OBT Forum

Sure Ice please go ahead, do you need an extension?

Couple of nice designs Bradshaw.

Very nice Ice! I think that is it for entries folks. My decision will likely happen by Thrusday.

Since this is one of your first design contest Bradshaw I have to point out that it is now closed. No further submissions. Although my evaluations continue for all designs there may be some tweaking of existing models but entries were final as of May 1. I should say the depth of the contestants is what is taking me so long to fully evaluate. It is a good contest with only three entries failing to make the cut so to speak. Out of 17 that is pretty darn good. So I am going it over and will get this review posted ASAP!

For the last two weeks in April six different designers came up with seventeen diverse entries which all attempted to enhance the effectiveness of the AC/20 on the Clan invasion era battlefield. I was looking designs that possessed adequate speed (8 MP minimum) or mobility (3 Jumping MP) in order to deliver the close-range devastation of the Autocannon/20. A solid armored hide (max protection for your chassis size) helps too enabling these AC/20 armed war machines to deliver their pay loads without being disabled or destroyed. So, with those criteria in mind let’s review the contestants for this contest.

Ten out of seventeen entries were immediately approved by me although most were subject to tweaking. The seven that were ultimately rejected as they were too slow, lacked mobility, or alternative concepts which I will present just appealed to me more. In fact, three rejected entries spawned different AC/20 designs that I have been eagerly working at fleshing out. Ultimately there was only one existing design which two proposals took aim at that I found wanting and the platform better off with long range weaponry. A couple of others were copies or initial entries which themselves were revised so there were very few ‘failures’. The entire process while lengthy was fun and I’d love to hear what you guys think. Hopefully you will continue to participate in the shaping of these designs going forward.

Approved Concepts (10)

HBK-6K Hunchback (by Takiro)
Not necessarily the best design mind you my HBK-6K did set the standard for this contest and improved on the base model so much that it will replace the 5M in my setting. I think I will be adding to the fluff or refining it but the use of the Trebuchet’s 250 Fusion Engine to increase the Hunchback to 5/8 gives it a solid base. At 4.6 million C-bills a piece they are relatively inexpensive despite the addition of high tech EndoSteel and Ferro-Fibrous which helped make room for a bigger engine. Optimizing the amount of Double Heat Sinks helps a lot and the design remains cool running despite the subtraction of some freezers. Most importantly it fits a niche and perhaps remains the signature AC/20 Mech of the universe. Of course, I would love to hear other opinions on the matter.

AS7-JS Atlas (by Abele)
Take two on Abele’s Atlas entries was a solid proposal even if it is a little cheesy. Going over the design myself and coming up with JAC (Jumping Autocannon) variant tied to the Marik Civil War I changed it only slightly. In many ways your AC/20 design was the closest to what I came up with and if that is not a win I don’t know what is. Only thing really different was the 4 LRMs rather than the LRM-15 and Artemis as well as retaining the SRM-6. Reason I did this was the massed NARC concept I was coming up with for the Free Worlds League which would eliminate the Artemis and help save valuable design weight. Retaining the AC/20 for massive short range and adding Jump Jets for mobility also enables Death from Above which really makes this humongous war machine even more fearsome, if that is possible. We also did the same CASE in a single torso for safe storage all ammunition. I could see the design proliferating during and after the Civil War as I think it is more solid than the Steiner-Davion version. Nice job Abele, what do you think of the AS7-JAC?

