Brainstorming for a project.

[Karack Blackstone]

Still a solid fix to a high heat design when stuck with just SHS's.

[mbear]

Thinking of Longbows made me think "What could make these better?" So here's a Hermes II refit that the FWLM might want to use.

Hermes II HER-2Sr

Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/E-F-D-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 3,264,380 C-Bills
Battle Value: 716

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 240 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Maximum Speed: 97.2 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Medium Laser
    2  Narc Launchers
    1  Flamer
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
This Hermes II refit was designed by the FWLM to maximize the utility of
their large number of Archer and Longbow BattleMechs. By having a
fast ground unit that could attach NARC pods to targets, the fire support
'Mechs became much more effective.

Towards this end, this simple refit removes the autocannon/5 and replaces it
with two NARC launchers. Supported by three tons of NARC ammunition, the
Hermes II can successfully target two enemy units every ten seconds.

Variants:
A more extensive refit replaces one of the Narc launchers with six jump jets,
but this requires more resources than the relatively straightforward weapons
swap listed here.

Code: [Select]

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      67 points                4.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                240                      11.50
    Walking MP: 6
    Running MP: 9
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 120                  7.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     12           17       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  6         
                                           L/R Torso     10           14       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  5         
                                             L/R Arm     6            11       
                                             L/R Leg     10           14       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1.00
Flamer                                       LA        3         1         1.00
2 Narc Launchers                             RT        0         4         6.00
@Narc (Homing) (18)                          LT        -         3         3.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 38

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 7
6          1       1       0       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: SNARC, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA

(BTW, 6 shots per launcher is a real restriction. Originally I was going to put a single ton of ammo in there just like the AC/5, and fill the remaining space with a Large Laser, but the NARC is the reason for this refit and having a decent amount of ammo just takes up too much tonnage. That's also the reason for the two NARC launchers. I didn't want to dilute the purpose by including something like an SRM launcher, but you could if your character is more interested in scout hunting.)

[mbear]

OK, the light gauss one was kinda neat, but even there it just can't survive in a world with clan er large. It's too much firepower big a target in a package with too little armour.

Yeah, I was trying to think of what the FWLM could do quickly at a depot level. A testbed for the LGR seemed like the best option. I'm sure the production model would make use of more armor or Ferro-Fibrous for more protection. And the LGR is one of the few really long range weapons with significant punch behind it, so I thought the lighter armor might not be a huge problem.

Although, now that I think about it some more, here's another possible depot level refit using Extended LRMs.

Longbow-XLRM LGB-0R

Mass: 85 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 8,719,358 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,452

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 340 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2  Extended LRM-15s
    1  Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
The Longbow-R is a design that carries two Extended LRM-15 launchers in
the arms. A total of five tons of ammunition is carried in the left torso in a
CASE protected bay. Secondary weapons are restricted to a single medium laser,
which isn't enough for the Longbow-R to defend itself from any but the
lightest opponents.

Code: [Select]

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     130 points                8.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                340                      27.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             13                        3.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 144                  9.00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     27           21       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  10       
                                           L/R Torso     18           18       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  7         
                                             L/R Arm     14           9         
                                             L/R Leg     18           18       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extended LRM-15                              RA        8         6        12.00
Extended LRM-15                              LA        8         6        12.00
Medium Laser                                 RT        3         1         1.00
@ELRM-15 (30)                                LT        -         5         5.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 32

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 15
4          2       2       2       0      4     1   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


[mbear]

Blazer equipped Wolverine (which has insane heat) anyone?

Wolverine-BM WVR-6R-BM

Mass: 55 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-E-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 4,783,507 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,276

Chassis: Crucis-A Standard
Power Plant: CoreTek 275 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Northrup 12000
    Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Maximillian 60 Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Binary Laser Cannon
    1  Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Kallon Industries, Victory Industries, Free Worlds Defense Industries
    Primary Factory: Nanking, Thermopolis (Kallon), Marduk (Victory), Gibson (FWDI)
Communications System: Garret T11-b
Targeting and Tracking System: Sync Tracker (39-42071)

Overview:
This Succession Wars refit of a Wolverine replaces the autocannon with a
Binary Laser Cannon as it's main armament. To offset the massive heat of this
weapon, the SRM launcher and ammunition has been removed and replaced by leg
mounted heat sinks. This required Techs to move the leg mounted jump jets into
the side torsos, but the additional heat dissipation provided by moving into
water was almost mandatory with such a high-heat curve.

An additional side effect was to make the Wolverine more stable during a
jump.

Code: [Select]

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      91 points                5.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                275                      15.50
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 5 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT                                   2.50
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             16                        6.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 152                  9.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            8         
                                        Center Torso     18           20       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  8         
                                           L/R Torso     13           20       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     9            16       
                                             L/R Leg     13           16       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Binary Laser Cannon                          RA        16        4         9.00
Medium Laser                                 HD        3         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 32

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 13
5j         2       2       0       0      2     0   Structure:  5
Special Abilities: ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA



[Daryk]

Of COURSE I like Wolverines with Blazer Cannons!  :D

I've been known to refit a few in my time, but I usually leave the second Medium Laser in...

[Greatclub]

Moving around Jump Jets? Losing the Wolverine's greatest advantage, heat neutrality? Guys, if you're even going to start, begin with a ShadowHawk.

