Design Challenge: BugMechs as General-Purpose Troopers?

[Cavgunner]

If you have RL-15s you always have room to replace them with 10s.

Man I wish they'd written in some good reason to actually use the larger rocket packs.

The only reason I can think of is perhaps on a small vehicle you might have tonnage left, but few equipment slots.

Even then, that's a questionable justification.

[kindalas]

Yeah, that's a lot of tech, but it doesn't mean it doesn't work.  As for C3 masters, you could always put those in tanks or mobile HQ units.

A (hover)tank/VTOL that could coordinate squads of Bug mechs is actually a perfect solution.

Maybe a 30ton VTOL with a C3M and lift hoists for post battle recovery would fill that niche.

[Gorgon]

A (hover)tank/VTOL that could coordinate squads of Bug mechs is actually a perfect solution.

Maybe a 30ton VTOL with a C3M and lift hoists for post battle recovery would fill that niche.

That could be quite useful. A quick calculation gives me a VTOL with C3M, GECM, 2 lifthoists, paramedics equipment and a 3 ton infantry compartment for techs, medics and recovered pilots. All at 8/12 and with a modest 2.5 tons of armor.

Code: [Select]

Red Robin

Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Armor: Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     1 C3 Computer (Master)
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-X-D
Cost: 4,365,000 C-bills

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    3
Engine                        100 Fuel Cell           4
    Cruising MP: 8
    Flank MP: 12
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     3.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor (Heavy Ferro)    49                    2.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         15   
     R/L Side               3/3      11/11   
     Rear                    3         10   
     Rotor                   3         2     


Weapons
and Ammo                       Location    Tonnage       
2 Lift Hoist/Arresting Hoist     Rear        6.0     
Paramedic Equipment              Left        0.25   
Paramedic Equipment             Right        0.25   
C3 Computer                      Body        5.0     
ECM Suite                        Body        1.5     
Infantry                         Body        3.0

[Daryk]

Nice work! :)

[Giovanni Blasini]

OK, had a couple other crazy ideas when I should be sleeping, both basically Introtech 25-ton Wasps based on the Primitive Wasp in appearance.

Code: [Select]

Super Wasp WSP-2B
 3020 IS Light

Source: My Own Custom /
Type/Model: Super Wasp WSP-2B
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3020
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Standard design

Mass: 25 tons
Chassis: 1A Type 3 Standard
Power Plant: 125 Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Running Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Standard Jump Jet
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Jump Jet Manufacturer: Rawlings 52 Standard Jump Jets
Armor Type: Durallex Light Standard Standard
Armament:
 1 PPC
Manufacturer:
 Location:
Communications System: System: Duotech 65
Targeting and Tracking System: Radcom TXX

   
---------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:  Super Wasp WSP-2B
Mass: 25 tons

Equipment:                                 Crits    Mass
Int. Struct.:  43 pts Standard               0      2.50
Engine:        125 Fusion                    6      4.00
   Walking MP:   5
   Running MP:   8
   Jumping MP:   5
Heat Sinks:     10 Single                    5      0.00
 (Heat Sink Loc.: 1 HD,2 LT,2 RT)
Gyro:                                        4      2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors:                5      3.00
L: Sh+UA+LA+H    R: Sh+UA+LA                 7      0.00
Armor Factor:   64 Standard                  0      4.00

                          Internal    Armor
                          Structure   Value
   Head:                      3          6
   Center Torso:              8         10
   Center Torso (Rear):                  4
   L/R Side Torso:            6        7/7
   L/R Side Torso (Rear):              2/2
   L/R Arm:                   4        6/6
   L/R Leg:                   6        7/7
 
Weapons and Equipment    Loc  Heat  Ammo   Crits     Mass
---------------------------------------------------------
1 PPC                    RA      10           3      7.00
5 Standard Jump Jets:    -        0           5      2.50
   (Jump Jet Loc: 1 CT,1 LL,1 LT,1 RL,1 RT)
---------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                          10           5      9.50
Crits and Tons Left:                         35             
 
Calculated Factors
Total Cost:        1,937,917 C-Bill
Battle Value (BV1):547
Battle Value (BV2):662 

Code: [Select]

Super Wasp WSP-2C
 3020 IS Light

Source: My Own Custom /
Type/Model: Super Wasp WSP-2C
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3020
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Standard design

Mass: 25 tons
Chassis: 1A Type 3 Standard
Power Plant: 125 Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Running Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Standard Jump Jet
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Jump Jet Manufacturer: Rawlings 52 Standard Jump Jets
Armor Type: Durallex Light Standard Standard
Armament:
 1 Medium Laser
 1 Large Laser
Manufacturer:
 Location:
Communications System: System: Duotech 65
Targeting and Tracking System: Radcom TXX

   
---------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:  Super Wasp WSP-2C
Mass: 25 tons

