Bandersnatch BNDR-01M

[Black_Knyght]

A 3055 era Free Worlds League heavy battlemech for thoughts, opinions, and constructive input.



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Bandersnatch BNDR-01M


Mass: 75 tons
Chassis: Bander Custom Endo Steel
Power Plant: Vlar 300 XL
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: None
     Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Valiant Chainmail
Armament:
     2 Hughes M88 Slingshot Light Gauss Rifles
     3 Talos LongBow-5 LRM Launchers
     4 Magna 400E Extended-Range Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Schwarze-Ritter Metalwerks
     Primary Factory: Bedeque
Communication System: Winston Mega Boozee Mark IX
Targeting & Tracking System: Winston Sidewinder
Introduction Year: 3055
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 16,099,125 C-bills



Overview: An upgrade of the original 01A design produced for the Free Worlds League, the 01M variant replaces the original chassis with one constructed with endo-steel. The majority of the original weapons loadout was re-evaluated, and as a result the 01M variant carries a new weapons compliment. The 01M retains the primary long-range weapons trio of LRM-5 launchers. For added long range firepower, the 01M model carries a pair of arm-mounted Light Gauss Rifles for a long range punch. For close range combat, the 01M variant has four Extended-Range Medium Lasers. Additionally, to offset enemy C3 and other electronic warfare systems, the 01M variant mounts a Guardian ECM Suite in the center torso.


Quirks: Hyper-Extending Actuators [1pt], Stable [2pts]

Code: [Select]

Type: Bandersnatch
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 75
Battle Value: 1,724

Equipment                                           Mass
Internal Structure          Endo Steel                4
Engine                        300 XL                  9.5
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Double Heat Sink              12 [24]                 2
Gyro                                                  3
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor                  208                    13

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         9     
     Center Torso            23        35   
     Center Torso (rear)               10   
     R/L Torso               16        25   
     R/L Torso (rear)                  7     
     R/L Arm                 12        20   
     R/L Leg                 16        25   


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

Weapons & Ammo                Location  Critical   Heat   Tonnage   
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Light Gauss Rifle                RA        5        1      12.0 
2 ER Medium Lasers               RA        2        5       2.0   
Light Gauss Rifle                LA        5        1      12.0 
2 ER Medium Lasers               LA        2        5       2.0       
LRM 5                            HD        1        2       2.0 
LRM 5                            RT        1        2       2.0   
LRM 5                            LT        1        2       2.0   
ECM Suite                        CT        2        -       1.5   
Light Gauss Rifle Ammo (16)      RA        1        -       1.0   
Light Gauss Rifle Ammo (16)      LA        1        -       1.0   
LRM 5 Ammo (24)                  RT        1        -       1.0   
LRM 5 Ammo (24)                  LT        1        -       1.0   
CASE                             RT        1        -       0.5   
CASE                             LT        1        -       0.5

[Alsadius]

This unit's damage is low for its size - 31 damage max at long range? That's comparable to a 3025-era Catapult, which is ten tons lighter. Unless you house rule the LGR to make it better, it's hard to justify it as a main weapon, even at time of introduction - the extra few hexes of range over a standard Gauss or an ERPPC just don't seem worth the damage loss. I'd almost rather take a version of this that replaces them with XLRM-15s(though to be fair, that's a tech from like 25 years later).

To be clear, it's a perfectly reasonable update to the base Bandersnatch. But I suspect the LGR was a disappointment to its designers on the battlefield.

[Sabelkatten]

It's 25.5 average damage (the important value) to 19 for the CLPT, with twice the ammo and an extra 4 hexes of range for 16 of those 25.5 points.

And while it's true the LGR isn't so hot compared to the standard GR it's actually not so bad compared to other LR weapons. Most importantly it's got a 17-hex medium range.

[Alsadius]

It's 25.5 average damage (the important value) to 19 for the CLPT, with twice the ammo and an extra 4 hexes of range for 16 of those 25.5 points.

And while it's true the LGR isn't so hot compared to the standard GR it's actually not so bad compared to other LR weapons. Most importantly it's got a 17-hex medium range.

Fair, I suppose the Archer would be a more reasonable comparison(though the Archer does have heat problems that this guy doesn't). But the extra 2 hexes of medium range over a standard Gauss, or 3 over LRM/ERPPC, don't seem worth it on the whole. I'd use a LGR that did 10 damage, but at 8 it's just weak.

[Firesprocket]

I enjoy playing with Light Gauss Rifles now and again and I like the design.  The only thing is I would do is drop the ERs to standard lasers and reduce the heat sinks to baseline.  Use the tonnage saved with an extra ton of ammo.  While most games won't last that long it gives it more endurance in a campaign.  The other ton use for TAG.  Nothing else put the F in Free Worlds League like SG warheads  ;)