Thumper Integrated Artillery System (TIAS)

[Daryk]

It struck me there could be a middle ground between the Thumper Artillery Cannon and its full size version.  Basically, instead of using the on board artillery rules at 17 hexes and less, just slightly increase the long range of the TAC.  Of course, reduce the damage to that of the TAC, increase tonnage, crits and heat, and reduce the artillery reach by about half.  I think alternative ammunition (beyond just thermobarics) should be an option (albeit with reduced damage).  Consider a Jaegermech or Rifleman with two of these in place of their regular weapons... 

Thumper Integrated Artillery System
Tech: Inner Sphere Experimental (3020)
Type: DB
Damage: 5 AOE
Heat: 6
Range: 3 minimum, 4/9/17, and 10 map boards
Tons: 13
Criticals: 10
Shots per ton: 20
Cost: 250,000 C-Bills
Ammo Cost: 10,000 per ton, or per type

[namar13766]

Looks pretty straightforward. Would there be Sniper and Long Tom variants as well?

[Daryk]

I considered them, but they seemed a little too big to be practicable.  At most, a Sniper would fit on a 'mech.  With only 10 AOE damage, the extra tonnage and space really aren't worth it, and the Long Tom would probably be more than 22 crits.

[DevianID]

How does this compare to a Thumper cannon at 10 tons, but using extreme and LOS range to match that artillery range?  Seems kinda like an ER thumper cannon.

[Daryk]

A regular Thumper goes 11.5 km (21 map boards).  No "Extreme Range" is that far...