Equipment:                                 Crits    Mass
Int. Struct.:  43 pts Standard               0      2.50
Engine:        125 Fusion                    6      4.00
   Walking MP:   5
   Running MP:   8
   Jumping MP:   5
Heat Sinks:     10 Single                    5      0.00
 (Heat Sink Loc.: 1 HD,2 LT,2 RT)
Gyro:                                        4      2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors:                5      3.00
L: Sh+UA+LA+H    R: Sh+UA+LA                 7      0.00
Armor Factor:   80 Standard                  0      5.00

                          Internal    Armor
                          Structure   Value
   Head:                      3          8
   Center Torso:              8         11
   Center Torso (Rear):                  5
   L/R Side Torso:            6        8/8
   L/R Side Torso (Rear):              3/3
   L/R Arm:                   4        7/7
   L/R Leg:                   6      10/10
 
Weapons and Equipment    Loc  Heat  Ammo   Crits     Mass
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Medium Laser           LA       3           1      1.00
1 Large Laser            RA       8           2      5.00
5 Standard Jump Jets:    -        0           5      2.50
   (Jump Jet Loc: 1 CT,1 LL,1 LT,1 RL,1 RT)
---------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                          11           5      8.50
Crits and Tons Left:                         35             
 
Calculated Factors
Total Cost:        1,875,417 C-Bill
Battle Value (BV1):564
Battle Value (BV2):702 


[Hellraiser]

however the Stinger replaces its hand with a laser

Your thinking of the Wasp.
And even that was only the early on art & strangely only "some" of the RS.
The most recent Art/RS both have a Right Hand IIRC.

Stinger has Always had both hands.

[Hellraiser]

Base it on the Hornet, 5/8 movement. Build a fire support version with no JJs and twin LRM5s, a lightly armored (no JJ) AA version with an AC/2 and ML, a skirmisher with 5 JJ, ML and LRM5, plus an infighter with 5 JJ, 3 MLs and a MG.

THIS, only, I'd just say "Insert Hornet" (151/152) and call it a day.

[Hellraiser]

So here's a 3025 take on the task. Medium lasers for anti-'mech work, machine guns for anti-infantry, and SRMs to carry infernos or to crit seek depending on operational needs.

Code: [Select]

Type/Model:    Soldier SLD-3R

I like this, it REALLY reminds me of my Gendarmerie mech, only mine dropped the SRMs for more MGs & JJs.

[Giovanni Blasini]

Base it on the Hornet, 5/8 movement. Build a fire support version with no JJs and twin LRM5s, a lightly armored (no JJ) AA version with an AC/2 and ML, a skirmisher with 5 JJ, ML and LRM5, plus an infighter with 5 JJ, 3 MLs and a MG.

THIS, only, I'd just say "Insert Hornet" (151/152) and call it a day.

So...Baby Urbie for the win?  Or maybe even a less high-tech Gun omni?

[Daryk]

An MM-1 swap for an LRM-5 would complete that family (for the AOE goodness)... :)

[Giovanni Blasini]

An MM-1 swap for an LRM-5 would complete that family (for the AOE goodness)... :)

I'm away from my PC at the moment, but I'm thinking giving the missile launcher and bin the Modular Weapon trait, and having it be a pseudo Omni, able to fit a predefined set of 3-ton packs:

• LRM-5 with 24 rounds
• SRM-4 with 25 rounds
• MM/1 with 24 rounds
• Light PPC
• BAP and ECM
• Fluid Gun with 20 rounds ammo

[Daryk]

That's a great idea! :)

[Hellraiser]

I like that too.

Leans back to the old "Battletechnology ScreamingHawk" IIRC w/ its Modular SRM4/LRM5 slot.

Also a nice Anti-Infantry pack of 5-LMG & 100 Shots

Possibly one w/ MML-3 & ERSL & 1 Ton Ammo (Variable) for a faster swap out than the full LRM5/SRM4 slots.

Additional Electronics Packs of Angel+C3S & Watchdog+TAG

PS.  What is an MM-1?   I feel like I'm totally missing something here.

[Daryk]

'Mech Mortar-1.  It's the lightest AOE package you can get in 3025... ;)

[Hellraiser]

/facepalm

DOH.   

Thanks,  MechMortar.

I was totally lost for the meaning of MM.

[Hellraiser]

It's the lightest AOE package you can get in 3025... ;)

Though, according to Sarna you can't actually "GET" it in 3025

Year Extinction   IS = 2819
Year Reintroduced   IS = 3043 FC

Seems it actually went out of production thanks to LRMs till the AMS was reintroduced post Wo39.

[Daryk]

Extinct production, sure, but they at least "exist" in 3025... :)

[DarthMetool]

Here's a rather more generic entry for a bug trooper.  Geez, a lot of these designs you folks are putting out are awesome!  Here we go.

