Author Topic: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?  (Read 5250 times)

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire

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What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« on: 26 March 2019, 21:53:24 »
Hi folks, I was just contemplating the Royal Shadow Hawk I got a few weeks ago and thinking that I should make up a Star League lance and get it painted.  So far I'm thinking Royal Shadow Hawk, Royal Crab, and Royal Flashman but I'm drawing a blank on what I should use as the last mech.

Anyone got suggestions?
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Cannonshop

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #1 on: 26 March 2019, 22:06:24 »
another shadowhawk?

I kid, I kid.

let's see, you've got a medium weight lance and they're mixed with one assault.  lots of energy weapons and direct fire capability, mostly energy based. you've also got;

50
55
80.

hm.

let's see what else...

6/9
5/8
5/8

generally, if you're using the Crab as your scout/vanguard, another 5/8 'mech makes the most sense, something in the 60-75 ton range.  if you go slower, you need to make it a support platform (Bomardier maybe-an LRM boat with the same movement profile, or an Archer, for 10KPH less cruise, that you can park and use to support your lancemates)

if you go lighter, then you have a problem; your line straggles.

while most Shads do a pretty good job of being 'light fire support' designs, it's not going to grant the range or firepower output to really be an asset to the rest of your lance.

so I'd go with something like a Catapult, Archer, or Bombardier (the last because this is an SLDF lance, or used to be, anyway) where you've got a bit of medium weight to go with the Flashman's all-energy icebox slugger configuration and the Crab's all energy light/medium point man config.

something with good dispersal volume that can pinch hit as terrain control in an SLDF setting, (aka thunder w/Fascam as an option, or indirect fire as an option).

yeah, I'm liking an Archer as your fourth man.  a bit slower, but not so slow it can't keep up entirely, good plating, decent secondary weapons and a powerful support configuration that's almost moronically easy to use.
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MoneyLovinOgre4Hire

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #2 on: 26 March 2019, 22:13:57 »
Minor detail, but the Flashman's actually a heavy at 75.  You might be thinking of the Spartan?
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #3 on: 26 March 2019, 22:17:31 »
Dervish 6Md?

It goes 5/8/5, packs dual lrm15s, dual srm2s, and dual medium lasers.  A pretty good fire support unit.
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MoneyLovinOgre4Hire

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #4 on: 26 March 2019, 22:25:30 »
Doesn't seem like there's a record sheet for that variant yet, but interesting.
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Cannonshop

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #5 on: 26 March 2019, 22:26:37 »
Minor detail, but the Flashman's actually a heavy at 75.  You might be thinking of the Spartan?
OUCH...

at least I remembered the movement curve correctly, lol.
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Daryk

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #6 on: 26 March 2019, 22:40:07 »
A Lancelot could work...

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #7 on: 26 March 2019, 22:54:13 »
OUCH...

at least I remembered the movement curve correctly, lol.

Hey, it's not like it was a huge mistake.  I mean, you didn't confuse the Flashman with the Sentinel or anything.
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truetanker

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #8 on: 26 March 2019, 22:59:17 »
Falcon-4Nb-PP2

You didn't state that it couldn't be a Klondike variant... and it is a Royal.

TT
« Last Edit: 26 March 2019, 23:05:28 by truetanker »
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #9 on: 26 March 2019, 23:50:40 »
OUCH...

at least I remembered the movement curve correctly, lol.

I'm not sure you did.

I think its 5/8/0,  5/8/(3-5?)  & 5/8/0 respectively,  no 6/9 in there.

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #10 on: 26 March 2019, 23:53:53 »
As for the original question.

Since you have 2 Royals in there already...... Add a 3rd

Wolverine-II-7H
Sentinel-(Royal Gauss Version, forget the model #)
Champion-1Nb  (ERPPC & Gauss)

All 3 add something, either some JJ's or long range sniping w/ hammers of Gauss love.

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #11 on: 27 March 2019, 00:01:04 »
Heavier: Marauder 2r, Lancelot, Royal Excalibur, Cestus, Royal black Knight, Royal archer
Lighter: lynx, Royal Sentinel, Talon


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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #12 on: 27 March 2019, 00:23:58 »
Royal Excalibur

Ohh, I like that suggestion.
Not a fan of the 4/6 options slowing down an otherwise 5/8 lance, but this one adds solid ranged support for the same speed. 
Me likes.   :thumbsup:
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Syzyx

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #13 on: 27 March 2019, 04:52:48 »
Just for some variety and tactical flexibility, I might recommend the royal Mongoose.
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #14 on: 27 March 2019, 12:27:16 »
Ohh, I like that suggestion.
Not a fan of the 4/6 options slowing down an otherwise 5/8 lance, but this one adds solid ranged support for the same speed. 
Me likes.   :thumbsup:

i blanked on the FLS-8K being a 5/8 so yeah, i agree. there's also the royal Ostwar (the flashman's backline smaller brother) and the a little gem they snuck into RS: 3050Uu - Inner Sphere - the Treb 3C

Just for some variety and tactical flexibility, I might recommend the royal Mongoose.

that's a good one too. i also like the royal phoenix hawk
« Last Edit: 27 March 2019, 12:30:18 by Sartris »

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #15 on: 27 March 2019, 14:29:43 »
While I would normally say 'Starslayer!' but its not a Royal to keep with the theme . . .