CGR-2A5 Charger (by Ice Hellion)
While Ice Hellion might have posted here second he got here first with the 80 tonner of the contest and the CGR-2A5 delivers. I loved the approach here based on the solid CGR-1A5 variant which was natural candidate for a 3050 upgrade. Unfortunately, Liao does not possess any manufacturing site for the Charger but the concept is just too good to pass up. I found this a little too ambitious for the Capellan Confederation so I’d like to tweak your approach. Instead of an EndoSteel chassis I’d like to use Ferro-Fibrous armor. Doing that saves us 1.5 tons rather than 4 but I think it is more plausible for an upgrade to strip off the armor rather than change the skeleton. This way we can take the entire CGR-1A5 fleet and uplift it with lostech plausibly. The Pitban 320 is produced at St. Ives and not in the Confederation which could be another obstacle to renewed production. Still the change from EndoSteel to Ferro-Fibrous does require some modifications. I changed the placement of the AC/20 from the RT to the LA based in part on the cosmetic look of the Charger and dropped a Streak SRM-6 for 3 Medium Lasers. Also reduced the Small Pulse back to a regular Small Laser and had to nix the Guardian ECM. I know this really changes the CGR-2AD to more of a mixed upgrade with some more similarities with the CRG-1A1 but I think it works. Radical change on your solid concept Ice I know but what do you think?

DRG-6N Dragon (by masterarminas)
I really love this concept by masterarminas and even have some fluff ideas for it. First off a review which will highlight the already solid speed and autocannon hardpoint that is upgraded to AC/20 grade. It really makes sense to me for a Kurita design, perhaps the Kurita design, in particular to go for the heaviest in your face weapon available. The armor is pretty good and I’d like to tweak your choice of secondary weapons perhaps a SRM and a Large Laser might be a better combo but what really sold it to me is the C3 system. This network would in itself vastly enhance the operational effectiveness of this Big Gun. Very nice work MA! Now to fluff ideas from me we could quite simply go old school (Takashi) vs. new school Theodore for our story. The Dragon can become the upgrade for all those traditional samurai hoping to close in for the quick kill as opposed to the Grand Dragon which is a newer approach to ranged engagements which utilize superior maneuverability. Please take a look at my DRG-6N Dragon and give me your thoughts.

VTR-9A3 Victor (by Abele)
Using the VTR-9A1 as a model for his AC/20 upgrade this jumping assault ‘Mech by Abele is more of what I would have liked to see with Ice Hellion’s Charger. The Capellans don’t have the resources or access to EndoSteel for a new production model Charger but the Steiner-Davion’s do for the Victor. FedCom redesign of the Victor’s chassis with lighter weight EndoSteel is already available and this variant could easily see production at Tao Mechworks on Styk or HildCo Interplanetary on St. Ives. Eventually even General Motors on New Valencia gets into the Victor producing business although this is after 3067 during the Jihad. That said the VTR-9A3 as you have it is solid upgrade and something very doable to existing AC/20 users throughout the InnerSphere. Perhaps this is an upgrade for old school Mechwarriors who prefer the AC/20 to the Gauss Rifle and the host of new technologies seen on other ‘Mechs. With its mobility this Victor would still be a solid AC/20 variant of the venerable Victor. Still I would prefer to go all out here as with EndoSteel already available and the FedCom willing to spend why not go for the gusto. That is what I did with the VTR-9D2, what do you think? We could even put this model in full production at one of the FC factories.

KGC-0001 King Crab (by Bradshaw)
Not a bad idea to go with the royalty of the Crab line for a dual AC/20 user but it needs to be at least a jumper to qualify for this contest. I also like the idea of dropping the LRM-15 for another Large Laser even though it gives me concerns regarding heat build-up especially when there is only 12 doubled 24 heat sinks. This doesn’t even factor in jump jets which while only slightly hotter than running on this hundred-tonner but still it is more. With the King Crab does carry its massive big guns in its arms which would give us the opportunity to utilize an XL Engine if we dump Ferro-Fibrous I stuck closer to the base design to cling to the spirit of the Majestic Crab for my proposed variant which comes from ComStar after Tukayyid. My proposal would turn this war machine into another full production model. How do you like it??

INV-1DS Invictus (by Takiro)
As Abele most succinctly put it in his review the ‘Invictus makes a good Solaris 7 ‘Mech’ and I think he is right. I had originally planned for a much wider deployment for this Hatchet wielding AC/20 using Centurion but after reviewing its potential I think Solaris 7, narrow military value, and future developments like the ER Medium all point to a much more limited role at least right now. I can see special case characters using an individual Invictus in units like the Knights Exemplar (with a Hatchet Lance or Company) or Team Banzai (testing new designs in coordination with NAIS). Solaris 7 is probably where it fits in best with other Arena ‘Mechs in service to Davion or Kai’s Stables fighting for the glory of the Federated Commonwealth. I will have to rewrite deployment and perhaps have Morgan sit down with Hanse to tell him that the Invictus just won’t work in the main body of the AFFC.

