My hoverfleet the Calvary arm of my army. Rate and constructive critisism

[Primus203]

So I've built a number of hovercraft after hearing so many people note how hard they are to deal with. Their meant to act as a group covering each weakness. One of the possibly greatest issues of the hoverfleet is that to get performance i needed xl notably increasing cost. Upside twenty five percent more speed.

The laser devastator below was originally intended to use an ER PPC but there were issues fitting it and needed equipment. Instead an er large laser was fitted. Intended to be used to snipe at max ER LL en masse.

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Laser Devastator Hovertank

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     2 Light Machine Gun
     1 Laser AMS
     1 ER Large Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 8,633,667 C-bills

Type: Laser Devastator
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 916

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   19                      9
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          116                   6.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         29   
     R/L Side               5/5      23/23   
     Rear                    5         18   
     Turret                  5         23   


Weapons
and Ammo                       Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS                       Front        1.5     
2 Light Machine Gun             Turret       1.0     
ER Large Laser                  Turret       5.0     
Light Machine Gun Ammo (200)     Body        1.0     
Targeting Computer                BD         2.0     The laser boxer doesn't have the range but it does have the firepower mounting 4 standard medium lasers and decent armor its meant to be used with several swarming one target to bring it down quickly.

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Laser Boxer Hovertank

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     4 Medium Laser
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 8,687,667 C-bills

Type: Laser Boxer
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 1,150

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   19                      9
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          197                    11

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         49   
     R/L Side               5/5      39/39   
     Rear                    5         31   
     Turret                  5         39   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS              Front        1.5     
4 Medium Laser         Turret       4.0     
Targeting Computer       BD         1.0     The metalstorm hovertank is pure simplicity the hoverframe and an lb-x 5 to bring down aircraft at a distance. Used to mount an lb-x 10 but as I understand it the 5 is probably better for a pure air defense role.

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Metalstorm Hovertank

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 LB 5-X AC
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 8,988,667 C-bills

Type: Metalstorm
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 812

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          107                     6

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         27   
     R/L Side               5/5      21/21   
     Rear                    5         17   
     Turret                  5         21   


Weapons
and Ammo                    Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS                    Front        1.5     
Small Pulse Laser            Turret       1.0     
LB 5-X AC                    Turret       8.0     
CASE                          Body        0.5     
LB 5-X Cluster Ammo (120)     Body        6.0     
Targeting Computer             BD         3.0     The Itano hovertank simple a hovertank with an mrm 40 no apollo as its meant to be used with a c3 spotter unit to bring it to close range rules while remaining at max weapons range.

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Itano Hovertank

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 MRM 40
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 9,363,667 C-bills

Type: Itano
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 1,221

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          89                      5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         24   
     R/L Side               5/5      17/17   
     Rear                    5         14   
     Turret                  5         17   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS              Front        1.5     
MRM 40                 Turret       12.0   
Small Pulse Laser      Turret       1.0     
C3 Computer             Body        1.0     
MRM 40 Ammo (30)        Body        5.0     The spotter unit for the Itano 15 cruise 23 flank movement allows it to go from the edge of weapons range to close range in one movement c3 bonded to three Itano.

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Itano Spotter Hovertank

Mass: 25 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 245 XL
Cruising Speed: 162 kph
Maximum Speed: 248.4 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 C3 Computer (Master)
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 5,262,500 C-bills

Type: Itano Spotter
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 248

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  2.5
Engine                        245 XL                  9
Cruising MP: 15
Flank MP: 23
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     2.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          53                      3

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         17   
     R/L Side               3/3      13/13   
     Rear                    3         10   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS              Front        1.5     
C3 Computer             Body        5.0    Hussar scout high speed to look around basically a more capable and expensive savannah master.

