'Mech of the Week - Ryoken III-XP (Skinwalker)

[GreekFire]

From XTRO:Republic Vol. III

Certain 'Mechs in the BattleTech setting have such an impact, both within the universe and outside of it, that they become undeniable representations of what BattleTech *is*. The beginnings of the BattleTech boardgame had 'Mechs like the Marauder and Atlas as their poster children, while the Clan Invasion setting was (and still is) easily defined by the Mad Cat. Later on, the WizKids iteration of the game would lean heavily on certain new designs - such as the tripedal Superheavy 'Mechs - to define their new setting. And now, in this modern era of the game, we're seeing a hard push back towards the original classic 'Mechs that brought so many players to the game, albeit redesigned with much more of a modern aesthetic.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not insinuating that the Skinwalker will become one of these iconic 'Mechs. But I do believe that it is most likely a precursor of things to come; a Mackie, if you will, for the next generation of BattleMechs that will eventually define the long anticipated 3250 era setting. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but that's the nice thing about writing these articles: I can speculate all I want, and there's nothing you can do to stop me.

On thing is for sure, though. The Skinwalker is a bit of a rarity both within the game and in-universe: it's a clear and indisputable leap forward in technology, one that renders the original Stormcrow near-obsolete - and being able to say that about one of the more optimized 'Mechs of the Clan invasion is truly something. So now that I've got your attention, let's start looking at the design.

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SKINWALKER (SPHEROID DESIGNATION: RYOKEN III-XP)
INTRO: 3143
FACTION AVAILABILITY: Wolf Empire
--- Speed: 6/9 (330 XL) -----------------------------------
--- Armor: 161/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)------------------------
--- Base Heat Sinks: 11 Double [22 heat dissipation]-------

         FRONT                REAR                INTERNAL
         ( 9)                 (**)                  ( 3)
      /21|24|21\           / 5| 6| 5\            /13|18|13\
     (16/ || \16)         (   |  |   )          ( 9/ || \ 9)
       /  /\  \               /  \                /  /\  \
      (19/  \19)             /    \              (13/  \13)
Don't be fooled by the raw numbers - that armor coverage is heavy. For those of you a bit less familiar with more advanced technologies, Ferro-Lamellor armor is much more resilient that your usual composites. Against everything but a few rare weapons or ammunition types, it reduces each 5-point (or smaller) block of damage by one point of damage. This means that the Skinwalker's armor coverage is effectively, at minimum, this:

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         FRONT                REAR                INTERNAL
         (11)                 (**)                  ( 3)
      /27|30|27\           / 7| 8| 7\            /13|18|13\
     (20/ || \20)         (   |  |   )          ( 9/ || \ 9)
       /  /\  \               /  \                /  /\  \
      (24/  \24)             /    \              (13/  \13)
Yeah, you've got the armor coverage of a fully-armored 60-ton heavy. The key differences, though, are that the legs will be slightly weaker than those heavy 'Mechs, while the side torsos will be a lot tougher. This also means that - when compared with the original Stormcrow - you effectively have roughly the same armor thickness for the arms and the legs, while the head and torsos are vastly tougher.

Now for the rest. What makes the Skinwalker exceptional is that this armor coverage results in *no* notable sacrifices whatsoever. The 330 XL engine and Endo-Steel skeleton are nothing unusual, but the Clan Machina Domini cockpit and lack of gyro are incredible. To briefly sum things up without going into too much detail (the rules can be found on page 116 of Interstellar Operations), the interface cockpit gives you:

• A free -1/-1 to piloting and gunnery
• The ability to ignore pilot damage from head hits and ammo explosions
• A free Special Pilot Ability
• No gyro, which combined with the slightly heavier cockpit saves you three tons

Although there are more abilities gained via the Machina Domini system, these are the essentials. This alone means that any pilots of the Skinwalker have a huge bonus in resilience and skill over pilots of the older standard Stormcrow. Beyond that, the Skinwalker has an additional double heat sink hidden in its engine, all while retaining the 23 tons of pod space that the original Stormcrow had available to it. Wow.

Oh, and one last thing: this Clan 'Mech has Triple Strength Myomer. Of course, the TRO says that it's mostly used for its speed benefits, but lets be real here: with the Jade Falcons, Hell's Horses, and Ghost Bears having all started embracing physical combat, there's no way the Wolves will end up being the "conservative Clan" - not when all of their current neighbors are Spheroids. In my opinion, it's just a matter of time before that TSM starts getting used to smash apart their enemies.

~ ~ ~

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Primary Configuration
ER Large Pulse Laser x2 (Left Arm, Right Arm)
ER Medium Pulse Laser x2 (Left Arm, Right Arm)
SRM-6 x2 (Left Torso, Right Torso)
SRM-6 Ammo x2 (Center Torso)
Two additional heat sinks (26 total heat dissipation)

To be honest, this isn't a great config. Your firepower is a bit weak for a Clan 'Mech, although it can be a great bully against lighter forces your opponent might field. The two tons of SRM ammo are useful for fielding a secondary ammo type, but if you're planning on running hot (which in all honesty you should), I would recommend avoiding Infernos. My suggestion? Get the TSM rolling, and backstab as much as you can.

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Configuration A
ER Large Laser x2 (Left Arm, Right Arm)
ER Medium Laser x4 (2 Left Arm, 2 Right Arm)
ER Small Laser x6 (3 Left Torso, 3 Right Torso)
Targeting Computer (Left Arm)
Radical Heat Sink (Center Torso)
One additional heat sink (24 total heat dissipation, 36 with RHS)
This one is the killer config the Prime wishes it was. Clearly based off of the Stormcrow Prime, it uses a Radical Heat Sink and a battery of ER Smalls as a great way to circumvent crit limitations. This turns the Skinwalker A into one heck of a slasher, especially since hitting 9 heat every round is super simple, even on turns where you'll use the RHS. Then combine the Targeting Computer with your free special ability (eg: Weapon Specialist for your ER Mediums), and you can land aimed shots like they're nothing.

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Configuration B
Ultra AC/20 (Left Arm)
UAC/20 Ammo x3 (Right Torso)
CASE II (Right Torso)
Improved Heavy Medium Laser x5 (3 Right Arm, 1 Left Torso, 1 Center Torso)
Supercharger (Left Torso)
ECM Suite (Center Torso)
Another brutal config, it takes the older Stormcrow B and dials it up to 11. The Supercharger combined with TSM can take you up to 14 MP if you play your cards right, while having the ECM on Ghost Targets can make you close to untouchable. Meanwhile, you can throw your two 20-point hits (along with a 10 or two) from whatever angle you want. Oh, and the cascading ammo explosion threat that can happen with Improved Heavy Lasers and CASE II? Not a problem, the interface cockpit means you don't suffer pilot hits from ammo explosions. An incredibly dangerous brawler.

