Another fine contest has come and gone with five entries submitted by our three ace OmniFighter designers. Every design was excellent and all could have won this contest if not for the best of the bunch. Each with entry had its own pluses and a few minuses but there were few reasons to eliminate a competitor based solely on the design. So what it came down to storyline for me this time around and ease of construction. One design in particular had such good fluff content that it determined the eventual winner. So let us see who that was…..
5. Comanche (Abele)
A go it alone proposal forwarded by the Nova Cats based on the Mohawk design was the design that drew the short stick. Based on the Slayer aero frame captured and reverse engineered by the Nova Cats it had many similarities to the Mohawk upon which it was in part based. The superb protection offered by 16.5 tons of ferro aluminum armor (317 factor) was in fact unchanged from the original. The biggest change was the 340XL Engine (6/9) used from the Warhawk. Now the Nova Cats likely have stores and minor production facilities for this power plant but not primary manufacturing rights which belongs to its arch rival Smoke Jaguar. The design also featured a lot of fixed equipment which I do not generally care for on an OmniFighter contestant. 2 ER PPCs and 2 ER Medium Lasers integral really limited the load out variation which makes such craft so capable. With the remaining 27 tons of pod space I do like your configurations even with all those fixed hard points. Given the fact that its engine could be difficult to obtain and thus hamper production along with the inflexible weapons I have placed this design in fifth place. Not bad Abele but the others were better.
4. Kubulai (drakensis)
This in your face Hell’s Horses and Fire Mandrill design was quite simply awesome. While the other OmniFighter entries are more capable because of their smaller engine size this simple and effective concept rocks. The aero frame taken from the SLDF’s venerable Rapier along with the 255 Fusion Engine (5/8) from the Hell’s Horses Thunder Stallion works well. Frankly I was shocked by the 52 tons of pod space given the nature of the fighter’s standard power plant. This could generate an incredible amount of firepower even though its 10 (20) Heat Sinks is the minimum integral. I could certainly see a cooler, more ballistic approach to its configurations which could work. With 5 tons of fuel it has standard range for a fighter and 12 tons of standard armor (192 factor) while the lowest presented is not really awful. Matter of fact if you swap in ferro fibrous your armor protection would be pretty nice. The worst thing about this design could be the partnership of Clans as Hell’s Horses do not generally get along with Fire Mandrill. It is true that Kindraa Payne in spite of the Smythe-Jewel Annihilation does get along with the Horses but could they cooperate? Yeah they were both screwed by the ilKhan but the Horses are lead by a Crusader and the Paynes are Wardens plus I think you would want to work in Beyl-Grant as they are an aerospace Kindraa. However the design is great and I am keeping it in mind for a new upcoming contest. Stay tuned!
3. Mohawk (Abele)
The best competition to the Smoke Jaguar dominated 85 ton market comes of course from the Nova Cats and their Slayer inspired aero frame. This Inner Sphere opponent captured and reverse engineered would provide not only a solid base but a forerunner to overcome. Teaming with the Coyotes for the 255XL Engine (5/8) from their new Savage Coyote these two Clans created a very capable OmniFighter. With 43 tons of pod space plus 2 integral Medium Pulse Lasers it has an excellent arsenal. The configurations especially the long reaching Prime and the all energy based Epsilon are done well. Carrying 10 tons of fuel enables the Mohawk (great name btw) to double normal fighter range another big plus. Finally 16.5 tons of ferro aluminum armor (317 factor) provide exceptional protection for ground support and naval assault missions. This is a great design Abele and it is hard not finish you higher. Bronze medal this time around, damn good effort.
2. Hun (masterarminas)
First off I have to say this multi-Clan endeavor with an awesome name is very well designed. Based off the Xerxes aero frame from the Smoke Jaguar and using the 255XL Engine (5/8) supplied by the Coyotes this Goliath Scorpion design is nasty. With 48 tons of pod space it had the second most mass for any entry and with 15 (30) Heat Sinks integral it had an excellent cooling system. The Hun had the most protection with 17.5 tons of ferro aluminum armor (336 factor) of any submission. Your fluff was amazing and decisive although not in the way you may have thought. I like the Goliath Scorpions experimenting with a design that is not truly their own once again. These Scorpions really like living on the edge - first they tweak the Wolves and now the Smoke Jaguars. This Lesser Clan having a death wish and infuriating far larger opponents is not only interesting but a defining trait. The suicidal way in which these necrosia swilling crazies conduct themselves is fantastic. Very well done! Think you hit just as well on Smoke Jaguar, Coyote, and Wolf but your presentation led me to another conclusion. You layout the case to Brandon Howell very clearly via Nikolai Djerassi, too clearly. The Jaguars were uniquely placed in this contest to determine the winner and getting the best deal would be vital. I could see a lot of equipment problems from this multi-Clan project which while blamed on the Scorpions and the Coyotes could be the Jaguars way of saying we have a better deal. So great job, but one contestant was the better choice this to around for me.
1. Cimmerian (drakensis)
This simple and straight to the point entry by the Cloud Cobras with significant Smoke Jaguar assistance made the most sense. It has a great name and the fluff points out the influence of the Slayer from the Draconis Combine aerospace forces. Also the aim of taking down the Scytha built by the Jade Falcons was a nice touch. With 45.5 tons of pod space for weapons and equipment it can mount a large amount of armament. Also the 8 tons of fuel makes for improved range which is another plus. Lastly 12 tons of ferro aluminum armor (230 factor) might have looked a little low compared to the competition but I think it is enough to get the job done. Story wise I thought this capable design was the best suited to win in the end. The Cloud Cobras have the best expertise in aerospace design and are probably the most motivated of any Clan to cut a deal here. On the other hand it is simply the best deal for the Jaguars who already have a holdfast on Homer where the primary factory will be located. Supplying both the Xerxes frame and the 340XL Engine (6/9) allows the Jaguars to dominate production which is nearby. At the same time the Clan obtains vital raw materials from the Tanite Worlds which it desperately needs in Clan space to help rebuild its touman. Cutting out the Coyotes and their Hun design is icing on the cake for both Clans who hate them with a passion. So congratulations drak although a nod should go to masterarminas for setting you up.
Great job gang, I look forward to the next contest which should go up tomorrow hopefully about noon. Also I have decided to increase the Quicksilver portion of the OmniFigher program slightly to allow for some supplemental concepts. These excellent concepts like the Kubulai, the Pashtun/Timur, the Maori, and others have opened up a place for themselves. I wanted to include them especially after determining there is some extra room in the Clan industrial complex. Till tomorrow!
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program #24: 85 ton Clan Omnifighter (Read 3101 times)