ProtoMechs of the Week: Satyr and Satyr XP

[GreekFire]

From TRO:3060

Oh man, y’all don’t know how much I’ve been waiting to do a writeup on this bugger. Not only is the Satyr the LAST Smoke Jaguar Proto I’ll ever have to cover (I can finally start doing introduction that are more interesting than “Dem Kittens did dis, den dey died”), but it’s also my favorite ProtoMech. Quite the claim, huh? Hopefully this article will do a decent job at explaining why.

I’ve got a pretty intense feeling that the Jaguar thinktank didn’t do their research when they designed the Satyr. I’ve got to say that it’s a fierce competitor for the “looks the least like its mythological inspiration” prize (although the Hydra gives it a run for its money, depending on whether you generally confuse lumps for heads or not). And the name? A bunch of lute-playing, galloping creatures that want nothing more than to have a good time with a woman or two? Yeah, real scary. I’ve shivering in my boots. At least they turned its head into something that can at least be described as “freakishly terrifying”.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Code: [Select]

SATYR
INTRO: 3060
FACTIONS: Blood Spirits, Cloud Cobras, Coyotes, Goliath Scorpions, Ice Hellions, Nova Cats, Snow Ravens, Steel Vipers, Wolf (in-Exile) (until Jihad)

         ARMOR                 INTERNAL   
          (2)                    (1)      Arms -> Cored: 11 pts
          / \                    / \      Legs -> Cored: 15 pts
      (1 / 5 \ 1)            (1 / 4 \ 1)  Torso -> Cored: 9 pts
         | | |                  | | |     Legs -> Destroyed: 6 pts
        (  3  )                (  3  )


On a slightly more serious note, the Satyr is pretty terrifying. A 7/11 movement profile is more than decent; you should be able to hit a +3 MM (with an additional +1 for woods if you’ve got ‘em) every turn without any difficulty. And you need that speed - armor is light, as in less-than-half-its-potential-maximum light. But really, with that kind of movement its not a big deal. What it does have, is well placed. I’ve got no complaints with its layout. Those two traits - speed, and lack of armor - are your first hints that this is a scout ProtoMech; the Light Active Probe shoved into its torso is another slightly less subtle one. That alone makes it damned worthwhile in my eyes, a dedicated scouting platform that doesn’t waste anything on bells or frills? Yes please.

But then you see the ER Small Laser. Usually nothing more than a slapped-on way to spend half a ton on ‘Mechs, it’s a highly effective weapon on ProtoMechs. 5-point hits (or larger) are not a common thing to see on Protos, and it gives the Satyr enough of a punch to lay the smackdown on any Proto its size. Start toying around with points, and PSRs are something quite achievable. It’s a very intimidating gun. Really, though, you don’t want to field full points of just the Satyr. Why? We’ve got a bunch of other variants to play with!

133 BV is dirt cheap for what you get. The Satyr is one of the cheapest ways to field an Active Probe of any sort, and having an ER Small for that cost only makes things better. 5-point hits really add up, and Satyrs can become holepunchers in your formations when used against lighter targets. I can fully understand why the Jaguars designed it; there’s a huge lack of dedicated scouts in the Clan Touman pre-Satyr, and most of the units that do carry an Active Probe are full-fledged OmniMechs that use it offensively. Having an easily fielded way to implement a Probe in second-line forces, using them to flush out guerrilla troops or raiders, is definitely nice. Even when used on the offensive, this easy Active Probe would allow the main meat of the force to focus on what really matters - shooting stuff. As one of the most common ProtoMechs ever seen, it looks like the rest of the Clans agree.

Code: [Select]

SATYR 2
INTRO: 3062
FACTIONS: Blood Spirits, Cloud Cobras, Coyotes, Goliath Scorpions, Ice Hellions, Nova Cats, Snow Ravens, Steel Vipers, Wolf (in-Exile) (until Jihad)

         ARMOR                 INTERNAL   
          (3)                    (1)      Arms -> Cored: 14 pts
          / \                    / \      Legs -> Cored: 20 pts
      (2 / 7 \ 2)            (1 / 4 \ 1)  Torso -> Cored: 11 pts
         | | |                  | | |     Legs -> Destroyed: 9 pts
        (  6  )                (  3  )


The Satyr 2 is the first variant, and remains nearly as useful as the standard. Armor is hugely improved (only one complaint - a point from the head to the legs would have been super), while speed is majestically boosted up to 7/11/7; the only ProtoMech able to jump that far besides Society shenanigans or the hobbling Hippogriff. The Active Probe and ER Small are both ditched in favor of a lighter weapon - a single Micro Pulse Laser.