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Hussar Armed Hover Recon

Mass: 25 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 245 XL
Cruising Speed: 162 kph
Maximum Speed: 248.4 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 Medium Laser
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 3,121,250 C-bills

Type: Hussar
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 476

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  2.5
Engine                        245 XL                  9
Cruising MP: 15
Flank MP: 23
Heat Sinks:                   12                      2
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     2.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          62                    3.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         17   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         9     
     Turret                  3         12   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS              Front        1.5     
Medium Laser           Turret       1.0     
Small Pulse Laser      Turret       1.0    An apc its in the name unsure if I'll actually use them has enough space for six units of infantry or one battle armor squad and two units of infantry.

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Hover Apc

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     2 Light Machine Gun
     1 Vehicular Grenade Launcher
     1 Anti-Missile System
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 7,883,667 C-bills

Type: Hover
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 414

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          89                      5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         24   
     R/L Side               5/5      17/17   
     Rear                    5         14   
     Turret                  5         17   


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage   
Vehicular Grenade Launcher       Turret       0.5     
2 Light Machine Gun              Turret       1.0     
Anti-Missile System              Turret       0.5     
Vehicular DropChute               Body        2.0     
Anti-Missile System Ammo (12)     Body        1.0     
Paramedic Equipment               Body        0.25   
Light Machine Gun Ammo (200)      Body        1.0     
Infantry                          Body        15.0   A sniper artillery on a hover base. Worryingly little armor and ammunition unsure if I'll use these as they seem vulnerable with so little armor.

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Sniper Hover Artillery

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Sniper
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-E
Cost: 8,236,667 C-bills

Type: Sniper
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 464

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    39                      2

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         14   
     R/L Side               5/5       9/9   
     Rear                    5         7     


Weapons
and Ammo                    Location    Tonnage   
Sniper                       Front        20.0   
Fuel-Air Sniper Ammo (10)     Body        1.0     
Advanced Fire Control         Body        2.0     
Cluster Sniper Ammo (20)      Body        2.0 So impressions people how would you deal with the hover swarm?

[Retry]

LTACs, probably.  Maybe airburst mortars.

[Red Pins]

Barring the MRM and artillery one, I'd ignore them.  Artillery cannons are slow death, Laser-guided LRMs apparently ignore TMMs.  Maybe Thunder (FASCAM) round? Sorry, don't remember if they can be detonated by hovers.  I've done damaged hexes to create craters to pen them in, too.  That was before TW, though.

You've got nice speed, fair to poor armor, so-so range and sacrificed too much for it in terms of cost and BPV.  The SM-1 is $3 million and 1500 BPV2.  The MRM unit is $9 million and 1221 BPV2.  I'd say the most effective version would be a missile version; something to stay at long range.  Might want to consider minelayers, Arrow IV, etc., too - a combat role that keeps them out of direct combat would allow a decrease in expensive speed.

Might want to check if there's an armored motive system mod, too.  Sorry, don't remember.  When speed is life, motive crits=death.

[AlphaMirage]

Put wooded, rough, or otherwise constricting terrain in between them and my unit in order to channel them into active minefields and infantry ambushes. Use LBX, Smoke, and ECM to negate their advantages. Send in choppers and conventional fighters with cluster bombs (yes fighters can drop bombs) to take on anything but the LBX version.

Also you should not put the C3 Master computer in the spotter, you put it in the shooter, that is what the Slave is for. Spotters are meant to get into effective weapon's range and might get shot.

Now a superheavy hover (or that Artillery unit with say LRMs or maybe A4 instead) carrying 2 Masters linking two Itano Shooters (dropping them down to say 30s with some reduction in ammo to fit the Master) with 9 Slaves (like in Configuration 2 of the TW) which are instead armed with TAG and Inferno or Smoke rounds in a SRM-4. That might tricky to deal with because that is a super adaptive system that could work with cavalry hover-tanks and support the rest of the force.

Additionally artillery on the move is actually really inefficient as every time you reposition its a new attack roll. Artillery really benefits from a more static position and if you want good mobility putting it on a wheeled chassis might work better.

