Mech of the Week: Spartan SPT-N*

[grimlock1]

As for the Spartan... honestly, I should love this thing. I love fast heavies, and this is just a heavier fast heavy, right? But... man, everywhere I look I see problems. MPLs are accurate, but the range blows- standard mediums would be a huge improvements.

The mpls lousy range also eats most of the the accuracy.  From 1 to 6 hexes, the pulse is only more accurate than its standard cousin at 1, 2, and 4 hexes.  At 3, 5, and 6, the range mods are the same. If you work the comparison from the mlas side, it gets worse because the +4 mod at 7-9 hexes is kinda harsh for the mlas, but the coresponding +infinite mod for the pulse is a wee bit worse.

@JadeHellbringer:
          Fair points. The Spartan shows signs of being a rush job, as it largely lacks advanced construction materials. The -NF variant seems to acknowledge the problem of exposed ammo bins, but removing the TAG to do it...  :(

As far the MPLs and their short range: A great post-Jihad update would be to upgrade them to X-Pulse lasers. For the existing models, the mech's speed and armor allows you to get close enough. My only real gripe is that an 80 ton mech relies principally on only 3 MPLs and 2 SRM-2 Streak launchers as its main armament  :-\ Lose some of that generous ammunition and/or mount ferro-fibrous armor in order to add more MPLs or Streak launchers

So we have an 80 tonner, swap 3 mplas for 6 mlas, swap a pair of streak 2's for say a srm 6.  Factor in the PPC...  Why is this staring to sound familiar?

[lucho]

The mpls lousy range also eats most of the the accuracy.  From 1 to 6 hexes, the pulse is only more accurate than its standard cousin at 1, 2, and 4 hexes.  At 3, 5, and 6, the range mods are the same. If you work the comparison from the mlas side, it gets worse because the +4 mod at 7-9 hexes is kinda harsh for the mlas, but the coresponding +infinite mod for the pulse is a wee bit worse.

To be fair, the MPL does a bit more damage.

[Colt Ward]

Well, to be fair the 2 SSRM2 and 2 ammo bins were about using the infernoes to light infantry and vehicles on fire.  It would have been nice to get a LoT entry for one putting FF armor on it and replacing the SSRMs with 4 SRM2s & 2t ammo for burning things up again w/CASE.

[JadeHellbringer]

So we have an 80 tonner, swap 3 mplas for 6 mlas, swap a pair of streak 2's for say a srm 6.  Factor in the PPC...  Why is this staring to sound familiar?

Yeah, yeah, we've all used Yeomans before, we get it.  ;D

[lucho]

Well, to be fair the 2 SSRM2 and 2 ammo bins were about using the infernoes to light infantry and vehicles on fire.  It would have been nice to get a LoT entry for one putting FF armor on it and replacing the SSRMs with 4 SRM2s & 2t ammo for burning things up again w/CASE.

There's nothing mentioned about the writer's intentions; at the time Streaks only came in 2-packs. The accuracy / ammunition efficiency  is, in general, more useful than infernoes. But at the time we were fortunate that we could have it both ways  :)

[Kit deSummersville]

Yeah, yeah, we've all used Yeomans before, we get it.  ;D

Would you like to know more?

[Colt Ward]

There's nothing mentioned about the writer's intentions; at the time Streaks only came in 2-packs. The accuracy / ammunition efficiency  is, in general, more useful than infernoes. But at the time we were fortunate that we could have it both ways  :)

Um?  Streak 6s came out with the Clan mechs, pretty sure 4s did too.  While the SL may have only had SSRM2s at that point, the BT timeline nailing that down came out much later than the mech did in IRL timeline.  Your opinion is that Streak is more useful than infernoes, but not everyone agrees- especially when you play a combined arms environment.  Additionally, the argument would have merit when discussing a single ton of ammo- two with so few launchers is a pretty clear indication the designer had alternate ammo in mind.

