One of the premiere heavy battlemechs of the Free Worlds League, the Tempest has always been a solid performer. A definite infighter, all Tempests focus primarily on a close-in weapons suite, with the base model using a suite of lasers backed up by SRMs, while a Gauss Rifle provides solid striking power at range. A 4/6/4 movement curve provides good maneuverability, and the design is also excellently protected, resulting in a machine that is more than capable of closing to its preferred engagement range, and continuing to be a serious threat when it gets there.
Surprisingly, most variants are only minor changes from the base TMP-3M. The -3G is the simplest, downgrading the SRM-6 to a four-pack and using the saved tonnage to expand the Gauss Rifle's ammunition bin, resulting in a 'mech that can fire its ammunition-fed weapons continuously for a full four minutes, far longer than your typical tactical 'mech engagment.
The -3MA is an odd one, the only Tempest not to feature a Gauss weapon of any sort. The rifle is dropped for a basic AC/10, fed by a massive four-ton ammo capacity. Range and total damage potential are reduced, but the endurance cannot be underestimated, nor can the flexibility afforded by the use of specialty ammunition. An additional heat sink is also added, a good idea given the high-intensity fighting this mech will likely see. I imagine this variant is preferred by the Marik-Stewarts(who seem to have developed a very Davion-like love of cannons post-Jihad) and Regulans(who have always preferred aggressive up-close fighting). The -3MA is probably also popular on the open market, where the simplicity and reduced cost fo the autocannon can make it more attractive to mercenaries, militias, and anyone else who has an accounting department to answer to.
The final variant is the TMP-3M2, referred to as the Storm Tempest. If you thought the be-cannoned -3MA was odd, this one is just baffling. The Gauss Rifle is downgraded to a light model, and while the ammunition bin is similarly reduced, the net result is identical endurance for the weapon. The tonnage saved here goes into increasing the armor sheaf to the maximum possible, as well as an additional heat sink. The missile rack is upgraded with Streak technology, and the medium lasers are now extended-range models. Total damage is reduced, though range is increased, and endurance is boosted for the SRM rack. I'm not a big fan of the damage reduction, but I'd hazard a guess that the Storm Tempest is meant to counter newer 'mechs that are used to fighting outside of the standard model's optimum range, and have the speed to dictate that range.
What experiences have you had fighting with or against the Tempest?
