BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat

BattleTech Game Universe => The Inner Sphere => Topic started by: Colt Ward on 05 June 2019, 14:46:51

Title: What do you choose?
Post by: Colt Ward on 05 June 2019, 14:46:51
Congratulations to the heir to Count Duffy, you have come of age.  Your application to the AFFC has been accepted and you will perform your family's duty to your liege, Hanse Davion, by taking one of the family mechs and serving in the Deneb Light Cavalry as your family has since the fall of the Star League.  Its the unit your father died in during the War of 3039.  Count Duffy, your grandfather has decided you will get to pick which mech from the family's second lance of the County Wardens you will take into service.  You have trained on all the mechs under the instruction of your father and later your grandfather's senior armsman.  None of the mechs will be candidates for any upgrade packages from the AFFC unless indicated.  So which mech will you select?


Victor 9B-  Salvage your grandfather claimed when fighting against the Capellans that was part of his transfer into the Davion Heavy Guards after the 4th Succession War, one of the few times your family was not in the DLC brigade.  If the Victor is chosen, Count Duffy already has a promise from your future regimental commander that it will be re-armored with Ferro-Fibrous armor provided by the AFFC.

Archer 2R-  The Count was able to cash in some favors in the mid 3040s as the revolutionary double heat sinks went into production.  Unfortunately some of the early runs had quality problems and on occasion one or two of the ten double heat sinks will lock a flow valve closed and will only be as effective as a single heat sink.  The flaw is not enough to down check the machine since it is still mission capable as long as half of them work properly.

Phoenix Hawk 3D-  This mech is new from the factory and a sign of your grandfather's favor with his lord.  Boasting newly re-discovered technology it will be quite the machine to show up with at the new unit.  The machine is still so new its never had a reason to be modified.

Enforcer 4R-  A mech that says 'Davion' more than most in the AFFC inventory, this was the mech Count Duffy's son died in on a Drac world.  The Deneb Light Cavalry had used a shipment of the new LBX autocannons to replace the standard AC/10 on the arm with the LBX version which also increased the ammo count.  The fallen mech was salvaged from the field by the DLC and returned with the remains of the Count's son to his home world.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Alexander Knight on 05 June 2019, 15:21:46
Enforcer.  I owe it to my father.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: massey on 05 June 2019, 15:27:16
I'll take the Archer.  Better head armor than the Phoenix Hawk (a lot of our family seem to die in these mechs and that doesn't sound fun to me), and it's a good solid mech.  It doesn't really have heat problems to begin with, so I should be able to act exactly as a normal Archer except with less heat.  Effectively it'll be like piloting a regular Archer on easy mode.

The Phoenix Hawk?  Some idiot commander will think it's a murder machine and probably expect me to take on a Warhammer or something.  The other two are solid designs, but not as good as the Archer.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Elmoth on 05 June 2019, 16:11:25
Depends on who I am.

If I am a hothead and want to show off, Phoenix Hawk.

Duty and tradition above all. Enforcer. A solid design, but chosen for the tie o my father.

Bang for the buck. Victor, since the armor is a free upgrade. Having 4+ mechs, I am not sure that is really important to my family though, since we seem able to pay for it ourselves. A mech that is solid, and is unlikely to be thrown alone to the enemy but as a team of similar chose ranged thugs that want to mug the enemy. A grimmer approach to war. Still, being so near the enmey might not appeal to me that much.

Archer for the cautious commander. A long range mech that can close in with its 4 ML later on. Same principle that guides a Battlemaster, just smaller. I am unlikely to earn much glory in this machine, though, since I am in a fire support mech.