[lucho]

Yes, it's just my opinion that the accuracy/ammo efficiency is more useful than infernoes. What I meant about the writer's intentions is that we don't know what the designer was thinking. Did he even know that Streak-2s could load infernoes at the time? Many people didn't; maybe he just had the habit of loading one ton of ammo for every launcher. Until the designer chimes in (is that even possible at this point? ), let's not make too many assumptions

FWIW, I like the accuracy of the Streaks, but a variant designed specifically for infernoes and perhaps a flamer or two would awesome. Infernoes, flamers, and TAG for dealing with Periphery scum  >:D :thumbsup:

[grimlock1]

Yeah, yeah, we've all used Yeomans before, we get it.  ;D

??? Not where I was going...

[JadeHellbringer]

??? Not where I was going...

I know, I was trying to think of the Mech least like the BLR you were getting at in terms of looks/stats for humor's sake. Sorry!

[Colt Ward]

Your humor did not penetrate the internet barrier.

So we have talked about it, but does anyone use it regularly in any flavor?  Does anyone have the mini (if one exists)?

[JadeHellbringer]

Your humor did not penetrate the internet barrier.

So we have talked about it, but does anyone use it regularly in any flavor?  Does anyone have the mini (if one exists)?

Used one once in a grinder (where it died promptly to a through-armor ammo crit because have you met me?).

Mini isn't a great one, honestly- got one in a Christmas exchange a few years ago from Redshirt, who painted it well in olive-drab and black with a gold canopy, like the Halo Master Chief in my earlier post. (Spartan, HAH!)- it's not a well-detailed mini, nor is it in a particularly interesting pose. Unfortunately, hardly unique problems from the 3058 era of Mechs- several from that time suffer the same problems (Night Gyr, Thunder Hawk, Emperor, etc.)

It could really use a resculpt, but with it being as rare as it is both in-universe and in player-designed forces, I doubt it would sell well enough to really be worth the effort- it's money and time better-suited to one of the designs I mentioned above instead (Gyr in particular).

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The mini is...chunky is really the word that comes to mind.

If you can pair it with Arrow IV or tube artillery with Copperheads, it's great since it's a really durable TAG unit.  Without that, it's unimpressive.

[lucho]

Same here: it needs to be paired with Arrow IV for best effect. Otherwise it's a great skirmisher, but needs more firepower. I ran a modified Spartan in a campaign once; it's a great choice to mount a Snub-nosed PPC

[Iron Grenadier]

So we have talked about it, but does anyone use it regularly in any flavor?  Does anyone have the mini (if one exists)?

We don't have the mini, but my players do count a Spartan NF in their merc unit, leading a heavy cavalry lance (which also includes an Excalibur B2b, both mechs were taken from Word of Blake, and a pair of....Dragon's I think). They like to use this lance and some supporting units in a "thunder run" style romp through a urban map.

[JadeHellbringer]

Same here: it needs to be paired with Arrow IV for best effect. Otherwise it's a great skirmisher, but needs more firepower. I ran a modified Spartan in a campaign once; it's a great choice to mount a Snub-nosed PPC

Oooooh. OOOOOOH. I like this idea. Might have to tinker with a Jihad-era version with a plasma rifle, drop an MPL for the ammo, switch the remaining two to ER mediums...

...yeah, my morning productivity just tanked.

[Sjhernan3060]

The mini is...chunky is really the word that comes to mind.

If you can pair it with Arrow IV or tube artillery with Copperheads, it's great since it's a really durable TAG unit.  Without that, it's unimpressive.

It has giant feet and tiny arms. I have it and currently looking for arms to swap

[Colt Ward]

During the Golden Century the Fire Mandrills were using refurbished Spartans to a C model- at least until they got Omnis tech.  A large pulse and SSRM4 w/2t ammo in each side toros along with  2 MPL in each arm gives it a fearsome load as it uses its speed to rush into combat.  But when in combat, you cannot just mash the fire button- it only has 14 DHS.  The way it works each side torso has a 1 in 6 chance of going boom! as all the crits that matter are in the upper, the ES & FF are roll again.

