Rise of the BERSERKER.

[ABADDON]

Was just fooling around with an idea of a "next gen" lyran Berserker which makes use of a possibly future-licenced Boosted C³ network technology and a modern interpretation of the lyran concept of assault spotter/scouts/EW unit while keeping survivability to a technological maximum (Armored Engine, Armored Cockpit, Maximum Armor, Angel ECM). Activation and upkeep of the TSM might not be perfect, but the armament should give quite a lot of options to do the job.

Let me know, what you think.  ;)
And yes, I know. The C-Bill cost are outrageous.

Code: [Select]

BRZ-D3 Berserker

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F
Production Year: 3092
Cost: 47.721.833 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2.375

Chassis: Defiance Berserker Endo-Steel
Power Plant: LTV 400 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 43,2 km/h (54,0 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 64,8 km/h (108,0 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy Special Standard Armor
Armament:
    2  Bombast Lasers
    1  ER Medium Laser
    1  Hatchet
    1  ER Small Laser
    1  Angel ECM
    1  Bloodhound Active Probe
    1  C3 Boosted Computer (Slave)
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   152 points                5,00
    Internal Locations: 5 LT, 4 RT, 5 LA
Engine:             (A) XL Fusion Engine         400                      32,50
    Walking MP: 4 (5)
    Running MP: 6 (10)
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0,00
Gyro:               Compact                                                6,00
Cockpit:            (A) Standard                                           4,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA+LA+H
    TSM Locations: 1 LA, 1 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 307                 19,50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           47       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  15       
                                           L/R Torso     21           32       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     17           34       
                                             L/R Leg     21           42       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser                              HD        5         1         1,00
Angel ECM                                    CT        0         2         2,00
C3 Boosted Computer (Slave)                  CT        0         2         3,00
Bombast Laser                                RT        12        3         7,00
Supercharger                                 RT        -         1         3,50
Bloodhound Active Probe                      LT        0         3         2,00
ER Small Laser                               LT        2         1         0,50
Hatchet                                      RA        -         7         7,00
Bombast Laser                                LA        12        3         7,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 2

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 24
5          3       3       0       0      4     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: TSM, AECM, BH, RCN, C3BSS, MEL, ENE, SRCH, ES, SOA



[Grave]

I love that you have the scaleable heat in play with TSM and the hatchet.

2 issues:

1.  Don't like the BlAP.  Don't really see a need for it on an assault, even a machine conceptualized as an 'assault scout'.  The Angel ECM and and C3 boosted with a standard BAP would be fine, and would allow an upgrade of the ERsml to an ERML.

2. Hitting with the Bombast lasers is a bit of a trick, and the mech is a bit undergunned overall, especially considering the bombasts are the vast majority of the ranged firepower in play.

[ABADDON]

Well, I actually agree on the Bloodhound vs. BAP issue. But I thought it nice to detect all those things a BAP has trouble detecting. And as the Bloodhound is no longer experimental I found it to be a reasonable choice. But a little more overall punch seems nice as well.

Well... I actually dislike the Bombast Lasers as well. BUT... as you already recognized, they work perfectly well in combination with TSM and big hatchets  :P and well, they are Lyran.

The Mech is not intended to do a lot of ranged fighting anyways. It all comes down to closing with high speed (108 km/h @ 100 tons, always wanted to do that without having a doubled %&$§-me chance every time I want to get to maximum speed) and bringing the hatchet down onto your opponents. And while you're already near to your opponents, even those ugly Bombasts should be able to hit something.

btw, what'cha think?
You Davies give us access to the Boosted C³ technology, in turn us Elsies give you import rights to the D3 Berserker?  ;)

[Talz]

Fits the concept well IMO.

[Grave]

btw, what'cha think?
You Davies give us access to the Boosted C³ technology, in turn us Elsies give you import rights to the D3 Berserker?  ;)

.... :( I'm looking for an autocannon...

Not seeing it.

Problem!  :D

Kidding.  It's a pretty good design, I just want to see at least some decent closing weapons for that turn when you hack apart the slow medium and want to turn and fire, say, a quad medium laser battery at the guy four hexes away.