JJ-1 Jackjumper (25 tons)
Named after the jack jumper ant of Australia, this 25 ton trooper moves 5/8/3 and carries a medium laser as a main weapon, a MML-3 for long and short range barrages from a full lance of Jackjumpers, and a small pulse laser for anti-infantry and close-in work.  It carries 5 tons of armor and a chaff pod for defense.  No, they don't get to have those expensive ECM suites.  A chaff pod is just fine.

Code: [Select]

Jackjumper JJ-1

Mass: 25 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Era Specific
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 1,806,667 C-Bills
Total Cost: 1,863,667 C-Bills
Battle Value: 580

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 125 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    1  Medium Laser
    1  MML-3
    1  Small Pulse Laser
    1  Chaff Pod
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      43 points                2.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                125                       4.00
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 3 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 1 LL, 1 RL                                   1.50
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 3 LT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               2.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV -  80                  5.00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     8            12       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  3         
                                           L/R Torso     6            10       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  2         
                                             L/R Arm     4            7         
                                             L/R Leg     6            9         

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Pulse Laser                            CT        2         1         1.00
MML-3                                        RT        2         2         1.50
Chaff Pod                                    LT        0         1         1.00
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1.00
@MML-3 (LRM) (40)                            LT        -         1         1.00
@MML-3 (SRM) (33)                            LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 31

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      3    Points: 6
5/2j       2       1       1       0      1     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA



[Hellraiser]

The only reason I can think of is perhaps on a small vehicle you might have tonnage left, but few equipment slots.

Even then, that's a questionable justification.

2 words.........  Battle Value

If you know your using something in close, you don't need to pay BV for being able to shoot further, this is why IS Tech & Clan Heavy Lasers still shine.

[Hellraiser]

Extinct production, sure, but they at least "exist" in 3025... :)

I don't think that's what that means.

Based on the dates listed & the Sarna notations, it looks like it stopped production by 2819 & was full on Extinct by 2835.

From then on it wasn't available, much like Warships or Endosteel.

Extinct is extinct.

[Daryk]

Unless you were ComStar, of course... ;)

[RifleMech]

Not bad.  And if you're willing to juggle a bit, depending on era, you could even make it a Hornet Omni to compete with the Gùn: with a standard engine, standard internals, 4 tons of standard armor and you've got 7 tons left for pod space, meaning only the AC/2 version would need to be tweaked (to just an AC/2, dropping the ML, for example).

Late reply but I didn't see IAC or PACs mentioned. I did see LACs mentioned but not in reference to the Hornet. Apologies if I missed it

The IAC/2 with ammo should leave room for a ML or ERML. An upgrade could use PACs for the Clans and LACs for the IS.

AA + Fire Support
C PAC/2+ammo +LRM-5+ammo+ERSL
IS LAC/2+ammo+SRM-2+ammo

AA + Sniper
C PAC/2+ammo+TC+SRM-2+ammo
IS LAC/2+ammo+ammo+ERML

AA+ Scout
C PAC/2+ammo+light AP+ECM+ERML
IS LAC2+ammo+ECM+Remote Sensor Dispenser

Scout hunter/Skirmisher
C PAC/4+ammo+SRM-2+ammo+ERML
IS LAC/5+ammo+ERML

Trooper
C PAC/8+ammo+ERSL

for kicks and intended for low tech worlds who can just barely afford unloaded OMNIs and empty pods

Scouts
MRC+ammo+2RL-10s
MRC+ammo+RL-10+MG+1/2 ammo
Civil Patrol
LRC+ammo+VFlamer+ammo+MG+1/2 ammo+VGL

I also didn't see BA weapons. How about a mini Macross Tomahawk? I think I got the ammo amount right and I swapped the 6 shot missile launcher for an active probe.

Tomahawk  20 tons
IS                  2
Engine  100    3
Walk 5
Run 8
Jump 2
Gyro               1
Heat Sinks 10
Cockpit small   2
Armor   64       4
H      8
CT   10/2     
R/LT 8/2
R/LA  4
RLL    8

2 BA LMG                  2 H                   .5
2 CASE                     1 RT, 1 LT           1
2 Jump Jets               1 RT, 1 LT           1
2 Ammo (LMG) 500    1 RT, 1 LT          .02
2 BA MRR                  1 RT, 1 LT           .5
2 Ammo (MRR) 40      1 RT, 1LT          .08
2 BA Flamers             1 RT, 1 LT          .5
2 Ammo (Flamer) 40  1 RT, 1 LT         .02
2 BA SL                     1 RT, 1 LT         .5
2 BA MG                    1 RT, 1 LT         .5
Ammo (MG) 500         1 RT, 1 LT        .5
2 RL-15s                    2 RT, 2 LT          2
BA Searchlight            1 LT                .01
BA Active Probe           1 RT              .25
2 BA Support PPCs      1 RA, 1 LA        .5