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Title: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 31 January 2013, 20:28:32
STK-series Stalker

(http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/5/5f/3025_Stalker1.jpg)

First introduced in 2594 at the tail end of the Reunification War, the Stalker was one of the first (and, in my opinion, best) Assault-weight BattleMechs.  This 85-ton heavy hitter has persevered ever since and serves in the ranks of every Great House, and some minor, as well as being a favored 'Mech of mercenaries far and wide.

One reason for this success is that the Stalker doesn't try to do it all.  It knows it is an assault 'Mech, so speed doesn’t matter nearly as much.  Like the Awesome and Atlas, it settles for a slower movement rate to save room for weapons, armor, and heat sinks.  A 255 Strand standard Fusion Engine provides this old beast with enough power to move at 32.4 kilometers per hour walking and 54 kph running.  No Stalker with which I am familiar dares to mount jump jets, so it is slow and steady . . . and that is what I love about it.

Now, lacking arms, it does present a bizarre appearance to most observers, and it foregoes any attempt at being able to punch . . . but it can deliver a powerful kick.  The lack of arms does mean that standing can be hard to do once you have been knocked down (and we ALL get knocked down every now and then), but it also leaves lots of room in the internal spaces for weapons and allows for those arm-mounted weapons to cover the rear (aka, the “arm-flip” maneuver).

Although not specifically called out in the fluff, I think the old girl is probably the most common Assault 'Mech (if the term common can be applied to Assault-weight BattleMechs, that is) in both the Inner Sphere and Periphery.  It appears on every House's table and is found in Periphery and Mercenary units as well.  In sheer numbers, it is likely one of the most-produced Assaults in history; and as such has a LOT of variants.  Let me know if I miss any.   O0

The "standard" Stalker that we know and love is the old STK-3F.  First appearing in TRO 3025, this is the one that sets the bar for all who follow in his massive cloven hoof-prints.  Armament is two LRM-10 (one in each arm) with one ton of ammo (12 shots) each, four Medium Lasers (two in each arm), two SRM-6 (one each in the right and left torso) with one ton of ammo (15 shots) each, and two Large Lasers (one each in the right and left torso).  Twenty heat sinks are installed, but they do not come close to dealing with the heat load of this puppy (a running Alpha Strike will put your at +26!  DON'T DO IT.  Seriously, for the love of God, just don’t go there.) but it is manageable for a player who thinks instead of just shoots every weapon at every target.

The STK-3F (and most Stalkers) has to used smartly.  At range, you got those two LRMs, for 8 heat + movement.  Once you hit 15 hexes, the Large Lasers come into play . . . and here is where you have got to start making decisions.  24 heat + movement for the lasers and LRMs put you between +4 to +6.  So you have to alternate your fire; luckily, you've only got twelve shots for each of the LRMs, so alternating those two launchers puts you at just movement heat for excess.  Once you hit 9 hexes, you've got a lot of options.  But your short-range weapons all add up to 20 heat plus movement.  So, you are golden.  If your ammo is getting low, you add in one Large Laser with those four Mediums and still remain at 20 heat exactly (before movement).

Now, you don't have any rear mounted guns, but those arms can flip.  Four Medium Lasers bearing down on a bug that jumped behind you is pretty terrifying in 3025; you can also use the arm-mounted LRMs to lay down fire as you retreat (while the ammo lasts).

13.5 tons of standard armor is pretty darn good for the era; it is 82.12% of maximum coverage on an 85-ton chassis, and the armor is well laid out with a pattern of 36 center torso, 25 each side torsos and legs, 23 on the arms, 9 head, 11 center torso rear and 7 on each of the rear side torsos.

The STK-3H is the first variant that shows up, and it is one that I really dislike.  This version removes the two Large Lasers to upgrade the LRM racks from -10s to -20s, while keeping everything else the same.  Sounds great, eh?  The problem is, they kept the same one ton of ammo per LRM launcher, giving you twelve total salvoes (6 rounds of fire), and then you are looking at having no guns that can hit anything at 10+ hexes.

Next up is the STK-4N, debuting in 2876.  This model removes one LRM-10 and ammo magazine to increase the heat sinks to 26.  Sigh.  They couldn't have raised the heat sinks to 25 and given our remaining launcher two tons of ammo?  Your long-range firepower is cut in half, and practically, you are now oversinked.  LRM plus the twin Large Lasers plus running is 22.  Four Mediums plus two SRM-6 plus running is 22.  You could add the LRM-10 and be perfectly sinked, but you only started with 12 shots and if you are in SRM/Medium Laser range, then the LRM is probably at or under minimum range.

A strange variant is the STK-4P, showing up in 2998.  Basically a complete rebuild, this version masses 75 tons, shedding 10 tons of weight.  It has 20 heat sinks, the same 13.5 tons of armor (arranged 35 on the center torso, 25 on the right and left torso, the arms have 23 each, the legs have 26 each, the head has 9, the center torso rear 10, and both rear side torsos 7), and uses an even lighter 225 standard Fusion engine.  All for the cost of some internal structure and one LRM launcher (leaving just a ton of ammo, AGAIN!).  Otherwise it has the same guns as the -4N.

The very first Star League tech version of the Stalker is one that we don't actually see in the game until just recently:  the Royal Stalker.  This model (the STK-3Fb) first makes an appearance in Operation Klondike and it is a BEAR.  85-tons of walking death like a Stalker should be, it uses a standard internal structure, standard armor, and a standard 255-engine (for that same traditional 3/5/0 movement profile).  So where is the advanced tech?  To start with, this beast carries three less heat sinks (17 vs. 20) but those 17 are double-strength freezers.  Armor has been increased to 15.5 tons of standard (94.29% of maximum possible on the chassis), with a pattern of 42 center torso, 29 right and left torso, 32 each leg, 25 on the arms, 9 head, 11 center torso rear, and 7 on each of the rear side torsos.

For weapons, the Royal Stalker removes the two SRM-6 launchers and ammo, but keeps the four Mediums as is.  Both Large Lasers get upgraded to ER models, and the two LRM-10s are replaced with LRM-15s with Artemis IV fire-control systems.  All three tons of LRM ammunition are stored in the CASE protected left torso, giving 12 shots for both launchers.  Finally, this baby carries a center torso mounted Guardian ECM Suite.

Able to dissipate 34 heat, the Royal Stalker can fire both ER Large Lasers and both LRM-15 racks to just generate movement heat.  But the design does run hot at shorter ranges:  both ER Larges and the quad Mediums generate 36, leaving you at +2 before movement.  Now, a skilled player can handle that, especially if he alternates out one Medium every other round.  But it is something that needs to be watched.  And a full alpha strike will put you at +12 before movement, so that should be a NO-NO, or rather a last ditch attempt to drop your opponent if you are on the verge of collapsing.

Sarna.net has the STK-3Fk listed as well (EDIT:  so does Era Reports:  2750, I'e been told).  Apparently this model was used by the 4th Sword of Light during the late Star League era; it was quickly made extinct in the Succession Wars, however.  This model featured a standard engine, standard internals, and 15.5 tons of standard armor arranged like the -3Fb.  The heat sinks were replaced with sixteen double-strength models, however, allowing the Draconis engineers to add Artemis IV to both LRM launchers.  Both SRM-6 launchers were replaced with matched pairs of Streak SRM-2 launchers, each pair having a ton of ammunition.  The large lasers were upgraded to ER Large Lasers.  No CASE was mounted.  At range, this model generates 32 plus movement, and your sinks can handle 32.  In close, all four Medium Lasers generate 12, each Streak adds 2 if it locks, and one ER Large Laser adds another 12, for a total of 32 if all four Streaks lock.  Either way, you only build up movement heat.  But this model is dead and gone.

After the Clan Invasion, we see a number of upgrades; some good, some . . . not so good.

Starting with the STK-5M of House Marik.  Standard internals and engine and (like the Royal model) 17 double-strength heat sinks.  Armor has increased to 14.5 tons of standard (less than the Royal) with a layout of 36 on the center torso, 27 on both sides, 27 on the legs, and 25 on the arms, with 9 on the head, 11 on the CT rear, and 9 each on the rear sides.  Weapons consist of two LRM-10 launchers with TWO tons of ammunition each (WONDERFUL!), two SRM-6 launchers with a single ton of ammo apiece, and the standard four Medium Lasers.  The Marik engineers removed both Large Lasers and replaced them with a single ER Large Laser in the center torso.  And a NARC missile beacon launcher in the left torso with two tons of ammunition (twelve beacons) stored in the left leg.

There are two problems that I have with the STK-5M.  The first being that bloody NARC.  Don't get me wrong, the NARC is a good system and it has its uses.  But the problem is that EVERY bit of ammunition (LRM and SRM) on this machine is NARC capable.  And that NARC launcher has a range of just NINE hexes.  NARCs are great on spotter 'Mechs.  Not so great on an Assault moving as slow as the Stalker that has get within 9 hexes to use it.  Heat-wise, you can fire the LRMs and ER Large all day long with no problem (20 heat plus movement and you sink 34).  At close range, you are good as well (the Medium Lasers, SRM, and NARC generate 20; add the ER Large and you are 32 plus movement).  Unless you just go crazy with the alpha strikes you are the coolest running Stalker around.  Even then, shooting everything and running will only put you at +8, which ain’t bad for a Stalker, baby.  Second problem, the Free Worlds League apparently didn't see the need for CASE.  DOH!

House Steiner's STK-5S took a different tack.  This model uses a bloody expensive XL engine, making it extremely vulnerable . . . combined with standard internal structure, the -3Fs 13.5 tons of armor, and twenty SINGLE heat sinks.  Armament stays almost exactly the same:  two LRM-10s with two tons of ammunition total (SIGH), two SRM-6s with two tons of ammunition, and four Medium Lasers.  But the Large Lasers are replaced with two Large Pulse Lasers and an Anti-Missile System is added, with a ton of ammunition (all in the left torso).  This variant does come equipped with CASE in both side torsos.  Man, the heat on this one is messed up all together.  The LRMs (with 12 salvoes) are the only guns that reach farther than 10 hexes, where the two Large Pulse Lasers come into play.  The problem is those two generate 20 heat by themselves, so adding them to the LRMs will result in +8 heat before movement.  Using just one keeps you heat neutral (18 before movement).  But then you close one more hex, and you bring the SRMs/Medium Lasers to bear . . . which generate 20 heat on their lonesome.  And that AMS adds another point of heat.  Ouch.  This thing is a toaster oven set to ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN.  A full Alpha Strike will put you at +31 (if the AMS engages) when running.  Welcome to shutdown city.

The next model comes into service in 3062.  This is the STK-6M.  Standard engine, standard internals, and sixteen point five tons of standard armor for 100% of maximum protection.  CAN I GET AN AMEN?  Coverage is 40 center torso, 27 right and left torso, 28 on the arms, 36 on the legs, 9 on the head, 14 on the center torso rear, and 9 on each of the rear side torsos.  That is pretty good; outstanding even.  Eighteen double-strength heat sinks come standard.  Armament is two LRM-15 with Artemis IV, fed by a massive SIX tons of ammunition (no need to conserve LRM fire on THIS 'Mech!).  A centerline ER Large Laser backs up the LRMs at range, while five ER Medium Lasers comprise the short-range battery.  AND this version carries CASE in both torsos.  At range heat is 22 plus movement and you sink 36.  In close, with all six lasers (the ER Large and the five ER Mediums) you generate 37 plus movement . . . acceptable.  This one is a keeper, gentlemen.

