Author Topic: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian  (Read 1287 times)

mbear

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Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« on: 19 July 2019, 09:32:11 »
Centurion Praetorian CN9-AHP

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 3,719,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 996

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 200 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  LB 10-X AC
    2  Medium Lasers
    1  MML-3
    1  Sword
    1  Small Shield
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
Built as a ceremonial bodyguard unit, the Centurion Praetorian is most
often seen patrolling Alphard as part of the Marian Hegemony's I Legio.

Based on a Succession War era CN9-A chassis, the most dramatic changes are in
the arms, with a clipeus-round shield added to the left arm and a
gladius-shaped sword in the right arm. Alphard Trading Company engineers
mirrored the left hand actuator to create the one for the right arm since no
other options were available.

The typical missile launcher and autocannon were also removed. In their place
is an LB 10-X diverted from CN9-H production and a single MML-3. The LB 10-X
was moved to the right torso as the arm couldn't mount both the sword and the
autocannon. Given the 'Mechs role as a ceremonial bodyguard, the Centurion
Praetorian
's MML ammunition bay usually carries a ton of Tear Gas rounds to
disperse hostile crowds and a ton of Infernos for other targets. In addition,
both medium lasers now fire forward.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      83 points                5.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                200                       8.50
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               2.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 136                  8.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     16           18       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     12           13       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     8            16       
                                             L/R Leg     12           16       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sword                                        RA        -         4         2.50
Small Shield                                 LA        -         3         2.00
LB 10-X AC                                   RT        2         6        11.00
MML-3                                        LT        2         2         1.50
2 Medium Lasers                              CT        6         2         2.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      RT        -         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RT        -         1         1.00
@MML-3 (SRM Inferno) (33)                    LT        -         1         1.00
@MML-3 (SRM Tear) (33)                       LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 24

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 10
4          2       2       1       0      2     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: MEL, SHLD, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/1
« Last Edit: 15 March 2021, 12:41:58 by mbear »
Be the Loremaster:

Battletech transport rules take a very feline approach to moving troops in a combat zone: If they fits, they ships.

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what? (Thanks Sartis!)

Natasha Kerensky

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Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #1 on: 19 July 2019, 10:58:17 »

Nice concept.  And nice execution keeping the bulk of the the Centurion’s firepower.  I’d be tempted to go with some RLs in place of the MMLs to keep the Centurion’s look.  Or some fibrous-fibrous armor or a light engine to add more MMLs (but that tech is hard to justify in the Marian Hegemony).

The Crusader needs the same treatment as this and the canon Black Knight -3A and Atlas III.
« Last Edit: 19 July 2019, 11:18:15 by Natasha Kerensky »
"Ah, yes.  The belle dame sans merci.  The sweet young thing who will blast your nuts off.  The kitten with a whip.  That mystique?"
"Slavish adherence to formal ritual is a sign that one has nothing better to think about."
"Variety is the spice of battle."
"I've fought in... what... a hundred battles, a thousand battles?  It could be a million as far as I know.  I've fought for anybody who offered a decent contract and a couple who didn't.  And the universe is not much different after all that.  I could go on fighting for another hundred years and it would still look the same."
"I'm in mourning for my life."
"Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down into darkness."

mbear

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Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #2 on: 22 July 2019, 09:18:57 »
Nice concept.  And nice execution keeping the bulk of the the Centurion’s firepower.  I’d be tempted to go with some RLs in place of the MMLs to keep the Centurion’s look.  Or some fibrous-fibrous armor or a light engine to add more MMLs (but that tech is hard to justify in the Marian Hegemony).

The Crusader needs the same treatment as this and the canon Black Knight -3A and Atlas III.

I thought about the Rocket Launchers, but given the inaccuracy I thought having them would be a bad thing for a bodyguard unit; Particularly bad if the Caesar or Imperator was present, but not in any armor. (Imagine having to explain why the leader of your nation was dead because your rocket missed. Eeep.  :'( )

I also used the Centurion because I was pretty sure the Hegemony can build it. And I think you're right about the FerroFibrous armor and engine, but I thought the Hegemony would be more likely to assign such units to line forces instead of bodyguard/ceremonial units. But the MH might use the Centurion as a test bed for new technologies like that. (That's the thinking behind my Centurion Tribune designs.)
Be the Loremaster:

Battletech transport rules take a very feline approach to moving troops in a combat zone: If they fits, they ships.

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what? (Thanks Sartis!)

Cyk0

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Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #3 on: 28 July 2019, 08:04:48 »
Cool idea!

