Michigan Recon Speeder (Clan Wolverine Advanced)

[ErikModi]

So, in working out my Best Served Cold fanfic, I've been playing Clan Wolverine in MegaMek against the bot.  This unit I designed to address some issues.

First, Princess seems to love staying at long range, even when set to Brawler.  I like the C3 system and reason my take on the Wolverines would like it too, so put it on most 'Mechs and vehicles.  But with Princess playing keep-away, it doesn't provide much benefit, especially since I also tend to favor heavier, and thus slower, units.

Second, the C3 itself.  Since it's apparently next to impossible to code your own custom equipment, I can't make smaller/lighter "ClanTech" versions with enough connections for "proper" Clan Stars, Binaries, or Trinaries.  So when making a Wolverine Binary, two C3 slots go unused.

So here's the solution to those problems.  A unit fast enough to close quickly with an enemy force, tough and nimble enough to stay there, carrying the equipment needed to provide firing solutions to the units behind it or guide Arrow IV shells on exceptionally shy adversaries.

The Michigan itself will debut in an upcoming chapter of Best Served Cold.

Michigan Recon Speeder Mk I

Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: Wing in Ground Effect
Power Plant: 280 XL
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 118.8 kph
Armor: Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     2 Heavy Medium Laser
     1 TAG (Clan)
     1 Anti-Missile System
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3087
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 21,122,500 C-bills

Type: Michigan Recon Speeder
Technology Base: Mixed (Advanced)
Movement Type: Wing in Ground Effect
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,396

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    6
Engine                        280 XL                 12
   Cruising MP: 7
   Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks:                   16                      6
Control Equipment:                                  3.0
Lift Equipment:                                     6.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Ferro-Lamellor) 250                    18

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   6         61   
     R/L Side               6/6      50/50   
     Rear                    6         39   
     Turret                  6         50   


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage      
Anti-Missile System              Front        0.5     
2 Heavy Medium Laser             Turret       2.0     
TAG                              Turret       1.0     
Small Pulse Laser                Turret       1.0     
Targeting Computer                 BD         1.0     
C3 Computer                       Body        1.0     
Anti-Missile System Ammo (24)     Body        1.0     
ECM Suite                         Body        1.0     

[Daryk]

I'm not sure I buy the SPL being worth more than four MGs (or LMGs)... 

[ErikModi]

I was just trying to eat up a last couple of tons at that point.

It's not really meant to do damage, it's meant to help the rest of the formation do damage.  Though I think I see your point. . . for the same tonnage, could put out a bit more damage, though at a shorter range.

[Daryk]

LMGs aren't shorter range... 

[ErikModi]

Huh, I suppose they aren't.

I still tend to think in terms of Clan Invasion era tech, so tend not to consider machine gun variants.

[Daryk]

Clanner MGs are only a quarter ton, so you can really stack them up for no heat.  On vehicles, that MATTERS... 

[ErikModi]

Played around with it a bit, and there's not enough space to add that many MGs or LMGs.  Removing the Small Pulse frees up enough tons to add eight LMGs, two LMG Arrays, and a half-ton of ammo, which puts it over slots by 4.  Could eat up tons with ammo or use HMGs, but I'm already less sold on the idea of adding more explosive ammo to something intended to be as durable as possible, since it's meant to get right up into the enemy's face.

I did, however, tumble on a potentially interesting Mk II design:

Michigan Recon Speeder Mk II

Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: Wing in Ground Effect
Power Plant: 280 XL
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 118.8 kph
Armor: Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:
     1 TAG (Clan)
     1 ER Small Laser
     1 Laser AMS
     2 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3087
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 20,650,750 C-bills

Type: Michigan Recon Speeder
Technology Base: Mixed (Advanced)
Movement Type: Wing in Ground Effect
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,555

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    6
Engine                        280 XL                 12
   Cruising MP: 7
   Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks:                   15                      5
Control Equipment:                                  3.0
Lift Equipment:                                     6.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Ferro-Lamellor) 250                    18

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   6         61   
     R/L Side               6/6      50/50   
     Rear                    6         39   
     Turret                  6         50   


Weapons
and Ammo               Location    Tonnage      
ER Small Laser          Front        0.5     
Laser AMS               Front        1.0     
TAG                     Turret       1.0     
2 Medium Pulse Laser    Turret       4.0     
Targeting Computer        BD         1.0     
C3 Computer              Body        1.0     
ECM Suite                Body        1.0     

[Daryk]

Hmmm... I thought it had more room than that...