MotW: Hermes II

[Paul]

Ignore them at your peril, use them... well, also at your peril.

Best part of a great article  :thumbsup:

[garhkal]

You know a design is in trouble when a Clint is probably a better mech.

IF your being compared to a clint, maybe you should sell your ride and GET a clint!

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

If you can.

[Kit deSummersville]

If you do, make sure it has a working gyro. At least the Hermes II has that going for it.

[Frabby]

I always regarded the Hermes II as a big nasty scout that will eat other scouts for breakfast. As others have observed, it's a fair bug hunter.
But as for it being a scout, I seem to recall it actually has the same famous sensor system as the Ostscout, making it a terrific scout - like the Ostscout, a role that has only roleplay/scenario value though and isn't worth much in boardgame combat.

[assaultdoor]

I always regarded the Hermes II as a big nasty scout that will eat other scouts for breakfast. As others have observed, it's a fair bug hunter.
But as for it being a scout, I seem to recall it actually has the same famous sensor system as the Ostscout, making it a terrific scout - like the Ostscout, a role that has only roleplay/scenario value though and isn't worth much in boardgame combat.

It has the Wasat Aggressor, not the TRSS.2L3. It carries the Irian E.A.R., which at least is a fancy communications system.

[Hellraiser]

Yeah, its got a great Comms system from what I recall.
Not "sensors" per se, but comms at long distances is still a seriously good thing.
Sounds like a lesser version of what the Hussar was fluffed with.

[GuyIncognito]

I do wish they did something with the 7S, even if only reusing its art for a production variant.

[Empyrus]

I do wish they did something with the 7S, even if only reusing its art for a production variant.

Since it seems all or nearly all TRO3025/3039 'Mechs are getting makeover, i'd expect the Hermes II to get new art as well at some point.
Incidentally, the XTRO Marik Hermes 7S art was done by Anthony Scroggins who is the current BT art director.

When and where such art would get published, and whether it would get a miniature is another matter.

[Elmoth]

I always liked the Hermes II, just that it has the wrong story and name. It is a cousin to the clint, not the Hermes. Maybe it was adipted?

[Intermittent_Coherence]

Why do these 6/9 40-tonners always start out with AC/5s instead Large Lasers?
It frankly boggles my mind.

[Empyrus]

Why do these 6/9 40-tonners always start out with AC/5s instead Large Lasers?
It frankly boggles my mind.

Cheaper, easier to maintain, more common, less heat generation (matters for introductory level) especially when combined with secondary weapons (and jump jets if applicable), and finally autocannons have this coolness factor large lasers may not have (brrrt).

Also suspect whoever played/tested the game at FASA and whoever wrote stuff didn't interact, and that the latter called the shots.

[Weirdo]

Not to mention the small but noticeable range advantage. Especially considering that the mid/late Succession Wars era was one marked more by forced withdrawal than fighting to the death, being able to get a free hit or two early on and then hitting more often due to favorable range modifiers is a good way to make a LL machine's pilot start worrying about becoming Dispossessed.

[The Eagle]

Sure, I get that, but a LL-armed Hermes II is kind of my thing.  I did a custom variant or three back in the day but don't remember what other changes I made.

I also would love to Omni-fy the thing.

[Sabelkatten]

AC/5 -> LL saves almost enough weight to upgrade to 7/11 movement. :)

[Elmoth]

This is because energy is just better than ballistics. In almost all cases. Thisncould be solved by increasing the damage of ballistic weapons (like 5/10/15/20 scale) or reduce the damage of laser weapons, but this will not happen ever.

A hermes II is just a clint with more armor and no JJ. Nothing more about it, really. The changes you suggest turn it into a flightless PHX (LL + 2ML). It is also a valid option

[Intermittent_Coherence]

AC/5 -> LL saves almost enough weight to upgrade to 7/11 movement. :)

Or enough armor that it won't fall over from a heavy's lovetap.

[Frabby]

Why settle for a LL when you could get a Blazer? Marik was both the "House of Large Lasers and LRMs" and the only House to take the Blazer seriously (Steiner tried too but to a lesser degree apparently).

[Hellraiser]

Eww, w/o DHS or a bigger mech, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

There is a "Unique" Clint out there with a LL that I saw mentioned on Sarna that is nice.
Drops the AC5 for LL & 4 HS, though with the JJs the Clint is almost better with the AC5.

Hermes on the other hand would have been fine w/ a LL variant.
Though frankly I'm just fine using the 7/11 speed 2M if I don't want the AC5 model.

[The Eagle]

*puts on his necromancer costume*


Looking at the Mechs of the Kickstarter thread brought me back to this old friend, and I just wanted to pop in and say how much I'm looking forward to using a -7A.  A Clan UAC/10 on something with this kind of legs and dressed all in purple gives me a giddy feeling.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The Ultra 10 is a good weapon for the Hermes II.

[Gorgon]

The new Hermes II is great. It feels like a proper Hermes II, increases performance, but still remains in the solid-not-too-expensive bracket it should be in. Also the new design just looks so much better. The nu-FWL really has a winner with this one.

[Colt Ward]

*puts on his necromancer costume*


Looking at the Mechs of the Kickstarter thread brought me back to this old friend, and I just wanted to pop in and say how much I'm looking forward to using a -7A.  A Clan UAC/10 on something with this kind of legs and dressed all in purple gives me a giddy feeling.

Come on, you are going to say that and NOT post a picture of the mech's mini?

[The Eagle]

Come on, you are going to say that and NOT post a picture of the mech's mini?

I mean...I did change my profile picture to the Rec Guide art but here: literally from the hands of Ray himself.

[17thRecon]

It is amazing how new art can give you a new respect or appeal for a mech. Now the Hermes II looks like a solid lighter weight trooper mech like it is somewhat fluffed as.

 Is it just looks solid. I think the previous art had week looking thin legs which just made it look fragile.

I’ll have to check out this 7A you mention, too. Sounds interesting.

[Minemech]

 So, the two modern Hermes IIs to beat are the 5Sr, and the 7A.

[Grizzly]

So, the two modern Hermes IIs to beat are the 5Sr, and the 7A.

Agreed but the -5SA is solid in it's niche as scout hunter.

[Gorgon]

And the 5SA is less likely to draw too much attention early on. People tend to focus on HPPC's a good deal more than on IS LPL or UAC/5s. Good thing it's still fielded by the MoC, Andurien and assorted Mercs.

[Minemech]

 It is neat that this chassis in particular not only survived but remained relevant whilst maintaining durability and price point on the market relative to the era.

 The HER-2S thrived more in campaign settings where its fluff could make it a real asset, but it remained a fair mech to throw in normal games.

[Weirdo]

The -2S also thrives in Alpha Strike games. The AC gives it real damage at all ranges, while the speed and low cost combine to give you a perfectly good trooper mech that can contribute to just about any lance short of an assault lance. It's not on par with the 55-ton Trio, but if you can't afford one of those the Hermes II can make a solid attempt at any job you'd throw one of those at aside from ones that absolutely require jumping.