You also have to much ammo for the LBX and arguably the MRM as well, hovercraft really need to optimize for their carry load as mass is sparse. You might better served by just disengaging to seek out resupply and repairs after an engagement rather than pressing your luck.

[Primus203]

So I'm just noting alpha the hovercraft move as a unit so all of them would be under an lb-x umbrella meaning your planes and choppers would be at risk if you tried it.

To be more specific the devastator would stay at max range the boxers would go in close and pop out and the lb-x would be just slightly behind the devastators with the mrm launchers the only ones at the edge of the aa umbrella are the boxers and they'd still be in it.

I will however take the lrm design into account and work from there.

Also didnt know about artillery movement issues wasnt to set on it anyways so ill stick to the tracked design more armor and much more ammo.

For the mrm you’ve actually inspired me mrm 30 with c3 master paired with cheap stripped down hover slave c3 lots of armor and some srm.

[AlphaMirage]

So I'm just noting alpha the hovercraft move as a unit so all of them would be under an lb-x umbrella meaning your planes and choppers would be at risk if you tried it.

Doesn't mean I won't risk it, I can still make it a difficult shot and its unlikely a few LBX will bring me down if I have 4/4s in the cockpit.

Suggestion (that I would never use but you can) something like this would be pretty dangerous

Itano Missile Double Master Tank
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Cost: 14,226,667 C-bills
Battle Value: 789 (+C3 Multiplier)

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Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    168                   8.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         44   
     R/L Side               5/5      34/34   
     Rear                    5         26   
     Turret                  5         30   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
LRM 10                 Turret       5.0     
LRM 10 Ammo (36)        Body        3.0     
C3 Computer             Body       5.0     
C3 Computer            Body        5.0     
Type: Whirlwind C3 Gun Tank
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 45
Cost: 3,155,900 C-bills
Battle Value: 896 (+C3 Multiplier)

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Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  4.5
Engine                        170 Fusion              9
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     4.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    197                    10

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         49   
     R/L Side               5/5      39/39   
     Rear                    5         31   
     Turret                  5         39   


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage   
Vehicular Grenade Launcher        Rear        0.5     
Anti-Missile System               Left        0.5     
Anti-Missile System              Right        0.5     
LB 5-X AC                        Turret       8.0     
Anti-Missile System Ammo (12)     Body        1.0     
C3 Slave Computer                       Body        1.0     
LB 5-X AC Ammo (40)               Body        2.0     
Smoke Grenades (1)                Body        0.0     
Type: Heatwave C3 Master Laser Tank
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 45
Cost: 5,374,150 C-bills
Battle Value: 994 (+C3 Multipler)

Code: [Select]

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  4.5
Engine                        170 Fusion              9
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   12                      2
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     4.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    197                    10

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         49   
     R/L Side               5/5      39/39   
     Rear                    5         31   
     Turret                  5         39   


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage   
Anti-Missile System               Left        0.5   
Anti-Missile System              Right        0.5     
ER Large Laser                   Turret       5.0   
C3 Master Computer          Body        5.0     
Anti-Missile System Ammo (12)     Body        1.0     
Type: Hailstorm C3 Slave Missile Tank (MRM)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 45
Cost: 2,664,750 C-bills
Battle Value: 1,045 (+C3 Multiplier)

Code: [Select]

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  4.5
Engine                        170 Fusion              9
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     4.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    188                   9.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         47   
     R/L Side               5/5      37/37   
     Rear                    5         30   
     Turret                  5         37   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
MRM 30                 Turret       10.0   
C3 Slave Computer             Body        1.0     
MRM 30 Ammo (24)        Body        3.0     
Type: Hailstorm C3 Slave Missile Tank (LRM Variant)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 45
Cost: 2,854,750 C-bills
Battle Value: 1,086 (+C3 Multiplier)

Code: [Select]

