MOT? - Nightsky

[Greatclub]

I notice nobody has said they'd take the -4T.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The AMS was a terrible addition for a laser mech.

[Wrangler]

Laser AMS isn't though if your careful with your heat.

I always wanted to like the Nightsky, but i think its can be tricky for newer players.   Some guy schooled me on MegaMek double blind game with laser-boat version in heavy woods.  Stop playing that guy after that.

I like Mike Plog's version of the art, reminds me of original Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles appearance with that angry comic like face.

[Sharpnel]

The AMS was a terrible addition for a laser mech.

It would be better off with an ECM unit

I notice nobody has said they'd take the -4T.

I like the added range for a loss of one point of damage

[grimlock1]

Wait, so, this is basically an better Hatchetman with terrible looks? Yaaawwwnnn.
I'll stick with the classic for melee, and a Phoenix Hawk or the like for 6/9/6 movement.

Although if you look close, it keeps the hatchetman/axman feet.

[Sartris]

a player had a great run in a clan-era campaign I ran with the stock 4S. i've played with the TSM variant a few times and it was aight.

[garhkal]

It would be better off with an ECM unit

That surprises me too..  None of the original versions sport an EMS.

[Colt Ward]

That surprises me too..  None of the original versions sport an EMS.

Just because Kai had one in his borrowed Hatchetman 2nd seat does not mean other mechwarriors have their own onboard emergency medical support.

[SteelRaven]

AMS is cheaper and takes less space so it's why you see it everywhere, ECM is better by default.

[Nikas_Zekeval]

AMS is cheaper and takes less space so it's why you see it everywhere, ECM is better by default.

Two things, one that AMS version might have come out before the Total Warfare rules, which changed the AMS rules.  In the earlier BMR(r) rules you roll 1d6 (2d6 for Clan systems) which were the number of missiles you shot down, and the amount of ammo the AMS chewed through to do it.  So you could empty that 1 ton bin in as few as two uses.

Secondly?  This is a mech built to get into its target's faces.  The AMS is extra protection from at least missiles while closing.

[Tyler Jorgensson]

I now have two minis of the Nightsky and I’ve used the 6T exclusively: it works but you’re right about the rear armor. Yes a Clan Tech version would rock... but Apollo’s Law there. Also agree about the Jihad DA versions needed: a lot of the newer tech could improve this.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The thing about Apollo's law is that the Nightsky isn't a bad mech without Clantech.  It's just a blindingly obvious swap for it.

[SteelRaven]

... Also agree about the Jihad DA versions needed: a lot of the newer tech could improve this.

According to the MUL, the Nightsky is still in production so a new variant wouldn't be crazy.

[Sharpnel]

AMS is cheaper and takes less space so it's why you see it everywhere, ECM is better by default.

An AMS with ammo takes up the same weight and space as an ECM suite.

[Empyrus]

Although if you look close, it keeps the hatchetman/axman feet.

Interesting detail. Pity the upper body looks terrible.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

That was a serious hazard of being in TRO 3055.  That book was just a low point in Battletech artwork.

[grimlock1]

That was a serious hazard of being in TRO 3055.  That book was just a low point in Battletech artwork.

My first exposure to TRO 3055 artwork was the little mech identification section in the back of the novels. I saw the Nightsky and Scarabus in a couple but other than "Alice moved their Nightsky up to cover Bob's right flank," they didn't get much attention.  To point that I don't think realized that either one of them had hatchets until I saw the specs, many years later.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Same.  The Scarabus especially doesn't look like it's got any sort of melee weapon in its original artwork.

[SteelRaven]

Funny thing is people really started talking up the built in Hatchet look later, using the Night sky as a example.

[Empyrus]

Same.  The Scarabus especially doesn't look like it's got any sort of melee weapon in its original artwork.

Judging by a pic on Sarna, i'd say it has a recognizable axe but not a rules-compliant one, no hand actuator...

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

I always thought that it looked like some sort of weird industrial equipment.  Like a mech-sized stapler or something.

[Wrangler]

I always thought that it looked like some sort of weird industrial equipment.  Like a mech-sized stapler or something.

:toofunny:

I forgot how odd those earlier pictures of the 3055 mechs looked at times. Scarabus does look like it has mech-sized stapler.

[Ruger]

Judging by a pic on Sarna, i'd say it has a recognizable axe but not a rules-compliant one, no hand actuator...

From the pic MLO4H posted, I can almost see a hand (mitten-covered though) wielding an old stone handaxe, just not quite the way most were held irl.

Ruger

[garhkal]

I can't see a hand actuator, covered or not.

[grimlock1]

Judging by a pic on Sarna, i'd say it has a recognizable axe but not a rules-compliant one, no hand actuator...

Once I knew the Scarabus had a hatchet I went back and decided that it doesn't have a "hand actuator" in the sense of a manipulator, but it does have an extra swivel below the elbow, and the blade is in a slot, so there are ways to fine tune the blade position.  In a person, the power comes from the hips and shoulder.  Gross aim comes from the shoulder and elbow, and fine aim comes from the wrist/hand. The Scarabus takes the very logical step of skipping the traditional "hand," with its 15+ separate joints and FSM knows how many components, and bolting the blade to a modified "wrist."  So, with a bit of abstraction and mental gymnastics, the Scarabus does look rules compliant, at least if ****** my head and squint a little.

I can't make the Nightsky work, though.  That blade is just bolted to the vanbrace.  No two ways about it.

Interesting detail. Pity the upper body looks terrible.

No argument, although neither the hatchetman or axman is exactly the belle of the ball, either. Although the art in later versions manages to massage the proportions so both come out looking a bit better.

[Empyrus]

I can't make the Nightsky work, though.  That blade is just bolted to the vanbrace.  No two ways about it.
No argument, although neither the hatchetman or axman is exactly the belle of the ball, either. Although the art in later versions manages to massage the proportions so both come out looking a bit better.

There's pretty-ugly and ugly-ugly. The Hatchetman is the former, the Nightsky (and Scarabus) the latter.

I have to admit ShimmeringSword's new Hatchetman looks better than its previous depictions though.

[Greatclub]

The nightsky is one of the 3055 mechs I wanted in the kickstarter, along with the penetrator, gunslinger, and daikyu. Still a little pissed about what they did to the Scarabus and rest of the berserker lance.

[Wrangler]

While the Nightsky's sculpt was not so terrible to, but Penterator's mini had mix problems. It was doable, i loved the base it was on since it was city thing. 

[grimlock1]

There's pretty-ugly and ugly-ugly. The Hatchetman is the former, the Nightsky (and Scarabus) the latter.

I have to admit ShimmeringSword's new Hatchetman looks better than its previous depictions though.

Is he the one who did the art for TRO 3087?

[Empyrus]

Is he the one who did the art for TRO 3087?

TRO 3087...?

ShimmeringSword is making the art for the Kickstarter and the nuseen classics. (Though final lineart may be done by someone else based on SS's design.)