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Configuration C
ATM-9 (Left Arm)
ATM Ammo x3 (Left Arm)
TSEMP Cannon (Right Arm)
ER Medium Laser x6 (3 Left Torso, 3 Right Torso)
Targeting Computer (Center Torso)
The TRO calls it a headhunter, and yeah, definitely. If you get a shutdown with your TSEMP, your target should be dead by the next round. Once again, Weapon Specialist for the ER Mediums more than guarantees instant kills. Spiking your heat up to 9 or 10 is actually pretty easy with this config - I enjoyed activating the TSM whenever I fired the TSEMP to get an added speed and physical damage boost in case my target shut down.

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Configuration D
Rotary AC/2 (Left Arm)
RAC/2 Ammo x2 (Left Arm)
CASE II (Left Arm)
Bombast Laser (Right Torso)
ER Medium Laser (Right Arm)
ER Small Laser x2 (Left Torso)
ER Micro Laser x2 (Center Torso)
Lance (Right Arm)
This one is clearly built around melee combat. TSM is obviously easy to get up and keep at 9 - you have two variable-heat weapons - so at that point, invest in the physical Special Ability of your choice and go nuts. Of course, your RAC might jam (since you kind of need it to balance your heat), so if that annoys you, then turn off a heat sink or two and keep it on single fire. Just don't expect this variant to kill much with its guns - this is a near-purely physical variant.

~ ~ ~

How do you use one? However you want. It's that good - want to snipe with it? No problem, take the A and outsnipe nearly anything out there. You want to brawl? Hey, take any config you want and go nuts with the TSM. You want to scout? TSM takes you up to 7/11 (more for configs with a Supercharger), so you can keep up with most lighter Clan Omnis out there. Just remember - this is a Medium 'Mech, not an assault. It cannot and will not tank armor damage like, say, the Savage Wolf can. Use its speed and use it well.

How do you fight one? Well, you're gonna have a rough time no matter what. You can use Re-Lasers for a -1 to-hit and the ability to defeat the special properties of Ferro-Lamellor, but they're a rare weapon system (to say the least). Otherwise, anything that'll give you a to-hit bonus and that ideally hits in damage increments of 5. But in my opinion, there's no quick and easy counter for this 'Mech. Just shoot it with what you have, and always keep in mind what it can do.

One final note - don't expect to bring the Skinwalker to a BV-balanced game. The BV for nearly every variant is...prohibitive, to say the least. The C-variant even takes the prize for the most BV-expensive 'Mech in the game, which does *not* mean that it can stand up to most of the other contenders. Its technologies cost a lot, so I'd keep it to fluff-based games more than anything else.

So while the Skinwalker is a *very* good 'Mech, it isn't unstoppable, and we might not be seeing the true Wunderwaffe yet. But whatever follows it, down the road? Yeah. I'm betting that'll be the game changer - and maybe in more ways than one.

~ ~ ~

Master Unit List: http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Ryoken+III-XP
Iron Wind Metals, Ryoken III-XP Prime: https://ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=9887&osCsid=50af506pgc5g3t9auvmh5agk64
Iron Wind Metals, Ryoken III-XP B: https://ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=9869&osCsid=50af506pgc5g3t9auvmh5agk64

[Scotty]

Worth mentioning: the Clans don't use Machina Domini for this.   The Interface Cockpit works just fine with EI implants.  More than anything, the Skinwalker (and Parash 3) represent the application of what was actually effective on Protomechs to a much more dangerous platform.

[Empyrus]

A note on the C: The TarComp is useless for a turn after using the TSEMP, as firing TSEMP inflicts the interference effect on the firing unit. Pity that.

EDIT Correction, it only negates the TarComp aiming bonus (-1+2=+1 penalty to hit) but not aiming itself. Of course, a shutdown target can be aimed at anyhow.

EDIT2 Of course, since the Skinwalker is basically a super 'Mech, it should not have a cheap pilot. So small aiming modifier  isn't a big deal.

EDIT3 come to think of it, pretty sure Interface Cockpit allows aimed shots as it is, so the TarComp is there just for the extra to-hit bonus.

[Kojak]

Yes, but you still get a reduction on aimed shots as well (+3 drops to +2) so it's still worth it.

Also, excellent article, and I've long had a similar thesis about the Skinwalker and how it's the precursor to a new generation of BattleMechs. Nice to see that others have come to similar conclusions.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Not only are re-engineered lasers are, of the Wolf Empire's neighbors I think that only the Republic of the Sphere really uses them.

There's no way to slice it, the Skinwalker is a scary machine.

[grimlock1]

Something that makes the D model just a wee bit scarier is the EI required for the Interface Cockpit. EI grants a bonus to PHYSICAL attack rolls.

Yes, but you still get a reduction on aimed shots as well (+3 drops to +2) so it's still worth it.

Also, excellent article, and I've long had a similar thesis about the Skinwalker and how it's the precursor to a new generation of BattleMechs. Nice to see that others have come to similar conclusions.

The Foxes go back to the drawing board and build a Mad Cat MkIV with an extra 3 crits, 5 tons AND all the gunnery/piloting buffs that come with EI/Interface Cockpit.  Yeah, now we are getting into pants wetting territory.

To stay competitive, IS forces will either have to dust off the WoB VDNI tech, or take another look at VRPP's.

If the Skinwalker/Parash are the wave of the future, that suggests some interesting changes to Clan culture.  Up until now, EI was kind of a fringe thing, supposedly found only among the most ardent Crusaders.  I would have to assume that the more extreme Wardens use it with similar frequency.  Then Protos came around and they all needed EI. If we are going to start seeing entire stars of mechs with EI/Interface, that is going to come with a MUCH more aggressive Clan leadership.  It's kind of ignored because Clan leadership sees Protomechs as almost expendable, but EI puts are pretty hard limit on the length of someone's career.  3-5 years, I think with a year of that in rehab after the surgery.  But now if 20-30% of the mechwarrior population finds themselves looking at that same 3-5 year clock, the push for action and glory gets a lot more urgent.   

Suddenly Malvina might start looking conservative!!

