’Mech of the Week: AS*-* Atlas

[Scotty]

we should probably either keep the variants to a dull roar or move to design forum.

That said, a Blazer on this thing is absolutely insane and not in a good way (on top of being too heavy).

[Weirdo]

we should probably either keep the variants to a dull roar or move to design forum.

[Arkansas Warrior]

Wrong answer.  The AS7-A is suffering from a severe shortage of Blazers.  So AC/5 + ammo -> Blazer cannon.  May not be Intro tech, but it is era appropriate.

This is the correct answer.  We need more blazers.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Well, Rec Guide 24 dropped a bunch of new variants.  Be exciting to discuss them in depth once the moratorium ends.

[Hellraiser]

Well, Rec Guide 24 dropped a bunch of new variants.  Be exciting to discuss them in depth once the moratorium ends.

How long are the moratoriums?

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

I want to say two weeks, but I'm not sure if that's correct.

[Giovanni Blasini]

Thought it was more like 60 days.

[Greatclub]

Six week bans on covering specific new material out of new releases of PDFs are referred to as "Moratoriums" are in place at the request of the Powers That Be.  These moratoriums apply to all series that tend to dwell heavily on the specifics of a given unit.  Please note that the moratorium policy applies to all releases, not just those listed for authorial convenience.  Product-level exceptions to this policy will be noted until the point at which they would normally fall out of moratorium is reached.

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/fan-articles/fan-articles-policies/

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

That's it.

[Greatclub]

I just checked the availability of the AS7-A, and it is... CapCon and FWL?

What's the story there?

[Empyrus]

I just checked the availability of the AS7-A, and it is... CapCon and FWL?

What's the story there?

Since there's no write-up for it, unknown.
But considering those two are the factions with no native Atlas production, these might be result of salvaged Atlases being rebuild differently.
When you think about it, they are very similar to the baseline Atlas in principle. They retain the token long-range capability of the AS7-D but with different weapons, and replace the AC/20 with a bunch of SRMs, retaining same range and overall firepower but lacking big hole-puncher.
Alternatively/additionally, they're alterations made to complement D models in close combat.

[Jal Phoenix]

I find great irony in the plethora of Atlas variants debuting in Rec Guide 24, because of how the Atlas was originally fluffed to have no variants, because no one wanted to mess with perfection.

[Giovanni Blasini]

I find great irony in the plethora of Atlas variants debuting in Rec Guide 24, because of how the Atlas was originally fluffed to have no variants, because no one wanted to mess with perfection.

That's...actually a good point.  Amusingly, we find that even during the Succession Wars when nobody was messing with the Atlas, that people were messing with the Atlas.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

I find great irony in the plethora of Atlas variants debuting in Rec Guide 24, because of how the Atlas was originally fluffed to have no variants, because no one wanted to mess with perfection.

You mean the original fluff from the book that also listed the Zeus as having been developed prior to the invention of the Battlemech?

[Jal Phoenix]

You mean the original fluff from the book that also listed the Zeus as having been developed prior to the invention of the Battlemech?

One of the two facts in question exists in the current TRO Succession Wars, and is therefore still valid.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Looks like bad writing then, since the Atlas had already gotten new variants in TRO 3039.  I suppose that it really depends when the line is talking about.  Since there was a time when nobody had modified the Atlas.

[Empyrus]

That Atlas didn't have many variants during the Succession Wars. TROs 3025 and '39 refer to that era. Once advanced tech was recovered, this reluctance to tinker with the design is no longer in effect.
As it is, the Atlas has two stock variants (RS and A) and one or two custom variants for the SW era, that's very little compared to most others, rare 'Mechs aside.

[Scotty]

I am a big fan of the A.  That many SRMs is an extremely effective deterrent to an enemy armor unit in a way that a single AC/2 just doesn't quite capture.  Being able to reduce even heavy woods to rough with a single volley of frag or inferno ammo is also very nice.

[Empyrus]

I am a big fan of the A.  That many SRMs is an extremely effective deterrent to an enemy armor unit in a way that a single AC/2 just doesn't quite capture.  Being able to reduce even heavy woods to rough with a single volley of frag or inferno ammo is also very nice.

Ah, the variant got wrong letter. Should've been F, for forestry...

[Scotty]

No it definitely got the right letter, it's A for the first time you declare how many SRMs you're firing and you get to hear your opponent's reaction. :thumbsup:

[Empyrus]

No it definitely got the right letter, it's A for the first time you declare how many SRMs you're firing and you get to hear your opponent's reaction. :thumbsup:

Dunno, i'm pretty sure F would fit that better.

[Weirdo]

A for ALL ze missiles. 8)

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

[BATTLEMASTER]

*Wishes the AS7-A was in MechWarrior Online  :(*

[Empyrus]

*Wishes the AS7-A was in MechWarrior Online  :(*

I believe the S model is borderline comparable. I used to run around with AC/20 and a battery of SRM-4s with Artemis, and once i managed to get behind the enemy team and one-shotted almost half of them.

Too bad on tabletop BT the S model is kinda terrible. Double heat sinks are fine and extra AC ammo is welcome (especially once alternate munitions are available) but the variant doesn't fix the range issue, and twin Streaks pointing rear are WTF-level things.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The one good thing about the S was that as 3050 upgrades go, it actually did improve things without doing weird side-grade stuff.  STK-5S, looking at you.

[SteelRaven]

*Wishes the AS7-A was in MechWarrior Online  :(*

I want to say the A was inspired by the MWO player builds of the S model, the only major difference is the smaller AC due to tech restrictions of the SW era.

[Luciora]

 I modded the A into my HBS game.  Kinda miss the heavier AC, but it is a sandblaster indeed.

[Empyrus]

The one good thing about the S was that as 3050 upgrades go, it actually did improve things without doing weird side-grade stuff.  STK-5S, looking at you.

Not sure i'd call the Stalker 5S a sidegrade. It does spend freed mass in upgrades, just needs more cooling but that's always been the case for most Stalkers. EDIT Granted, XL engine in a slow design is questionable.
LL to LPL is an upgrade IMO, because for average pilot probably ain't capable of really hitting anything in long range bracket reliably, but up to LL mid range, LPL doesn't lose anything (gains damage) and anything closer it is actually better.
The problem with LPL comes from other options, the ERLL, PPC, ERPPC, and later Snub-nose PPC, all of which are superior in most circumstances. But in vacuum vs LL, LPL is fine. And of course there's the question of a slow short range brawler but then again, the Atlas has always been that...

Admittedly it is hyperbole to call the Atlas S model terrible, but it feels like one of those cases where others could've used these upgrades better. Contrast to the Kuritan 3050 Panther and SL-17R Shilone... In case of this Atlas, the Stalker could've arguably used the heat sinks more than the Atlas itself as FedCom designs go.
The Atlas S, compared to the D, doesn't gain much from the DHS, additional medium laser when attacking front in most cases. To be sure, it does reduce its vulnerability to external heat and eases heat management, but neither are major gains IMO.

[Wrangler]

I didn't know about the AS7-A, lordy Macross Massacre at close range.