Micro Pulse Lasers are very useful on Protos, and even more so when put on a jumping one. You’ve still got a 3-point strike and -2 to-hit of the Small Pulse Laser, just with reduced range. You can’t forget about the anti-infantry ability of it either; being able to jump 7 hexes before laying down the hurt on an infantry Platoon is enough to give me a chubby. The improved armor also means that you should be able to take a full infantry riposte as well, which is nice in case that infantry connects with you regardless of that +4 MM you’re able to reach.

Once again, 125 BV is a bargain. It’s one of the cheapest jump-7 units you can buy, which makes it attractive as a combat scout in built up terrain. It’s not the cheapest way to field a Micro Pulse Laser, but when your closest competitor is the Cecerops 4 (a Proto with literally half the protection of the Satyr 2), this ProtoMech remains very sexy. It remains just as common as the main design, and it makes sense to combine the two. They make for excellent teammates; the Satyr finds the infantry and packs the anti-armor punch, which the Satyr 2 kills the infantry, and keeps up rapid scouting in built up terrain. Its short range and high jumping range also makes the Satyr 2 an excellent blocker, and it can function well alongside Sirens and Cecerops.

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SATYR 3
INTRO: 3065
FACTIONS: Ice Hellions, Wolf (in-Exile) (until Jihad)

         ARMOR                 INTERNAL   
          (2)                    (1)      Arms -> Cored: 11 pts
          / \                    / \      Legs -> Cored: 16 pts
      (1 / 5 \ 1)            (1 / 4 \ 1)  Torso -> Cored: 9 pts
         | | |                  | | |     Legs -> Destroyed: 7 pts
        (  4  )                (  3  )


I’m afraid that the Satyr 3 is the flop of the bunch. Well, it’s useful, just less so. Armor is nearly the same as the standard, although a single point is added to the legs (arguably useful). Once again, the Probe and ER Small are dropped, this time for 5 jump jets and a Streak SRM-2 with 10 shots. That’s a lot of firepower for something so small - and a lot of range. This movement profile, along with the general features of the Streak, make it the best Satyr at crippling vehicles.

Although anti-vehicular ProtoMechs are a dime a dozen, the Satyr 3 does have the distinction of being on of the few that’s able to do it at such ranges, at such speeds. It’s a hard critter for slower vehicular formations to pin down and destroy, and the Satyr 3 should be able to engage whenever and wherever it wants to. Those same jump jets will keep it mobile even after its legs are destroyed, giving it a touch more durability on the battlefield than the original variant would have.

Streak SRMs are pricy, and the 160 BV of the Satyr 3 reflects that. I’m going to emphasize what I say about any ProtoMech with Streaks - makes use of its improved range, or don’t use it at all. At least there’s no loss in jumping every round with the ammo efficiency of the Satyr 3, so hit and run attacks should be the norm here. Not many Clans enjoy it; I suspect that the Ice Hellions designed it to give their superlight ProtoMech formations a bit more range and punch, but the WiE also chose to use it during the Proto years.

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SATYR 4
INTRO: 3074
FACTIONS: Ice Hellions (???, see below), Nova Cats (???, see below), Snow Ravens

         ARMOR                 INTERNAL   
          (2)                    (1)      Arms -> Cored: 11 pts
          / \                    / \      Legs -> Cored: 15 pts
      (1 / 5 \ 1)            (1 / 4 \ 1)  Torso -> Cored: 9 pts
         | | |                  | | |     Legs -> Destroyed: 6 pts
        (  3  )                (  3  )


After that, we’ve got a return to specialized Satyrs in the Satyr 4. Speed and armor return to the baseline set by its ancestor, and electronics make a firm return. The Active Probe is replaced by a Light TAG - and with the errata on the Sprite 2, this is the ONLY canon ProtoMech to carry a TAG system. And trust me, there are few things that are worse (better?) than a 7/11 ProtoMech formation blinding you with a flurry of TAG every round. This is supported by a single AP Gauss Rifle with 20 shots, maaaassive overkill. At least you’ll be able to shoot literally whenever you want with it, but holy crap, that’s a lot of ammo.

This mating of options gives a properly supported Satyr 4 the ability to take on both conventional and ‘Mech forces. There’s no doubt that your opponent will definitely hate your Satyr 4s if you have a nice battery of homing Arrows backing them up. And if they’ve brought infantry? Tough on them, the Satyr 4 can deal with those too. It’s a scary machine. It fits in well with the general "gloves off" feeling that many battles of the Wars of Reaving had.

The Satyr 4 comes in at a hilariously low 107 BV - and since I’ve been going on a “cheapest way to field X” roll, it’s the most cost-effective way to field TAG. Of course, this will be multiplied up a bit depending on how much guided artillery you bring to the table, but a full point of Satyr 4s costs less than a single Mist Lynx A...ho ho ho ho ho. I’m not sure how well it fits with the general Ice Hellion doctrine, but it mates well with the “rogue” Nova Cats and the sometimes less-than-honorable Snow Ravens.