[ABADDON]

Meh. Autocannon = bad choice for TSM & explosive ammo bins = 0.5 tons of case necessary & higher chance of bad things happening
 #P

As for the other requests... have to check in with my local Hesperus Diamond Shark arms dealer first, then we'll see about that. ;)

[ABADDON]

Kidding.  It's a pretty good design, I just want to see at least some decent closing weapons for that turn when you hack apart the slow medium and want to turn and fire, say, a quad medium laser battery at the guy four hexes away.

Alright. There you go. Even without Diamond Shark equipment. But it loses the Bloodhound completely.

Code: [Select]

Berserker BRZ-D4

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F
Production Year: 3091
Cost: 46.849.333 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2.415

Chassis: Defoance Berserker Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 400 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 43,2 km/h (54,0 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 64,8 km/h (108,0 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Special Heavy Standard Armor
Armament:
    2  Bombast Lasers
    4  Medium Lasers
    1  Hatchet
    1  Angel ECM
    1  C3 Boosted Computer (Slave)
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                 HD        3         1         1,00
Angel ECM                                    CT        0         2         2,00
C3 Boosted Computer (Slave)                  CT        0         2         3,00
Bombast Laser                                RT        12        3         7,00
Supercharger                                 RT        -         1         3,50
3 Medium Lasers                              LT        9         3         3,00
Hatchet                                      RA        -         7         7,00
Bombast Laser                                LA        12        3         7,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 3

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 24
5          3       3       0       0      4     1   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: TSM, AECM, C3BSS, MEL, ENE, SRCH, ES, SOA



[Cowdragon]

Go with a Large X-Pulse and a Bombast. This gives you a couple more tons to work with. Upgrade the C3B to a Master Computer. Drop the Angel (no need for it with Boosted) although I would say the Bloodhound is fine. Then change the ERML to an ERFlamer for cooking stuff. More reliable heat and hitting power. Any extra tonnage can go into small pulse spam or something for close-in love. Do you want to making **** BERSERKER! Would you like to **** my **** BERSERKER!!!

[Hptm. Streiger]

there was once a time where i liked TSM, too
however ever get a Inferno-round, plus plasma, plus flamer after you where able to get 9 heat?

Even when the mech doesn't shut down you have a really slow unit that wouldn't hit anything with its hatchet, thats why i go with the original berzerkers and MASC

[Drasius]

Some TAG action would make that thing an unholy menace. Does seem rather undergunned though until you remember the touch range AC/20 it's packing with no ammo worries.

[ABADDON]

Some TAG action would make that thing an unholy menace. Does seem rather undergunned though until you remember the touch range AC/20 it's packing with no ammo worries.

You mean AC/40.  ;)
TAG is something I had considered. But I would have to drop 1 Medium ER Laser from the original variant, which would leave it even more undergunned. But for the sake of combat synergy actually a pretty good option, I suppose.
edit: I just recognized, that dropping a ER Medium would make the Berserker come up short with that necessary 29 heat. BUT as it's possible to turn off Heatsinks, probably not a huge problem.

Even when the mech doesn't shut down you have a really slow unit that wouldn't hit anything with its hatchet, thats why i go with the original berzerkers and MASC

Really slow? The Engine Supercharger makes it a 86,4 km/h 100 ton mech with a shitload of defense capabilities. The TSM makes it a 108 km/h 100 ton mech with a shitload of defense capabilities and a melee AC/40.

Sorry, but I prefer my version over the original any day.

however ever get a Inferno-round, plus plasma, plus flamer after you where able to get 9 heat?

You can get up to maximum of 15 additional heat from outside sources. It doesn't matter whether you're getting 100 Infernos dropped on your roof and further 3 Plasmas and 4 Flamers. That still makes it 15 heat.
And so what?
If you know what the enemy is packing, just let him do the heating for you.

[Hptm. Streiger]

Really slow? The Engine Supercharger makes it a 86,4 km/h 100 ton mech with a shitload of defense capabilities. The TSM makes it a 108 km/h 100 ton mech with a shitload of defense capabilities and a melee AC/40.

with a heat level beyond 14 you get hardly that speed

If you know what the enemy is packing, just let him do the heating for you.

to hit a cold TSM with a Inferno isn't the point, the point is to hit a TSM mech at heat level 9, some players have the timing and the initiative to do this, not to mention the hex field is burning to.