Also debuting in 3062 is the STK-7D.  Standard engine, standard internals, eighteen double-strength heat sinks, and 13.5 tons of standard armor (BOOO!).  This model drops the LRM battery to mount two ER PPCs (right and left torso), two Streak SRM-4s (right and left arm), and four Medium Pulse Lasers (two center torso, one right torso, one left torso).  Oh, and a Small Laser (NOT an ER Small Laser, but just a Small Laser) in the head.  BUT, it also carries a six-ton Targeting Computer in the left torso.  And it has CASE protecting the single ton of Streak SRM-4 ammo in the right torso.  At range, the twin ER Peepers generate 30 heat plus movement.  If both Streaks lock, then the close-range heat is 22; adding a single ER PPC results in 37 heat (plus movement) and you sink 36.  And in the in-between land when you are out of range of those Medium Pulses, you got both ER PPCs and both Streak SRM-4s for 36 heat.  It is different, but it works.

The STK-8S appears in 3064, and it is VERY different from the classic Stalker.  A 255-light fusion engine is the heart of this animal, along with standard internal structure, sixteen double-strength heat sinks, and 13.5 tons of standard armor.  Long-range weapons are two ER PPCs (30 heat vs. your 32).  You can also add in the HEAVY GAUSS RIFLE carried in the center and right torso at 20 hexes for 32. But with only 12 shots (three tons of ammo), you might need to save that BFG for closer, more certain shots.  Two ER Medium Lasers (RT, LT) come next, supported by two Medium Pulse Lasers (RA, LA) at point-blank range.  Firing the Heavy Gauss, all four Lasers, and one ER PPC will put you at 35 heat before movement . . . +3 on the scale.  Doable, but not something you need to do every turn.  No CASE, which is a disappointment.

The STK-7C3BS features a plethora of experimental tech.  Using a standard 255-engine, standard internal structure, eighteen double-strength heat sinks, and 13.5 tons of standard armor, it resembles many of the designs listed earlier.  But the weapons package is completely different.  Two ER PPCs (right torso, left torso) are the main guns, supplemented by a pair of arm-mounted MML-5 launchers.  Two tons of ammunition provides a total of 24 salvoes of LRMs and 20 salvoes of SRMs, all located in a CASE II protected right torso.  Each arm also carries one Medium Pulse Laser, with two more located in the Center Torso.  The final weapon is a Small Variable Speed Pulse Laser located in the head.  But, this model also carries a Boosted C3 Slave Computer in the left torso.  At long-range, the MML-5s and ER PPCs generate 36 heat and you sink 36; so only movement heat is a concern.  In close, the MMLs and five lasers generate 25 heat; adding one ER PPC adds another 15, putting you at 40 . . . +4 on the heat scale before movement.

A custom variant is one used by Sho-sho Jagawen Torisobo of the 8th Sword of Light.  This version (the STK-3F Stalker Jagawen) removes both LRM-10 launchers and ammo to mount two more SRM-6 launchers and six additional heat sinks.  At close range with the quad mediums and four SRM-6 launchers, this Stalker generates 28 heat while dissipating 26 (before movement).  Close-in firepower is incredible (while the SRM ammo lasts, having seven and one-half full salvos per launcher) but the design lacks any ability to engage targets at 16+ hexes.  Armor remains the same tonnage as the original STK-3F, but redistributed slightly to increase protection on the torsos.

The last Stalker is perhaps the closest look we will get at a Stalker IIC (or perhaps just a Stalker 'C').  It is the STK-3F Stalker Jamison piloted by J. Elliot Jamison that was unveiled in 3054.  Using Clan-tech to its fullest, this is a deadly beast.  It retains a 255-standard engine, standard internal structure, eighteen of the less bulky Clan double-strength heat sinks, and 13.5 tons of ferro-fibrous armor plating (98.47% of coverage).  Protection is 40 on the center torso, 28 on the side torsos (7/14/7 on the rear), 28 on the arms, and 35 on the legs.  Armament is two LRM-20s (one each in the right and left arm) with a ton of ammo for each (6 shots), paired with two Large Pulse Lasers (right and left torso) for 32 heat.  In close there are two Streak SRM-6 launchers (one each right and left torso) each with a ton of ammo.  Each arm carries two ER Medium Lasers as well, for a total heat of 28, if both Streaks lock.  If only one Streak locks, the MechWarrior can add a single Large Pulse Laser for 34 heat, 36 on a run which is what the design dissipates.  Personally, I wish that they would have had ONE ton of Streak SRM-6 ammo and added a third ton of LRM ammo.  But if wishes were horses, eh?

Overall, the Stalker is a fearsome BattleMech in any era.  My own favorites are the STK-3F in 3025, the Royal Stalker STK-3Fb in ANY era, the STK-6M at the start of the FedCom Civil War, and J Elliot’s "Stalker IIC".  Despite it plodding speed and ugly looks, it has always been one of my top three favorites of all time, and I hope it becomes one of yours as well.

Master Arminas

EDIT:  Here is my own version of the Stalker.  A 3025-era variant known as the STK-3G (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,26231.msg593170.html#msg593170).  Feel free to post your own Stalkers in that thread, not this one.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: marauder648 on 31 January 2013, 20:44:07
A great read for a great (and classic) mech!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Saint on 31 January 2013, 21:22:42
 O0

Love the old girl, my only wish for it is a MWO style mini.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Arkansas Warrior on 31 January 2013, 21:37:04
Ah, the Death Phallus!  It's a classic jack of all trades, weapons for every engagement.  But I have an irrational hatred for Stalkers that don't have redundant weaponry, or that do have XL engines.  A Stalker should be able to lose a side torso and keep right on fighting.  As such, good mechs though they might be (which is debatable anyway), the 5M, 5S, and 8S just don't do it for me.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 31 January 2013, 21:57:36
I once upon a time owned a grand total of sixteen Stalker minatures . . . the lead ones, mind you.   [drool]  All painted in a dark gun-metal grey undercoat with each one having a different color to distinguish them.  I had them organized in a battalion with four Thunderbolts, four Archers, and a dozen Dragons rounding 'em out.  My buddies thought I was nuts for owning SO MANY of one 'Mech, until we had a massive game where I finally got to deploy all thirty-six of them on the same table (minature table and terrain, not maps) at a mini-convention.

Sixteen Stalkers advancing in line abreast, supported by the Archers and Thunderbolts with the Dragons serving as flankers?  I was in heaven . . . and our guests just stood with slack jaws.   }:)  Especially since I was a FIRM believer in the philosophy of concentration of firepower, and on the opening turn targeted my opponents Atlas (his command 'Mech) by declaring all sixteen Stalkers on him.   >:D

Good times, gentlemen.  Good times.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Wrangler on 31 January 2013, 22:42:26
Good Article, Master Arminas.

Where exactly did the "Stalker IIC" come from?  I never heard of that model before...What is the source?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Weirdo on 31 January 2013, 23:34:12
There are two problems that I have with the STK-5M.  The first being that bloody NARC.  Don't get me wrong, the NARC is a good system and it has its uses.  But the problem is that EVERY bit of ammunition (LRM and SRM) on this machine is NARC capable.  And that NARC launcher has a range of just NINE hexes.  NARCs are great on spotter 'Mechs.  Not so great on an Assault moving as slow as the Stalker that has get within 9 hexes to use it.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The NARC on that Stalker isn't a spotting tool, it's a deterrent. If enemies close within 9 hexes, they know there's going to be homing pods flying at them. And if even a single one hits, then they'll be a magnet for every missile on the board. Not just the Stalker's, but every missile rack. In a Marik force. I'd call that a very strong incentive to stay out of close range with a Marik Stalker, and if said Stalker never gets a chance to actually fire a beacon, then the NARC launcher has done its job perfectly.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Ian Sharpe on 31 January 2013, 23:37:45
I like the Stalker, it fills the no frills assault role pretty well.  Some are obviously much better than others, but even the lesser STKs can do alright. 
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 31 January 2013, 23:59:08
Good Article, Master Arminas.

Where exactly did the "Stalker IIC" come from?  I never heard of that model before...What is the source?

It isn't an 'offical IIC'.  But it is J. Elliot Jamison's Stalker which was built 100% with Clan-tech.  And like I said, probably about the closest thing we are ever going to see for an official Stalker IIC.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 01 February 2013, 00:10:59
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The NARC on that Stalker isn't a spotting tool, it's a deterrent. If enemies close within 9 hexes, they know there's going to be homing pods flying at them. And if even a single one hits, then they'll be a magnet for every missile on the board. Not just the Stalker's, but every missile rack. In a Marik force. I'd call that a very strong incentive to stay out of close range with a Marik Stalker, and if said Stalker never gets a chance to actually fire a beacon, then the NARC launcher has done its job perfectly.

And again, I can think of nastier things I can do with five tons.  For the STK-5M, just give me back the large laser, make it a second ER Large in this case.  Now at range that laser alone is worth ever extra missile you'd land in an average salvo of the Stalker.  The 5M has the heat sinks for a heat neutral running alpha at range with that swap.

Like the OP said, NARCs go on fast movers that can streak in early and hand out 'hit me' signs early enough in the fight to be of use.  Otherwise it is dead weight, and shows that tech was being jammed onto machines without a clear idea of how to use it effectively.  AFAICT only one of the IS NARC carrying designs in TRO:3050, the Raven.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Weirdo on 01 February 2013, 00:16:58
The point of the NARC isn't to land extra missiles from the Stalker. It's to keep people away from the Stalker, lest every single one of the Stalker's buddies land missiles on it. Would you consider 5 tons a good deal if it meant nobody came close to you, lest they face the wrath of an entire company, or more?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 01:20:27
It isn't an 'offical IIC'.  But it is J. Elliot Jamison's Stalker which was built 100% with Clan-tech.  And like I said, probably about the closest thing we are ever going to see for an official Stalker IIC.

MA

The I think you should've used correct designation under which is the 'Mech listed in record sheets book. Stalker IIC does not exist.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 01 February 2013, 01:35:50
It isn't an 'offical IIC'.  But it is J. Elliot Jamison's Stalker which was built 100% with Clan-tech.  And like I said, probably about the closest thing we are ever going to see for an official Stalker IIC.

MA

I always figured the Blood Kite filled that role.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 01:51:29
I always figured the Blood Kite filled that role.

Blood Kite is more similar to SHG-2H Shogun ('Mech that was supposed to supersede old Stalker) than to Stalker itself. Of course Blood Kite is more powerful thanks to Clan technology.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: chanman on 01 February 2013, 02:18:53
The point of the NARC isn't to land extra missiles from the Stalker. It's to keep people away from the Stalker, lest every single one of the Stalker's buddies land missiles on it. Would you consider 5 tons a good deal if it meant nobody came close to you, lest they face the wrath of an entire company, or more?

I thought they called that a C3Master?  ???
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 02:26:25
The I think you should've used correct designation under which is the 'Mech listed in record sheets book. Stalker IIC does not exist.