[Maingunnery]

Something that makes the D model just a wee bit scarier is the EI required for the Interface Cockpit. EI grants a bonus to PHYSICAL attack rolls.
The Foxes go back to the drawing board and build a Mad Cat MkIV with an extra 3 crits, 5 tons AND all the gunnery/piloting buffs that come with EI/Interface Cockpit.  Yeah, now we are getting into pants wetting territory.

To stay competitive, IS forces will either have to dust off the WoB VDNI tech, or take another look at VRPP's.

If the Skinwalker/Parash are the wave of the future, that suggests some interesting changes to Clan culture.  Up until now, EI was kind of a fringe thing, supposedly found only among the most ardent Crusaders.  I would have to assume that the more extreme Wardens use it with similar frequency.  Then Protos came around and they all needed EI. If we are going to start seeing entire stars of mechs with EI/Interface, that is going to come with a MUCH more aggressive Clan leadership.  It's kind of ignored because Clan leadership sees Protomechs as almost expendable, but EI puts are pretty hard limit on the length of someone's career.  3-5 years, I think with a year of that in rehab after the surgery.  But now if 20-30% of the mechwarrior population finds themselves looking at that same 3-5 year clock, the push for action and glory gets a lot more urgent.   

Suddenly Malvina might start looking conservative!!

Or they will look into making the phenotypes resistant to EI damage.

[SteelRaven]

I do think we will be seeing more of the Interface Armor, it makes more sense in a modern context a bulky helmet and gym shorts

The Storm Wolf Skinwalker it self is a nice mech worthy of Storm Crow lineage (lets just forget about the Ryoken II)

It shows both a in universe growth in the application in technology and the another example that the Clans are becoming more adaptive and less ridged. Stat wise, it really cool toy to play with :)

I was surprise by the number of legacy mechs (that I formally refereed to as sequel mechs) that did not suck and in many ways improved on many designs. CGL has had one hell of a batting average with new mechs leading up to fortress republic and I look forward to what comes next.     

[Colt Ward]

I have wished the Crusader Wolves just started producing a Stormcrow III, even without the Interface Cockpit its a design type they need since they were not producing any Clan mediums.  Add in that it has Ferro-Lam and TSM?  Even better.

Pretty sure Proto-pilots do not have the same clock that other EI users suffer from.

[grimlock1]

I have wished the Crusader Wolves just started producing a Stormcrow III, even without the Interface Cockpit its a design type they need since they were not producing any Clan mediums.  Add in that it has Ferro-Lam and TSM?  Even better.

Pretty sure Proto-pilots do not have the same clock that other EI users suffer from.

I can't even remember where I saw how long mech EI users have...
VDNI was like 10 years, bVDNI was 15, right?  Or am I pulling numbers out of a place not discussed in polite company?

[VensersRevenge]

This 'Mech is completely insane. It is really the first ever straight up upgrade to a Clan 'Mech, and to do it with arguably the best of the CI Omnis. I am slightly worried what the Mad Cat V will look like if they keep this up, especially if post 3150 adds some more new tech.

[GreekFire]

This 'Mech is completely insane. It is really the first ever straight up upgrade to a Clan 'Mech, and to do it with arguably the best of the CI Omnis. I am slightly worried what the Mad Cat V will look like if they keep this up, especially if post 3150 adds some more new tech.

The Skinwalker could easily be a bridge towards changing the way the rules work in a 3250 setting. Want to reduce pilot damage from ammo explosions? Here's your chance. Want to make PSRs easier to pass? Done. Want to make new-gen 'Mechs suffer less damage from older weapons? Easy. And anything that's not "as good" as what the Skinwalker can accomplish (eg: ignoring all damage from ammo explosions) can be waved aside as it being a new version of Clan Machina Domini that doesn't require lifespan-reducing technologies to function.

[Scotty]

Much like not all Omnis are Celestials, not all Interface Cockpit are Machina Domini.  The Clans have nothing to do with Machina Domini, and if I remember right the writeups for the Skinwalker and Parash 3 go to some length to make it clear that the Clan method is very different.

[GreekFire]

Much like not all Omnis are Celestials, not all Interface Cockpit are Machina Domini.  The Clans have nothing to do with Machina Domini, and if I remember right the writeups for the Skinwalker and Parash 3 go to some length to make it clear that the Clan method is very different.

The Interface Cockpit is a part of the system, yes, but the system as a whole (including the NIU and EI requirements) is referred to as the (Clan) Machina Domini Interface system. I chose to refer to that name in what I wrote - even if it isn't called by the same name in the TRO - to make things easier for players attempting to find the rules for the system. I know it took me a but of looking around before I figured out what ruleset I should be looking at.

[Maelwys]

As far as I can tell, the only difference is the requirement for EI rather than VDNI for the two system. Whether the Horses heard rumors about the system and then developed it on their own, or if this was a natural extension of their Superheavy ProtoMech work, its impossible to tell at this time.

[Greatclub]

So many extra rules. Such effective min-max bait.

Im glan the rules are in such an obscure couple of books, and sort of hope they stay that way.

[Wrangler]

Worth mentioning: the Clans don't use Machina Domini for this.   The Interface Cockpit works just fine with EI implants.  More than anything, the Skinwalker (and Parash 3) represent the application of what was actually effective on Protomechs to a much more dangerous platform.

Skinwalker use it's own version Machina Domini.  The info from Parash 3 hinted that got the tech hush hush away from WoB salvage.

Anyways, this machine is SUch a nasty machine, a wild card waiting to be played!  Seriously.

I forgot about this thing. The Battle Armor in the cockpit is nice surprise to people trying to cut the the nut inside.

[marauder648]

An excellent write up of a truly terrifying Mech. And I feel you're right, the Skinwalker points the way forwards for what the Clans could be going for as this thing leverages every advantage they have in the current setting and has created a monster.

If folks want to see what else could be done I really do recommend having a look at Maingunner's fan made Society TRO - https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=63829.0  for lots of Interface Cockpit horrors!

[LightGuard]

I love the C package.

Why? I run this as part of an MekHQ campaign that I basically play for S&Gs, because with no limitations on my end I can play with all the toys! :D

The Star the III-XP deploys with are all direct and indirect fire support configurations, while I use this to blitz through just about any map and break the Princess's toys.

The TSEMP cannon is meh, not terribly fond of it, but the ERMLs and ATM-9 shine with the Cockpit and TComp bennies. I love using it in city fighting with a double load of HE and one load of standard. It is terrible with infantry, especially in open field combat. As a matter of fact, it's completely ill-suited for anti-infantry and anti-battle armor operations. There definitely needs to be a version that runs some small and micro pulse lasers, flamers, or AP Gauss. Yes, they bite like gnats, but enough gnats can cause definite pain.