[ABADDON]

Again, if you know you will have to deal with external heat, just adapt to it on the danger of not getting the TSM activated this turn. Baddest thing that can happen is your melee AC/40 dropping to a AC/20 and your maximum speed of 108 km/h dropping to 86,4 km/h (which will give you the standard Berserker you were wishing for, except for superior defensive capabilities and superior electronics and no danger of damaged actuators).
If the opponent decides to light you up with 15 heat on top of let's say a modest 14 heat, his bad. Melee AC/40 and 108 km/h thank you.
And btw, you make it sound like every military formation ooc or in universe uses a shitload of infernos, flamers and/or Plasmas (btw, not gonna do a lot of fighting the Cappies as an Elsie anyway), which is simply not true.  ;)

[ABADDON]

Alright, now my final offer.  :P
changes:
-no more XL engine, no more armored engine (but still an armored cockpit though), but a Vlar 300 Standard Fusion engine
-no engine supercharger
-greatly reduced cost
-incorporates 5 Improved Jump Jets to deal with rough terrain and reduce cost
-armament is changed to 1 Bombast, 3 Medium X-Pulse and 1 TSM augmented Hatchet reducing the flexibility for the TSM a little, but the remaining Bombast should still give plenty of room to activate the TSM for melee, the changed movement focus also changes the usage of the TSM as it is no longer required for closing to the enemy. This should also invalidate the exterior heat influence concerns.
Problem I see however is the lack of range weaponry.
-incorporates a TAG for the homing missile fun and combat synergy.

Your thoughts?

Code: [Select]

BRZ-E3 Berserker

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F
Production Year: 3094
Cost: 20.266.000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2.270

Chassis: Defiance Berserker Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Vlar 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32,4 km/h (43,2 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 54,0 km/h (64,8 km/h)
Jump Jets: 5 Improved Jump Jets
    Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Durallex Special Heavy Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Bombast Laser
    3  Medium X-Pulse Lasers
    1  Hatchet
    1  Bloodhound Active Probe
    1  C3 Boosted Computer (Slave)
    1  TAG
    1  Angel ECM
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   152 points                5,00
    Internal Locations: 6 LT, 5 RT, 3 LA
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19,00
    Walking MP: 3 (4)
    Running MP: 5 (6)
    Jumping MP: 5 Improved
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT                                  20,00
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0,00
Gyro:               Compact                                                4,50
Cockpit:            (A) Standard                                           4,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA+LA+H
    TSM Locations: 1 LA, 1 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 307                 19,50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           47       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  15       
                                           L/R Torso     21           32       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     17           34       
                                             L/R Leg     21           42       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAG                                          HD        0         1         1,00
C3 Boosted Computer (Slave)                  CT        0         2         3,00
3 Medium X-Pulse Lasers                      RT        18        3         6,00
Angel ECM                                    LT        0         2         2,00
Hatchet                                      RA        -         7         7,00
Bloodhound Active Probe                      LA        0         3         2,00
Bombast Laser                                LA        12        3         7,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 0

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 23
3/5j       3       3       0       0      4     0   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: TSM, BH, RCN, C3BSS, TAG, AECM, MEL, ENE, SRCH, ES, SOA



[Grave]

I like the quad medium laser version better.  XL on an assault is okay in my book, especially with armored components in the mix.  One question - how many DHS did the MLAS version have? I can't run the TSM numbers without knowing that.

As for the heat increases, yea, you can turn the Berserker into a slug if you hit him with too much heat.

There's two problems with that, though: Most heat generating equipment is relatively short ranged, and while it's theoretically possible to get the Berserker driver to alpha again and then hit it with a full heat load, remember, no matter what happens that turn, nothing takes effect until next turn...by which time that heat unit may very well be dead, as being at relatively short range versus this thing is a deathwish for a lot of lighter units  :D

[ABADDON]

Please elaborate what you mean by 'MLAS'. I have absolutely no idea.  :P

edit: Ah, stupid me. You mean my second next gen Berserker variant with your proposed Medium Laser battery? 10 DHS. Same as all three variants.  ;)

by which time that heat unit may very well be dead, as being at relatively short range versus this thing is a deathwish for a lot of lighter units  :D

Good point.  ;D

But even for a heavy or even an assault it's not so much fun to lose an arm/leg/torso side in the process of shutting a 40 damage hatchet Zerk down.

btw, I actually like the thought of an almost indestructible 150 meters jumping Hatchet of doom (regarding the 3rd variant).  ;)