Heavy Proto vs ultralight Mech: Who wore it better?

[Cavgunner]

Code: [Select]

Definitely not a light Battlemech
Type: Protomech
Mass: 15 tons
Power Plant: 135 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets:
     Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     1 Improved Heavy Medium Laser
     2 Machine Gun
     1 SRM 4
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-D
Cost: 1,601,231.25 C-bills

Type: Definitely not a light Battlemech
Technology Base: Clan (Advanced)
Tonnage: 15
Battle Value: 525

Equipment                                         Mass (kg)
Internal Structure                                1,500
Engine                        135                 4,500
    Walking MP: 6
    Running MP: 9
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:                   7                   1,750
Cockpit:                                            750
Armor Factor:                 67                  3,350

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    4         9     
     Torso                   15        30   
     R/L Arm                4/4       6/6   
     Legs                    8         16   
     Main Gun                -         -     

Weapons
and Ammo                      Location        Mass
SRM 4 Ammo (12)                  BD            480
Machine Gun Ammo (34)            BD            170
SRM 4                            T            1000
Improved Heavy Medium Laser      T            1000
Machine Gun                      LA            250
Machine Gun                      RA            250



Code: [Select]

Definitely not a heavy Protomech
Type: Battlemech
Mass: 15 tons
Chassis: Endo Steel Biped
Power Plant: 90 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: None
     Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Improved Heavy Medium Laser
     2 Machine Gun
     1 SRM 4
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 1,390,235 C-bills

Type: Definitely not a heavy Protomech
Technology Base: Clan (Advanced)
Tonnage: 15
Battle Value: 483

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Endo Steel              1
Engine                        90 Fusion               3
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 0
Double Heat Sink              10 [20]                 0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Ferro)          55                      3

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         9     
     Center Torso            5         8     
     Center Torso (rear)               2     
     R/L Torso               4         6     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 2         4     
     R/L Leg                 3         6     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand

Weapons
and Ammo                      Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Double Heat Sink                 LL        2        -       1.0   
Double Heat Sink                 CT        2        -       1.0   
Improved Heavy Medium Laser      RT        2        7       1.0   
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)      RT        1        -       0.5   
CASE                             RT        0        -       0.0   
2 Double Heat Sink               RT        4        -       2.0   
Machine Gun                      LA        1        0       0.25 
CASE                             LT        0        -       0.0   
SRM 4 Ammo (25)                  LT        1        -       1.0   
2 Double Heat Sink               LT        4        -       2.0   
Double Heat Sink                 RL        2        -       1.0   
SRM 4                            HD        1        3       1.0   
Machine Gun                      RA        1        0       0.25 



[Red Pins]

I think the 'Mech wins; the CASE was the final thing that decided me.  I might be biased, though, since I run ELMs in my AU.

[Cavgunner]

Protos can't suffer ammo explosions.

[Red Pins]

Yup.  But its nice to see, regardless.

[Charistoph]

Survivability is definitely better on the ProtoMech.  More Armor and more structure, as well as being a 1 Level unit makes it easier to hide.  You can also move in between a 'Mechs legs to hide from its fire (but not it's Stomps).  Biggest downside is the lack of a Main Gun, but when doing a comparison with a Mech is probably a wise choice.

The ULM IS cheaper in BV and in C-Bills, even before figuring in the normal 4 more ProtoMechs to add in to the Point or 2 more for a Society Un.  Not having a neural connection does make it easier on the Pilot, too.  The ULM also does have more Ammo, so more "dwell" time.

As for who wears it better, I'm a little more partial to the Protomech, but that's more due to general experience actually using them.

[Red Pins]

Yeah, but Protos are exclusively Clan.  Ultra lights have a much broader list of groups that COULD make them.

[Charistoph]

Yeah, but Protos are exclusively Clan.  Ultra lights have a much broader list of groups that COULD make them.

Except the ULM uses as much Clan equipment to match it with a softer unit.

[DevianID]

I am heavily biased, as I hate superheavy protos exactly because they clash with ultralight mechs, and there is no speed scaling balance so the 15 ton protos just are superior to 9 ton protos.

The superheavy proto here is better, as among other issues the proto doesnt have a pilot skill, so cant fall and cant skid, and losing legs isnt really even a bother.  Also, because of how stacked superheavy protoarmor is, needing 3 direct 15 point hits to the torso to kill the superheavy proto is a lot of damage.

The ultralight, by contrast, is dead to 15 damage to the center, and has a rear armor to worry about.  Also, losing a leg hampers the ultralight, who can fall, a lot more and messes with its shooting having to prop and fire.  The BV is less, but only by a slight amount, while the proto needs 3x the damage to kill or cripple most of the time, as even the legs can take a direct gauss shot with no issue.  Heck, the superheavy proto can survive a blazer to the face!  Like, what!?

Anyway, my bias against the overtuned superheavy protos got the better of me, again.  I have no doubt a 20 ton 'super-duper' protomech would be better then any 20 ton battlemech too!

[Cavgunner]

Look, I'm going to be honest with you. After I finished that Proto I looked and cried, "What on earth have I done?!"

The lack of scaling really is an unfortunate oversight.

Well, at least the ultralight mech can't be killed by a trio of Inferno missiles.

[Natasha Kerensky]

Also, unless the rules have changed, the proto ignores certain hits as near-misses, which is a huge boost to survivability when played over multiple games.