[grimlock1]

As far as I can tell, the only difference is the requirement for EI rather than VDNI for the two system. Whether the Horses heard rumors about the system and then developed it on their own, or if this was a natural extension of their Superheavy ProtoMech work, its impossible to tell at this time.

I haven't read the WoR but a friend was telling me that there were some reports related to the Ultra-heavy protos that could have been interpreted as a tease to a Interface Armor.

It is kind of nice that CGL didn't bring ALL the cheese to the first few Interface Cockpit offerings.  The Gestalt was a bit under sinked. The Parash 3 was quick, nasty little bugger, but there's only so tough a 35 tonner can be.  And as nasty as the Skinwalker is we don't have the real munchkin bait like PPCs, or Lplas linked to a TC, stacked with the Interface Cockpit. And in true clan fashion, it does run toasty... although that's not always a bad thing.

[mbear]

I can't even remember where I saw how long mech EI users have...
VDNI was like 10 years, bVDNI was 15, right?  Or am I pulling numbers out of a place not discussed in polite company?

Probably Interstellar Operations. Here's the quotation with emphasis added around the long term effects of the implants.

While affording exceptional levels of control, however, these implants are especially sensitive to feedback. Due to their direct connection to the pilot’s nervous system, this feedback can cause additional damage to the warrior in combat, and has also been known to rapidly deteriorate mental health over years of sustained use. Few warriors who receive EI neural implants survive for longer than a decade afterward as a result, but among the Clans, this sacrifice in the name of martial glory is considered only natural.

I can see the Interface Cockpit being useful to solhama warriors as a last attempt to go out in glory. Or if your ProtoMech Star is suddenly without Protos, reassigning the pilots to full-grown 'Mechs as a temporary expedient.

But since this was introduced by the Wolf Empire, I think it's more of a situation where the Wolves don't have as many experienced pilots as they would like and are grabbing at straws to improve performance. The current EI using warriors burn out after a decade, but that's probably enough time to train up enough new sibkos to fill in the gaps in PGCs/Second line Clusters.

At least I hope that's the reason. The Skinwalker is bad enough but a Thor II, Loki II, Warwolf, or Tomahawk II with an Interface Cockpit is something that gives me nightmares.

[glitterboy2098]

I haven't read the WoR but a friend was telling me that there were some reports related to the Ultra-heavy protos that could have been interpreted as a tease to a Interface Armor.

not exactly. ultra-heavy proto's use a slightly different control system than standard protos. standard proto's use a form of EI and are basically controlled from a curled up position within the chest of the proto, almost pure mental control.

Ultraheavy proto's are so large that normally they would require a gryoscope like a mech. the Society got around this by using a new control system, where the EI provides the balance aspect and some of the control, but the pilot wears a stripped down PAL suit which acts a force feedback control frame for the proto. (think the AMP suits from Avatar or the system seen in Robot Jox, only with EI letting the pilot have greater fine control and 'see' without the need for displays or physical controls)

the fluff says that said armor can protect the pilot if they have to abandon the Ultaheavy proto, but there is no allowance for leaving mid battle then returning, nor do we have actual stats for the armor suit, suggesting that it probably isn't armed or armored enough to count as a proper battlearmor units the way the Machina Domini and Clan Interface armor suits are.

the basic system though is pretty close to how the Clan Interface Cockpit works, which makes it a logical place for the clan system to have evolved from. suggesting that if there is Machina Domini influence on the tech, it is indirect and related mainly to the ability to exit and reenter mid battle, and the use of a full on PAL suit battlearmor instead of a stripped down suit.

[grimlock1]

Probably Interstellar Operations. Here's the quotation with emphasis added around the long term effects of the implants.

I would have bet lunch that I saw it LONG before IO came out.  But I guess not.

I can see the Interface Cockpit being useful to solhama warriors as a last attempt to go out in glory. Or if your ProtoMech Star is suddenly without Protos, reassigning the pilots to full-grown 'Mechs as a temporary expedient.

Or maybe a reward?  "Hey, you're a crazy awesome little Clanner and you do some good work in that little toy-mech, but the Khan wants to see what you can do in a REAL war machine."

I feel like using EI/Interface to boost solhama warriors is only going to make it more prevalent among front line units.

But since this was introduced by the Wolf Empire, I think it's more of a situation where the Wolves don't have as many experienced pilots as they would like and are grabbing at straws to improve performance. The current EI using warriors burn out after a decade, but that's probably enough time to train up enough new sibkos to fill in the gaps in PGCs/Second line Clusters.

At least I hope that's the reason. The Skinwalker is bad enough but a Thor II, Loki II, Warwolf, or Tomahawk II with an Interface Cockpit is something that gives me nightmares.

Most Clan warriors don't last more than a decade anyway, so why stop the practice? 

not exactly. ultra-heavy proto's use a slightly different control system than standard protos. standard proto's use a form of EI and are basically controlled from a curled up position within the chest of the proto, almost pure mental control.

Ultraheavy proto's are so large that normally they would require a gryoscope like a mech. the Society got around this by using a new control system, where the EI provides the balance aspect and some of the control, but the pilot wears a stripped down PAL suit which acts a force feedback control frame for the proto. (think the AMP suits from Avatar or the system seen in Robot Jox, only with EI letting the pilot have greater fine control and 'see' without the need for displays or physical controls)

the fluff says that said armor can protect the pilot if they have to abandon the Ultaheavy proto, but there is no allowance for leaving mid battle then returning, nor do we have actual stats for the armor suit, suggesting that it probably isn't armed or armored enough to count as a proper battlearmor units the way the Machina Domini and Clan Interface armor suits are.

the basic system though is pretty close to how the Clan Interface Cockpit works, which makes it a logical place for the clan system to have evolved from. suggesting that if there is Machina Domini influence on the tech, it is indirect and related mainly to the ability to exit and reenter mid battle, and the use of a full on PAL suit battlearmor instead of a stripped down suit.

So the Clans, or at least the Society was already thinking about something along the lines of Interface Armor.  If they had this stripped down PA/L in service, 5 will get you 20 that there was a white board someplace with a full PA/L.  That leaves the question of how did the tech get into the IS?  Did Ultra-heavy protos make it to the IS?  Or did the Society have much penetration into Hells Horses?  Heck, it might not have actually been the Horses who deployed the Parash 3 in 3086.  We know the Society has a history of false flag ops.  Look at the debut of the Pariah.