ANH-4H Annihilator (by Irose)
This insane variant is just plain nasty and even though it breaks my criteria in almost every way I just can’t turn away. Yeah it has limited ammo and it moves so freaking so slow it ain’t funny but 4 Autocannon/20s!! The armor isn’t max protect either but the concept is fun not in a mass production kind of way but how about for a single Mechwarrior? I’d like to make the UrbanKing a single Wolf Dragoon variant which serves with their Home Guard on Outreach. Perhaps we could collaborate on some sort of whacky story for this singularly potent foe should anyone dare attack the home of the Wolf Dragoons or take foolish action on the new Mercenary capital of the InnerSphere. Kudos to you Irose for successful breaking the mold in this contest. Outstanding job, I’d love your help in fleshing out a story for this one of a kind war machine and its pilot.

DSP-1R Despoiler (by Takiro and Bradshaw)
During our contest Bradshaw suggested the Gunslinger as a possible AC/20 carrier but took that idea off the board. However, it is not a bad idea especially when you combine it with my Despoiler concept. I really like the idea of the Gunslinger design team which mixed FedCom and Draconis personnel to create an effective anti-Clan war machine. While it is another entry in the 80-ton weight class (which maybe the ideal mass for our contest here) it is different from the others. The Charger is sort of a low-tech approach focused on good running speed while the Victor is a little better jumper then you have this high-tech monster with dual AC/20s. Still that could be a good reason why this might be a limited edition protype. What do you guys think?

STK-4H Stalker (by Bradshaw)
Just making the cut for an acceptable AC/20 weapons platform is the Stalker bought to us by Bradshaw. I went back and forth on this one a few times but with such a storied history and so many available models already in the field why no an up close and personal one? It was an interesting fluff approach to have an interesting historical variant from the Star League era this was more of a Clan Invasion era (early 3050s) contest. I could see ComStar specifically or the renegade Word of Blake looking to the past for potential inspiration so that I can overlook and even embrace. However, it needs Jump Jets in order to give it some maneuverability which we can do. I came up with a variant based on our other Stalker variants, what do you think?

Rejected (7)
CDA-5WTF Cicada (by Irose)
As incredible as I find this to type I think I am gonna turn this very interesting concept down and I feel real bad about it. The CDA-5WTF is actually a pretty darn awesome delivery system for the AC/20. Love the speed (8/12) especially in combination with the Autocannon/20 but there are concerns. With only one ton of ammunition possible for the big gun a pilot would have five chances to damage an opponent before having to withdraw. Since no secondary weapons are even conceivable this becomes a major liability to the design despite its great speed. While the armor of the Cicada was improved by the use of Ferro-Fibrous it is not maximized and still pretty light. These concerns in addition to other plans I’ve already begun to develop with this BattleMech make the concept unfeasible unfortunately. However, after looking over your variant and other Marik designs I came up with an alternative, HRM-5AC Hermes II.

FNR-4X Fafnir (by Abele)
This design might be a little too far future to bring into the current setting and we have a lot of 100 tonners already so there are plenty of those AC/20 carriers which would diminish the need to create a high-tech prototype. I did however find another plausible alternative which might be fast racked given its usage, the BTZ-1X Blitzkrieg. I put together a design for your comment based on the Hollander project which I also changed in this setting to the Mauser but that is another story. Please let me know what you think.

BNC-3K Banshee (by Bradshaw)
Sorry Bradshaw not only was your Banshee too slow and lacked any mobility (jump jets) I wasn’t looking for a Kurita version here but rather something that builds off the 3Q which is a Free Worlds League design. Your version would be an awesome twin Gauss platform or even a cheaper version of the capable 3050 Steiner version. I put together my 5Q based on yours, the 3Q, and the 5S to create a fast 4/6 (8 with a MASC) twin AC/20 carrier which also comes with a NARC to help other Marik designs deliver missile support. It can get up on an enemy face and really slug it out, what do you think?

