The Scorpion Empire: All your Warhawks are belong to us

[Sartris]

The infantry is the recently added 1 damage divisor standard points. TW doesn’t have infantry armor so they had to be added to account for the lower bv of not using a clan armor kit

[JAMES_PRYDE]

<deleted>

[Fire Scorpion IIC]

New boxes have been announced and Scorpions were not on the list. Still it ain't no big deal since it's early days yet.

But if we go over what has been announced there's quite a lot of it that's straight from the Scorpion roster.

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So now we got:

Atlas II

Awesome 9Q (for Awesome C)

Emperor (for EC and Nerran versions)

Kintaro (for Naja, same thing externally)

Phantom (darling of Goliath Scorpions, lovingly reverse engineered and bootlegged)

Glass Spider (pretty much used only by Scorpions and Wolves with occasional Ravens)

Guillotine IIC (I always thought that standard and IIC were identical externally but no complains here)

Epona hovertank (built and used by everyone and their uncle Tio in the Empire)

Donnar helicopter

Athena tank

Mars tank (Baneblade Jr.)

Gnome Battle Armor

Bug company for all those Stinger Cs, Locust Cs and Wasp Royals


Plus Omni versions: Ice Ferret D, Nova J, Adder A, Summoner ? and Hellbringer A



All in all pretty sweet coverage despite not getting any coverage




Stuff still missing from MUL:

Star Python, Star Crusader (definitely coming if not in hypothetical Scorpion box then certainly in ComStar/WoB one)

Drift Shag (Falcon), UrbanMech IIC, Commando IIC, Wyvern IIC, Lynx C, Bowman and Thunder Stallion (standard rarities, who knows)

And local designs: Snow Fox, Cazador, Tolva, Rhino and Surtur (these would be good candidates for proper Scorpion box)

Plus the ever elusive Fire Scorpion, if by some miracle we get this redesigned and plastic'd I will go loco

[rebs]

Gnome BA for the win!  I love the aesthetic.

[truetanker]

Gnome BA for the win!  I love the aesthetic.

My Horses and Lions can't wait either... hurry up and take my money!

TT

[Nerroth]

This might have been a topic raised once before, so apologies in advance:

It"s noted in OTP:HC that many MechWarriors in Seeker Galaxy make a point of piloting vintage Star League BattleMechs instead of Clan OmniMechs, in keeping with their bespoke philosophy. ("Vintage" appears to include "C" and/or "IIC" variants, at least based on what is written in Recognition Guide Vol. 1: Classics.)

Are there any particular 'Mechs on the Imperio/Empire MUL listings - of either lineage - which would be particularly suited for use on Seeker missions?

For example: would it be important for a Seeker to take a 'Mech which has one, or both, hands "free", so as to help with any "acquisitions" along the way? Or is it better for the Seeker to defer such things to their retinue?

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And on a side note: if an Elemental were to lead a Seeker quest, which of the battlesuit types available to the Imperio/Empire would be most useful for them? (Again, one with one or both hands "free", perhaps?)

Indeed, might they want one of their retinue to pilot an OmniMech, so that the Seeker can use it as an additional form of transport?

[Weirdo]

As with a lot of things in Battletech, I think the answer is "It depends", and the depends on question would be the Seeker's personal attitude, as well as their standing. A Seeker with enough influence and history to justify a sizeable retinue can afford to lean on those assets and thus shoot for a more specialized mech for themselves, while a rookie or poorly-regarded Seeker probably needs a machine that is as multipurpose as possible, because they're not gonna have underlings to do any work for them.

And of course, it's equally possible that a prestigious Seeker may *want* to do everything themselves even if they can afford to delegate, for additional honor upon success.

[Doc Swift]

It"s noted in OTP:HC that many MechWarriors in Seeker Galaxy make a point of piloting vintage Star League BattleMechs instead of Clan OmniMechs, in keeping with their bespoke philosophy. ("Vintage" appears to include "C" and/or "IIC" variants, at least based on what is written in Recognition Guide Vol. 1: Classics.)

Note that "many" does not mean "all" or even "most."

[Weirdo]

While none were retained in enough numbers to merit showing up on the MUL, I have to wonder if the Seekers might have any C3i-equipped machines from Waypoint 531. Even without using the targeting abilities of the equipment, C3 gear has the capacity to process and coordinate information from other sources, allowing such a Seeker and their charges to quickly survey and analyze a much larger swathe of territory than otherwise.

(In tabletop rules, this is reflected in their ability to monitor more remote sensors than a normal mech.)