[Colt Ward]

Most Clan warriors don't last more than a decade anyway, so why stop the practice? 

Except the Clans in the IS have started to relax the age bias, just like the physical attacks taboo and other things that have weakened due to exposure.

[mbear]

I would have bet lunch that I saw it LONG before IO came out.  But I guess not.

It might have been introduced in Field Manual: Crusader Clans, but I wanted to use the latest information.

[Colt Ward]

I would source it with the original Proto material, TRO3060.

Out of curiousity, was the Stormcrow III XP a experimental modification of a basic Stormcrow III or was the whole thing a experimental build?

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Looks like it was built from scratch to incorporate the experimental tech.

[GreekFire]

The TSEMP cannon is meh, not terribly fond of it, but the ERMLs and ATM-9 shine with the Cockpit and TComp bennies. I love using it in city fighting with a double load of HE and one load of standard. It is terrible with infantry, especially in open field combat. As a matter of fact, it's completely ill-suited for anti-infantry and anti-battle armor operations. There definitely needs to be a version that runs some small and micro pulse lasers, flamers, or AP Gauss. Yes, they bite like gnats, but enough gnats can cause definite pain.

I don't think that's necessarily a role the Skinwalker should be pushed into. It runs off of the highest-level cutting edge technology the Wolf Empire has to offer - making it a machine that can dismantle opposing 'Mechs within a heartbeat. Putting it against infantry just seems to be a bit of a waste.

Battle Armor it doesn't have any problems against. Just throw the A at them and the BA melt.

And if infantry starts shooting at it? It has the speed to disengage if it has to, and the Ferro-Lam cuts those 2-point clusters down to one point of damage.

[Maingunnery]

If folks want to see what else could be done I really do recommend having a look at Maingunner's fan made Society TRO - https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=63829.0  for lots of Interface Cockpit horrors!

What can I say the Skinwalker is quite inspiration, but I did not use TSM (a bit too temperamental for my taste). 

[glitterboy2098]

  So the Clans, or at least the Society was already thinking about something along the lines of Interface Armor.  If they had this stripped down PA/L in service, 5 will get you 20 that there was a white board someplace with a full PA/L.  That leaves the question of how did the tech get into the IS?  Did Ultra-heavy protos make it to the IS?  Or did the Society have much penetration into Hells Horses?  Heck, it might not have actually been the Horses who deployed the Parash 3 in 3086.  We know the Society has a history of false flag ops.  Look at the debut of the Pariah.

There was a Society cell in the Jade Falcons OZ led by Etienne (Balzac) which had some of the Society tech including the Ultra-heavy protos. and the Hell's Horses managed to snag copies of some of the tech before abandoning the homeworlds, which is how they developed the Svartalfa, which not only is an Ultra-heavy proto, but is also a glider (aka WiGE) Proto, which was another tech the society developed and used in the homeworlds, though we don't have an official society proto using it yet. the Wolves probably obtained the tech from the Hells Horses (either via trial or by salvaging Svartalfa's for study.)

given that the 2nd use of the interface cockpit tech was on a hell's horse unit, it is possible they invented it and clan wolf obtained the plans directly.


what i find interesting is that the Word of Blake was apprently very interested in protomechs, going so far to convert a number of captured ones to work with VDNI equipped Manei Domini pilots. (seen on Necromo during the Jihad but implied to have been deployed elsewhere as well.) which honestly suggests that the Machina Domini system itself might have been heavily influenced by clan protomech technology.

[grimlock1]

Looking back over the configs, the D has something kinda odd.  That RAC 2.  That's a mid-long range plinker. Yeah, it does have the option 1,2,4, or 6 heat on demand, so long as the ammo holds out. The Bombast already gives you a 7-12 heat window for the TSM.

It kinda reminds me of the Rokurokubi and the Shiro, with their plinky little AC's on melee builds.   It just feels weird.

What can I say the Skinwalker is quite inspiration, but I did not use TSM (a bit too temperamental for my taste). 

The trick to using TSM is to sit down and make a list of what weapon combos produce what heat.

Then you build a reference table that lets you quickly tailor your attack pattern based on your current heat, movement and are you getting to the Magic 9 or just trying to stay there. The No-Dachi NDA-2KO is a wonderful trainer in the use of TSM. Between the ER medium, mplas, flamer and splas, you can bump your heat by 5, 4, 3, or 2 points. There are more efficient ways to build that fine adjustment into your heat, but this is the best stock configuration. Until Princess brings Flamers, infernos and plasma, you can pretty much activate and maintain TSM at will. 

given that the 2nd use of the interface cockpit tech was on a hell's horse unit, it is possible they invented it and clan wolf obtained the plans directly.

First being WoB Gestalt, right? 

what i find interesting is that the Word of Blake was apprently very interested in protomechs, going so far to convert a number of captured ones to work with VDNI equipped Manei Domini pilots. (seen on Necromo during the Jihad but implied to have been deployed elsewhere as well.) which honestly suggests that the Machina Domini system itself might have been heavily influenced by clan protomech technology.

I guess Necromo has become cannon now.

[glitterboy2098]

First being WoB Gestalt, right? 

no, because the Machina Domini system is a different system from the Clan Interface Cockpit. as has been pointed out by several people, including the writers. they may share a concept and a few game mechanics, but they are different 'under the hood'.

I guess Necromo has become cannon now.

it always was.

[Colt Ward]

Looks like it was built from scratch to incorporate the experimental tech.

Thanks, did not have the book for the fluff and I know the Jade Hawk & Savage Wolf have interesting differences between Prototype variants

[GreekFire]

Looking back over the configs, the D has something kinda odd.  That RAC 2.  That's a mid-long range plinker. Yeah, it does have the option 1,2,4, or 6 heat on demand, so long as the ammo holds out. The Bombast already gives you a 7-12 heat window for the TSM.

Not only that, but you need the RAC/2 to balance out your heat levels unless you start turning off heat sinks. It becomes even more problematic once you notice that the ER Medium is in the same arm as the lance.

The best way I've used it is by taking the Melee Master special piloting ability. Depending on your to-hit numbers and angle, you can use your TSM to deliver two 22-point Lance or kick strikes to your target. The RAC is then there in case you lose initiative and need to pull back while maintaining some accurate critseeking at rage.

It's not perfect, and it's not super elegant, but it works.

[grimlock1]

no, because the Machina Domini system is a different system from the Clan Interface Cockpit. as has been pointed out by several people, including the writers. they may share a concept and a few game mechanics, but they are different 'under the hood'.
it always was.