In the end, me being me, I would chose the Archer, but if I was the hero type the Enforcer or Victor would be my choice. The PHX is too dangerous for my own liking.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: IronSphinx on 05 June 2019, 16:31:51
Definitely the Archer. Fits in well with the front line support role that I like to play in my games. Cover fire while the comrades are closing in, two fists o' doom when the ammo bays run dry!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Ruger on 05 June 2019, 17:22:48
A large part of me wants to say Enforcer due to paternal connection, but in would also depend on which regiment I would be assigned. If the 15th, the Victor would be preferred as a mobile assault ‘Mech. If the 12th, the Enforcer would do well.

Most of the other units seem to prefer speed as well as mobility, meaning units moving 4/6 or 4/6/4 would likely hamper overall maneuverability of the unit, and so the Phoenix Hawk would be preferred.

Ruger
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Ogra_Chief on 05 June 2019, 17:31:53
Phoenix Hawk 3D, so I can show off my mad skills, racking up meh kills, and if not, runaway... er protect the extraction point.

Headcaps are a worry, but being able to disengage and fight another day, trumps all.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Kojak on 05 June 2019, 18:58:10
My instinct is the Phoenix Hawk. If you're a noble heir you have a responsibility to survive to ensure the continuation of your line, and if you're in anything 4/6/x and the battle isn't going your way, you're pretty much screwed.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Gigastrike on 06 June 2019, 08:22:41
Is maintaining and repairing advanced equipment easy in this time period?  I'm very tempted by that shiny, new Phoenix Hawk and the Victor with actually respectable armor, but I'm worried that ferro-fibrous armor would be difficult to come by.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Mohammed As`Zaman Bey on 06 June 2019, 14:15:43
Phoenix Hawk -You can't command units if you can't keep up or lead the way.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Generalstoner on 06 June 2019, 22:49:29
I will take the Phoenix Hawk 3D.  I prefer to stay with the Deneb’s light cav concept but I want to start my own stories in a brand new mech.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Starfury on 07 June 2019, 08:27:40
None of the above. I'll remove the armor and the LB-10x from the Enforcer, the armor Double Heat Sinks from the Archer, the DHS, the medium pulse lasers, the armor and the ER Larges from the Phoenix Hawk. The I'll  modify the Victor to carry the DHS, the LB-10x, some extra armor, and one or two of the ER Larges.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Colt Ward on 07 June 2019, 08:49:37
None of the above. I'll remove the armor and the LB-10x from the Enforcer, the armor Double Heat Sinks from the Archer, the DHS, the medium pulse lasers, the armor and the ER Larges from the Phoenix Hawk. The I'll  modify the Victor to carry the DHS, the LB-10x, some extra armor, and one or two of the ER Larges.

So you would gut a lance your family might need to keep the peasants in line?  or fight off the local rivals if the feud erupted into open fighting?
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Takiro on 07 June 2019, 10:52:13
The least favored option to me is the Archer, I guess it is somewhat of a tech edge compared to the others but the lack of background impact limits it.

The Phoenix Hawk fits with the Deneb Light Cavalry and I could certainly see a young hot shot giving this ride a go.

The Victor fits with the Davion Assault Guard and ties into your grandfather (current family patriarch) quite well.

But the Enforcer grabs me for its Davion workhorse role and the ties to your father.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Daryk on 07 June 2019, 16:17:19
An up-armored Victor sounds good to me!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Iron Grenadier on 07 June 2019, 16:51:05
I like all those mechs, but I'll select the Victor and follow in grandpa's footsteps in the hopes of getting a slot down the road in the Heavy Guards.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 07 June 2019, 19:54:16
An up-armored Victor sounds good to me!  :thumbsup:
especially if you can get on the list to get one of the new guass rifles istalled alongside the FerroFib armor (not a -9D since that used endo, but i'm sure you can scrape up the needed extra ton between the ferro and minor mods.)
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Daryk on 07 June 2019, 20:06:30
Oh sure.... just trade in one of the ammo bins...
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: DOC_Agren on 07 June 2019, 21:03:40
I'm torn between shiny new P-Hawk...  and the Enforcer that Dad died in.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: worktroll on 07 June 2019, 23:35:45
I'm with the Doc, and I'm afraid, dad, I'm picking the Pixie. Speed and versatility just win out over practicality.