[Nerroth]

So, to narrow things down a little:

If one were to say that, for the purpose of a given quest, the Seeker involved was to choose a 'Mech - be it an OmniMech or a non-Omni BattleMech - from a given Era's Imperio/Empire MUL listing, but with the following stipulations:

*The 'Mech has to have both left and right hand actuators - and both have to be for actual 'Mech hands, not for claws,
*The 'Mech has to either have an all-energy variant and/or configuration, or at least have as minimal an ammunition requirement as possible,
and, to make things more awkward/interesting,
*The 'Mech has to not be one of the Unseen/Reseen, nor one of their "C/IIC" incarnations.

Which options would you then consider?

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On a side note: I wonder if there might be a way to deploy a Seeker-tailored version of the Elemental Headhunter variant.

Many of the bespoke features of that variant make it useful for a Seeker quest - though the fixed machine gun might be an issue if the goal is to minimize the amount of ammunition needed to be carried in the Seeker's DropShip...

[Gorgon]

To me, that sounds an awful lot like a Nova or Stormcrow, depending on taste.

[Saint]

So, to narrow things down a little:

If one were to say that, for the purpose of a given quest, the Seeker involved was to choose a 'Mech - be it an OmniMech or a non-Omni BattleMech - from a given Era's Imperio/Empire MUL listing, but with the following stipulations:

*The 'Mech has to have both left and right hand actuators - and both have to be for actual 'Mech hands, not for claws,
*The 'Mech has to either have an all-energy variant and/or configuration, or at least have as minimal an ammunition requirement as possible,
and, to make things more awkward/interesting,
*The 'Mech has to not be one of the Unseen/Reseen, nor one of their "C/IIC" incarnations.

Which options would you then consider?

Add in the
Hellhound (Unless it's to close to a IIC variant)
Black Knight

[Weirdo]

I'll second that Black Knight, it's got the hands, lasers, and even a Beagle.

If you want something smaller that's less likely to collapse(or get stuck in) treacherous terrain...not many medium options if you rule out the classic IICs, though there is the Wyvern IIC. On the light end for those who really want maneuvering ability, you might look at the Peregrine or Drift Shag.

[Gorgon]

Oh I like the idea of using a Black Knight! If your Seeker wants a real challenge, though, the Phoenix Hawk -1, -3D and -3S are all on the MUL, too.

[truetanker]

BLAH....


Spirit Walker


TT

[Fire Scorpion IIC]

*The 'Mech has to have both left and right hand actuators - and both have to be for actual 'Mech hands, not for claws,
*The 'Mech has to either have an all-energy variant and/or configuration, or at least have as minimal an ammunition requirement as possible,
and, to make things more awkward/interesting,
*The 'Mech has to not be one of the Unseen/Reseen, nor one of their "C/IIC" incarnations.

Which options would you then consider?
....

I say buy domestic:

- Horned Owl

- Hellion

[Nerroth]

According to the MUL, the Spirit Walker would be available to Clan Goliath Scorpion through to the Clan Invasion Era, but not thereafter. (Apparently, the last one known to exist outside of the Homeworlds was in Clan Wolf, and it seems to have been lost by the onset of the IlClan Era.)

The Scorpions do still have access to the -6b variant of the Black Knight proper, as of June 3152. Although, since it's not an OmniMech, other transport options would be required for a would-be attendant Point of battle armour.

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To make things even more awkward/interesting:

What if the 'Mech, in addition to the limitations noted above, had to either have an active probe installed as standard, or was able to have one installed without too much trouble?

Well, I suppose an OmniMech would have the advantage there, since they could simply use available pod space to install one, if required to do so.

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And on a less orthodox note: is there a way for a 'Mech - or a suit of battle armour - to approximate the use of the zulkari?

As in, for it to carry two short blades, which the 'Mech (or suit) could draw and/or sheath if required?

If so, where on the 'Mech (or suit) could - or perhaps must - they be stored when not in use?

And in terms of the actual blades themselves, would the Scorpions have access to vibroblade technology, or would such blades have to be "standard" bladed weapons?

Of course, most Clan MechWarriors are not keen on "augmented" physical combat - though Elemental warriors are no strangers to the concept. But on the off chance the Seeker is a bit too enthusiastic about being able to try an oversized Dance of the Scars, can it in fact be done?

[Weirdo]

Sounds like a lot of steps to get us to say "Yes, the Black Knight is a good idea." Heck, a lot of us have already said it. :)

If you're concerned about not having any APCs for your troops, just use Afreet armor. They're accomplished scout suits, and 4 Jump means they have little issue keeping up with a 4/6 mech in any terrain more complex than a salt flat, reducing the need for any transport in combat. (And for cross-country travel, a flatbed truck will do just fine.)

As for zulkari, there is no mechanism for a mech with those, short of actually modifying the mech and mounting a hatchet/sword/vibroblade in each arm, or a retractable blade if you really want that visual.