CP-10-NZ Cyclops (by Bradshaw)
I originally wanted to pair this design with our Davion AC/20 Victor in order to create a jumping bruiser lance but then I noticed the price. Eight tons for jump jets, what a waste! I guess you don’t notice that when often assault jumpers just jump three and you only pay six tons which isn’t that bad but eight seems too much. Ultimately my Command ‘Mech concern was the primary reason I nixed this platform as an AC/20 carrier. Militaries and even mercs are not gonna want a valuable rare design charging forward to take a massive amount of punishment. Rather the Gauss variant which allows the Cyclops to strike from range just makes more sense. 

CP-11Z Cyclops (by Ice Hellion)
Again, this was another extremely promising concept which despite a lack of mobility could with a five ton MASC easily qualify design wise for our contest. However, as I stated for Bradshaw’s Cyclops concept it is just too rare and valuable commodity to throw forward with an AC/20 into the thick of combat. Rather a distance approach with a Gauss and LRMs would be the way to go. I am working on this concept and just might run a design contest on it. Sorry bud.

AS7-S Atlas (by Abele)
As I said on Abele’s first attempt ‘the Atlas is of course a solid platform but its speed (3/5) and lack of mobility (no jump jets) really limits its ability to deliver the AC/20. I'd like to add jump jets and make it a mobile slugger like the Victor.’ Of course, Abele did make the modifications soon after so I just wanted to comment on it official here in the round up.

CGR-2D5 Charger (by Bradshaw)
I appreciate your attempt here bud but Ice Hellion beat you to the punch with this one. Plus we have other eighty ton FedCom platforms which don’t bite on Capellan efforts to upgrade the Charger. Let them have something!

Two existing AC/20 platforms which were not explored during the contest (Axman & Shootist) I have worked on and will include below as I find they do fit the criteria and can be improved upon. Please comment when you see them. Other possibilities were suggested (Sentinel, Jenner, and Marauder II) and even though they were not explored during the contest I looked at them hard. Unfortunately, they did not make the cut either which leaves us with fifteen (15) AC/20 designs that made it. (see below)

ANH-4H Annihilator (100 tons / Wolf Dragoons) [Irose]
AS7-JAC Atlas (100 tons / Free Worlds League) [Abele]
AXM-1P Axman (65 tons / Federated Commonwealth) [Takiro]
BNC-5Q Banshee (95 tons / Free Worlds League) [Bradshaw]
BTZ-1X Blitzkrieg (50 tons / Federated Commonwealth) [Abele]
CHR-2A5 Charger (80 tons / Capellan Confederation) [Ice Hellion]
DSP-1R Despoiler (80 tons / Federated Commonwealth) [Bradshaw]
DRN-6N Dragon (60 tons / Draconis Combine) [maserarminas]
HBK-6K Hunchback (50 tons / Free Worlds League) [Takiro]
HRM-5AC Hermes II (40 tons / Free Worlds League) [Irose]
INV-1DS Invictus (50 tons / Federated Commonwealth) [Takiro]
KGC-000-AC King Crab (100 tons / ComStar) [Bradshaw]
ST-9A Shootist (70 tons / ComStar) [Takiro]
STK-5AC Stalker (85 tons / Free Worlds League based off SLDF) [Bradshaw]
VTR-9D2 Victor (80 tons / Federated Commonwealth) [Abele]

Thanks to everyone who participated and I hope you will continue to help put the finishing touches on the final fifteen. Evaluating this relatively opened contest has been a long but fruitful process which I have had a lot of fun with. I am eager to continue the work begun here in order to produce the very possible AC/20 designs which can still be effective on the modern battlefield of the 3050s. Talk to you soon and I will start posting my design versions based on yours very soon.