Mind you, it's a shame the Feds never made an LB-10X Enforcer. That extra ton of ammo, plus the range increment, makes all the difference, doesn't it?

W.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: snakespinner on 08 June 2019, 00:31:28
The Victor for me, great for headcapping those pesky Phoenix Hawks. >:D
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Colt Ward on 08 June 2019, 01:05:58
I'm with the Doc, and I'm afraid, dad, I'm picking the Pixie. Speed and versatility just win out over practicality.

Mind you, it's a shame the Feds never made an LB-10X Enforcer. That extra ton of ammo, plus the range increment, makes all the difference, doesn't it?

W.

Yeah, I would have loved to see a Enforcer II -6D or whatever you want to call it that upgrades the ENF-5D that was still 4/6/4 . . . guess you get that with the Omni though, just 60 years late.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: worktroll on 08 June 2019, 02:09:38
The Victor for me, great for headcapping those pesky Phoenix Hawks. >:D

Got to catch us first!

Look, if it wasn't the DLC, the Victor would ne right up there. But as it is...

W
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Ruger on 08 June 2019, 05:40:27
Mind you, it's a shame the Feds never made an LB-10X Enforcer. That extra ton of ammo, plus the range increment, makes all the difference, doesn't it?

W.

Erm, what about the 5D model?

Ruger
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Sharpnel on 08 June 2019, 06:31:24
Since it's the DLC, I'd probably go with the Pixie or the upgraded Enforcer since it is a jumper. Now that the Enforcer has two tons of ammo, it's a better battlefield Mech. now upgrade the large laser to an ER model and the 4R is golden. If the Pixie eventually gets an upgrade to the large laser and double heat sinks then we are talking about a pretty decent scout that is a good light Mech killer.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Ruger on 08 June 2019, 07:44:06
If the Pixie eventually gets an upgrade to the large laser and double heat sinks then we are talking about a pretty decent scout that is a good light Mech killer.

It was said to be the 3D model with an XL, endo, 12 DHS’s, 2 ER Large and 2 med pulse lasers?

Ruger
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Saint on 08 June 2019, 19:45:04
I'd go with the Phoenix Hawk. Assignment to the DLC means the Archer is a little out of place. The Victor and Enforcer are mobile but just barely fit the cavalry roll.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: nerd on 09 June 2019, 01:25:25
Phoenix Hawk 3D. Yeah, the armor's a little light, but you also have an impressive combo of reach and mobility with the ER larges.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: GespenstM on 09 June 2019, 13:28:55
While the energy-only loadout bores me, the PXH is the only reasonable fit for a group called the 'Light Cavalry.' Unless that name is ill-fitting, it's the only one that matches the mission role; everything else is too slow.

If it were any other posting, the Archer would be my nod. The ARC-2R is playable in stock config in any era, and this one apparently has DHS that are sometimes flakey... but who cares? That's not enough to give it any problems whatsoever unless it starts eating engine hits.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: CrossfirePilot on 09 June 2019, 15:08:29
Torn between the Victor and the Phawk, I would say take the shiny new one, speed is life and going around with a ER LL in each arm like a drunken cowboy might be just the thing the brass is looking for!
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: E. Icaza on 09 June 2019, 17:38:24
The Victor to honor my grandfather.  When I have a child, they can have the Enforcer to honor their grandfather.

And so it goes...
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Kit deSummersville on 10 June 2019, 10:39:14
None of the above. I'll remove the armor and the LB-10x from the Enforcer, the armor Double Heat Sinks from the Archer, the DHS, the medium pulse lasers, the armor and the ER Larges from the Phoenix Hawk. The I'll  modify the Victor to carry the DHS, the LB-10x, some extra armor, and one or two of the ER Larges.