According to SSW, the "offical" designation is STK-3F Jamison.  Does it look like an STK-3F to you?  And it is from RS3050U-I.  Furthermore, try looking at my words again:

Quote
The last Stalker is perhaps the closest look we will get at a Stalker IIC.  It is the Stalker piloted by J. Elliot Jamison that was unveiled in 3054. 

Did I call it a Stalker IIC?  No.  I said that it is "perhaps the closest look we will get at a Stalker IIC".

Good Article, Master Arminas.

Where exactly did the "Stalker IIC" come from?  I never heard of that model before...What is the source?

I didn't answer your last question earlier.  I had never seen it myself until I wrote the article.  It was included in SSW (Solaris Skunkworks) and it lists the source as Record Sheets 3050 Upgrades I.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 03:16:26
According to SSW, the "offical" designation is STK-3F Jamison.  Does it look like an STK-3F to you?  And it is from RS3050U-I. 

Yes, I really prefer official designations more than J Elliot’s "Stalker IIC". . That's just me.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Taurevanime on 01 February 2013, 04:16:04
Good article for a great mech.

And why not more love for the 7D? Sure the armour isn't higher than the base model, but it isn't like that was poor. The abillity to fire the two ER-PPCs constantly without fear of heat as you stalk your prey is very nice.
I normally hate 'Mechs that tend to have twin ER-PPCs and the heatsinks to handle it, but for some reason I like it here.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Frabby on 01 February 2013, 04:33:32
Aaah, the Stalker. I... I... I hate this 'Mech!  :P
Don't get me wrong, it looks great. I should love it. But they're jinxed for me - every malfing time I fielded one it ingloriously died on me - not from ammo explosions, mind you, but because somehow all enemy fire gets drawn into one leg. I've had Stalkers fall over from having lost a leg that were completely untouched otherwise save for a five-point hit to a torso. Several times.  #P
Since then, I am somewhat paranoid around this design. It's a lot of firepower to be lost when that leg falls of, which it invariably does.  :'(

As for Jamison's 'Mech, I'd rather call it a "C" upgrade than a "IIC" rebuild, technically.
(Sarna article on IIC concept (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/IIC))
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: William J. Pennington on 01 February 2013, 05:05:55
The Stalker 7D is my favorite, followed by the Classic Stalker, then the Steiner boomstick o'death Stalker. 
Very accurate long range fire, the streaks pick up the pace at 9, and pity the fool that gets within pulse range.  Just drop an ER at that point and salvo everythign else and your problems go away.  It is the bedrock of my Davion assault forces.  Easy to under-rate until you fight it.

Anyone else else remember that Classic Citytech box cover with our friend on it?

I love to tinker with Stalkers.  And yes, XL engine Stalkers are the devil.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 05:22:25
As for Jamison's 'Mech, I'd rather call it a "C" upgrade than a "IIC" rebuild, technically.
(Sarna article on IIC concept (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/IIC))

Good observation.

And there is one canon Stalker missing in the original article:
STK-3F Stalker Jagawen
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Isanova on 01 February 2013, 06:15:09
Man, I was obsessed with trying to shoehorn dual LRM-20s and a trio of (c)LPL back when I was playing Mercs. It was my death-god :-D

As for the NARC... just imagine this in a one-on-one battle with an Atlas. The Atty might have that boomstick, but you've wore him down at range. It falls down to, will that beacon stick on him so I can dump my LRM and SRM ammo to crit the guy? I just wonder why there was never an iNARC version built, as it's added range really shines here. Did the WoB not share the technology with their FWL allies or something?

Always thought this would be the "target" design added to the TC's production if ever they grew an assault production line. The many PPC variants just calls for it somehow.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Taurevanime on 01 February 2013, 07:00:25
To be fair, in a matchup against an Atlas, you can't forget that the big 100 tonner also happens to have an LRM-20 to play with. If you're going by the Succession Wars standard model. They're not entirely helpless at long range. Both are excellent and well rounded proper assault 'Mechs.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 07:24:35
To be fair, in a matchup against an Atlas, you can't forget that the big 100 tonner also happens to have an LRM-20 to play with. If you're going by the Succession Wars standard model. They're not entirely helpless at long range. Both are excellent and well rounded proper assault 'Mechs.

For Succession Wars, I am fan of STK-3F, but I dislike STK-3H refit. It got LRM-20s, but not enough ammo for them. The same case as with AWS-8R/-8T Awesome.

I keep some interest in obscure 'Mechs and STK-4P usually works well for me. It's like a super-Thunderbolt (TDR-5S).
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: DarkMessiah on 01 February 2013, 07:47:40
Good Article, Master Arminas.

Where exactly did the "Stalker IIC" come from?  I never heard of that model before...What is the source?

The STK-3F Jamison, J Elliot's custom ride orignally comes from "The Last Day of Zeta", a Battlecorps short story by Jason Schmetzer (since republished in BattleCorps Anthology Vol. 3: Weapons Free (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_35_221&products_id=2999)). It is told from the viewpoint of Major Tara Lucas, and which incidently also shows off her custom Masakari variant. The Stalker Jamison was described as being fully Clan-tech, but we didn't get stats for the unit until RS: 3050 Upgrades Unabriged (Inner Sphere) (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_35_208&products_id=2903).

The other custom Stalker variant is the STK-3F Jagawen, which appears in Historical Turning Points: Misery (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2542). It is piloted by Sho-sho Jagawen Torisobo. It removes the LRM-10 launchers and adds two SRM-6 racks. Also added are six additional heat sinks.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: William J. Pennington on 01 February 2013, 07:55:38
For Succession Wars, I am fan of STK-3F, but I dislike STK-3H refit. It got LRM-20s, but not enough ammo for them. The same case as with AWS-8R/-8T Awesome.

I keep some interest in obscure 'Mechs and STK-4P usually works well for me. It's like a super-Thunderbolt (TDR-5S).

you just have to imagine the most common refit in the world was somehow squeezing in more ammo.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Wrangler on 01 February 2013, 08:10:10
According to SSW, the "offical" designation is STK-3F Jamison.  Does it look like an STK-3F to you?  And it is from RS3050U-I.  Furthermore, try looking at my words again:

Did I call it a Stalker IIC?  No.  I said that it is "perhaps the closest look we will get at a Stalker IIC".

I didn't answer your last question earlier.  I had never seen it myself until I wrote the article.  It was included in SSW (Solaris Skunkworks) and it lists the source as Record Sheets 3050 Upgrades I.

MA

I don't have it handy, but does Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook) include mention that this Stalker has Clan technology?  So the RS books was added later?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Savage Coyote on 01 February 2013, 08:34:18
I'm a big fan of the 8S and 7D for "modern" era play and have used both well.  The 7D used to be a major steal under BV one as it was a great bracket fire `Mech and crazy accurate.  The armor might not be the greatest, but it makes up for it.

I want to try the royal Stalker, though having already fallen in love with the royal Crockett, the two in the same weight class are competing a bit.  Thankfully my Coyotes are a bit heavier so I can just toss both of them in  :D
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 08:54:40
Do we know any famous pilots/commanders of Stalker?

Of course there are Jamison and Lucas (and some other Dragoons), Sho-sho Jagawen Torisobo (and even though he's CO of the 8th Sword of Ligh, I can't say he's that famous). Other than those, we've got just three or four pilots from various TROs (and I admit that Glass really had some style), but they are no legends.

I remember one or two novel characters piloting Stalker, but no one too important.

From Solaris 7 we know MechWarriors Wynn Goddard, Jeanette Mason, Robert Hopton, Glenn Edehoffer, Holly Jandis and Daryl Dyer.

One Solaris 7 Champion: Paul Fokker

So, anyone else?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 09:42:52
Good observation.

And there is one canon Stalker missing in the original article:
STK-3F Stalker Jagawen

Missed that one.  Fixed.

Do we know any famous pilots/commanders of Stalker?

Of course there are Jamison and Lucas (and some other Dragoons), Sho-sho Jagawen Torisobo (and even though he's CO of the 8th Sword of Ligh, I can't say he's that famous). Other than those, we've got just three or four pilots from various TROs (and I admit that Glass really had some style), but they are no legends.

I remember one or two novel characters piloting Stalker, but no one too important.

From Solaris 7 we know MechWarriors Wynn Goddard, Jeanette Mason, Robert Hopton, Glenn Edehoffer, Holly Jandis and Daryl Dyer.

One Solaris 7 Champion: Paul Fokker

So, anyone else?

Captain Tiberius Sartini (TRO 3025)
Sartini has served with the Avalon Hussars for 20 years. His immense pride in his Stalker is reflected in the mirror shine of its armor. Although the 'Mech has been seriously damaged in battle several times, he has always managed to purchase or confiscate the parts necessary to effect repairs. In addition, he is stockpiling spare parts for his personal use. By doing so, he risks his commission (personal stockpiles are strictly forbidden), but Sartini's first priority is to keep his Stalker in mint condition.

Only one that immediately comes to mind.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 09:56:04
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The NARC on that Stalker isn't a spotting tool, it's a deterrent. If enemies close within 9 hexes, they know there's going to be homing pods flying at them. And if even a single one hits, then they'll be a magnet for every missile on the board. Not just the Stalker's, but every missile rack. In a Marik force. I'd call that a very strong incentive to stay out of close range with a Marik Stalker, and if said Stalker never gets a chance to actually fire a beacon, then the NARC launcher has done its job perfectly.

For the same five tons, Weirdo, you could add Artemis IV to all four missile launchers and CASE to both torsos, making your missiles more accurate every single time you hit with them AND improving survivability.  Or add CASE to both torsos and increase the LRM ammo while havng two ton left over (if you still wanted NARC warheads) and rely on a light, fast spotter to plant the homing beacon.  To my mind, IS NARC is NOTHING but a waste of tonnage on a 3/5 assault 'Mech that has a sizeable LRM capacity. 

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Weirdo on 01 February 2013, 10:05:33
...making your missiles more accurate every single time you hit with them...

Only with direct fire, and only with your own missiles. People keep cherry-picking my posts and ignoring the big picture, so after this, I'm leaving this thread. Before I go, I'll say this one last time: If you get close enough to get NARCed by a Stalker-5M, you're not going to be hit by the Stalker's missiles. You going to be hit by the ENTIRE FORCE. No terrain can protect you, and with the advent of ARAD missiles, even friendly ECM is no shield. You got too close to that Stalker, and now you cannot hide, ever. You have only two options: Run outside LRM range, or die. Either way, your unit is no longer a viable part of the battle.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 10:15:57
Only with direct fire, and only with your own missiles. People keep cherry-picking my posts and ignoring the big picture, so after this, I'm leaving this thread. Before I go, I'll say this one last time: If you get close enough to get NARCed by a Stalker-5M, you're not going to be hit by the Stalker's missiles. You going to be hit by the ENTIRE FORCE. No terrain can protect you, and with the advent of ARAD missiles, even friendly ECM is no shield. You got too close to that Stalker, and now you cannot hide, ever. You have only two options: Run outside LRM range, or die. Either way, your unit is no longer a viable part of the battle.

That is true if your opponent is a smart player REGARDLESS of whether or not you have a NARC.  We learned real early (try the '80s) that concentration of fire was GOD in BattleTech at my gaming Club.  Pick a target and make it go away.  None of these individual chivalrous one-on-one fighting, we would aim entire companies at one 'Mech and trash it, then move on to the next.