The Horses had the Parash 3 in 3086.  Then the Wolves had the Skinwalker in 3148. 

What other Clan machine used an Interface Cockpit?

[Colt Ward]

I think it was a reference to the Ultra Protos.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Thanks, did not have the book for the fluff and I know the Jade Hawk & Savage Wolf have interesting differences between Prototype variants

As far as I know, the Skinwalker has only shown up in XTRO ROTS 3 and no where else.

[Colt Ward]

Not doubting you, I was just using some of the contemporaries as an example- for instance the Falcons have Savage Wolves that do not have XXLs or Ferro-Lam armor . . . not even sure its a Omni.  The Jade Hawk has different versions depending if it was derived from Falcon or Sea Fox research, and thus produced at different sites.  You know, that would be a good story.

Be nice to see a production version of the Stormcrow III, even if it has to dump the interface cockpit.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Not doubting you, I was just using some of the contemporaries as an example- for instance the Falcons have Savage Wolves that do not have XXLs or Ferro-Lam armor . . . not even sure its a Omni.

Yes, the prototype Savage Wolf.  It's not an omni and has the weaponry of the Prime but lacks the XXL, Ferro-Lam, and armored gyro that the omni does.  The precedent for that was actually set by the Eisensturm omnifighter.

[Wrangler]

I thought it showed in record sheets that the prototype Savage Wolves that it was a Omni. Weird.

[Empyrus]

Record sheets don't actually have anything to point out a design is an Omni, except "Prime" or [letter] but even then you must know what that means to figure it is an Omni.

The Wendigo is one of the few cases (the only one even?) where the prototype (Wendigo-PR) is an Omni like the final model.

[Wrangler]

Prime usually for OmniMech main configs. Where Standard use Clan standard BattleMechs.
I thought few forums ago they had answered question when Dark Age mech started to appear. I asked about the MK Iv of either the Vulture or MadCat.

[Jellico]

Considering there are IS Battlemechs that use suffixes like 0A spotting an Omni can be fraught.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Mostly you have to remember whether or not it's listed as an omnimech in the TRO.

[Sartris]

yeah, it's mostly memory. you can do an MUL search that asks for omnis as the sub-unit type and BASE> in the text search to get a general chassis list (<BASE> will both <> will be rejected as attempting to inject malicious code)

http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=base%3E&HasBV=false&MinTons=&MaxTons=&MinBV=&MaxBV=&MinIntro=&MaxIntro=&MinCost=&MaxCost=&HasRole=&HasBFAbility=&MinPV=&MaxPV=&Role=None+Selected&BookAuto=&FactionAuto=&SubTypes=45

[Wrangler]

Good Catch.  I guess i was remembering it wrong. I thought i had posts in previous forums when question came up about if Savage Wolf and the Vulture IV were "OmniMechs" or not.  It was assumed not, because way MWDA ran their miniature line. Initially OmniMechs weren't possible with the game until much later on.

[Caedis Animus]

It kinda reminds me of the Rokurokubi and the Shiro, with their plinky little AC's on melee builds.   It just feels weird.

The Shiro isn't a melee build, it's a long range support build with a pointy stick.

[Maelwys]

2 things. The Clan Interface Armor for this is going to require the pilot have gunnery and piloting skills for the BA. How effectively are they cross training? Just enough so that the pilot doesn't fall over, or are they just as rigorous as their MW training?

And could Elstars be an attempt to breed away the inherent drawbacks to this? Either by attempting to push the Aerospace phenotype resistance to EI to other phenotypes, or making them even more resistant than the Aerospace phenotype?

[glitterboy2098]

2 things. The Clan Interface Armor for this is going to require the pilot have gunnery and piloting skills for the BA. How effectively are they cross training? Just enough so that the pilot doesn't fall over, or are they just as rigorous as their MW training?

And could Elstars be an attempt to breed away the inherent drawbacks to this? Either by attempting to push the Aerospace phenotype resistance to EI to other phenotypes, or making them even more resistant than the Aerospace phenotype?

i would assume that currently they are probably not cross training too intensely, since the tech is new and anyone using it would have to have been taught to use BA well after they finished their sibko training.

that said, i would suspect that after the interface cockpit becomes widespread, they'll start cross-training their sibko's and the skill levels will equalize between the two aspects.

honestly i'll be interested to see if they change the design of the interface BA.. either to boost the mobility and suitability outside the mech, or perhaps they'll develop a version that can work with a full light BA rather than just a PA(L)

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Given the space limitations in a mech's cockpit, I don't think that going to a full Light BA suit would be that easy if it's even possible in the first place.

[SteelRaven]

At best, it's closer to a PA(L)

[Maelwys]

i would assume that currently they are probably not cross training too intensely, since the tech is new and anyone using it would have to have been taught to use BA well after they finished their sibko training.

that said, i would suspect that after the interface cockpit becomes widespread, they'll start cross-training their sibko's and the skill levels will equalize between the two aspects.

honestly i'll be interested to see if they change the design of the interface BA.. either to boost the mobility and suitability outside the mech, or perhaps they'll develop a version that can work with a full light BA rather than just a PA(L)

I guess that's one more question. Is this going to be something that's common, or is it just for those desperate or fanatical enough (like EI was in the 3050's).

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Guess we'll see if IlClan ever actually sees print and the timeline actually advances.

[grimlock1]

i would assume that currently they are probably not cross training too intensely, since the tech is new and anyone using it would have to have been taught to use BA well after they finished their sibko training.

that said, i would suspect that after the interface cockpit becomes widespread, they'll start cross-training their sibko's and the skill levels will equalize between the two aspects.

honestly i'll be interested to see if they change the design of the interface BA.. either to boost the mobility and suitability outside the mech, or perhaps they'll develop a version that can work with a full light BA rather than just a PA(L)

Unless they change the RAW, it's restricted to PA(L) class so that's 400kg.  Figure that 180 kg are already taken by the chassis and the interface gear.  a PA(L) with 380 kg of weapons, armor and mobility doesn't exactly terrify me.

And truthfully, the Clan version doesn't scare me as much as the WoB version. EI can grant greater TH hit buffs, but they are situational.  If you are shooting through heavy woods, and heavy smoke, and at night, EI is the awesome.  If you are shooting at someone in open terrain, at half past noon, EI gives you bupkis.

[Gaiiten]

What if this technology did originate from the Clan Homeworlds?

[grimlock1]

What if this technology did originate from the Clan Homeworlds?