There are two real questions that remain unanswered. Firstly, how did it reach the Nova Cats in the first place - is this an example of convergent evolution? Or did some rogue traders somehow give/take the specs from the Nova Cat hands during the turbulent Wars of Reaving/Jihad era? And secondly - how could the Ice Hellions ever make use of it? The official introduction date is 3074, while the Hellions died off around 3072. Were they using prototypes before then? Was their fielding the unit a mistake? Does the Escorpion Imperio now make use of the design? Is there a massive Wolverine coverup involved?

From TRO:Prototypes

Code: [Select]

SATYR XP
INTRO: 3079
FACTIONS: Nova Cats

         ARMOR                 INTERNAL   
          (2)                    (1)      Arms -> Cored: 11 pts
          / \                    / \      Legs -> Cored: 15 pts
      (1 / 5 \ 1)            (1 / 4 \ 1)  Torso -> Cored: 9 pts
         | | |                  | | |     Legs -> Destroyed: 6 pts
        (  3  )                (  3  )


The last variant is one of a different breed, classified as a refit for a dwindling, out of production supply of Satyrs fielded by the abjured Nova Cats. The Satyr XP refit is a touch more intensive than any other variant of the Satyr that appeared prior; the engine is reduced to give it a 6/9 profile, but 9 advanced jump jets give it the greatest hop available to any ProtoMech. Armor is unchanged from the standard, but firepower is reduced to an SRM-2 with 10 shots of ammo.

If you know me, you’ll know that the first thing I’ll suggest is taking a few rounds of Infernos just to give it a bit more flexibility. I don’t have much more to suggest beyond that; tactics should remain similar to the Satyr 3, but the longevity of the Satyr XP is slightly reduced since you’re no longer using streaks. Even so, hit and fade attacks should let it last at least roughly 15 turns, more than enough for most battles.

The upside of these changes is that BV is impressively low, with 115 BV per unit making it an amazingly cheap scouting unit with a very decent movement profile. If I’ve got a complaint, it’s that the spooky armor got ditched for *reasons* (bah..). The Satyr XP looks a lot more like your average combat unit. How...passé. Switching from a recon to an infantry close-support role, the Satyr XP was designed to draw targets towards a slower Battle Armored anchor. I find this role to be a bit uninspiring, but if it works, all the power to the Nova Cats. It does allow them to keep their 'Mechs for other roles, while most vehicles will have difficulty with certain different types of terrain.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Every Satyr has a specific function that suits it well. The suits are generally specialized, but are well though out and designed. Their cheap costs, both in BV and C-Bills, will allow you to fill out a force with the instrument of war that you need. So...yeah! Give them a shot, dudes and dudettes.

CAMOSPECS: http://camospecs.com/MiniList.asp?Action=Detail&ID=103
IWM: http://ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4781
MASTER UNIT LIST: http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2801/satyr-standard

[glitterboy2098]

I’ve got a pretty intense feeling that the Jaguar thinktank didn’t do their research when they designed the Satyr. I’ve got to say that it’s a fierce competitor for the “looks the least like its mythological inspiration” prize (although the Hydra gives it a run for its money, depending on whether you generally confuse lumps for heads or not). And the name? A bunch of lute-playing, galloping creatures that want nothing more than to have a good time with a woman or two? Yeah, real scary. I’ve shivering in my boots. At least they turned its head into something that can at least be described as “freakishly terrifying”.

actually it matches the greek description of a satyr pretty well.
Attic painted vases depict mature satyrs as being strongly built with flat noses, large pointed ears, long curly hair, and full beards, with wreaths of vine or ivy circling their balding heads.
the goaty elements didn't show up till hundreds of years later, and were basically the result of them being conflated with the roman idea of "Fauns" (which were a roman nature entity that filled a similar role in the pre-greek contact roman mythologies)

i'd post pics of the original greek appearances, but i'd violate forum rules because the greek art tended to be noticeably nude (and Satyrs were...well endowed in greek myth)
but aside fro mthe lack of a big beard (and the afformentioned..uh.. attributes), the protomech looks pretty close to a greek satyr.
and greek satyrs were freaking scary.. they were followers of diyonisis, which normally meant just drinking and partying.. but they also would rip uninvitedguests/intruders to their ceremonies apart with their bare hands, and were known for being sneaky and underhanded the rest of the time.

as far as the proto goes.. i've not had a chance to use these yet (i picked up some mini's for it recently, still not sure which clan i'll assign them to) but i think the main version would be the best overall.. firepower is limited (though decent for a lighter proto) but that active probe is awesome. i once saw a player in the martial olympiad breeze through a search and capture mission by spreading out a line of these across the map and advancing till the hidden location was found. the active probe ranges overlapped, and the other guy couldn't focus on the proto's enough to stop them, since there was a mech, a vee, and a battlearmor point keeping his attention. and once the item was found? the proto picked it up and made like Pheidippides back to it's home edge for the win.