Frankly, I'm not a big fan of blazers, retcon headcapping abominations that they are, to begin with.

The extended longbow I actually like. Not enough to include it, but it is a logical use of the chassis.

Edit - ELRM don't come in NARC, do they? or ARAD?

[Daryk]

You call them abominations, I call them perfectly balanced for 3025.  To each their own...

[Greatclub]

I know they're reasonably balanced, it's mostly the retcon the gets up my craw.

Aside - what's a craw?

[mbear]

I know they're reasonably balanced, it's mostly the retcon the gets up my craw.

Aside - what's a craw?

I think the Craw is a variant of the Dark Crow, but I can't be sure.

And no, the Extended LRMS can't use anything other than standard explody missiles. Still, it's fun to bombard the enemy when he has no hope in hell of hitting back.

[Cannonshop]

I've been thinking of making a fan project for a while now - TRO: Easy Upgrades

The premise is that not everybody got the good, official upgrade kits, and not everybody employs the engineers who can do the hard mods. But some gear will fall into the hands of backwater militias, retinue of minor nobles, third-rate mercs, and pirates. They'd use the gear where they could, on the easy and obvious swaps that don't break the mech. Figure one or two upgrades for each era, invasion, civil war, jihad.

Examples

Locust & Wasp, battlemaster, thunderbolt.
MGs & ammo -> Small Pulse Lasers

Banshee
PPC -> ER-PPC

Panther ALGS (That's the fast non-jumper)
PPC & SRMS -> ER Large laser, extra heat sink, 2 x Streak2

Shadowhawk 2h
All weapons replaced, MML5, LB5X, ER Med. Laser.

Trebuchet
Downgrade one missile launcher to a 10, both launchers get artemis.

But engine and skeleton swaps are among the more difficult upgrades, so they're right out. DHS are almost as hard, so none in the invasion era, and rare after.

Thoughts?

your refit of the SHD-2H makes a lot of sense to me, but I have to question the weight distribution issues.  since I don't have my books handy, I can't be real solid on this, but definitely being able to roll on the 5 with an SRM rack, and the crit-seeking/VTOL/vehicle busting effects of an LBX mounting are good ideas in my personal view, and it falls well into the medium trooper role the SHD-2H had in 3025 era play, only better.

of course, in post-3055 environment, it's definitely one of those "Drop it behind the enemy's line to cause havok" roles-the enhanced anti-infantry and anti-vehicle effects of the LBX and the missile array aren't that significant versus, say, the proliferation of battlesuits, and the speed is right there with 'modern' (for the time period) heavies (but without the protection), so it's definitely better for use against rear areas or in limited war situations such as suppressing bandits and hitting lightly defended targets with limited scope operations.  (Panty raiding the enemy's supply infrastructure and similar missions.)

[mbear]

For the LCAF/AFFC Lyran Command

Zeus ZEU-6Sr

Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 7,708,800 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,331

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 320 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  LRM-15
    1  Large Laser
    1  LB 5-X AC
    1  Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
A fast field refit and field test for the Zeus in the 3040's, the
standard AC/5 was replaced with an LB 5-X autocannon. To make room for two tons
of ammunition, the rear firing medium laser was removed.


This redesign was intended to provide additional AAA and anti-vehicle firepower
against the DCMS.

Code: [Select]

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     122 points                8.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                320                      22.50
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             17                        7.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 184                 11.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     25           26       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  9         
                                           L/R Torso     17           18       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     13           22       
                                             L/R Leg     17           24       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-15                                       RA        5         3         7.00
LB 5-X AC                                    LA        1         5         8.00
Large Laser                                  LT        8         2         5.00
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1.00
@LRM-15 (8)                                  RT        -         1         1.00
@LB 5-X (Cluster) (20)                       LT        -         1         1.00
@LB 5-X (Slug) (20)                          LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 30

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 13
4          2       3       1       0      4     0   Structure:  6
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


[Greatclub]

Inner sphere didn't get LB 5 until nearly 3060, iirc. I was planning to put a rac 2 in there, among other things, for a Zeus that doesn't act very zeuslike

[mbear]

Inner sphere didn't get LB 5 until nearly 3060, iirc. I was planning to put a rac 2 in there, among other things, for a Zeus that doesn't act very zeuslike

I'm not going to let your insignificant facts get in the way of a good story! ;)

[Greatclub]

And here's the Enforcer (2DG)

the UAC/5 is only a viable weapon when you're stuck with singles, but there it passes a sniff test (Barely)

Feedback, typos and criticism appreciated. Also, does anyone know who drew that pic so I can properly attribute it?

[Greatclub]

Here's the Zeus.

[Greatclub]

Haven't dropped this, just going slow. here's the mechs, BTW

Clan invasion - https://www.dropbox.com/s/k286u130vfh1dke/Record%20Sheets%20-%20TRO%20Field%20Refits%20-%20Clan%20Invasion.pdf?dl=0

Civil war - https://www.dropbox.com/s/onro61hf84l15h1/Record%20Sheets%20-%20TRO%20Field%20Refits%20-%20Civil%20War.pdf?dl=0

Jihad era - https://www.dropbox.com/s/gq3moemyjben3je/Record%20Sheets%20-%20TRO%20Field%20Refits%20-%20Jihad.pdf?dl=0