You don't need a NARC to do that, and I'd rather have more armor, more heat sinks, or more weapons than the Inner Sphere's plain-jane vanilla NARC launcher, but maybe that is just me.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Ian Sharpe on 01 February 2013, 10:29:07
That is true if your opponent is a smart player REGARDLESS of whether or not you have a NARC.  We learned real early (try the '80s) that concentration of fire was GOD in BattleTech at my gaming Club.  Pick a target and make it go away.  None of these individual chivalrous one-on-one fighting, we would aim entire companies at one 'Mech and trash it, then move on to the next.

You don't need a NARC to do that, and I'd rather have more armor, more heat sinks, or more weapons than the Inner Sphere's plain-jane vanilla NARC launcher, but maybe that is just me.

MA

While I don't care for it on my assault mechs, NARC is effectively adding Artemis IV to ALL the LRM/SRM mechs you have.  In large militaries that can't afford to individually upgrade each and every mech, but can afford a few specialists, its a wonderful piece of kit.  Aye, the missiles cost money, but so do Artemis IV missiles, refits, etc.  NARC's poor reputation is more a result of inferior NARC platforms, rather than the system itself IMO.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 10:37:54
Captain Tiberius Sartini (TRO 3025)
...
Only one that immediately comes to mind.

MA
Thanks, I know about him. I meant someone extraordinary from some forgotten sourcebook.

Missed that one.  Fixed.
MA
Nice.

A custom variant is one used by Sho-sho Jagawen Torisobo of the 8th Sword of Light. ...  Armor remains the same as the original STK-3F.
Oh, and STK-3F Stalker Jagawen had different armor than standard STK-3F Stalker. You may check the record sheet for it again.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 10:39:45
While I don't care for it on my assault mechs, NARC is effectively adding Artemis IV to ALL the LRM/SRM mechs you have.  In large militaries that can't afford to individually upgrade each and every mech, but can afford a few specialists, its a wonderful piece of kit.  Aye, the missiles cost money, but so do Artemis IV missiles, refits, etc.  NARC's poor reputation is more a result of inferior NARC platforms, rather than the system itself IMO.

True, Ian.  WHEN I use NARC, I prefer it to be on a fast, mobile spotter that can get in and tag those targets for fire from everyone else.  It isn't completely useless, but putting it on a 3/5 assault with 12 salvos of ammo for their LRMs means that you are likely to have 3-4 salvoes left by the time the NARC comes into range.  And NO ONE really wants to get within 9 hexes of a Stalker anyway, not with two SRM-6s and four Medium Lasers and the heat sinks to use them.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 10:41:02
Thanks, I know about him. I meant someone extraordinary from some forgotten sourcebook.
Nice.
Oh, and STK-3F Stalker Jagawen had different armor than standard STK-3F Stalker. You may check the record sheet for it again.

I've never bought the Record sheets . . . was just going by Sarna, so if it is wrong, I apologize.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Alex Keller on 01 February 2013, 10:52:17
I think any MOTW article should also include Quirks, when available.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: JadeHellbringer on 01 February 2013, 10:57:12
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The NARC on that Stalker isn't a spotting tool, it's a deterrent. If enemies close within 9 hexes, they know there's going to be homing pods flying at them. And if even a single one hits, then they'll be a magnet for every missile on the board. Not just the Stalker's, but every missile rack. In a Marik force. I'd call that a very strong incentive to stay out of close range with a Marik Stalker, and if said Stalker never gets a chance to actually fire a beacon, then the NARC launcher has done its job perfectly.

So you're saying it's an area-denial tool like an AC-20?

I've never thought of it that way, but as you said, especially in a Marik force, that's kind of a genius idea. I'll have to give that further thought...
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 10:57:57
I've never bought the Record sheets . . . was just going by Sarna, so if it is wrong, I apologize.

MA
It's okay. It has improved side torsos protection. That's really just a detail.
And by the way, Sarna says nothing about armor in entry for this Jagawen variant.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 11:07:26
It's okay. It has improved side torsos protection. That's really just a detail.
And by the way, Sarna says nothing about armor in entry for this Jagawen variant.

True, but it only listed the differences, so I presumed all else was the same.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 11:13:10
Is it still true that missile ammunition (such as Narc-compliant LRMs or SRMs) costs twice the standard ammo?

I am asking because I'd suspect that as all good things (in Military and everywhere else) its use would be limited to higher echelon regiments only.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Arkansas Warrior on 01 February 2013, 11:43:40
So, something I forgot to add initially, but that has always bugged me about the Stalker: the name.  You can't "stalk" anything with an 85 ton mech moving, at best, 54 kph.  Well, okay, maybe you could stalk an Annihilator, an Urbanmech, or an Omega, but surely there was a more fitting name for this beast.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Ian Sharpe on 01 February 2013, 11:51:49
The NARC ammo is still pricey, but I see it more as a few tons go out, not every single missile being NARC missiles.  You load a ton or two per machine.  The NARC platforms will miss, targets won't be NARC'd when they first come into range, etc, so it makes sense to have some regular ammo in addition to NARC-rounds.  Don't want to fire off those expensive NARC missiles on a non NARC target after all.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 01 February 2013, 11:57:21
So you're saying it's an area-denial tool like an AC-20?

I've never thought of it that way, but as you said, especially in a Marik force, that's kind of a genius idea. I'll have to give that further thought...

Agreed.  That's not an idea that occurred to me, either.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: William J. Pennington on 01 February 2013, 12:14:11
Only with direct fire, and only with your own missiles. People keep cherry-picking my posts and ignoring the big picture, so after this, I'm leaving this thread. Before I go, I'll say this one last time: If you get close enough to get NARCed by a Stalker-5M, you're not going to be hit by the Stalker's missiles. You going to be hit by the ENTIRE FORCE. No terrain can protect you, and with the advent of ARAD missiles, even friendly ECM is no shield. You got too close to that Stalker, and now you cannot hide, ever. You have only two options: Run outside LRM range, or die. Either way, your unit is no longer a viable part of the battle.

I can see the point here.  I can also say, who the heck is willingly closing with any Stalker anyway, but then if the Stalker is defending in favorable terrain, this isnt too hard to manage.  I think some are viewing the variant in a vacuum.  And a standard NARC launcher is a horrible thing on any 'Mech when viewed that way.  Anything with a NARC has to be viewed as assisting others.  The role of NARC on here is plain: it is a Stalker, it is going to going in up close.  This one should be teamed up with missile friends.  Do so, and the enemy really wants to not be hit with that. 

Try to see  the value of this versus 5 tons of equipment as part of a larger force.  NARC launcher on a tough frame of something plodding into close up combat most likely anyway, and has missiles to add to the party.

I certainly would not want it to the the primary NARC designator for a missile heavy force, but it makes a dandy supplement to help spread the NARC love.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 01 February 2013, 12:43:46
Well, yeah, but you should never really have only one NARC unit anyway, since that's a single point of failure.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 13:15:01
The greatest problem with NARC is the lack of suitable spotters.

In 3050s it's RVN-3L/M Raven for Capelland and FWL (and later other realms), Kintaro for ComGuards. Raven is quite fragile and speed isn't especially high. But since there is no better 'Mech, everyone will use whether he wants it or not.

Since mid-3050s there are additional two spotters generally available: Owens and Strider. OW-1D has NARC launcher with six shots and I consider this amount quite insufficient. SR1-OA has two NARC launchers and twelve rounds for both weapons together, so it's again six shots per launcher. And movement 6/9 isn't great.
DCMS gets HM-2 Hitman, again with one ton of ammo.

Another problem is presence of ECM on the battlefield since 3050s. From lights such as Raven, FS9-S1 Firestarter, Hermes I, Javelin, Scarabus to Heavies. Often very fast and/or jump-capable. And since ECM doeesn't need LOS to function, such 'Mechs are not easy to deal with. They can either jam link between Narced target and LRM-armed 'Mechs or make it so unreliable that it can't be counted on it.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Kotetsu on 01 February 2013, 13:18:17
I would close with a Stalker. But then again, my GM has Hellbie's luck with dice at times, I'm a borderline lunatic, and I tend to use TSM melee monsters. Some with Stealth.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 01 February 2013, 13:19:00
Arminas, an excellent article. I've always enjoyed the Stalker and you did a good job by it.

I do need to point out that the STK-3Fk is not a canon design and remind everyone that Sarna is not the best place to get canon data. As an open Wiki, anyone can edit it and this leads to things being added that do not appear in the game.

The Master Unit List is the official source of all canon units and the best place to check if something is real. The Record Sheets are the best way to double check the stats. Even SSW and MegaMek are not canon sources, though both do try and make it clear the difference between canon units and non-canon units.

Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 13:27:23
Arminas, an excellent article. I've always enjoyed the Stalker and you did a good job by it.

I do need to point out that the STK-3Fk is not a canon design and remind everyone that Sarna is not the best place to get canon data. As an open Wiki, anyone can edit it and this leads to things being added that do not appear in the game.

The Master Unit List is the official source of all canon units and the best place to check if something is real. The Record Sheets are the best way to double check the stats. Even SSW and MegaMek are not canon sources, though both do try and make it clear the difference between canon units and non-canon units.

Fixed.  I wasn't sure; I know that I have never seen it, but then, there are plenty of canon 'Mechs I have never seen.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 01 February 2013, 13:49:51
Fixed.  I wasn't sure; I know that I have never seen it, but then, there are plenty of canon 'Mechs I have never seen.

MA

If it's on the MUL, it's canon. If it's not and you have a specific canon reference, hit the errata thread. If it's not and you don't have a specific canon reference, it's not.

And the MUL errata will be responded to. There are some units out there that are not real, even though referred to. The famous MG Urbie is one. It was a writing mistake and not a real variant.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 01 February 2013, 13:53:07
If it's on the MUL, it's canon. If it's not and you have a specific canon reference, hit the errata thread. If it's not and you don't have a specific canon reference, it's not.

I'd like to ask about 'Mechs from Era Report: 2750, such as WHM-6Rk, TDR-5Sd etc. What's their status? Are they canon?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Wrangler on 01 February 2013, 13:57:44
If it's on the MUL, it's canon. If it's not and you have a specific canon reference, hit the errata thread. If it's not and you don't have a specific canon reference, it's not.

And the MUL errata will be responded to. There are some units out there that are not real, even though referred to. The famous MG Urbie is one. It was a writing mistake and not a real variant.

Question, Era Report: 2750 is not valid source?  Thats where the STK-3Fk Stalker came from. Page 129,  Fourth Sword of Light. 
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 01 February 2013, 14:00:03
I'd like to ask about 'Mechs from Era Report: 2750, such as WHM-6Rk, TDR-5Sd etc. What's their status? Are they canon?


Yes, they are canon.

Question, Era Report: 2750 is not valid source?  Thats where the STK-3Fk Stalker came from. Page 129,  Fouth Sword of Light. 

See, this is how things get better. If someone can post that in the MUL errata thread, we can get it fixed. That's a source we can use.

Thanks
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 14:15:36

Yes, they are canon.

See, this is how things get better. If someone can post that in the MUL errata thread, we can get it fixed. That's a source we can use.