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  4.5
Engine                        170 Fusion              9
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     4.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    188                   9.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         47   
     R/L Side               5/5      37/37   
     Rear                    5         30   
     Turret                  5         37   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
LRM 20                 Turret       10.0   
C3 Slave Computer             Body        1.0     
LRM 20 Ammo (18)        Body        3.0     
Type: Blitz C3 Slave Missile Tank
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 30
Cost: 1,777,600 C-bills
Battle Value: 595 (+C3 Multiplier)

Code: [Select]

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    3
Engine                        140 Fusion            7.5
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     3.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    128                   6.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         35   
     R/L Side               3/3      26/26   
     Rear                    3         21   
     Turret                  3         20   


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage   
Anti-Missile System               Left        0.5     
Anti-Missile System              Right        0.5     
Anti-Missile System Ammo (24)     Body        2.0     
C3 Slave Computer                       Body        1.0     
SRM 6 Ammo (15)                   Body        1.0     
SRM 6                            Turret       3.0     
Type: Blaze C3 Slave Laser Tank
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 30
Cost: 1,808,000 C-bills
Battle Value: 755 (+C3 Multiplier)

Code: [Select]

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    3
Engine                        140 Fusion            7.5
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     3.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    128                   6.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         35   
     R/L Side               3/3      26/26   
     Rear                    3         21   
     Turret                  3         20   


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage   
Anti-Missile System               Left        0.5     
TAG                            Front        1.0     
Anti-Missile System              Right        0.5     
Anti-Missile System Ammo (24)     Body        2.0     
C3 Slave Computer                       Body        1.0     
3 Medium Lasers                  Turret       3.0     
Now based on my understanding of how C3 works (and its weird) the Itano can link with the Masters of two Heatwaves and three other units (likely the Hailstorms). Each Heatwave can in turn link to a Whirlwind and two spotters and enable fire from any unit connected to the network. So you have potentially 70 (possibly semi-guided) LRMs or 90 MRMs dropping in per network. If supported by say a roving fireteam of 4 Regulator A4s you can add additional Artillery (and/or Air Defense).

All while being much cheaper and mostly better defended.

Calculated BV
Itano 789
Whirlwindx2 896
Heatwavex2 994
MRM Hailstormx2 1045
LRM Hailstorm 1086
Blitzx2 595
Blazex2 755
Total BV 10,445
5% C3 Penalty (to each unit) 522
Modified BV 6,264 (+ any SG-Ammo)
Total BV 16,719 (for a 4/5)

[Red Pins]

I'd suggest playing a couple trial games, either megamek or solitare pen and paper games to try it.  Swarm tactics have been around for about as long as the game, and don't noticeably end with a higher percentage of wins.  YMMV, of course.

[Primus203]

So based on replies I've overhauled some concepts. First c3 is finicky vulnerable to ecm and pricy in several ways so I dropped that. The second is that most of you though that most units I put as is weren't worth it.

Also alpha proposed using minefields and infantry to stop them so I went back to the drawing board.

The units I made have two variants each an XL with two more points of speed half a ton of armor less and notably increased cost and a budget with only eight speed notably less cost and half a ton more of armor.

The Jager is a hovercraft meant to address most of the stated counters. Mounting four lrm 5 as that's more tonnage efficient though less crit efficient than an lrm 20. A ton of smoke for cover, a ton of thunder inferno to deal with infantry, a ton of mineclearing to blow a path through minefields. Three tons of regular ammo to smash everything else.

XL

Code: [Select]

Jeger Hovertank XL

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     4 LRM 5
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 10,263,667 C-bills

Type: Jeger
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 1,067

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          125                     7

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         31   
     R/L Side               5/5      25/25   
     Rear                    5         19   
     Turret                  5         25   


Weapons
and Ammo                          Location    Tonnage   
4 LRM 5                            Turret       8.0     
Small Pulse Laser                  Turret       1.0     
Laser AMS                          Turret       1.5     
LRM 5 Ammo (72)                     Body        3.0     
LRM 5 Thunder-Inferno Ammo (12)     Body        1.0     
Angel ECM Suite                     Body        2.0     
LRM 5 Mine Clearance Ammo (24)      Body        1.0     
LRM 5 Smoke Ammo (24)               Body        1.0     Budget Jeger

