More good work. I'm still energized from the use of turrets in the last post. Some thoughts on the new crop...
I obviously like the Ebon Jag T over the K. I'd just note that if you drop the supercharger, light TAG, and Angel ECM, you have enough tonnage to mount a targeting computer. It's a good way to get the most out of those lightweight Clan large lasers. It would also turn the T into a mean sniper at range with the ER lasers and a vicious infighter when the range closes with the heavy lasers, especially with a low gunnery skill. Maybe not what Tau needs in that formation, but something to consider given that there are plenty of canon designs (especially faster ones) to provide the ECM and TAG.
The 'Yote HH is a solid all-around configuration. But since the 'Yote is so slow, I'd hesitate to use heavy lasers on it. And since Artemis V is relatively heavy, I'd be tempted to max out the launchers with LRM-20s and get the most out of the Artemis V. So I'd recommend a loadout of two LRM-20s (with Artemis V and four tons of ammo), the Gauss (and two tons of ammo), an ER peeper (instead of the dual heavy lasers), a targ comp, a Guardian ECM, and the 14 freezers that come with the base chassis. This gives you more heat-constrained firepower at both long- and short-range, it all comes with a -1 modifier, and it roughly looks like a 'Yote Prime. And you still have the jump jets and some ECM, if needed.
(Interesting sidenote: A guy that I played regularly in college, Hugh Browne, actually came up with the Savage Coyote name -- and maybe even elements of the design and ATMs -- when FASA briefly entertained the idea of a Clan Coyote sourcebook. He was playing off the references to the Coyote scientist caste in the Wolf sourcebook to come up with more advanced weapons.)
The Hel C is a solid Warhammer/Hellbringer Prime clone/upgrade. Nothing substantive to improve on there without fundamentally changing it's purpose/aesthetics.
The combination of ATM-12 and Ultra-20 on the Hel F is an interesting, close-range hole-punching/crit-seeking combo. I also like ATM/HAG combos, because they both have extreme long ranges and both increase damage as they get closer. So I might trade the Ultra-20 and some of the ancillary weapons/equipment for a HAG-30 or -40 and ammo. The HAG's reach would be better for a design as slow as the Hel, but you give up the Ultra's hole-punching so it's a bit of a toss-up. The big HAG resembles the Long Tom cannon from the Hel B aesthetically, though.
The Mad Cat IV D is an interesting and effective take on the original Timber Wolf A. I like the aesthetics of upgrading the old Streak SRMs to LRMs and the pulse medium lasers to improved heavies. And there should be more dual pulse large laser T-Wolf/M-Cat configs in general. That said, since the base chassis has the freezers to handle it, I'd probably trade the Streak LRM-15 for two standard LRM-15s. Same average firepower but higher overall firepower potential and you can use alternate ammo. I'd also drop the Watchdog CEWs and one of the heavy lasers (move the other two to the arms) for two extra tons of LRM ammo (and a flamer or light TAG).
The Stormcrow R resembles a Linebacker D or Pouncer D, only better thanks to the superiority of the base chassis, especially the tonnage for the targ comp. I might trade the Guardian ECM and Beagle Active Probe for a Watchdog CEWS and Light TAG to get the TAG capability. But otherwise nothing substantive to improve on here.
The Linebacker HH is a good use of the Linebacker chassis, capitalizing on its speed with improved heavy large lasers, a supercharger, a targ comp, and the freezers to stay heat neutral while alpha-striking and running. Can't be improved on. My pet Linebacker usually carries dual peepers, three ER medium lasers, and a targ comp, but that's a different beast.
The Shadow Cat G is a good, all-around strike config. Too many canon Shadow Cat configurations are long-range skirmishers/snipers instead of capitalizing on the Shadow Cat's speed and armor to deliver some serious pain up close like your G's improved heavy medium lasers do. I want to turn that ER large laser into a pulse large laser or ER peeper. But that requires downgrading both the type and size of the Streak SRM-6, which may be too much of a trade-off.
Unlike the Shadow Cat, the Black Lanner has several solid, close-range configurations, so the S's sniping/skirmishing with a -1 modifier across the board is welcome.
On the Ice Ferret S, I want to upgrade the improved heavy small to a third medium, but have to trade the ECM for a light TAG unit or flamer. But it's another solid all-around striker, regardless.
The Karhu X certainly feels like a Karhu, and the changes I would make would make it look like a Timber Wolf. But since peeper capacitors have to alternate fire, I like to run two of them at a time so there's always a 20-point shot going downfield if I want it. But that would require the removal of the LB 10-X (arguably one of the least efficient Clan weapons), and probably the addition of another Streak SRM pack. Again, at that point, it's a Timber Wolf, so not the most aesthetically good move to make.
Hope there's some useful ideas in here. Keep up the good work.
