Discussion: Mech Chassis

regular mech armies are going to be all about standardization. flexibility and modular equipment is the rule of the day. also, i think we have a solid idea on what the RA will be using now:
http://www.theskjaldborg.com/index.php?threads/discussion-mech-chassis.7457/page-2#post-154027

small cockpits feel like more of a Lancer thing anyway. If the Jackdaw is your own creation, why not assign it to one of the NPC Lancers? You will also not be nearly as limited in what you can equip. From what it sounds like, I think your Jackdaw would fit in better as a LancerMech.

 

Because the Clint is dumb.


And I don't want an NPC Lancer to have my precious. I decided to scrap the small cockpit, as well as the partial wing. Balance is restored to the world.

 

it's a Clint IIC which is less dumb
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Clint_IIC

that said... I'm partial to the idea of the Raven's adopting more "birdy-sounding" names for some of those mechs on the list there. maybe the jackdaw was the replacement for the venerable Clint production line? can you make it 30 tons?

also, remember that this is an age of combined arms. mechs don't need to be the primary scout units out there. they would be more suited to scouting urban and forested areas where neither conventional ground forces nor aerospace could go. also, scout mechs don't need to be insanely fast. 6/9 or 7/11 would be more than sufficient. max jump jets would be important to them though. they would probably be the ones to benefit the most from improved JJs as well.

 

I was having it as a replacement to the Stinger IIC, which was the first mech joint venture between the Snow Ravens and Outworlds Alliance.

I guess I could make it 30 tons, I was trying to make it really cost effective though. Right now, in its Prime config, it costs 2,586,800 c-bills for a recon mech that can sprint at 16 and is super reliable, repairable, or replaceable.

Check, check, 1, 1 2.

 

oh... haha. i didn't know about its history with them. that sounds fine. the Jackdaw could be an improved Stinger IIC.

in regards to cost: the difference in cost between 20 tons and 30 is relatively tiny when you consider the significant mass advantage the 30 tonner has on the lighter mech. as long as you aren't slapping XL tech on it, the cost shouldn't bee too much of a concern. the bulk of every military will still be conventional forces. again... remember that the role of scout mechs is to go where you can't reasonably send anything else. super fast scouts are better reserved for hovercraft and aerospace. also, in regards to game mechanics, you don't gain any additional benefit to moving farther than 10 hexes. so all that extra speed won't really help that much.

if you want super seedy, i recommend a more moderate speed of 6/9 or 7/11 (with MASC) but also include improved JJs

 

i reviewed the rules on MASC and i don't recommend it for regular forces. among other reasons, it will require a player to operate them in megamek. all regular forces need to be bot-capable

 

okay.. lets keep this thread to discussion on the factions. for more on mech design, go here:
http://www.theskjaldborg.com/index.php?threads/discussion-mech-chassis.7457/page-3

 

three things:

1) Given the change in doctrines to rapid deployment of mech forces, partial wings seem like a natural choice for modern mech forces:
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Partial_Wing

2) MASC is a no-go for regular mech forces (the megamek bots just can't handle them). MASC is still fine for LancerMechs since those will ALWAYS be piloted by players.

3) Speed brackets:

• Scout: 6/9 or 7/11 preferred; IMPROVED JJs HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
• Assault: 5/8; max jump jets recommended, but not required
• Support: 4/6; jump jets are optional (these are suppose to be the heavy hitters)
• note: DroneMechs are only ever equipped with 1 jump jet (I have many reasons for this)

 

Just as a head's up, removing MASC and putting the wing back on (8/12/5) gets the mech down to 2,421,800 c-bills for a Prime version. That's a Clan Tech Omni that goes over 120 km/h

The idea was to reuse the parts that are readily available, hence the use of the 160 engine, as that is what the Locust (which OA also manufactures) uses. Reuse the Imp Heavy Medium Laser, cause they already produced them for the Stinger II. That sort of thing.

 

the main problem i have with the idea is that 20 ton mechs are and forever will be cannon fodder... no matter how fast you get them to go. mech forces in this time are anything but cannon fodder. that is what the conventional forces are for.

each faction needs a single recon mech that can move reasonably fast and carry enough punch and armor to actually DO something. i like your idea, but it is not what I need. also... scout mechs with all speed and no range will die very quickly. remember that Targeting Computers and all kinds red hot death will be on the field now. don't get overly attatched to what is "currently available" either. a lot can change in 200 years.

so yeah... needs to be 30 tons, 6/9 or 7/11, max JJs, etc. you may not believe me, but I have VERY REAL reasons for this.

 

also.. you are really jumping the gun on this. there is still way more important shit to do.

 

You asked us for this shit!

 

updated original post in a vain attempt to stop confusing people with this thread.

(sorry Dihm)

 

I'm just gonna wait a bit I think