The Scorpion Empire : Plus Ultra

[Kerfuffin(925)]

There a Proto for Seekers Units?

The Triton, as awful as it is

[ArkRoyalRavager]

As just a random guy on the internet offering some speculation, I'd suggest that the Hellions preserved tactics, such as flurry attacks falling within their version of zellbrigen, but that they follow Scorpion Cluster organization.

Outstanding. Really, the Scorpions not only preserve history, they preserve the cultures they assimilate, in a manner of speaking. They even took the trouble to seek out the widely-scattered Hellion remnants so many years after they were lost. While also pragmatic, this shows a good side to balance their brutal culling of the Homie Watch agents.

[Weirdo]

There a Proto for Seekers Units?

The Triton is specifically described was an escort for Seekers, and while not very fast, it is durable and most variants are well-suited to extended operations.

In my head, such an escort likely sees little action in Clan-held territories where a Seeker can Trial for needed supplies or access to areas(in such cases they likely act was guards for the Seeker camp or DropShip), but in non-Clan areas or in the wilds not held by anyone, a point or two of Protos gives you much-needed eyes on the ground and bolsters your little force against pirates, other rogue forces, or even wildlife, all without adding more BattleMechs to your bid.

The Triton's Proto of the Week article is pretty good reading if you want to learn more about it.

[DOC_Agren]

The Triton is specifically described was an escort for Seekers, and while not very fast, it is durable and most variants are well-suited to extended operations.

In my head, such an escort likely sees little action in Clan-held territories where a Seeker can Trial for needed supplies or access to areas(in such cases they likely act was guards for the Seeker camp or DropShip), but in non-Clan areas or in the wilds not held by anyone, a point or two of Protos gives you much-needed eyes on the ground and bolsters your little force against pirates, other rogue forces, or even wildlife, all without adding more BattleMechs to your bid.

The Triton's Proto of the Week article is pretty good reading if you want to learn more about it.

I went and read the Proto of the Week.  Interesting security unit for a Wandering Seeker

[ArkRoyalRavager]

The author was right in saying the Empire doesn't need Protos. Such duplication of logistics and supplies for an entirely different class of unit is wasteful and the Scorpions rarely employ the needed EI implants anyway. Imperial production would be better off concentrated in the traditional unit types.

[Drewbacca]

One thing I always found confusing was the Scorpions as resource poor. Doesn't FMWC state that they were able to exploit underwater mining with the suits that eventually became elementals? Maybe that was not that big of a source of materials, but if it was not at least sizeable I don't think it would have been mentioned.

[rebs]

The Devil's Table region of Dagda was also supposed to be mineral rich, just hard to mine because of the constant volcanic activity.

[Doc Swift]

If you have to resort to mining the sea floor, I'd say you're pretty resource-poor.

[ArkRoyalRavager]

The Scorpions never introduced any homegrown Omni units before their Abjuration. That's a good sign of being resource-poor too.

[Weirdo]

And ProtoMechs are designed specifically to conserve resources(both in terms of materiel and personnel), so they're a perfect fit! :thumbsup:

[ArkRoyalRavager]

...the Empire doesn't need Protos. Such duplication of logistics and supplies for an entirely different class of unit is wasteful and the Scorpions rarely employ the needed EI implants anyway. Imperial production would be better off concentrated in the traditional unit types.

This.

[Weirdo]

What duplication of logistics?

[ArkRoyalRavager]

Why build 1 factory for Mechs and 1 for Protos when you can have 2 Mech factories?

More importantly, the Scorpions rarely use EI unlike the Falcons and Crusader Wolves.

[Angrii]

Well since we know they still have Protos, and we know they must make use of them (to not do so would be wasteful, and clans hate being wasteful), then we know they make use of EI. Maybe not a lot but they do.

[ArkRoyalRavager]

Might as well scrap those Protos and reuse their materials for other purposes. That would sidestep the waste issue.

[Angrii]

I'd like to believe that they still have their uses. But that's just me.

[CJC070]

I'd like to believe that they still have their uses. But that's just me.

Maybe their biding their time to see how it works with the Ravens and Hell’s Horses.  Or maybe the writers are trying to answer the same conundrum.

[Angrii]

I just think it would be a shame to homogenize the Empire too much. That would kill their appeal as the all-over-the-place tech faction.

[Weirdo]

Why build 1 factory for Mechs and 1 for Protos when you can have 2 Mech factories?

Why are we assuming they'd have the resources to feed the extra mech factories? Again, the whole point is that Protos consume far less resources to make. Converting a Proto factory to mech lines doesn't gives you mechs unless you also have a new source for all the extra raw materials that line would require.

More importantly, the Scorpions rarely use EI unlike the Falcons and Crusader Wolves.

Is there a source for this, side from the general bit saying EI is less common among Warden Clans than Crusaders?

I just think it would be a shame to homogenize the Empire too much. That would kill their appeal as the all-over-the-place tech faction.

This is the most important part for me. Lore and story can say whatever the hell it wants, so long as it supports a Scorpion Empire that's not dull on the tabletop.

[Sartris]

Honestly the list was drawn up to look like it came straight from rolling off a half dozen  RATs. GreekFire did a tremendous job with the methodology and first draft

Obviously the scorps are rapidly expanding their own tech base but it’s going to take many, many years to overcome the absolute hodgepodge of industrial levels in that corner of the periphery.

[Weirdo]

The more the better.

[Angrii]

I'm excited for them to integrate the Hanse military into their Touman. Lots of combined arms formations and elite battle armored marines sound like fun!

[Doc Swift]

Not much of the Hanseatic Defense Force remained after the conquest.

[Angrii]

Parade: officially rained on.

[CJC070]

Not much of the Hanseatic Defense Force remained after the conquest.

All together a handful of regiments (probably) survived but the Scorpion Empire needs men to Garrison all the planets they captured especially the since half were resentful of the “unwarranted” aggression on their troops.

[Doc Swift]

*sigh*

[rebs]

As fans of a rare Deep Periphery power, we have it ingrained since ISP 3 that the Scorpions were kind of a throwback to Mad Maxian factions in space. 

Its now been many moons since we learned of our beloved faction taking over Hansa space.  But its just sinking in that we're a higher tech faction than we believed.

[Sartris]

*sigh*

C’mon man what do you know? :P

[Doc Swift]

Nothing anyone wants to hear, apparently.

[truetanker]

I wouldn't mind if Doc wrote more of the animorphed Felines he's done, but working at a Pleasure Circus defending against a pressing Scorpion Seeker unit searching for fabled treasures in a 3150 MoC setting.

I'd by that as well.

TT