(honestly, it made me wish i'd thought of that)

[Kojak]

Yeah, I can definitely see why the original is so popular. What a wonderfully efficient little design.

[Maelwys]

Wait, the Satyr 3 was used by both the WIE and the Ice Hellions? How the heck does that work out?

[GreekFire]

*snip*

Interesting, thanks for the info! I don't actually know all that much about Greek history, contrary to what my name might suggest.

Wait, the Satyr 3 was used by both the WIE and the Ice Hellions? How the heck does that work out?

Another one of those damned mysteries..

In reality, a lot of the factional data I'm using comes from old sourcebooks. There is no Proto RAT for the WiE beyond the FM:U one, and the only other RAT for the Ice Hellions is the WoRS one (which supports their Satyr 3/4 use). I expect this to eventually change as(if) the MUL eventually shows availability to the Homeworld Clans.

[Kojak]

As I re-read this, it makes me said that the Horses don't have these. I can definitely see getting a lot of use out of both the original and the 4.

Is this the only 7/11 Proto?

[Natasha Kerensky]

Good article that breaks down the design and variants well.  I appreciate the armor diagrams and damage totals.

I designed the Satyr 4 back in the day, responding to a developer call for protomech designs to help fill out a record sheets book (RS 3060 Unabridged, I think).  A TAG-equipped protomech seemed to fill an obvious hole to me at the time, and the standard Satyr's speed and electronics made it a good candidate in my thinking.  I did not recognize how cheap it would be in terms of combat value.  IIRC, no proto had an AP Gauss at that time, either, so that seemed like an obvious choice, too.  I'm surprised there is still no other TAG-equipped protomech a half-decade later.

It was a 24-hour or so turnaround over the Xmas holiday, and I tried to submit a variant for each of 8 original protomechs.  So I didn't have much time to fine-tune the design.  If I could revisit the Satyr 4, I'd cut the AP Gauss ammo in half and put that half-ton into thicker armor or a secondary weapon like an ER micro laser and heat sink.

FWIW...

[Fallen_Raven]

Satyrs strike me as the perfect Clan solution to the need for scouting units. Enough speed to stay ahead of a formation, enough firepower to keep an opponent honest while the big guns show up, and cheap enough that the "real fighters" don't feel like they've been ignored.

[GreekFire]

As I re-read this, it makes me said that the Horses don't have these. I can definitely see getting a lot of use out of both the original and the 4.

Is this the only 7/11 Proto?

The Horses not using them is the biggest doctrinal contradiction I've ever seen. The Satyr practically oozes Horse.
I suspect it's mostly because they make use of a much larger and varied vehicular force in their frontline formations, so therefore don't have as pressing a need for cheap scouting or TAG platforms.

And yeah, only 7/11 Proto.

I designed the Satyr 4 back in the day, responding to a developer call for protomech designs to help fill out a record sheets book (RS 3060 Unabridged, I think).  A TAG-equipped protomech seemed to fill an obvious hole to me at the time, and the standard Satyr's speed and electronics made it a good candidate in my thinking.  I did not recognize how cheap it would be in terms of combat value.  IIRC, no proto had an AP Gauss at that time, either, so that seemed like an obvious choice, too.  I'm surprised there is still no other TAG-equipped protomech a half-decade later.

It was a 24-hour or so turnaround over the Xmas holiday, and I tried to submit a variant for each of 8 original protomechs.  So I didn't have much time to fine-tune the design.  If I could revisit the Satyr 4, I'd cut the AP Gauss ammo in half and put that half-ton into thicker armor or a secondary weapon like an ER micro laser and heat sink.

Awesome, great to have a designer give some feedback!! I honestly wasn't expecting anything like this until I reached the Wars of Reaving ProtoMechs. It definitely filled that huge TAG-spaced gap...it's a bit of a shame that the Sprite 2 turned out to be overweight, because otherwise we'd have at least one other example of a TAGing Proto. But yeah, definitely enough space for a jumping and/or superheavy TAGger.

Satyrs strike me as the perfect Clan solution to the need for scouting units. Enough speed to stay ahead of a formation, enough firepower to keep an opponent honest while the big guns show up, and cheap enough that the "real fighters" don't feel like they've been ignored.

Definitely agree with everything here.

[Sjhernan3060]

This also seems to be one of the best looking first gen protos

[Sjhernan3060]

Yeah, I can definitely see why the original is so popular. What a wonderfully efficient little design.

I had no idea it was so good and it looks good to!