IS 3067u 'Mech reviews

[Youngblood]

I'll admit that I cannot for the life of me remember why I put that iOS-6 into the Perseus-E. Aside from wanting to see if iOS launchers were sufficiently better than standard OSes as to be accepted(I share many people's views on standard OS launchers, but feel that iOS racks can have a valuable role), I guess that since the role of a command 'mech's guns is to remove the threat to said commander NOW, I figured that one-shot heavier firepower was better than sustained lower firepower. (The opposite is usually the case, I agree.) Also, I just love the flexibility inherent in all non-Streak missile racks due to ammo choices, so putting the iOS-6 instead of some lasers or something gives you more options to pack a few extra tricks up your sleeve.

...or I may have thought of this five minutes ago, and had something completely different in mind when I slapped that rack in. I honestly can't remember.

I do know that the above reasons are why I put the VGLs in there. Those were the second pieces of equipment I chose, after the command gear that is really the core of this 'mech. VGLs are just way too useful and flexible not to put on a unit like this.

You know, that reminds me...Why didn't anyone think to put in 'Mech Mortars in this Record Sheet pack?  DISAPPOINTING.

[MadCapellan]

You know, that reminds me...Why didn't anyone think to put in 'Mech Mortars in this Record Sheet pack?  DISAPPOINTING.

I agree.  'Mech Mortars are still way under-represented on canon sheets for so simple and awesome a weapon.  It probably would have been a good option for the Main Gauche, honestly.

[Weirdo]

I'd actually say Stygian, but it'd be essentially the same thing as any current model.

Oh, what the heck. Stygian.

And Glaive.

[Redshirt]

I agree.  'Mech Mortars are still way under-represented on canon sheets for so simple and awesome a weapon.  It probably would have been a good option for the Main Gauche, honestly.

Or the Morningstar...

[Weirdo]

Morningstar got the HPG. I am happy.

[SCC]

Weirdo, an iOS SRM-6 weighs the same as a SRM-4 + ammo, maybe you didn't want ammo explosions, alternatively that makes a nice alternative version, as do the 6 RL-10 that could also displace an iOS SRM-6. (Personally I would prefer it if OS missile launchers where something like half a ton of ammo in a rack)

I thought Herb said that limited scope TRO's didn't sell well and they weren't doing them any more, so what happen to all the vee's and BA in this book? (I figure ASF's and the like don't belong in GC)

[Weirdo]

There's no battle armor in TRO 3067. As for vehicles, there's plenty of them. The Main Gauche IFV is sublime.

[Kit deSummersville]

Weirdo, an iOS SRM-6 weighs the same as a SRM-4 + ammo,

No, an iOS SRM-6 weighs a half ton less than a SRM4 with a ton of ammunition.

[nckestrel]

I thought Herb said that limited scope TRO's didn't sell well and they weren't doing them any more, so what happen to all the vee's and BA in this book? (I figure ASF's and the like don't belong in GC)

TR 3067 was created/released long before Herb ever said that (or Herb was ever Line Developer).  (But there are vehicles and aerospace in this TR.  Along with Dropships and Warships, 3067 is one of the more well-rounded FASA era TRs.)

[Mattlov]

I am happy to see people like my Blue Flame.  It was a fun design to make, and you guys are right, it REALLY needed an upgrade.  I actually requested to do that one.

[SCC]

No, an iOS SRM-6 weighs a half ton less than a SRM4 with a ton of ammunition.

Ok, I was thinking 'it weighs a half ton less then standard OS launchers'

[Weirdo]

Nope. That's why I think they have potential. I do agree that the vast majority of the time it would be better to downgrade your firepower inh favor of being able to use it repeatedly, but in those rare cases where something is more interested in getting some heavy punch NOW, iOSes can compete with RLs due to the different properties of S/LRMs vs rockets, and their ability to be loaded with various ammo types. Honestly, my favorite use for an iOS rack would be as a Handheld Weapon, giving even light 'mechs a credible long-range shot before they close for the main fight. A sort of 'mech-sized LAW, as it were.