Code: [Select]

Jeger Hovertank Budget

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 165 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     4 LRM 5
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 4,317,000 C-bills

Type: Jeger
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 985

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        165 Fusion             10
Cruising MP: 8
Flank MP: 12
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          134                   7.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         35   
     R/L Side               5/5      26/26   
     Rear                    5         21   
     Turret                  5         26   


Weapons
and Ammo                          Location    Tonnage   
4 LRM 5                            Turret       8.0     
Small Pulse Laser                  Turret       1.0     
Laser AMS                          Turret       1.5     
LRM 5 Ammo (72)                     Body        3.0     
LRM 5 Thunder-Inferno Ammo (12)     Body        1.0     
Angel ECM Suite                     Body        2.0     
LRM 5 Mine Clearance Ammo (24)      Body        1.0     
LRM 5 Smoke Ammo (24)               Body        1.0     Metalstorm remains unchanged renamed to Metalstorm XL for identification purposes.

Code: [Select]

Metalstorm Hovertank

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 LB 5-X AC
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 8,988,667 C-bills

Type: Metalstorm
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 812

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          107                     6

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         27   
     R/L Side               5/5      21/21   
     Rear                    5         17   
     Turret                  5         21   


Weapons
and Ammo                    Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS                    Front        1.5     
Small Pulse Laser            Turret       1.0     
LB 5-X AC                    Turret       8.0     
CASE                          Body        0.5     
LB 5-X Cluster Ammo (120)     Body        6.0     
Targeting Computer             BD         3.0  Budget metalstorm

Code: [Select]

Metalstorm Hovertank Budget

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 165 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 LB 5-X AC
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3060
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 3,022,000 C-bills

Type: Metalstorm
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 728

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        165 Fusion             10
Cruising MP: 8
Flank MP: 12
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          107                   6.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         27   
     R/L Side               5/5      21/21   
     Rear                    5         17   
     Turret                  5         21   


Weapons
and Ammo                    Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS                    Front        1.5     
Small Pulse Laser            Turret       1.0     
LB 5-X AC                    Turret       8.0     
CASE                          Body        0.5     
LB 5-X Cluster Ammo (120)     Body        6.0     
Targeting Computer             BD         3.0  Another new design unknown if I'll use it or not. In concept its meant to be close anti mek defense in case something pops up close and surprises us. Mounts an ac-20 due to having only one spare ton left for ammo caseless was chosen giving it ten shots. Not intended to go looking for a fight.

Code: [Select]

Door Knocker Hovertank XL

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 265 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 AC/20
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 10,268,667 C-bills

Type: Door Knocker
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 964

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        265 XL               10.5
Cruising MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             2.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          98                    5.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         26   
     R/L Side               5/5      19/19   
     Rear                    5         15   
     Turret                  5         19   


Weapons
and Ammo                   Location    Tonnage   
AC/20                       Turret       14.0   
Small Pulse Laser           Turret       1.0     
Laser AMS                   Turret       1.5     
Angel ECM Suite              Body        2.0     
Caseless AC/20 Ammo (10)     Body        1.0     Budget Door Knocker

Code: [Select]

Door Knocker Hovertank Budget

Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 165 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Small Pulse Laser
     1 AC/20
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 4,322,000 C-bills

Type: Door Knocker
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 889

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    5
Engine                        165 Fusion             10
Cruising MP: 8
Flank MP: 12
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  2.5
Lift Equipment:                                     5.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             2.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          107                     6

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   5         27   
     R/L Side               5/5      21/21   
     Rear                    5         17   
     Turret                  5         21   


Weapons
and Ammo                   Location    Tonnage   
AC/20                       Turret       14.0   
Small Pulse Laser           Turret       1.0     
Laser AMS                   Turret       1.5     
Angel ECM Suite              Body        2.0     
Caseless AC/20 Ammo (10)     Body        1.0    Hussar Hover Recon a redesigned hover of the craft of same name at top of page. Armed has been dropped from name along with offensive armaments. Laser AMS remains. In place of weapons is an bloodhound active probe for minefield and hidden enemy detection. A minor reduction in speed in both XL and budget versions allows max armor for frame weight to be carried.