It inspired me to do a legion version. (though I went for a front line higher tech 3080s something version.

Code: [Select]
Marian centurion

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Dark Ages
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 3132
Cost: 7,866,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,765

Chassis: Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 250 Light Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h (43.2 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h (64.8 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
Armor: Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    1  Heavy PPC + PPC Capacitor
    6  Rocket Launcher 10s
    1  Flamer
    1  Large Shield

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      83 points                5.00
Engine:             Light Fusion Engine          250                       9.50
    Walking MP: 5 (4)
    Running MP: 8 (6)
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
Gyro:               XL                                                     1.50
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Heavy Ferro-Fibrous          AV - 168                  8.50
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 4 LT, 10 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     16           24       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     12           18       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     8            16       
                                             L/R Leg     12           24       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Rocket Launcher 10s                        LT        18        6         3.00
Heavy PPC + PPC Capacitor                    RA        20        4        10.00
    Heavy PPC + PPC Capacitor                RA        5*        1         1.00
Flamer                                       RA        3         1         1.00
A.E.S.                                       RA        -         2         1.50
Large Shield                                 LA        -         7         6.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 0

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 18
4          2       2       2       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: MEL, SHLD, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
The large shield is hard to fit in there without Bringin in more advanced stuff

mbear

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Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #4 on: 29 July 2019, 07:26:50 »
Cool idea! It inspired me to do a legion version. (though I went for a front line higher tech 3080s something version.

Looks like a logical progression to me. Nice design! I like the plethora of rocket launchers. That really gives is the Marian feeling. Though I'm not sure about the heavy PPC. Though it's a great option here, I'd think they'd stick with the proven autocannons they're used to. LB 10-X and Ultra AC/10s; But that's just me. Though now that I think of it some more I suppose some clever miles could name their ride "Jupiter" and throw lightning. I withdraw my comment.

The large shield is hard to fit in there without Bringin in more advanced stuff

That's what I found too. I stuck to the small shield because of weight and critical space reasons, but it makes sense that by the time the MH has front-line versions of the design they would've figured out how to make large shields available. (I forsee a Marian Hegemony Centurion with a Scutum-style large shield.) The light engine is a nice choice as well.
Be the Loremaster:

Battletech transport rules take a very feline approach to moving troops in a combat zone: If they fits, they ships.

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what? (Thanks Sartis!)

Cyk0

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  • Posts: 188
Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #5 on: 30 July 2019, 09:27:23 »
I'd think they'd stick with the proven autocannons they're used to. LB 10-X and Ultra AC/10s; But that's just me
Its not just you, but I had a hard time using the heatcapacity withun available tonnage/space and I always like a design that feels like its not oversinked. (And with the Rockets being behind the shield id like to blow all of them in a turn...)

Switching it down to single heat sinks makes me feel less bad about it, and I like throwing in some low tech for the Marians (also the reason I stayed away from endo steel)

Had to drop down to one RL wich is less of a doomsday salvo, but at least it has ten tubes just like the classic centurion.
Kept the anti infatry in the arm since the AES is still present (maybe I should switch the machinegun and its ammo for one more ton of AC ammo?).
I even managed to fit a case I in the ammo torso

Code: [Select]
Marian centurion AC

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Dark Ages
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 3132
Cost: 7,734,750 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,344

Chassis: Standard
Power Plant: 250 Light Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h (43.2 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h (64.8 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
Armor: Heavy Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1  LB 10-X AC
    1  Rocket Launcher 10
    1  Machine Gun
    1  Large Shield

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      83 points                5.00
Engine:             Light Fusion Engine          250                       9.50
    Walking MP: 5 (4)
    Running MP: 8 (6)
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Gyro:               XL                                                     1.50
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Heavy Ferro-Fibrous          AV - 168                  8.50
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 9 LT, 6 RT, 1 LA, 2 LL, 2 RL
    CASE Locations: 1 RT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     16           24       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     12           18       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     8            16       
                                             L/R Leg     12           24       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocket Launcher 10                           LT        3         1         0.50
LB 10-X AC                                   RA        2         6        11.00
Machine Gun                                  RA        0         1         0.50
A.E.S.                                       RA        -         2         1.50
Large Shield                                 LA        -         7         6.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RT        -         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      RT        -         1         1.00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              RT        -         1         0.50
                                            Free Critical Slots: 0

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 13
4          1       1       1       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: MEL, SHLD, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/1

mbear

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Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #6 on: 31 July 2019, 08:07:56 »
Its not just you, but I had a hard time using the heatcapacity withun available tonnage/space and I always like a design that feels like its not oversinked. (And with the Rockets being behind the shield id like to blow all of them in a turn...)

