JagdPanther PNT-8TAC

[Daryk]

When Lyran engineers realized the futility of trying to stuff a Thumper Artillery Cannon into a Commando, they turned to a captured Kuritan Panther.  Surprisingly, the prototype worked out remarkably well.

Code: [Select]

JagdPanther PNT-8TAC

Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-F-E-A
Production Year: 3015
Cost: 2,427,660 C-Bills
Battle Value: 638

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 140 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Medium Laser
    1  Thumper Art. Cannon
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      58 points                3.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                140                       5.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 4 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 2 LL, 2 RL                                         2.00
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               2.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 119                  7.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     11           17       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  5         
                                           L/R Torso     8            11       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  5         
                                             L/R Arm     6            12       
                                             L/R Leg     8            16       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1.00
Thumper Art. Cannon                          RA        5         7        10.00
@Thumper Cannon (20)                         RT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 29

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

[packhntr]

um.......  ehhh.....  what? 

[Sabelkatten]

I question the effectiveness, but I like the idea!

[Hptm. Streiger]

I question the effectiveness, but I like the idea!

Was my first thought - just a 5 point damage grouping at a moderate range. But when you consider what the JagdPanther is supposed to do. Its goal is to kill light mechs, those light mechs that produce high target hit numbers.
The Thumper vs PPC is 5 damage that are guaranteed vs 10 points that will miss more often than hit.

[Col Toda]

The best thing to do with a Panther chassis is to make any model of Wight same chassis .

[Daryk]

Was my first thought - just a 5 point damage grouping at a moderate range. But when you consider what the JagdPanther is supposed to do. Its goal is to kill light mechs, those light mechs that produce high target hit numbers.
The Thumper vs PPC is 5 damage that are guaranteed vs 10 points that will miss more often than hit.

Exactly... light 'mechs, hover tanks, VTOLs, infantry... AoE weapons are their bane.  A light 'mech with an AoE weapon isn't something most of those forces would expect.

[Hptm. Streiger]

Exactly... light 'mechs, hover tanks, VTOLs, infantry... AoE weapons are their bane.  A light 'mech with an AoE weapon isn't something most of those forces would expect.

AoE weapons work against VTOLs  - didn't know that.

[Retry]

I didn't either.  Is there someplace in Tac Ops or TW that confirms that?

[Daryk]

There's a rule that says VTOLs are immune to AoE damage?

[Retry]

There's a rule that says VTOLs are immune to AoE damage?

No.

There is a rule saying that flying VTOLs treat every difference in elevation as though it were an extra hex, so a VTOL that flies at literally any height other than nap-of-earth (like 2-3 Elevation) can't be hit by the cheesy "target a hex to get a free hit" technique. (tac ops pg 182)  You'll have to make a Flak attack (which I presume Arty Cannons can do?), which is far less of a sure thing.

[Daryk]

It's more of a sure thing than a direct shot, though... making a TAC still a better weapon against them.

[Retry]

It's more of a sure thing than a direct shot, though... making a TAC still a better weapon against them.

A flak attack is essentially a direct shot since you have to target the VTOL specifically, not the hex underneath.  And at a 14 hex max range for a Thumper, range is rather limited.  You'll probably spook off a regular Cavalry (though it's armored enough to not be in critical danger from a single TAC anyways).  You won't be getting Aerons, PPC Yellow Jackets, or Donars to bugger off.  You'd really need a HAG or LB-X for that.

[Daryk]

It's also a 3015 design, so no HAGs or LB-Xs yet...

[Retry]

It's also a 3015 design, so no HAGs or LB-Xs yet...

Vanilla ACs with Flak Ammo, then.  Or a platform with an AA targeting computer like Riflemen or Partisans.  Both are much more common than arty cannons in 3015.

[Hptm. Streiger]

Vanilla ACs with Flak Ammo, then.  Or a platform with an AA targeting computer like Riflemen or Partisans.  Both are much more common than arty cannons in 3015.

for killing vtols or large mechs. those targets are netter dealt with a regular panther or FLAK whirlwind AC Panther.
But PBI, tanks or lights will fear the AoE more.

[Retry]

But PBI, tanks or lights will fear the AoE more.

Yeah, any of those getting hit by a Thumper Cannon won't have a good day (we're not allowed to use Arty Cannons anymore except in specific, limited cases), but for VTOLs specifically that really isn't the case.

[Sartris]

[Daryk]

Ooo… the Sartris Seal of Approval^TM! Thank you, kind sir!