Thanks

Okay, added the STK-3Fk back in!   ;D  'Round and 'round we go, where we stop, no body knows!

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 01 February 2013, 14:19:11

Yes, they are canon.

See, this is how things get better. If someone can post that in the MUL errata thread, we can get it fixed. That's a source we can use.

Thanks

Is there and link to the MUL and an instruction page?  I got there once and couldn't make heads nor tails of it.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 01 February 2013, 14:42:54
http://www.masterunitlist.info/

It's also on the home page of this site.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Wrangler on 01 February 2013, 15:21:07
Looks like Era Reports: 2750 hasn't been added to MUL as a source. 

If Sarna.net is used a reference, there citations next to them.  If there a doubt, the citation should include a source and page where it came from.  Site maybe fan supported, but its pretty good, only some times it has there problems.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Nikas_Zekeval on 01 February 2013, 15:33:47
The point of the NARC isn't to land extra missiles from the Stalker. It's to keep people away from the Stalker, lest every single one of the Stalker's buddies land missiles on it. Would you consider 5 tons a good deal if it meant nobody came close to you, lest they face the wrath of an entire company, or more?

No.

Because it requires me to carry five tons of dead weight for a threat I may never use.  Plus the extra expense of NARC homing missiles that might never have a beacon to deploy.  AND the bubble is nine hexes on something that isn't closing fast.

If we are talking company combat, the NARC goes on a fast light or medium that can close quickly, generate high TMM and actually let me use the NARC I'm paying the mass for.  NARC is not a dueling weapon, it is a team weapon.  As such it should never be mounting on big slow missile boats, you put it on a scout/spotter and let the rest of the company carry the missile launchers.

In that case, letting something small, and to be frank you are willing to sacrifice mount the NARC and place the beacons is a more logical decision than stuffing it into the slow ass assault boat.  THAT you load up for maximum pain, both firepower and protection to extend the pain.

That five tons is a second ER Large Laser, 50% more LRM tubes and CASE, AMS, CASE, and more armor, or plenty of other things that are direct combat enhancements when mounted on the mech.  As you point out you do not have to mount a NARC on a unit to take advantage of it.  Putting it where it would be most effective is more threatening than putting it on a big slow unit that realistically will seldom get to employ it.

The AC/20 gets a bubble of doom because of the potential to covert a pristine section to breached, or destroyed, in a single hit.  The SRM Carrier gets the same effect by toting enough short range firepower to shred a light mech in one salvo.  Notice the instantly lethal potential and lack of a defense other than not being hit?

The NARC fails both, you effecively have a one turn delay, the bonus does not kick in till the turn after the NARC beacon lands.  And if you have an ECM suite on the target?  Not doing you much good while that is running.  The bonus also only increases the damage, it does not boost chances to hit.  So an already illusive target might risk it.  There are simply too many 'ifs' for the NARC to be a 'bubble threat' weapon.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: cold1 on 01 February 2013, 16:02:51
First off I gotta say it... Ugliest mech ever!  Ok sorry had to get that out.

It's a pretty good machine and one of the classics that gets solid upgrades with new tech.

As for the NARC I get the argument for area denial, but the tons can be better used.  Now if you're a FWL fluff guy and want to have 3 Archers in the lance... well it's area denial but everything is faster than the Stalker and will keep out of NARC range, and proceed to pound it from there to kill the nARC carrier.  The Stalker can't avoid taking a massive beat down because it is slow.  And it would likely. E an early target if everything else on the board has missiles.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Orin J. on 01 February 2013, 16:54:00
Nikas, you CAN have more than one NARC launcher in your forces. it's not like they have to be slaved into a network...oh, there's an idea. er, anyways.

the first response to the sight of a Stalker is always that it [REDACTED] on legs, but this unfortunate similarity to a back massager is far from the full extent of it's design. the frontal profile of the mech is absolutely tiny for an 85-ton battlemech and much of its armor is angled to spread the effectiveness of a frontal attack across it or simply force it to glance off. even the cockpit window blends into these lines, a long, narrow stripe of visibility that is almost impossible to target from the ground.

The downside to this is that the weapons are all aligned very close together, limiting the 'mechs ease in maintaining fire on multiple targets, but as the bulk of a Stalker's effectiveness it dependent on how well it melts a target into tactically meaningless slag this is something of a lesser issue. the LRMs are placed as high as possible on the mech without making them break from the overall lines of the 'mech and are in a good position for both direct and indirect fire, and the myriad of lasers a Stalker possesses are all deeply set into the armor.

the one point of contention in this design is the legs. they feet work well enough, as each is a borad hoof with a supporting brace "toe" extending back from the leg to keep the 'mech stable. however, as we  go past the seemingly poorly armored knee to the hip we run into the ongoing problem of "i have no idea what's going on here". earliest artwork depicting this 'mech was suffering from considerable failings of perspective, and as a result nearly every design since has had suspect design work in this area, with the way the legs even attach to the torso being in drastic flux on occasion. while it's somewhat presumptuous to do, i've included what my view on how the assembly operates as an example.

in conclusion, the Stalker's appearance is something of an acquired taste. the unusual design of the body and.....issues with depictions of the legs are easily reason to overlook this otherwise gruesomely effective design, but it does have it's own somewhat perverse charm if one can laugh at themselves.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: garhkal on 01 February 2013, 17:05:43
Ahh... the stalker..  What's not to love.
Though i never understood why when it DOES have arms (and arm mounted weaponry) it was always depicted as lackig them.

Quote
Now, you don't have any rear mounted guns, but those arms can flip.  Four Medium Lasers bearing down on a bug that jumped behind you is pretty terrifying in 3025; you can also use the arm-mounted LRMs to lay down fire as you retreat (while the ammo lasts).

Never seen anyone do that before.. most use it to flip the MLs so they can smack a backbiter.

Quote
The STK-3H is the first variant that shows up, and it is one that I really dislike.  This version removes the two Large Lasers to upgrade the LRM racks from -10s to -20s, while keeping everything else the same.  Sounds great, eh?  The problem is, they kept the same one ton of ammo per LRM launcher, giving you twelve total salvoes (6 rounds of fire), and then you are looking at having no guns that can hit anything at 10+ hexes.

Agreed.  It was a poor redesign.  Now had they used that to bump the LRMs to 15 packs, it would have done well imo.

Quote
Next up is the STK-4N, debuting in 2876.  This model removes one LRM-10 and ammo magazine to increase the heat sinks to 26.  Sigh.  They couldn't have raised the heat sinks to 25 and given our remaining launcher two tons of ammo?  Your long-range firepower is cut in half, and practically, you are now oversinked.  LRM plus the twin Large Lasers plus running is 22.  Four Mediums plus two SRM-6 plus running is 22.  You could add the LRM-10 and be perfectly sinked, but you only started with 12 shots and if you are in SRM/Medium Laser range, then the LRM is probably at or under minimum range.

Never seen this variant used by anyone...  i mean anyone!

Quote
A strange variant is the STK-4P, showing up in 2998.  Basically a complete rebuild, this version masses 75 tons, shedding 10 tons of weight.  It has 20 heat sinks, the same 13.5 tons of armor (arranged 35 on the center torso, 25 on the right and left torso, the arms have 23 each, the legs have 26 each, the head has 9, the center torso rear 10, and both rear side torsos 7), and uses an even lighter 225 standard Fusion engine.  All for the cost of some internal structure and one LRM launcher (leaving just a ton of ammo, AGAIN!).  Otherwise it has the same guns as the -4N.

personally i don't consider that a stalker..  but a stalker jr!

Quote
The very first Star League tech version of the Stalker is one that we don't actually see in the game until just recently:  the Royal Stalker.  This model (the STK-3Fb)

I have used this one myself and love it..  i call it the sniper stalker.

Quote
Sarna.net has the STK-3Fk listed as well (EDIT:  so does Era Reports:  2750, I'e been told).

Interesting mod..  Not sure if i like dropping 2 SRM 6s for just a pair of streak 2s.. especially with 2 tons of ammo...  Heck just 1 would rarely if ever be gone through.

Quote
Starting with the STK-5M

like you i never understood putting on a narc for this one, and the most common 'field mod' i saw was dropping One of the 2 additional LRM tons for case..

Quote
House Steiner's STK-5S took a different tack.

I think the steiner bro's were smoking some MJ when they made this one..

Quote
The next model comes into service in 3062.  This is the STK-6M

When the GM allowed, (or whom ever we played with) i always liked to make this one sans ER mediums.. 

Quote
Also debuting in 3062 is the STK-7D.

This one never screamed to me "STALKER BABY!"..  not with ER PPCs, standard fair for other assaults.

Quote
The STK-8S appears in 3064, and it is VERY different from the classic Stalker.

Different indeed.  never used it (as i have yet to play many games set in that time frame), but i wouldn't mind giving it a whirl.

Quote
The STK-7C3BS features a plethora of experimental tech.

Ohh.. A stalker actually using C3.. O0

Quote
To be fair, in a matchup against an Atlas, you can't forget that the big 100 tonner also happens to have an LRM-20 to play with. If you're going by the Succession Wars standard model. They're not entirely helpless at long range. Both are excellent and well rounded proper assault 'Mechs.

Plus in several one on one engagements i have had using them that AC-20 of the atlas (or gauss rifle if using the variant that mounts it) has usually allowed said atlas to win the day..

Quote
Another problem is presence of ECM on the battlefield since 3050s. From lights such as Raven, FS9-S1 Firestarter, Hermes I, Javelin, Scarabus to Heavies. Often very fast and/or jump-capable. And since ECM doeesn't need LOS to function, such 'Mechs are not easy to deal with. They can either jam link between Narced target and LRM-armed 'Mechs or make it so unreliable that it can't be counted on it.

Which is also a downer for artemis OR C3..
But until ECMs became common place, i am surprised there has been only 1 Stalker which mounted C3..

Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Dave Talley on 01 February 2013, 17:10:39
So, something I forgot to add initially, but that has always bugged me about the Stalker: the name.  You can't "stalk" anything with an 85 ton mech moving, at best, 54 kph.  Well, okay, maybe you could stalk an Annihilator, an Urbanmech, or an Omega, but surely there was a more fitting name for this beast.

face it, they cant call it what looks like or the name would be Waddling Weenie
and the famous pilot would be Ben Dover and his mech the Holmes
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 01 February 2013, 18:18:41
face it, they cant call it what looks like or the name would be Waddling Weenie
and the famous pilot would be Ben Dover and his mech the Holmes

I wouldn't worry. In this case it is just an example of fiction following reality.

Look at a picture of a Hughes 500 helicopter and you'll understand why military folks ended up calling it an Egg with a ....

Well you fill it in.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Taurevanime on 01 February 2013, 18:49:32
So, something I forgot to add initially, but that has always bugged me about the Stalker: the name.  You can't "stalk" anything with an 85 ton mech moving, at best, 54 kph.  Well, okay, maybe you could stalk an Annihilator, an Urbanmech, or an Omega, but surely there was a more fitting name for this beast.
Well I think it works more in the sense that it's a big heavy 'Mech that just keeps coming. It might be slow, but it will keep coming for you. It stalks you in that sense. It really works for the 7D in that sense. Since it is almost all energy weapons.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 01 February 2013, 18:55:44
Well I think it works more in the sense that it's a big heavy 'Mech that just keeps coming. It might be slow, but it will keep coming for you. It stalks you in that sense. It really works for the 7D in that sense. Since it is almost all energy weapons.