Are you hypothesizing about the Interface Cockpit at large, or just the version of the tech we've seen in the Parash 3 and Skinwalker?  If the WoB's system is somehow based on tech transfer from the homeworld Clans, that's a can of worms.

And yes, I know that the Clan Interface Cockpit/Armor is not the same thing as the same as the WoB version but they are barking up the same tree.  Even if they do things differently, they are accomplishing the same basic ends, constrained by mech technology on one side and the human body on the other.

[Gaiiten]

Are you hypothesizing about the Interface Cockpit at large, or just the version of the tech we've seen in the Parash 3 and Skinwalker?  If the WoB's system is somehow based on tech transfer from the homeworld Clans, that's a can of worms.

And yes, I know that the Clan Interface Cockpit/Armor is not the same thing as the same as the WoB version but they are barking up the same tree.  Even if they do things differently, they are accomplishing the same basic ends, constrained by mech technology on one side and the human body on the other.

I mean that the basic technology of the Mech Interface Cockpit could be the Superheavy Protomechs. They do have a very, very similar technology.
It could be that during the Wars of Reaving there was a breakthrough (maybe the Society achieved this) or one of the Home Clans developed this.
The Hell`s Horses did have to field this technology in 3086, maybe they got this from their Star Adder allies during the last exchanges before the loss of contact.

[grimlock1]

I mean that the basic technology of the Mech Interface Cockpit could be the Superheavy Protomechs. They do have a very, very similar technology.
It could be that during the Wars of Reaving there was a breakthrough (maybe the Society achieved this) or one of the Home Clans developed this.
The Hell`s Horses did have to field this technology in 3086, maybe they got this from their Star Adder allies during the last exchanges before the loss of contact.

So you are only positing that the IS Clans developed this tech with help/inspiration/influence/sock puppeting from the Home World Clans or potentially the Society.   Not that the WoB got any help from the Kerensky Cluster in building the Gestalt.  Just getting everything straight in my head.

[Gaiiten]

So you are only positing that the IS Clans developed this tech with help/inspiration/influence/sock puppeting from the Home World Clans or potentially the Society.   Not that the WoB got any help from the Kerensky Cluster in building the Gestalt.  Just getting everything straight in my head.

Exactly this.

The WoB and Clan technologies might be similar, but they have different origins, IMHO.
Two bright minds, same idea, you may say  :)

[grimlock1]

Exactly this.

The WoB and Clan technologies might be similar, but they have different origins, IMHO.
Two bright minds, same idea, you may say  :)

So option A:  is that this tech is an outgrowth of the piloting suit for super heavy protos, to which Hells Horses had access before the fled the Kerensky Cluster.

Option B:  it is an independent development to which the Horses had access.

Option C:  It's something that happened in the Kerensky Cluster post WoR and the Horses got a hold of it via shadowy means, ie Bandit Caste.  Which implies that the Horses have a back channel to what's happening in the Kerensky Cluster.   The question then is how do they feel about the state of affairs back home?  Are they worried about the home Clans trying to pull a WoR in the IS?  If they are, and they are keeping quiet about it, we all saw what that did for Comstar's reputation....

[Darkwing]

Option C begs the question how much of Stone Lions are Horses a heart. We have some precedence of name changes being superficial at best.
Clan Wolf - Jade Wolf - Clan Wolf
Sea Fox - Diamond Shark - Sea Fox

It would not be a stretch for the Horses to have watch agent's in the Stone Lions, and if any Clan knows what is going on "back at the ranch" they would be the safest bet.

To bring it back to the Skinwalker, it is clearly a test bed for new clan technology. My curiosity will be if this is an attempt by game designers, as the IS reaches technological parity with their Clan counterpoints, to again give them an edge/distinctieness in the tech fields.

[grimlock1]

Option C begs the question how much of Stone Lions are Horses a heart. We have some precedence of name changes being superficial at best.
Clan Wolf - Jade Wolf - Clan Wolf
Sea Fox - Diamond Shark - Sea Fox

It would not be a stretch for the Horses to have watch agent's in the Stone Lions, and if any Clan knows what is going on "back at the ranch" they would be the safest bet.

To bring it back to the Skinwalker, it is clearly a test bed for new clan technology. My curiosity will be if this is an attempt by game designers, as the IS reaches technological parity with their Clan counterpoints, to again give them an edge/distinctieness in the tech fields.

Until the IS basically stops using anything that isn't either Clan-grade something the Clan's don't have, then the IS won't have parity.  Elite units might find be deploying the right mix of Clan gear to match a Clan opponent at or near 1:1, but what about the regular line units, or the garrison forces.  Clan garrison forces tend to not have as much in the way of XL engines, ES, FF or gizmos like targeting computers, but their ER mlas is the same one carried by Omnis in the Keshik.

[Empyrus]

IIRC, Stone Lions pretty much divested themselves from their Horse heritage. Figure Crusader Wolves are more like original Wolves than Stone Lions are Hell's Horses.

[Gaiiten]

So option A:  is that this tech is an outgrowth of the piloting suit for super heavy protos, to which Hells Horses had access before the fled the Kerensky Cluster.

Option B:  it is an independent development to which the Horses had access.

Option C:  It's something that happened in the Kerensky Cluster post WoR and the Horses got a hold of it via shadowy means, ie Bandit Caste.  Which implies that the Horses have a back channel to what's happening in the Kerensky Cluster.   The question then is how do they feel about the state of affairs back home?  Are they worried about the home Clans trying to pull a WoR in the IS?  If they are, and they are keeping quiet about it, we all saw what that did for Comstar's reputation....

IMHO, option A is the most likely.

[Jal Phoenix]

Don't know if I ever shared the story of the Skinwalker. For the XTRO, I was told to go nuts. The idea was to make the most powerful, advanced 'Mech I could. The only restrictions were that I had to use the Interface Cockpit, and to make it 55 tons. This 'Mech came in second. Well, I broke the 55 ton rule with the other one, disqualifying it.

The name Skinwalker of course comes from Native American legend, and was an inspiration that came all at once. Jymset and I were going over stats, and someone had appended the placeholder name of Stormwolf. I hated that. I will NOT be responsible for another wolf-named 'Mech! The name Skinwalker came to me immediately, and I knew that it was right.

Anyway, now that the Rec Guides have given us a new version of the Skinwalker with new configs, I'd resurrect this thread as a vanity project. I am after all proud of making one of the most obscene BattleMechs in the game. ;)

[BATTLEMASTER]

Thanks for the background!  Was the Stormcrow an inspiration at all for your design?