Switching it down to single heat sinks makes me feel less bad about it, and I like throwing in some low tech for the Marians (also the reason I stayed away from endo steel)

Had to drop down to one RL wich is less of a doomsday salvo, but at least it has ten tubes just like the classic centurion.
Kept the anti infatry in the arm since the AES is still present (maybe I should switch the machinegun and its ammo for one more ton of AC ammo?).

I think your ammunition amounts are fine. 20 LBX rounds and a half ton of MG ammo are plenty for a bodyguard unit that's providing close protection to the Caesar. I mean if the Caesar's guards are anything like the Secret Service protective details, the first thing they're going to do is get the Caesar into a protected location. Your Centurion doesn't have to win the battle by itself: It has to delay threat forces long enough for the Caesar to escape. In other words, if your bodyguard unit needs more AC ammo, something has gone totally wrong. ;)

Normally I'd pick on the use of AES in a MH machine since IMHO it doesn't fit with their tech level. In this case though it can easily be explained by saying the MH pulled in examples/implementations from the Magistracy of Canopus specifically to fit into the Caesar's bodyguard units. Using the "We want our Caesar protected by the best equipment" argument, you could fit an XL engine in there to free up weight for more rocket launchers. Something like this:
Centurion Praetorian Secundus CN9-D-HPS

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 8,757,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,358

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 250 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h (43.2 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h (64.8 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    1  LB 10-X AC
    1  Medium Laser
    1  Small Pulse Laser
    7  Rocket Launcher 10s
    1  Large Shield
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                    83 points                2.50
    Internal Locations: 1 HD, 4 LT, 4 RT, 1 LA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             250                       6.50
    Walking MP: 5 (4)
    Running MP: 8 (6)
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 136                  8.50
    CASE Locations: 1 RT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     16           18       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     12           13       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     8            16       
                                             L/R Leg     12           16       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 10-X AC                                   RA        2         6        11.00
Small Pulse Laser                            RA        2         1         1.00
A.E.S.                                       RA        -         2         1.50
Large Shield                                 LA        -         7         6.00
Rocket Launcher 10                           RT        3         1         0.50
5 Rocket Launcher 10s                        LT        15        5         2.50
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1.00
Rocket Launcher 10                           CT        3         1         0.50
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      RT        -         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 1

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 14
4          2       2       2       0      2     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: MEL, SHLD, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/1



I've dropped the speed from 6/9 to 5/8 to free up weight by using a smaller engine. It still uses a Large Shield, so its top speed is compatible with non-shield bearing Centurions. As you suggested, I've added a bunch of Rocket Launchers across the torsos. (RL-10's and the LB 10-X share range bands, so bracket firing is possible.) The other main change I made was to swap the MG & ammo for a Small Pulse Laser. I kept the AES because weapons used by bodyguards should probably be as stable as possible. (If I could install a monopod or tripod mechanism for braced shots, I would.)

Firing the autocannon, lasers, and a single rocket launcher builds up 10 heat points and single heat sinks are enough to handle that; Movement heat is all that remains. On an alpha strike, the 'Mech will have to dump 30 points of heat. I don't know how likely that is, but we can install double heat sinks if this is a 'Mech that goes out into the field.

I'd like to use some sort of Ferro-Fibrous armor like you did, but I'm out of crits.  :(  I suppose I could dump the rocket launchers, but I don't want to.
« Last Edit: 15 March 2021, 12:45:45 by mbear »
Be the Loremaster:

Battletech transport rules take a very feline approach to moving troops in a combat zone: If they fits, they ships.

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what? (Thanks Sartis!)

Cyk0

  • Sergeant
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  • Posts: 188
Re: Marian Hegemony Centurion Praetorian
« Reply #7 on: 01 August 2019, 02:32:18 »
The AES was partially a carry over from the initial model of an "advanced" Marian centurion. That being said for body guard duty extra expenses can be spared, and as opposed to say a endo steel chassis is wont require a different zero-G production facility. Instead its a tech first produced for mercenaries and later on even put into limited production by mercenaries. So i feel its one of the ones I have less problems pulling in for the design (and if the role is VIP protection accuracy seems like a good thing.

Going from a light to an XL is a viable route, it shouldn't be to bad for the given role. Even though I generally dislike dying to a lost side torso and even more so when one of them is protected by a shield. Then again, if the right torso is lost the mech is rendered combat ineffective anyway.