I've always have the image of the Stalker from the CityTech box. If you didn't have jump jets and one of these was stalking you in a city, we're talking pure terror. Imagine being the crew of those tanks.

Note- Course that art isn't the 3025 art and has issues.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Isanova on 02 February 2013, 02:34:03

the first response to the sight of a Stalker is always that it [REDACTED] on legs, but this unfortunate similarity to a back massager is far from the full extent of it's design. the frontal profile of the mech is absolutely tiny for an 85-ton battlemech and much of its armor is angled to spread the effectiveness of a frontal attack across it or simply force it to glance off. even the cockpit window blends into these lines, a long, narrow stripe of visibility that is almost impossible to target from the ground.

The downside to this is that the weapons are all aligned very close together, limiting the 'mechs ease in maintaining fire on multiple targets, but as the bulk of a Stalker's effectiveness it dependent on how well it melts a target into tactically meaningless slag this is something of a lesser issue. the LRMs are placed as high as possible on the mech without making them break from the overall lines of the 'mech and are in a good position for both direct and indirect fire, and the myriad of lasers a Stalker possesses are all deeply set into the armor.


Well at least until you flip your arms for a turn, imagine each side torso of the mech flipped up and facing backwards like the awkward arms on the clan Fire Moth. I'd consider a vulnerability quirk here if I could figure out which one fits.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Taurevanime on 02 February 2013, 02:40:36
I've always have the image of the Stalker from the CityTech box. If you didn't have jump jets and one of these was stalking you in a city, we're talking pure terror. Imagine being the crew of those tanks.

Note- Course that art isn't the 3025 art and has issues.
I do love that image, it really evokes the power of Battlemechs. I don't think there has been an image since of a 'Mech crashing through a building as a shortcut to cut down on an enemy. (Subtle hint towards the art department)

But yes, you can run from a Stalker, but you can't hide.

Also considering most types tend to have standard engines and are thus very durable, I am surprised there hasn't been a compact engine version to really try and ramp up the survivabillity.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: William J. Pennington on 02 February 2013, 02:42:07
I forgot to mention, but home, I finally did my Stalker conversion, I just have yet to paint it. It solves the great mystery of how does a Stalker get up.

I took the spring from a ballpoint pin, cut off a one inch segment.  I glued one end to the back of the Stalker, and attached a small bit of plasticard that looks like armor to it.

I almost want to paint "Boing" in cartoonish letters on the side of the base.

Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 02 February 2013, 03:07:58
I've always have the image of the Stalker from the CityTech box. If you didn't have jump jets and one of these was stalking you in a city, we're talking pure terror. Imagine being the crew of those tanks.

Note- Course that art isn't the 3025 art and has issues.
I do love that image, it really evokes the power of Battlemechs. I don't think there has been an image since of a 'Mech crashing through a building as a shortcut to cut down on an enemy. (Subtle hint towards the art department)

But yes, you can run from a Stalker, but you can't hide.

so someone should paint a stalker Red with a big black smiley face on the front? maybe "oh yeah" scrawled along one arm?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: ANS Kamas P81 on 02 February 2013, 09:22:08
I forgot to mention, but home, I finally did my Stalker conversion, I just have yet to paint it. It solves the great mystery of how does a Stalker get up.

I took the spring from a ballpoint pin, cut off a one inch segment.  I glued one end to the back of the Stalker, and attached a small bit of plasticard that looks like armor to it.

I almost want to paint "Boing" in cartoonish letters on the side of the base.
Mechanical Jump Jets!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Marveryn on 02 February 2013, 12:56:08
am good with the missle head with legs look as for the name just thinking if it like all those old slasher film.  Do you see Jason, Micheal or Frankenstein running?? no they are just walking.. and walking .. and somehow they get in front of people who are running away from them.   I do find it interesting that as good a as a mech it is.  I think it is better then an atlas.  It not a mech that tend to draw main character I guess it the lack of arms that make writers not want to use it for the fictional bad ass ride that it is
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Isanova on 02 February 2013, 17:53:20
Question to all: If they did a re-seen model/artwork for the Stalker the way they did for the unseen mechs, what would you imagine it's differences would be?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 02 February 2013, 18:09:20
Question to all: If they did a re-seen model/artwork for the Stalker the way they did for the unseen mechs, what would you imagine it's differences would be?

Probably blockier - similar treatment Reseen Longbow has got.

I guess weapon ports would be similar to Unseen model, even though there would be no weapon at that location.
What do I mean? Look at Reseen TDR-9M Thunderbolt. It has two holes in the right torso as for SRM-2 rack, although there is no such weapon present. But this detail makes it similar to old TDR-5S, should you wanna use this Reseen as a stand-in for old Unseen 'Mech.

I guess legs would be different, more "practical".

We have new Stalker from MechWarrior Online, and we can look at Mektek's idea from Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Orin J. on 02 February 2013, 20:14:27
Well at least until you flip your arms for a turn, imagine each side torso of the mech flipped up and facing backwards like the awkward arms on the clan Fire Moth. I'd consider a vulnerability quirk here if I could figure out which one fits.

Assuming that the "shoulder" of the Stalker's arm is where it would be on a vertical torso, yes. i however will make no such assumption when it's just as possible for that joint to be on the torso. now, if you have some canon material showing a Stalker with flipped arms that's altogether different and i'd love to see it myself.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: FedSunsBorn on 02 February 2013, 21:05:15
An 85 ton BEAST.

Ugly as sin mech but a literal walking gun and missile battery makes this mech one for the ages.

Great write up.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Marveryn on 02 February 2013, 21:44:03
Question to all: If they did a re-seen model/artwork for the Stalker the way they did for the unseen mechs, what would you imagine it's differences would be?

agreed maybe blokier so it look l less like a walking symbol of sexual agression and maybe make the lines more realistic particular the arm weapons so you can tell if they flip or not
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 02 February 2013, 22:02:51
Question to all: If they did a re-seen model/artwork for the Stalker the way they did for the unseen mechs, what would you imagine it's differences would be?

Like this:

(http://atlashunters.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/stalker_blue-star-irr_by-ironhawk.jpg)

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Arkansas Warrior on 02 February 2013, 22:34:02
Like this:

(http://atlashunters.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/stalker_blue-star-irr_by-ironhawk.jpg)

MA
Is the torso twisted or something?  The legs look like they're on backwards. Look at the way the 'toes' are apparently pointed.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Orin J. on 02 February 2013, 23:20:38
Is the torso twisted or something?  The legs look like they're on backwards. Look at the way the 'toes' are apparently pointed.

pretty much all the "non-humaniod" 'mech designs have the legs backwards like that, i think it's to make the style more homogenous from 'mech to 'mech. i don't like it myself, but for the amount of firepower you get with a Stalker i'm gonna have to bite that bullet as soon as my computer can handle it.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 03 February 2013, 13:38:57
pretty much all the "non-humaniod" 'mech designs have the legs backwards like that, i think it's to make the style more homogenous from 'mech to 'mech. i don't like it myself, but for the amount of firepower you get with a Stalker i'm gonna have to bite that bullet as soon as my computer can handle it.

Yeah, I always found it strange that they kept the legs digitigrade like a human for the Jenner in MWO, but went ahead and switched the Stalker to reverse digitigrade.  Very strange.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: chanman on 03 February 2013, 17:04:22
The Stalker is so front heavy (especially in the 3025 artwork) that the move was probably to make it look somewhat feasible with the legs putting the feet closer to the mech's actual CoG
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Taurevanime on 04 February 2013, 03:19:52
Another thing might be that humans have an intimate knowledge with how plantigrade bipedal motion is supposed to look, so anything that isn't good will just look off to our brains for some reason. Changing the type of leg configuration takes it away and despite similar levels of competency, to our brains it looks more natural because it doesn't look as unnatural.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Arkansas Warrior on 04 February 2013, 09:42:09
It's not the knees that get me, it's the feet.  Is there anything in nature with toes that has them all pointing away from the direction of travel?  What purpose would that serve?  (Yes, yes, I know a stalker's pretty far from anything natural, but I'd still think the general layout would have some sort of basis in real world critters somewhere).
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: garhkal on 04 February 2013, 16:49:03
Other than the feet being off that was a cool pic.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 04 February 2013, 18:33:21
It's not the knees that get me, it's the feet.  Is there anything in nature with toes that has them all pointing away from the direction of travel?  What purpose would that serve?  (Yes, yes, I know a stalker's pretty far from anything natural, but I'd still think the general layout would have some sort of basis in real world critters somewhere).

In a way, it makes sense.  It speads out of the weight of the 'Mech more towards the center of mass, which look like they are behind the ankle joints.  If those 'toes' were forward, they wouldn't act to counter the weight being towards the rear.  I agree, it does look strange, but other than that, I love the MWO Stalker pic.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: William J. Pennington on 04 February 2013, 21:48:14
It's not the knees that get me, it's the feet.  Is there anything in nature with toes that has them all pointing away from the direction of travel?  What purpose would that serve?  (Yes, yes, I know a stalker's pretty far from anything natural, but I'd still think the general layout would have some sort of basis in real world critters somewhere).

They help provide flexibility for the internally mounted rear deployed giant spring system that makes the Stalker stand up when it falls--but you just can't see that now because they don't have colliisons on in the game.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Molossian Dog IIC on 06 February 2013, 07:27:38
Ah, the assault wiener. You got to love it.

Let me just quip in and say one or two words about the NARC launcher. As someone who tries his level best to play a real Marik force the way it was intended and described in the fluff, i gave the whole NARC idea some thought. Things you might want to consider:

1.) Every stupid LRM Carrier can use NARC missiles. LRMs are not impressive weapons. Solution: Take lots of them. I mean lots. Lots lots.

2.) LRMs are great for city fighting. Yes, they are, don´t let anyone tell you otherwise. There is literally no terrain which lets you break LOS so easily. Indirect fire is your friend. Indirect fire is best at a range of 7 hexes. NARC makes indirect fire possible even without sacrificing some poor foot-sluggers to use as spotters. (And i have led my share of PBIs to the gallows, just to have another round of LRM carnage.)
Indirect fire is the one feature that makes LRMs great long range weapons. For direct long range fire you should rather consider the Gauss family or the PPC.

3.) My personal pet peeve is that there are almost no NARC carrying Marik Mechs. I was green with envy when i saw that DCMS light Mech with the funny fins on his head in TRO 3055. [EDIT: Looked it up, i meant the Hitman!] So you go with what you have. And the Stalker is one option. And he is a great city fighter.

So, I do not say NARC is the best solution out there. It is a weapon meant as a force multiplier in big engagements. Let´s say company level plus attached conventional units. It is also a force multiplier because it practically creates line of sight where otherwise there is none (cities, hills, dense forests) - if you have enough LRMs that is. And not by accident this kind of terrain is also where the paltry range of 9 hexes does not matter. That is where it shines.
Running into an alley and standing in front of a Stalker is scary. But should you survive the first salvo, the real nightmare is yet to come when the sky darkens from LRMs bearing down on you by multiple low cost, usually irrelevant vehicles or even infantry.