As for suits, the aforementioned Afreet already mounts vibro claws, which in the art are portrayed as retractable blades.

[Doc Swift]

Although, since it's not an OmniMech, other transport options would be required for a would-be attendant Point of battle armour.

I gave the Scorpion Empire battlesuits with mag clamps for a reason.

[Wrangler]

I am curious if there much relics left in the Inner Sphere to justify much of a expedition from the Scorpion Empire, though we have seen something mentioned in Canon recently as far as illClan late Dark Age goes.  Kerensky's Orion cockpit.

I just don't know, how much resources they can splurge on the Seekers, though I can see the Empire slipping in some Watch agents among the Seekers to pick some Intel up about what's going on in the Inner Sphere.

[Weirdo]

The Inner Sphere is almost a thousand years old. There's plenty of crap out there for collectors to drool over.

[CJC070]

The Inner Sphere is almost a thousand years old. There's plenty of crap out there for collectors to drool over.

Not to mention they collect more modern examples.  In their possession they have a whiskey bottle that commemorates Hanse and Melissa’s wedding.  It would not surprise me if Phelan Wards “Grinner” is either in their care or on their “shopping list”.  They may prize Star League products but won’t turn their nose at other historical items. 

[Nerroth]

It would be interesting to see the Scorpions consider the degree to which they might be open to using some of their "museum pieces" as negotiation items, with the increased prospect of further contact with the Clans of the Inner Sphere and near Periphery.

Say, for example, that by the time the Scorpions complete their HPG relay line from the Empire proper to the Chaine Cluster, the Sea Foxes have made more progress in terms of re-establishing enough HPG stations to permit a link from Braunschweig all the way to Terra. Which might open up the possibility of direct communications between the Scorpions and the Wolves, should the latter be minded to consider un-Abjuring the former.

The Scorpions' possession of functioning HPGs would already act as a powerful leverage, not least if they were open to working with the Sea Foxes in terms of (re-)expanding the network into the "north-west" area of the Inner Sphere. But once the Scorpions learn that the Great Father has been entombed at Unity City on Terra itself, perhaps an offer to return Kerensky senior"s Orion to the Wolves might act as a symbolic mark of reconciliation?

Although, even if the Scorpions are one day allowed to visit Terra openly, there would probably be a limit as to exactly how much isorla they would be permitted to ship back home with them thereafter...

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To clarify, is it possible for BattleMech-sized retractable blades to themselves be vibroblades? And can an OmniMech use some of its pod space to equip such things?

[Weirdo]

To clarify, is it possible for BattleMech-sized retractable blades to themselves be vibroblades?

No. Retractable blades and Vibroblades are two radically different pieces of equipment.

And can an OmniMech use some of its pod space to equip such things?

Both can be pod-mounted. All the Celestials have a retractable blade in their primary config, and at the least, there's a Doloire config with a vibroblade.

[Nerroth]

Thank you kindly so far, everyone!

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Okay, so if one were to take the Nova chassis as a test sample:

By my understanding, since this OmniMech weighs in at 50 tons, a pair of retractable blades would weigh six tons in total (2.5 tons per blade, plus 0.5 tons per extension/retraction mechanism). Yet these would take up eight critical slots overall (3 tons per blade, plus an added ton per e/r mechanism).

So if one were to modify the Prime variant in order to make room for these weapons, one might remove two ER medium lasers and a double heat sink per arm, in order to free up both the tonnage and the crit space required.

But if one wanted to add in an active probe, one of the DHSs on the torso (left or right side) would have to go in exchange?

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As an alternative, perhaps one could adjust the A variant by replacing the medium pulse laser with an active probe and an ER medium laser, while swapping out the anti-missile systems and ammo for a pair of laser anti-missile systems (to eliminate the ammunition requirement imposed by the "standard" AMS). Or, to make things more dramatic, how about removing the AMSs and the torso laser to fit both an active probe and a targeting computer for the ER PPCs?

In principle, since each of the above configs would be all-energy loadouts, there could be enough space on a given DropShip to load the pods for them, and to hot-swap them if called upon to do so. (Say, if the Seeker is challenged to fight a Trial against another Clan MechWarrior under the rules of zellbrigen, in which case the latter variant might be less likely to be declared chalcas by their opponent...)

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As an aside, I see in the TechManual that removing the hand and lower arm actuators on an OmniMech "refunds" the crit space needed for those joints. But is there a tonnage "refund" for these systems also, or is this already factored into the tonnage of the heavy weapons being installed in their place?

[truetanker]

Thank you kindly so far, everyone!

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--SNIP--

Suggest re-asking in the design forum area.

TT