Overall, I prefer my Ratel and Lighter Scorpion... ::)
Yes, the Ratel is very nice indeed, but here's the thing. 125 FE engines basically don't exist in significant numbers in the inner sphere until the development of the Eagle which is essentially "no, we have panther mech at home" cut to "panther mech at home"
Meanwhile, Lexatech, GM, Defiance, and Ceres all produce the 180FE. When the Wolf's Dragoons arrive, so does Blackwell.
Shipil, TTI in the Taurian Concordat, Allied Technologies/New Age Systems in the FWL also produce ASF 180s which probably share some parts commonality with their land bound brethren.
I think 30 ton, 6/9 is the best for my uses. If I go down to 25, I need to drop speed. Not knocking 5/8, but I gotta go fast.
If I go up to 35, it breaches 1 million C-bills without even meaningfully improving anything.
If I go up to 40, then I drop the speed, drop the MG, add an SRM6 and toss the lot when I realize it would just be cheaper to buy some Myrmidons from NETC.
And to continue with the whole ecosystem for the blaze since there's a conair and asf.
Bridgelayer
Blaze Bridgelayer BLZ-112
Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 180 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
1 Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2500
Tech Rating/Availability: E/E-E-E-E
Cost: 796,900 C-bills
Type: Blaze Bridgelayer
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 430
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 3
Engine 180 Fusion 10.5
Cruising MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Turret: 1.0
Armor Factor 96 6
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 3 20
R/L Side 3/3 20/20
Rear 3 16
Turret 3 20
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Medium Laser Turret 1.0
Bridge Layer Turret 6.0
Machine Gun Turret 0.5
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100) Body 0.5
Machine gun for dissuading ambushing infantry, ML (used on the ASF) for dissuading bugmechs feel like bagging a rare and valuable logistical lynchpin. Bridge for crossing rivers. I put it in the turret so it can be swung round and laid at any angle required in case of awkward river conditions.
Blaze IFV BLZ-122
Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 180 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2500
Tech Rating/Availability: E/C-E-D-D
Cost: 673,400 C-bills
Type: Blaze IFV
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Introductory)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 414
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 3
Engine 180 Fusion 10.5
Cruising MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Turret: 0.5
Armor Factor 96 6
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 3 20
R/L Side 3/3 20/20
Rear 3 16
Turret 3 20
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100) Body 0.5
Medium Laser Turret 1.0
2 Machine Gun Turret 1.0
Infantry Body 6.0
IFV with many similar traits to the bridgelayer, though the turret is lighter because it's not carrying as much.
Blaze Command truck BLZ-132
Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 180 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2500
Tech Rating/Availability: E/C-E-D-D
Cost: 705,900 C-bills
Type: Blaze Command truck
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 338
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 3
Engine 180 Fusion 10.5
Cruising MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Turret: 0.5
Armor Factor 96 6
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 3 20
R/L Side 3/3 20/20
Rear 3 16
Turret 3 20
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Communications Equipment (4 tons) Body 4.0
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100) Body 0.5
Machine Gun Turret 0.5
Communications Equipment (3 tons) Turret 3.0
Infantry Body 0.5
And a command vehicle. It has two sets of communications equipment. The one in the body is meant for communication with units in the field and satellites and aerospace assets in orbit. The one in the turret is for Jamming people. And half a troop compartment for either more command staff, allied liaisons or interns.