My greatest problem with the NARC-Stalker is, that the NARC is not where it should be. Put it in the arms, for assault wiener´s sake! As others have pointed out, people generally avoid to get close to Stalkers. But if they do, you can bet they try to get behind it. What a beautiful moment that would be to just flip your arms and slap a beacon on these pesky backstabbers.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: garhkal on 06 February 2013, 17:08:51
Of the newer tech that came out with the rediscovery of star league tech..  If you could only have 2 pieces of tech on a stalker, which would it be>

For me its easy.
Double heat sinks and
AMS!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: ANS Kamas P81 on 06 February 2013, 21:57:20
Forget AMS!  Give me CASE!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: chanman on 06 February 2013, 22:32:32
A good radio and navigation system. How else am I supposed to call in fire support?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 06 February 2013, 23:21:36
A good radio and navigation system. How else am I supposed to call in fire support?

Stackpole your reactor?

"Fire control, see that cheery glow?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Make it glow even more."

Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: chanman on 07 February 2013, 00:04:26
Stackpole your reactor?

"Fire control, see that cheery glow?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Make it glow even more."

Yes, but you can only do that once per mech. Also, I wouldn't trust a Battlemech ejection system to get me far enough away from ground zero of a barrage... lastly, you could do the same thing by calling your artillery liaison/forward air controller and asking them to have the the planes/artillery just fire at you.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Welshman on 07 February 2013, 00:11:04
Yes, but you can only do that once per mech. Also, I wouldn't trust a Battlemech ejection system to get me far enough away from ground zero of a barrage... lastly, you could do the same thing by calling your artillery liaison/forward air controller and asking them to have the the planes/artillery just fire at you.

This was a test of your Capellan or Combine quotient. You have been found lacking in either as personal well being outweighs destroying the enemy. :)
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: chanman on 07 February 2013, 00:24:57
This was a test of your Capellan or Combine quotient. You have been found lacking in either as personal well being outweighs destroying the enemy. :)

The more artillery strikes you spot, the more enemies you destroy. A recon mech is a valuable investment of the state and must be saved when possible. What do you think we are, profligate Davions?  :)

Also, isn't it un-samurai to use fire support to begin with? In Combine, fire support begins and ends with sword!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: ANS Kamas P81 on 07 February 2013, 03:05:30
Hey, samurai were pretty damn good archers too!  Fire support is entirely honorable.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: garhkal on 07 February 2013, 18:27:56
Forget AMS!  Give me CASE!

GHA>>>  forgot case.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 08 February 2013, 16:36:01
As a simple refit of the -3F, how would swapping the large lasers for PPCs, and the LRM-10s for SRM-6s work out?  It's an even tonnage swap.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Jim1701 on 08 February 2013, 16:56:51
A Warhammer on steroids.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: master arminas on 08 February 2013, 17:15:39
As a simple refit of the -3F, how would swapping the large lasers for PPCs, and the LRM-10s for SRM-6s work out?  It's an even tonnage swap.

Your close-in heat goes through the roof:  4 SRM-6 @ 4 each = 16.  4 Medium Lasers @ 3 each= 12.  28 before movement.  +8 before movement.  At range you are still at 20 with 20 heat sinks.  So Movement is +1 or +2.

MA
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 08 February 2013, 18:02:58
Yeah, you would have to alternate in close between two SRM racks and the lasers, or the four SRM racks. Of course, double heat sinks makes everything better.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Dave Talley on 08 February 2013, 18:21:03
A Warhammer on steroids.

I was thinking it was a ugly Thug
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: DoctorMonkey on 08 February 2013, 18:24:02
And if you give it a AC20, an LRM20 and raise the mass to 100 tonnes it's an Atlas - you need to maintain the essence of Stalker-ness
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 08 February 2013, 18:25:13
It's every Hatamoto variant at the same time!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: DoctorMonkey on 08 February 2013, 18:29:02
It's every Hatamoto variant at the same time!


 [notworthy]
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Orin J. on 09 February 2013, 14:23:32
It's every Hatamoto variant at the same time!

Giovanni, i'm not sure if i should applaud or groan in disgust. i'm going to do both to hedge my bets.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 10 February 2013, 00:15:37
Giovanni, i'm not sure if i should applaud or groan in disgust. i'm going to do both to hedge my bets.

Yeah, I get that a lot!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Drasius on 28 April 2013, 06:07:36
Given the extremely unlikely odds of people being within 9 hexes of a STK-3F for 7 1/2 rounds requiring further high explosive lessons, am I the only one who thinks that 2nd ton of SRM6 ammo could easily become another ton of LRM 10 ammo?

I love the -3F so very much, as while it doesn't have the big boomstick threat, it has enough firepower not to matter, has a tool for every occasion and thoroughly encourages riding the heat scale. Arm flipping is always a nice trick, though it's kind of needed to protect that weak rear armour. The ability to go deeper into the danger zone on the heat scale at the drop of a hat as well as the ability to still contribute while cooling down is much appreciated.

I dislike the vast majority of the upgraded paths as they seem to have lost some of this focus on rediculously overwhelming fire power in favour of some measure of heat balance. Giving someone a full alpha at range 5 on your last bins of ammo and turning a pristine heavy into a smoldering heap in under 6 seconds is a glorius thing and totally worth it.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: martian on 28 April 2013, 06:19:20
Given the extremely unlikely odds of people being within 9 hexes of a STK-3F for 7 1/2 rounds requiring further high explosive lessons, am I the only one who thinks that 2nd ton of SRM6 ammo could easily become another ton of LRM 10 ammo?

I am quite comfortable with that second ammo bin for SRMs. That way I can use both standard HE-missiles as well as Infernos, either the same type of ammo from both launchers or different type of missiles from each launcher..
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: A. Lurker on 28 April 2013, 07:06:35
Given the extremely unlikely odds of people being within 9 hexes of a STK-3F for 7 1/2 rounds requiring further high explosive lessons, am I the only one who thinks that 2nd ton of SRM6 ammo could easily become another ton of LRM 10 ammo?

Looking at the 3F's weapons array and noticing that all four medium lasers and both SRM racks firing in synch mean I'm exactly only building up movement heat that turn, I'd have to say that I feel rather comfortable having that second ton of SRM ammo just in case the first runs out. After all, who knows, I might run into more than just one opponent. :)

But then I've always seen and used the Stalker as primarily a short-to-mid range combatant whose LRMs in particular are mostly a "just wait until I get there" deal. Once I'm close enough to open up with a solid short-range barrage I'm probably under the long-range launchers' minimum anyway, so I'm unlikely to use them any further until my current business is dealt with.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: AJC46 on 28 April 2013, 12:51:35
i have to laugh at the original image of the stalker those crazy bendy legs that bend in both directions.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Drasius on 28 April 2013, 16:24:21
Looking at the 3F's weapons array and noticing that all four medium lasers and both SRM racks firing in synch mean I'm exactly only building up movement heat that turn, I'd have to say that I feel rather comfortable having that second ton of SRM ammo just in case the first runs out. After all, who knows, I might run into more than just one opponent. :)

But then I've always seen and used the Stalker as primarily a short-to-mid range combatant whose LRMs in particular are mostly a "just wait until I get there" deal. Once I'm close enough to open up with a solid short-range barrage I'm probably under the long-range launchers' minimum anyway, so I'm unlikely to use them any further until my current business is dealt with.

What are you, a clanner? Your lancemates should be helping you pour on the fire if anything gets that close, and given that it's an assault and will likely be hanging around with heavies and other assaults, that's a lot of firepower to contend with! Not to mention if you can't deal with more than 1 opponent when you have that much close in firepower, you're doing it wrong.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: A. Lurker on 28 April 2013, 16:33:35
What are you, a clanner? Your lancemates should be helping you pour on the fire if anything gets that close, and given that it's an assault and will likely be hanging around with heavies and other assaults, that's a lot of firepower to contend with! Not to mention if you can't deal with more than 1 opponent when you have that much close in firepower, you're doing it wrong.

If I want to play the long-range fire support game in a slow 85-tonner I'll hitch a ride on a Longbow, thank you very much. ;)
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: BeeRockxs on 06 May 2013, 14:27:50
Anyone talking the STK-4N down has not played against it. It will beat the 3F in a straight match-up most of the time. Thoes extra 6 heatsinks mean you can use the second large laser much often, which is a lot better than the LRM10.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: LastChanceCav on 08 May 2013, 11:34:30
As a simple refit of the -3F, how would swapping the large lasers for PPCs, and the LRM-10s for SRM-6s work out?  It's an even tonnage swap.

I've always preferred swapping the LLs/LRM10s for PPCs/LRM5s with side orders of extra heat sinks and armor --> http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,4979.msg110885.html#msg110885 (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,4979.msg110885.html#msg110885).

Even without customization, the Stalker is my favorite SW era assault mech.

Cheers,
LCC
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: marauder648 on 09 May 2013, 05:34:14
How about a low end upgrade for the Stalker? Keep its weapons load as is but just bung 18 double heatsinks into it and any extra tonnage going on armour?  That way you have a more manageable heat load and a tougher machine but without the high expense of more modern equipment.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: A. Lurker on 09 May 2013, 06:03:15
How about a low end upgrade for the Stalker? Keep its weapons load as is but just bung 18 double heatsinks into it and any extra tonnage going on armour?  That way you have a more manageable heat load and a tougher machine but without the high expense of more modern equipment.

Would have to move some of the weapons to actually fit heat sinks #17 and 18 -- if you just leave everything in place, you end up with five free slots per arm and seven per side torso, which is sufficient room only for six more DHS after the ten that can go into the engine. But other than that it's doable (and handily demonstrates once more what makes double heat sinks the main factor separating "introductory" from "standard" tech).

I thought I'd actually done an upgrade like that already, only to find out that strictly speaking I actually didn't. But that would be more a topic for the fan designs board.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: SCC on 09 May 2013, 22:24:49
If you move the LRM-10 ammo to the ST there's room for those heat sinks
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Kit deSummersville on 10 May 2013, 10:30:00
The ST?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Orin J. on 10 May 2013, 10:40:06
.......Secret torso?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: A. Lurker on 10 May 2013, 10:42:06
The ST?

Side torso, probably.

And yeah, that works...as long as one doesn't mind that a side torso thus stuffed to the gills won't have room for CASE anymore. Failing that, though, it will take some more juggling to really fit everything in.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Kit deSummersville on 10 May 2013, 11:23:08
I guess it could be scrotum, which in the stalker's case would be the side torsos. :)
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: HazMeat on 12 May 2013, 10:18:47
Curse you all, I've been trying to unsee that for years.  My first impression was chibi zeppelin or Goodyear Blimp, but now I mostly see a giant bomb.  Some one needs to put a mannequin up on top of a Stalker, stradling it like Doctor Strangelove. 

I kinda like the general idea of combining SRM and/or Medium Lasers with LRMs in classic bracket-firing manner, but including some sort of PPC (with minimum range) in both brackets' heat budget since it slots so neatly in between their optimal ranges.  I think the Stalker is ideal for that purpose, and a renaissance upgrade might be able to fit a pair of PPC that way... 

Edit: example 'mech posted in "fan designs" section (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,29417.0.html)
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: SCC on 05 May 2014, 06:22:47
Any chance of getting an addition covering the Stalker II?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Martius on 05 May 2014, 07:23:40
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,35851.0.html (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,35851.0.html)

There is a bit about the Stalker II.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Sjhernan3060 on 16 October 2017, 10:03:19
O0

Love the old girl, my only wish for it is a MWO style mini.