[BrianDavion]

Don't know if I ever shared the story of the Skinwalker. For the XTRO, I was told to go nuts. The idea was to make the most powerful, advanced 'Mech I could. The only restrictions were that I had to use the Interface Cockpit, and to make it 55 tons. This 'Mech came in second. Well, I broke the 55 ton rule with the other one, disqualifying it.

The name Skinwalker of course comes from Native American legend, and was an inspiration that came all at once. Jymset and I were going over stats, and someone had appended the placeholder name of Stormwolf. I hated that. I will NOT be responsible for another wolf-named 'Mech! The name Skinwalker came to me immediately, and I knew that it was right.

Anyway, now that the Rec Guides have given us a new version of the Skinwalker with new configs, I'd resurrect this thread as a vanity project. I am after all proud of making one of the most obscene BattleMechs in the game. ;)

Someone REAAAAAAALLY wanted a wolf clan medium omni named stormwolf it seems :)

[Jal Phoenix]

Thanks for the background!  Was the Stormcrow an inspiration at all for your design?

It was a requirement. The new 'Mech was to be an upgrade to the Ryoken/Stormcrow in the same vein as the Mad Cat IV and Vulture IV. Hence the prototype being called the Ryoken III-XP.

[SteelRaven]

Someone REAAAAAAALLY wanted a wolf clan medium omni named stormwolf it seems :)

It's far from a bad name, we have just as many bird theme Mechs after all.

[Colt Ward]

It's far from a bad name, we have just as many bird theme Mechs after all.

Do not forget bears or cavalry/knights.

[Jellico]

Thanks to the Kell Hounds and Wolf's Dragoons canines win this by a long way.

[Colt Ward]

Dragoons had . . . Marauder II, Gallowglas, Hoplite, Imp, Annihilator, Firefly, Falcon . . . what wolf?

Kell Hounds . . . Wolfhound was a combined project, they just were the testors . . . Arctic FOX is not a wolf . . . Verfolger?  Hunter of some sort IIRC

[GuyIncognito]

Foxes are canines however.

[Colt Ward]

No, they are Vulpes- arctic fox (vulpes lagopus), red fox (vulpes vulpes), etc- while dogs (canis lupus familiarus) and gray wolf (canis lupus) are a separate branch of Canidae.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

They're all part of subfamily Caninae, and therefore canines.

[SteelRaven]

That's all well and good but beside the point and now very off topic.

[grimlock1]

Anyway, now that the Rec Guides have given us a new version of the Skinwalker with new configs, I'd resurrect this thread as a vanity project. I am after all proud of making one of the most obscene BattleMechs in the game. ;)

While I haven't run the numbers on any of the versions, I kinda wish the TSM stayed in.  I have a soft spot for non-melee flashbulbs that say, "Oh, you think I'm going to be sluggish after that alpha strike?  HAHAHA. No."  And then zip off to find a place to cool down.

[jymset]

Someone REAAAAAAALLY wanted a wolf clan medium omni named stormwolf it seems :)

Thing is, the designers and name-givers of the now-canon Stormwolf had nothing to do with the Ryoken III at all - and no knowledge of its wip name. It's just a very obvious choice, is all. ;)

While I haven't run the numbers on any of the versions, I kinda wish the TSM stayed in.  I have a soft spot for non-melee flashbulbs that say, "Oh, you think I'm going to be sluggish after that alpha strike?  HAHAHA. No."  And then zip off to find a place to cool down.

But that's the beauty of it all - the -XP is still canon and ist just as viable as the "mass production version". :thumbsup:

[Empyrus]

But that's the beauty of it all - the -XP is still canon and ist just as viable as the "mass production version". :thumbsup:

It is, however, extinct on MUL for ilClan era, if canon availability matters for players. I suppose there could be some XPs left but presumably there never were many of those. (I figure XPs won't be converted into production-grade units, potentially too many problems in the prototype for that to be economical, especially if they are usable as they are.)

[Wrangler]

Why is it extinct???? Lordy.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Because it was an experimental proof-of-concept design.  There was no reason to keep it in production once the standard version was developed.

[Empyrus]

Indeed. There is non-XP Skinwalker now. Though this article doesn't cover it.

[Colt Ward]

It is, however, extinct on MUL for ilClan era, if canon availability matters for players. I suppose there could be some XPs left but presumably there never were many of those. (I figure XPs won't be converted into production-grade units, potentially too many problems in the prototype for that to be economical, especially if they are usable as they are.)

I figure the last XP pilots died during the ilClan Trial . . . it is the type of fight you do not care about expending that type of asset.

[grimlock1]

I figure the last XP pilots died during the ilClan Trial . . . it is the type of fight you do not care about expending that type of asset.

Yeah, I'm not leaving anyone on bench for that fight. 

[Greatclub]

Wouldn't surprise me if some ristar had the pull to get his production modified to an XP, depending on how many fittings were left in.

Yeah, I know that's supposed to let the omnismoke out. They're visually similar enough it might be the exception that proves the rule.

[Empyrus]

Wouldn't surprise me if some ristar had the pull to get his production modified to an XP, depending on how many fittings were left in.

Yeah, I know that's supposed to let the omnismoke out. They're visually similar enough it might be the exception that proves the rule.

Updated refit rules allow modifying OmniMechs at factory as class F refit without losing OmniSmoke. But this is individual modifications, eg adding TSM to production Skinwalker, but it doesn't produce Skinwalker-XP but rather a custom refit.

[grimlock1]

I was looking at the B config and when I run the numbers, I come in a half ton over weight. 

[Wrangler]

A Skinwalker appears in  short story in Shrapnel magazine volume 10, WOLF PELTS AND RAVEN FEATHERS by LANCE SCARINCI

[Jal Phoenix]

Taran Sender's Skinwalker is one of the rejected configs I sent in. I slipped it in as his personal configuration. I don't know if they published a record sheet for it, though. I might go put the stat block in the design forum later, for the curious.

[grimlock1]

Taran Sender's Skinwalker is one of the rejected configs I sent in. I slipped it in as his personal configuration. I don't know if they published a record sheet for it, though. I might go put the stat block in the design forum later, for the curious.

I'm curious :-)

[Kojak]

Taran Sender's Skinwalker is one of the rejected configs I sent in. I slipped it in as his personal configuration. I don't know if they published a record sheet for it, though. I might go put the stat block in the design forum later, for the curious.

Having just finished that story the other night (excellent work as always!), I would certainly love to see those stats.

[Jal Phoenix]

I posted it in the design forum.

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/battlemechs/taran-sender-s-skinwalker/