[greatsarcasmo]

Nope. That's why I think they have potential. I do agree that the vast majority of the time it would be better to downgrade your firepower inh favor of being able to use it repeatedly, but in those rare cases where something is more interested in getting some heavy punch NOW, iOSes can compete with RLs due to the different properties of S/LRMs vs rockets, and their ability to be loaded with various ammo types. Honestly, my favorite use for an iOS rack would be as a Handheld Weapon, giving even light 'mechs a credible long-range shot before they close for the main fight. A sort of 'mech-sized LAW, as it were.

Ohhh. Daddy likes.

[Weirdo]

Yup. Any 'mech save an Ultralight that has the requisite hands can lug around an iOS-LRM-5 with a half-ton of armor, then dump it as soon as the shot is fired. If you go unarmored, you can go for twin -5s for 30-tonners and up. Give one of these to each of your 'mechs, and you've got a nice opening salvo. Better yet, load them with smoke rounds and lay down a wall of smoke that you can advance behind, so you take almost no damage until you're already in effective weapons range.

And if you go with Clan racks... ^-^

[Wildonion]

That is a special kind of brilliance, Weirdo. I'll need to rember that trick the next time I run a campaign for my friends.

[JadeHellbringer]

...Mech-scale n00b-tubes. I love it.

[Weirdo]

...are you people really telling me that isn't the very first thing all people thought of when they initially learned of handheld weapons? Seriously, it's just so logical that I almost don't like the idea for its plainness! :o

[MadCapellan]

Actually, when I first read the handheld weapon rules my first thought was "Sweet, ALL my 'Mechs have TAG now!"   8)

[Weirdo]

Oh hey... ^-^

Did they ever codify the rules for transferring a handheld weapon from carried cargo to actively in your hands? That could be handy for all appropriate 'mechs to keep a TAG slung "over the shoulder" as it were, so they can fight normally until the need arises.

[Ian Sharpe]

...are you people really telling me that isn't the very first thing all people thought of when they initially learned of handheld weapons? Seriously, it's just so logical that I almost don't like the idea for its plainness! :o

Mine was a bank of RL-10s.

[gooseman]

Mine was a bank of RL-10s.

Same here.

[Paul]

Well, one of the Quickdraw handhelds was 12 tons worth of RL-10s.

Did they ever codify the rules for transferring a handheld weapon from carried cargo to actively in your hands?

Step 1: drop cargo. Whether held in slings or hoists.
Step 2: pick up weapon.

Paul

[Weirdo]

You know it's more detailed than that. Hopefully it's in the Handheld chapter in TacOps.

[Paul]

You know it's more detailed than that.

Not really.

Hopefully it's in the Handheld chapter in TacOps.

Nope.
p. 315:

"Handheld Weapons may be picked up or dropped during the End Phase of any turn. Units with functioning hand actuators may only pick up a Handheld Weapon in their own hex. Dropping a Handheld Weapon leaves the weapon in the hex where the unit is currently standing."

So, if you're already holding one, you have to drop it, as well as the replacement in turn 1, then you can pick up the replacement in the end phase of turn 2.
Your lift hoist has to start this process in the Movement Phase, and is done by the End Phase, so the weapon you dropped in turn 1 is done by then as well.

If you don't have a lift hoist, add a turn.

Paul

[Weirdo]

That is my idea of more detailed. And thank you. O0

Now if only StratOps were this detailed, so we could actually try dropping troops from DropShips. But that's a discussion for another thread...

[Redshirt]

You know, that reminds me...Why didn't anyone think to put in 'Mech Mortars in this Record Sheet pack?  DISAPPOINTING.

To be fair, I didn't even think about it at the time solicitations went out for designs.  It wasn't until I saw a fan article on the forums (waaaaaay after the fact) about mech mortars that a light bulb went off in my head. I toyed around with SAW and created a Morningstar Company Command Variant that featured two C3 Masters and a Mech-Mortar. The turret had 4 Light Machine Guns and Two Magshots. The unfortunate thing was I couldn't find an option on SAW to install a Machine Gun Array for the Light Machine Guns...

[Sartris]

Mine was a bank of RL-10s.

Yeah.

[Kit deSummersville]

I think the iOS launchers are a bit more effective on a 'Mech that isnt an Omni.

[Paul]

I think the iOS launchers are a bit more effective on a 'Mech that isnt an Omni.

Interesting, why do you reckon that? I'd consider them ideal for Omnis since you can swap them out when you want sustained firepower instead?

[Weirdo]

Ditto, I'm curious about this too.