050 version of that Orion.  The ON1-M went with an XL, so maybe I'll stay with the SFE again and see how it turns out as a tougher version.  Two ERLLs, LRM15, decent sniping...can't Artemis the LRMs without doing the same for the SRMs though.  Paired Streak-2s?  I'll get some tonnage back with the DHS switch; I won't need 16 heat sinks for the ERLL/LRM15.  Maybe Ferro armor for a few more tons, kick the short-range firepower up a bit. 
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Jadefalke Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr!

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #15 on: 16 November 2017, 04:27:34 »
Very nice!  3050 is about the last era Blazer Cannons make any sense (i.e., before the HPPC comes on the scene).  It's too bad they never gave us an ER Blazer...  ::)

Alsadius

  • Lieutenant
  • *
  • Posts: 926
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #16 on: 16 November 2017, 06:41:43 »
Would you swap the Blazer for a HPPC or for a large X-Pulse? I could see either tbh - the LXP is a bit smaller, and actually less heat-efficient, but that to-hit bonus is lovely.

(Truthfully, I don't understand the Blazer mafia - it doesn't seem interesting enough to justify the love it gets. But I'm not sure which part of it is the appealing part).

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #17 on: 16 November 2017, 19:12:30 »
The appealing parts for me are the headcapping goodness, range, 3025 aesthetic, and game balance.  As I said, it really doesn't compare to anything post-clan invasion...

Giovanni Blasini

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 7103
  • And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #18 on: 16 November 2017, 19:59:16 »
Exactly.  Running a Blazer is kind of like running an AC/20, except you trade additional heat and reduced damage for a lack of reliance upon vulnerable ammo and additional range.  Additionally, you're more likely to knock out an AC/20 with a critical hit than a Blazer, since the autocannon itself takes up many more critical slots.  With a Blazer, you're more likely to have a more gradual reduction in effectiveness due to loss of heat sinks.
"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"

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #19 on: 16 November 2017, 20:34:32 »
Man, we need a "fist-bump" smiley... ::)

ANS Kamas P81

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13208
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #20 on: 16 November 2017, 23:10:21 »
Would you swap the Blazer for a HPPC or for a large X-Pulse? I could see either tbh - the LXP is a bit smaller, and actually less heat-efficient, but that to-hit bonus is lovely.
Quote
Thunderbolt TDR-9SSM
IS experimental
65 tons 
BV: 1,561
Cost: 10,056,585 C-bills

Movement: 4/6
Engine: 260 Light
Heat Sinks: 14 [28]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 104
Armor: 203/211 (Light Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               21       30
Center Torso (rear)                 10
Right Torso                15       23
Right Torso (rear)                   7
Left Torso                 15       23
Left Torso (rear)                    7
Right Arm                  10       20
Left Arm                   10       20
Right Leg                  15       27
Left Leg                   15       27

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Heavy PPC                       RA    15
MML 7                           RT     4
MML 7                           LT     4
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
ER Medium Laser                 LT     5
Flamer                          LA     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
MML 7 SRM Ammo                  RT    14
MML 7 LRM Ammo                  RT    17

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
CASE II
Smethin like that.

(Truthfully, I don't understand the Blazer mafia - it doesn't seem interesting enough to justify the love it gets. But I'm not sure which part of it is the appealing part).
[/quote]
Simple. A range-15 true headcappper with no explosion chance?  These were first developed around 2800, so you get them the whole succession wars.  Granted, you're gonna be a a fire magnet the entire time you're alie but think of twhat hat does to your mediums and low-end heavies.
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Jadefalke Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Tochter nimmermehr!

Alsadius

  • Lieutenant
  • *
  • Posts: 926
Re: 3SW Orion variant (Now with friends!)
« Reply #21 on: 17 November 2017, 06:59:26 »
Simple. A range-15 true headcappper with no explosion chance?  These were first developed around 2800, so you get them the whole succession wars.  Granted, you're gonna be a a fire magnet the entire time you're alie but think of twhat hat does to your mediums and low-end heavies.

Fair - I tend to KO more units by "crack open the shell and feast on the goo inside" than by outright headcapping, and for that purpose 12 isn't a much better number than 10, which means an AC/10/PPC/2x LL is usually more appealing. But when you put it that way, it does make sense.