Kage II

[Luxan]

I always liked the idea of the Kage battlearmor. It had a cool look, cool mission profile, great maneuverability, and some involvement in the lore. But when it came to combat, it was definitely an underdog. Even taking out a standard foot platoon was a dicey proposition for a Kage squad. The DCMS introduced new and updated battlearmor during the Republic era, with even the Raiden getting a touch up. So, why not the Kage?

With the Oni opening the way to mixed tech suits being produced by LAW, options open up for the Kage II. Improved stealth armor makes it better at it's infiltration role, while opening up more options for the squad support weapon. So, if you need to take down an armored target, you can bring an ER Small Laser. Or if you want to wreck some infantry, bring a Heavy Flamer. Finally, you've got two armored gloves, so don't bring an Auto-Rifle, bring a man-portable Plasma Rifle! Now we're cooking with gas! Or, plasma, whatever.

Kage II Light Battle Armor

Code: [Select]

Type: Kage II
Manufacturer: New Samarkand Metals, Luthien Armor Works
    Primary Factory: New Samarkand, Luthien

Tech Base: Mixed (Advanced)
Chassis Type:  Biped
Weight Class: Light
Maximum Weight: 750 kg
Battle Value:
    290 (Laser)
    198 (Flamer)
Swarm/Leg Attack/Mechanized/AP: Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes

Code: [Select]

Equipment                                     Slots      Mass
Chassis:                                               100 kg
Motive System:                                               
     Ground MP:          1                               0 kg
     Jump MP:            4                              75 kg
Manipulators:                                                 
    Left Arm:            Armored Gloves                  0 kg
    Right Arm:           Armored Gloves                  0 kg
Armor:                   Stealth (Improved)(C)  5      175 kg
    Armor Value:         5 + 1 (Trooper)                         

                                         Slots           
Weapons and Equipment         Location (Capacity)   Mass 
Partial Wing                    Body       1       200 kg
Squad Support Weapon Mount       LA       0(2)       0 kg
    ER Small Laser (C)           --        2       175 kg
    Heavy Flamer                 --        1       175 kg

[worktroll]

Thing is, a squad support weapon means 1 per four troopers. I'd be looking at the LMG, which has good range, and (a small) burst damage against unarmoured infantry.

But yes, Kage are cool, it's just the wings are large.

[Sabelkatten]

Personally I think it should be legal to combine wings and jump booster. Sure it would be heavy, but with jump 5 the investment would actually make the Kage worthwhile. Absolutely horrible payload but at least exceptional speed!

[Giovanni Blasini]

Agreed.  It's just like combining improved jump jets and a partial wing on a BattleMech.

[worktroll]

By abusing the BA Builder spreadsheet, I could come up with a Clan Kage II with both jump booster & partial wing, for 5 jump MP. 4 points of standard armour, and 100kg of warload.

3 points Improved Stealth gives 95kg. Worth it for a Unique design?

[Sabelkatten]

No slots left for equipment using improved stealth. But standard stealth leaves one slot for, say, LMG, TAG, Advanced sensors or ECM.

If I made an IS design I'd probably give it 3 points stealth armor, Advanced sensors and use infantry weapons. Use it as a fast scout.