I will be using the Stalker II mini ( which I really like) for my Blood Spirits Stalker ( C )

I try to stock my Spirits with FUGLY units that are tough as nails. I think the Stalker fits the bill!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 26 October 2017, 03:09:15
Although not specifically called out in the fluff, I think the old girl is probably the most common Assault 'Mech (if the term common can be applied to Assault-weight BattleMechs, that is) in both the Inner Sphere and Periphery.  It appears on every House's table and is found in Periphery and Mercenary units as well.  In sheer numbers, it is likely one of the most-produced Assaults in history; and as such has a LOT of variants.  Let me know if I miss any.   O0

Well, since this discussion has been resurrected, I'm pretty sure that the original TRO 3025 did call the Stalker the most common Assault Mech in the Inner Sphere.  I know that the CCG did.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Minemech on 26 October 2017, 13:17:28
deleted
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 26 October 2017, 21:20:18
Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Moonsword on 26 October 2017, 21:51:52
On the STK-5M, I think the logic (such as it is) on the Narc is about the same as the ON1-M: Remember, this is the FWL.  LRMs are one of their things. Plus Narc is something they can slot into even un-upgraded 'Mechs if a spotter is handy.  They build and have a large stock of Archers, Longbows, Crusaders, and Trebuchets.  They also have a certain number of Scimitars and  LRM Harassers, plus lots of SRM Harassers.  Later on, semi-guided LRMs would fill this niche and the FWLM de-emphasized Narc.  Since both 'Mechs are typically assigned to units closely attached to LRM fire lances, there's a certain degree of logic in giving your heavy and assault lances organic Narc support to enhance fire once they get tangled up in the swirl of close battle.

They were also some of the first units to mount Narc out of game, and some of the first in centuries in game.  The FWLM was still feeling its way into proper spotter doctrine with new hardware at that point.

Well, since this discussion has been resurrected, I'm pretty sure that the original TRO 3025 did call the Stalker the most common Assault Mech in the Inner Sphere.  I know that the CCG did.

I think you're right about TRO3025.

Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?

That sounds rather wacky.  I'm curious how it works out for you.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Wrangler on 26 October 2017, 22:12:11
Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?
I just did it. With only 11 heat sinks, 3- Jumpjets can be fitted with partial Wings on STK-3F.
It over heats like crazy but it works. 

With 10 Double Heatsinks, reducing armor to 11.5. Dropping 1 SRM launcher, 1 ton of ammo.  You can get 6 jump with 5 Improve Jumpjets, but the armor is kinda weak for assault.  That's just using a baseline 3F.

Though i can imagine it be kinda crazy looking.  I keep thinking this could be a LAM if weren't illegal be that's heavy.  ;D
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: wesharrisb on 26 October 2017, 23:38:41
It's not terribly effective, but Stalkers can fly, if only for short distances when applying a liberal amount of new tech firepower can be sufficiently applied at shorter ranges.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Hptm. Streiger on 27 October 2017, 02:09:05
"When Stalkers fly" is much better compared to "When Pigs fly"

Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Sjhernan3060 on 27 October 2017, 06:05:23
Are there any command versions that folks have made? And how does work in game terms?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Weirdo on 27 October 2017, 08:53:38
Requests for fan designs go in the Fan Designs forum, please.

That being said, the game rules for true command units tend to result in them providing initiative bonuses, so gear and quirks that do that are what you should look for.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MarauderD on 27 October 2017, 10:30:39
I've never really gotten behind the Stalker as a model. In a world where bipedal mechs are supposed to be the ulitmate fighting machines.....I can't get around having absolutely no arms. The first time this thing gets knocked down, it isn't getting back up. Ever.

There are other mechs that fall in this category for me. The Yeoman. Possibly the Longbow. If I can't explain, with a straight face and no giggling, how a mech would stand back up after a knock down, I just don't use it.

Vestigal arms, fine. Battle fists, or gunbarrel arms, sure. No arms at all? Can't do it.

(I know I'm probably going to get lightly singed on this one, so have at it)

*Edited for grammar and spelling!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Tai Dai Cultist on 27 October 2017, 10:45:08
Though i can imagine it be kinda crazy looking.  I keep thinking this could be a LAM if weren't illegal be that's heavy.  ;D

The "Illegal" quirk allows for even Stalker LAMs!
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 27 October 2017, 12:08:02
It's not terribly effective, but Stalkers can fly, if only for short distances when applying a liberal amount of new tech firepower can be sufficiently applied at shorter ranges.

I'm reminded of a certain line from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade >:D
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 20 May 2023, 23:52:26
Well, necroing this thread to talk about the STK-9F, the variant introduced in Rec Guide 24.

And it's a mean one.

Like the Stalker II before it, it uses Hardened Armor to give itself a major boost in durability.

And it's better than the Stalker II in pretty much every other possible way.

Instead of the II's anemic firepower of 2 Extended LRM 10s and 8 medium lasers, the 9F packs the standard array of the classic 3F, but better.  The LRM and SRM pods are both Clantech now, as are the large lasers, which are now Clantech for boosted range and damage.  Only the quartet of medium lasers remain the same as the original, but they and the large pulses are now tied to a targeting computer for boosted accuracy.  A Clan Light Active Probe rounds out the equipment.  The low speed makes using the probe tricky, but its armor and firepower does make it good for getting close for dealing with would-be ambushers.

Aside from the speed issue of Hardened armor, the biggest weakness this mech has is heat.  A mere 13 DHS cool it, and 26 heat dissipation is not remotely sufficient for that weapon array.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Ruger on 21 May 2023, 07:47:59
Aside from the speed issue of Hardened armor, the biggest weakness this mech has is heat.  A mere 13 DHS cool it, and 26 heat dissipation is not remotely sufficient for that weapon array.

Add in its quirk of a Combat Computer, and the heat is a bit better, especially if you bracket fire. Both LPL and LRM racks at a run would be heat neutral, or both SRM racks, all medium lasers and one LPL only generates Movement heat with that quirk and 13 DHS’s. No missiles and all lasers would be movement heat+2. Not too shabby.

Ruger
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 21 May 2023, 10:32:54
True, I did forget the quirks since my group never plays with them.

Alpha striking is still going to be toasty.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Ruger on 21 May 2023, 12:12:22
True, I did forget the quirks since my group never plays with them.

Alpha striking is still going to be toasty.

One really should not be alpha-striking with a Stalker, but the option is there if needed.

Ruger
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Minemech on 21 May 2023, 17:21:40
 The Stalker is a bracketing beast. What makes her truly scary is that she keeps moving while maintaining some of those brackets.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: 17thRecon on 21 May 2023, 21:24:41
I've never really gotten behind the Stalker as a model. In a world where bipedal mechs are supposed to be the ulitmate fighting machines.....I can't get around having absolutely no arms. The first time this thing gets knocked down, it isn't getting back up. Ever.

There are other mechs that fall in this category for me. The Yeoman. Possibly the Longbow. If I can't explain, with a straight face and no giggling, how a mech would stand back up after a knock down, I just don't use it.

Vestigal arms, fine. Battle fists, or gunbarrel arms, sure. No arms at all? Can't do it.

(I know I'm probably going to get lightly singed on this one, so have at it)

*Edited for grammar and spelling!

I have the same issue if I think too hard about total realism. I imagine Stalker pilots digging a huge trench with the “nose” of the mech as it tries to stand back up. Similar with a Warhammer trying to use its PPC barrels to push itself up…I always think of them standing up with several feet of earth packed in the barrels. So I agree with your thoughts, and just try to not put as much thought into it.

Different note: the hardened armor 9F, does the RecGuide mention who uses that?

Other Different Note: regarding the bracket fire and NARC, I e always pictured the Stalker as a mech best used always moving forward. It walks and attacks long range with LRMs, gets closer and adds the larges, closer still drops the lrms and adds in the mediums and then closes with the mediums and srms. The NARC addition made sense to me in that, as it closes, it starts using the NARC to tag units for the LRM boats coming in the second wave.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Arkansas Warrior on 21 May 2023, 21:26:01
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.  Shouldn't be hard to fit 20 tubes, matching the 3F's throw weight of LRMs and increasing the SRMs by 66%.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: ANS Kamas P81 on 21 May 2023, 22:22:46
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.  Shouldn't be hard to fit 20 tubes, matching the 3F's throw weight of LRMs and increasing the SRMs by 66%.
done. (https://bg.battletech.com/forums/battlemechs/mml-equipped-stalker/)
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 21 May 2023, 22:25:50
Different note: the hardened armor 9F, does the RecGuide mention who uses that?

Free Worlds League and Sea Foxes- it's built as a joint venture between Irian and the Skate Khanate.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: 17thRecon on 21 May 2023, 22:58:18
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.  Shouldn't be hard to fit 20 tubes, matching the 3F's throw weight of LRMs and increasing the SRMs by 66%.

That’d be a pretty vicious build. I always forget about MMLs. At first, i misread it as MRMs.

Free Worlds League and Sea Foxes- it's built as a joint venture between Irian and the Skate Khanate.

Thanks. I was hoping it was a Kurita variant to go with their other hardened armor Mechs. Stills seems like a great build.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Natasha Kerensky on 22 May 2023, 20:00:48
As with many designs that mix LRM and SRM tubes, one day I want to see an MML Stalker.

Nah, you want to see an ATM (https://bg.battletech.com/forums/battlemechs/slaughter-stalker-iii/msg1873675/#msg1873675) Stalker.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 22 May 2023, 20:02:13
Is that the link you intended to post?
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Natasha Kerensky on 22 May 2023, 20:04:57
Is that the link you intended to post?

No, but I caught it right away.  Fixed now.

What I get for reading my industry rags while posting here.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 22 May 2023, 20:31:16
It was an interesting read, at least. ;D
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Minemech on 22 May 2023, 20:59:33
 Now I want to read it  :-\
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: MoneyLovinOgre4Hire on 22 May 2023, 21:12:00
It was about putting GPS on the moon.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Luciora on 22 May 2023, 22:38:24
iATM Stalker.  😁
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Giovanni Blasini on 22 May 2023, 23:13:03
Am I the only one who wants to fit improved jump jets and  partial wings to one of these?

Having grown tired of no jumping Stalkers, I decided to reject canon reality and substitute my own:

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/battlemechs/a-trio-of-jumping-stalkers/
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: wantec on 23 May 2023, 06:27:41
It was about putting GPS on the moon.
I don't think MMLs or ATMs are up to that task. I think you have to go to sub-capital missile launchers to get out of the atmosphere.
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Ruger on 23 May 2023, 18:11:06
Having grown tired of no jumping Stalkers, I decided to reject canon reality and substitute my own:

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/battlemechs/a-trio-of-jumping-stalkers/

They are called Shogun’s.

Ruger
Title: Re: Mech of the Week: STK-series Stalker
Post by: Minemech on 23 May 2023, 19:40:30
 I am the guy who made an Albatross that can actually work with an axe, but never have I conceived of adding Jump Jets to a Stalker. It feels... taboo.

 Maybe a Crocket. Roleplay births unnatural machines.