Ahhh, and upgrade from a simple count to a hanger queen!
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Caedis Animus on 11 June 2019, 01:58:56
Ahhh, and upgrade from a simple count to a hanger queen!
A:"Hey, what happened to that new Noble we were supposed to get?"
B:"Oh, something about blowing all his money on 'upgrading all his mechs'. Guess his family is destitute due to all that frivolous spending and the mechs got sold to the state to pay for the refurbishment fees."
A:"Sounds like that kid was playing too much of that "Mechwarrior" video game. Why he threw away his one chance to be a real Mechwarrior on 'customization' is beyond me."

Aren't three of those, like, factory grade refits, gutting or no? I think I'd just rather have the default Archer and the three backup mechs for later...
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: massey on 11 June 2019, 08:34:03
Yeah, I'm definitely taking the Archer.  It's got the most armor, and it's a solid design.  It's not an "up close and personal" mech that is more likely to get shot to pieces.  And most importantly, you'll be serving under somebody else, and you don't want to throw away your family's shiny new Phoenix Hawk with all the advanced goodies on the whim of Colonel Douchebag.  Leave the fancy mech at home.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Ogra_Chief on 11 June 2019, 12:01:46
You won't get shot-up if your 'flanking'... "Commander I'm beginning my flanking maneuver, what's that direct engagement? I can not very well engage directly if I'm flanking. And this battle is going to require a lot of flanking. Roger Wilco, I'm outs."
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: snewsom2997 on 11 June 2019, 12:53:58
I'd pick the Victor or the Archer, depending on the Warrior in questions specialization and proclivities. The Victor upgraded with FFA would be a beast, but the Archer is no slouch either, though by the 4th SW it is probably no longer used as a generalist Line Mech and most are back in the Fire Support Lance.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: LiaoFan on 13 June 2019, 11:16:04
What do I choose?

Easy. Suicide.

I mean, really, how could you ask me to support the FedSins? Puh-leeeze.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Colt Ward on 13 June 2019, 11:29:42
Lol, I saw your bit on the side and my eyes switched words a bit . . . looked like 'Capellan Fanatical Legion' for a second.

I appreciate the answers from folks, and the opinions on the four machines offered let me know that most folks find them to be comparable options- especially the Archer with the balky DHS.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: LastChanceCav on 14 June 2019, 22:30:25
I vote with gthe P-hawk coalition.

Cheers,
LCC
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: truetanker on 10 July 2019, 22:58:20
Give me my Space Romans and Purple Pyrates any day!

TT
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: Kovax on 12 July 2019, 10:20:11
For the DLC, I'd have to go with the PXH.  It's also what I'd personally prefer to run on the tabletop.  The unit's mission profile calls for speed, and the PXH delivers.  While the thinner head armor on a PXH seems scary, it's normal role would see less inbound fire than the other options, and most of what it does draw would be against scouts without enough firepower to head-cap a 'Mech anyway.  The prestige for running a shiny new 'Mech with all of the latest bells and whistles is also good for one's image.  Normally, a PXH is a lance-leader for a Recon unit, which after an initial training period under a veteran lance leader would allow some flexibility and experience at command.  The Enforcer means you'll most likely be a cog in someone else's wheel.

In other situations, I'd be torn between it and the ARC.  With only half the DHS functioning at full efficiency, it's still quite capable of delivering its full missile payload without overheating.  Basically, the "problem" isn't a problem, and the heavier armor and usual supporting role means a greater chance of surviving any engagements, although there's significantly less prestige in that than with some "in-your-face" brawler design.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: (SMD)MadCow on 17 July 2019, 21:38:12
I really want the Enforcer, but a 4R just won't cut it in 3058+, it would have to be fully upgraded to the 5D model then some more work.
Until then it's the Pixie.
Title: Re: What do you choose?
Post by: FedRatCowboy on 26 July 2019, 20:00:10
PXH-3D for the win. It just fits better into the DLC's mission and tactics.