So for 'set it on fire fun' I would suggest the Griffin 2N though it also gives you a back up for crit-seeking from the Shad.

For what could be described as a quick HK lance, I would suggest a Exterminator 4C or perhaps the Spector 4F . . . get out there and find something worth pounding flat and bug out.
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #16 on: 27 March 2019, 15:43:27 »
I'm not sure you did.

I think its 5/8/0,  5/8/(3-5?)  & 5/8/0 respectively,  no 6/9 in there.
5/8/3 (SHD-2Hb), 5/8/5 (CRB-27SL), and 5/8 (Flashman FLS-8K). To fit with that movement curve you got;

Champion CHP-1Nb (Gauss+ERPPC, always basic but nice)
Kintaro KTO-19b (Narc, SRM-12 and LRM-15. XL.)
Wolverine II WVR-7H (Basic Ultra5, MPL, and SRM6wA4)
Ostroc OST-2Cb (Nothing really noteworthy. ERLLs and Streak 2s.)
Griffin GRF-2N (GECM, ERPPC, twin SRM-6s)

Personally, my gut says go for the Champion (The Lance is in dire need of a headcapping, hard-hitting, long-ranged weapon) or the Kintaro (Which is just all-around awesome.)

Alternatively, you could screw up your movement curve and take the Royal Archer or a Galahad for extremely long range support, although the Galahad's kind of poor fitting for that.
« Last Edit: 27 March 2019, 15:45:43 by Caedis Animus »

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #17 on: 27 March 2019, 16:01:09 »
For a speedier out front type, Exterminator 4c/d, for a slower missile support type, Crusader 2r, and fo same speed, Caedis covered that.
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Colt Ward

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #18 on: 27 March 2019, 16:43:36 »
5/8/5 (CRB-27SL)

The -27sl is the Star League variant . . . the 27b is the Royal, though the 27sl could be considered a 2nd Royal.
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #19 on: 27 March 2019, 19:36:26 »
How about a Royal Excalibur to give you some fast direct fire support?

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #20 on: 27 March 2019, 20:52:58 »
How about a Royal Excalibur to give you some fast direct fire support?

I think either that or the royal champion are the best options for that role

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #21 on: 27 March 2019, 21:05:56 »
5/8/3 (SHD-2Hb), 5/8/5 (CRB-27SL), and 5/8 (Flashman FLS-8K). To fit with that movement curve you got;

The -27sl is the Star League variant . . . the 27b is the Royal,

Colt beat me to it.   OP said "Royal" Crab which is the 'b'.


While I considered the Mongoose myself, this whole lance just feels like its about Cavalry & I didn't want to add in Light Speedsters.

I'll 3rd the Royal Excalibur suggestion as it fits the bill for speed & allows the LL boats to skirmish & Shad to close while it hangs back & puts out 31 damage from 21 hexes a turn.
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MoneyLovinOgre4Hire

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #22 on: 27 March 2019, 21:49:39 »
I think I'll go with the Excalibur over the Champion just because it looks cooler.
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #23 on: 28 March 2019, 03:04:08 »
Colt beat me to it.   OP said "Royal" Crab which is the 'b'.

Here is the author's take on the status of the "sl" 'mechs
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=64221.msg1478169#msg1478169
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #24 on: 28 March 2019, 03:26:21 »
How about a HOP-4Bb Hoplite? It's only a 4/6 mover but it has long range weapons.

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #25 on: 28 March 2019, 08:37:12 »
So we have  2 ER-Large Laser, Sweet Spot at range 7 - 6/9 mover
Flashman with lots of lasers 3-5 range
Shadow Hawk with its LBX at ranges of 6
You have efficient Streak and energy weapons with the exception of the LBX

The LBX is the only weapon capable of breaking a Mechs head.

Combat mission is clearly the rear-guard with Flashman tanking damage, the ShadowHawk will use its cluster ammunition to take advantage of gaps created by the Large Lasers.

So in terms of head-capping capabilities, you should look into the Champion (Falcampion?!!!) or the Excalibur. But the Excalibur doesn't fit considering the mission of the lance, and the Falcampion is not a Champion (sry I'm strange here).
After looking through other options I only see two logical options.... Griffin 2N or Ostroc

The first offer another head capper and increased crit-seeker capabilities, the second is a mix of all three mechs
 

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #26 on: 28 March 2019, 19:54:19 »
Thunderbolt. Any Thunderbolt.
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truetanker

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #27 on: 28 March 2019, 20:13:54 »
The " BB " is not  royal... it's a clan exclusive variant...

SL-in-Exile didn't have this variant either, this is a proto-clan Klondike variant.

But other than this, the 4B works...

TT
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MoneyLovinOgre4Hire

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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #28 on: 28 March 2019, 20:29:47 »
I've decided to go with an Excalibur on the grounds that it's cool looking.

Thanks folks.
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Re: What's a good fourth mech for this lance?
« Reply #29 on: 28 March 2019, 20:55:49 »
Now pics or it didn't happen....

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