[Sjhernan3060]

During the Golden Century the Fire Mandrills were using refurbished Spartans to a C model- at least until they got Omnis tech.  A large pulse and SSRM4 w/2t ammo in each side toros along with  2 MPL in each arm gives it a fearsome load as it uses its speed to rush into combat.  But when in combat, you cannot just mash the fire button- it only has 14 DHS.  The way it works each side torso has a 1 in 6 chance of going boom! as all the crits that matter are in the upper, the ES & FF are roll again.

Ha! That sounds like an excellent mandrill ride. Thanks for the idea

[Colt Ward]

5/8 with 2 cLPL?  I mean what is not to like at that point.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Two tons of streak SRM ammo in side torsos with XL Engines and a lack of crit-packing.

[Colt Ward]

Well, it has to have a weakness . . . and it is a Clan XL along with Clan IS which means CASE . . . so a 1 in 6 chance of blowing a side.  Personally, I would not have given it two tons of ammo- 12.5 shots would typically be enough- but again planned weakness.

[grimlock1]

Same here: it needs to be paired with Arrow IV for best effect. Otherwise it's a great skirmisher, but needs more firepower. I ran a modified Spartan in a campaign once; it's a great choice to mount a Snub-nosed PPC

That could be neat, but I'm actually going to go against my grain and lean away from swapping in a snubbie. It's quick and fairly bricky but it doesn't have the armor, speed or firepower that I would want if I was planning to spend most of my day up close and personal with top end heavies and smaller assaults.

[Vonshroom]

Really love the Spartan,

I like how it is such a unique design and seems original. The weapons are reminiscent of a Battlemaster but with a little more flair, and the "scout assault" concept has always intrigued me as a primarily Lyran player, ;)

I always thought it was a total shame the fluff states that so few existed the design is begging for a Succession Wars tech downgrade. Any game I've ever used one in the thing just preformed, I like 5/8 cavalry designs and this mech fits the bill. I definitely see it as a command mech for 5/8 medium / heavy companies.

What are the odds of seeing one on the battlefield in each era? Would it be totally unreasonable to have a downgraded variant circa 3000-3025?

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The design was really rare outside of the Star League.  None of the Successor States ever had any in great numbers, and a downgrade would be possible but not really worth it since you'd have to drop it to 4/6 in order to maintain any sort of weapons or armor at all.  I mean, sure, you can do that but at that point you're really closer to being a Zeus variant.

[Arkansas Warrior]

It occurs to me that the Spartan would be a fun Gunslinger ride.

[gyedid]

Really love the Spartan,

I like how it is such a unique design and seems original. The weapons are reminiscent of a Battlemaster but with a little more flair, and the "scout assault" concept has always intrigued me as a primarily Lyran player, ;)

The Spartan is essentially the Charger done right.  Replace one of the Streaks with a Beagle Probe and you've got your scout assault.

cheers,

Gabe

[grimlock1]

The Spartan is essentially the Charger done right.  Replace one of the Streaks with a Beagle Probe and you've got your scout assault.

cheers,

Gabe

That's kinda brilliant...

[UnLimiTeD]

To be a charger, it just isn't meme enough.
Though that's also my thought for any heavy+, fast mech with decent armour.  ;D

[grimlock1]

To be a charger, it just isn't meme enough.
Though that's also my thought for any heavy+, fast mech with decent armour.  ;D

It may not be quite as meme-tastic as a Charger, but with this bit of context I can better see where it fits in the order of battle. Until now, I always saw it as a fast, variation of the Battlemaster.  Not a variant but think Enforcer/Enfield.  It starts to make a lot more as something attached to medium companies, maybe even a light company. 5/8 won't keep pace with a scout lance or company moving at scouting speeds but it can serve as an anchor for such formations. The 2 light lances move in a bounding overwatch, but never moving so far ahead that if they run into trouble, the Spartan's lance can't sprint forward as they sprint rearward.  Or move up, establish a perimeter, and place the Spartan's lance as hidden units.  Move the 2 scout lances up, and if they find trouble, fall back to the Spartan's position.