Hussar XL

Code: [Select]

Hussar Hover Recon XL

Mass: 25 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 220 XL
Cruising Speed: 151.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 226.8 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 3,647,500 C-bills

Type: Hussar
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 465

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  2.5
Engine                        220 XL                7.5
Cruising MP: 14
Flank MP: 21
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     2.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          127                   7.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         40   
     R/L Side               3/3      31/31   
     Rear                    3         25   


Weapons
and Ammo                  Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS                  Front        1.5     
Bloodhound Active Probe     Body        2.0    Hussar Budget

Code: [Select]

Hussar Hover Recon Budget

Mass: 25 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 145 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 118.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 183.6 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 Laser AMS
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3065
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 1,810,000 C-bills

Type: Hussar
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 430

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  2.5
Engine                        145 Fusion            7.5
Cruising MP: 11
Flank MP: 17
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     2.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          127                   7.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         40   
     R/L Side               3/3      31/31   
     Rear                    3         25   


Weapons
and Ammo                  Location    Tonnage   
Laser AMS                  Front        1.5     
Bloodhound Active Probe     Body        2.0     Current force composition planned two to three hussar for redundancy. One to two if any Doorknocker. Two or three to one ratio of Jager to Metalstorm.

[Retry]

Finally got some time so I'll put my observations on the 1st post.

General:
-The vast majority of the Hovercraft are exactly 50 tons and 10/15 speed.  A lot of these could be compacted into one Omni-Chassis with careful selection of variants.
-They're rather expensive, about a similar cost to a good medium XLE 'Mech or a SFE Assault 'Mech.

Laser Devastator:
-Hot ERLL + hot LAMS means the you're losing nearly 20% of your weight to heat sinks.  You'd probably be better off with an ERPPC as planned, while replacing the hot and heavy laser AMS with the standard model.

Laser Boxer:
-Same deal.  Lots of tonnage lost to heat sinks.  Scrap the laser AMS for a default one and you can make the tank far, far lighter and cheaper.

Metal Storm:
-Absurd amount of ammo for that gun.  For pure AA, you'd actually be better off scrapping that -5 for twin -2s and less ammo for the extra range.

Hover APC:
-Insane amount of space.  15 tons is enough to carry 5 platoons, or 3 Clan points of elementals.  Even when using optional rules to have BA take up space closer to their actual weights, 8-12 is the most you need for Assault BA depending on your squad size (4-6).
This increases unload and load times to unacceptable levels and it's too many eggs in one basket.  Reduce the sheer tonnage and target a single "unit" of infantry at a specified weight, and then either use the freed weight to convert it into a high-end IFV or shrink it to more affordable levels.

Sniper:
-Sniper's not practical on normal-sized hovertanks for reasons you have discovered.  Use Thumpers and Arrow IVs instead.

[Daryk]

Laser AMS are rarely optimal on vehicles.  Switch to the ammo fed kind, and see how many tons you free up.

And hard second AOE weapons for dealing with them.  Your TMM doesn't matter when I'm shooting at your hex.

[AlphaMirage]

Additionally on the APC front, probably don't need it for a cavalry section, they are meant to be flankers. You're probably better off with a VTOL, equipped with LRM smoke to deliver your troops into cover, or probe ahead for ambushes.

[Primus203]

So I actually have several vtol built on the lines you suggested alpha my question to people here because I don't want to start a new thread for this. A thirty one to sixty ton vtol is considered superheavy a fifty one to one hundred ton hovercraft is considered superheavy. Does the superheavy vtol and hovercraft fit in a large vehicle bay they are in the tonnage range or as "superheavies" are they requred to be in a superheavy vehicle bay.