AXM-1P AXMAN
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Dorwinion AXM Endo Steel
Power Plant: Magna 260 XL
Cruising Speed: 43 kph
Maximum Speed: 64 kph
Jump Jets: HildCo Model 12
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Kallon Royalstar with CASE [from Caeser in part of swap upgrade]
Armament:
1 Luxor Devastator-20 Autocannon
1 Sutel Precision Line Large Pulse Laser
3 Intek Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Johnston Industries
   Primary Factory: New Syrtis
Communication System: Johnston Wide Band
Targeting & Tracking System: Rander Pinpoint-HY

Overview:
   As attempts to improve ‘Mech based Autocannon/20 delivery systems were underway FedCom designers began to review one of their premier designs, the Axman. Jump Jets already provided this hatchet wielding BattleMech the mobility to effectively use its big gun especially in urban areas and other cluttered terrain. Despite this the AXM-2N which replaced the AC/20 with two LRM-15s already threatened to fundamentally change the entire concept of the Axman.

Capabilities:
Exchanges Ferro-Fibrous armor for EndoSteel skeleton
Armor protection improved (14% increase)
Near maximum protections (98% rather than 84% on the AXM-1N)
Increases per location   =   CT +4 / +1   ST +4 / -1   Arms +3   Legs +6
Armor was redistributed in the side torsos as well to provide better durability in the front while slightly reducing the rear
Costs 11,853,711 C-bills compared to the original 11,840,511 (13,200 C-bill increase)

Deployment:
AFFC
Creating this third distinct variant effectively eliminated the AXM-1N from production
The creation of Mobile Hatchet Lances with the AXM-1P Axman commanding three Hatchetman units which sometimes include the new Nightsky (Tomahawk, Cleavers, Hackers, Clannerjacks)
Many newly developed Hatchet ‘Mechs lack jump jets

Type: Axman
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 65

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         EndoSteel         3.5
Engine:            260 XL         7
Walking MP:         4
Running MP:         6
Jumping MP:         4
Heat Sinks:            10 (20)            0
Gyro:                           3
Cockpit:                        3
Armor Factor:            208            13

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         21         32 / 7
R/L Torso         15         25 / 5
R/L Arm         10         20
R/L Leg         15         30

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
AC/20            RT/CT         8/2      14
Ammo (AC) 10      Left Torso      2      2
CASE            Left Torso      1      .5
Large Pulse Laser      Left Arm      2      7
3 Medium Lasers      Right Arm      3      3
Hatchet          Right Arm      5      5
2 Jump Jets         Right Leg      2      2
2 Jump Jets         Left Leg      2      2

BTZ-1X BLITZKRIEG
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Coventry BTZ-VII EndoSteel
Power Plant: Magna 350 XL
Cruising Speed: 76 kph
Maximum Speed: 119 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Lexington Ltd. High Grade Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Armament:
1 Defiance ‘Mech Hunter Autocannon/20
Manufacturer: Coventry Metal Works
Primary Factory: Coventry
Communications System: TharHes Muse 54-58K
Targeting and Tracking System: Cyclops 9b

Overview:
Experimental model developed by the Hollander Design Team which produced the Mauser

Capabilities:
As fast as the Hermes II with the greater size of the Hunchback
 

Type: Blitzkrieg
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 50

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         EndoSteel         2.5
Engine:            350 XL         15
Walking MP:         7
Running MP:         11
Jumping MP:         0
Heat Sinks:            10            0
Gyro:                           4
Cockpit:                         3
Armor Factor:            143            8

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         16         20 / 8
R/L Torso         12         16 / 7
R/L Arm         8         10
R/L Leg         12         20

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
AC/20            LT/CT         9/1      14
Ammo (AC) 15      Right Torso      3      3
CASE            Left Torso      1      .5

DRG-6N DRAGON
Mass: 60 tons
Chassis: Alshain Type 56-60H
Power Plant: Vlar 300 XL
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: [ ] Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 [] Autocannon/20
1 [] SRM-6
1 [] ER Large Laser
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
   Primary Factory: New Samarkand (upgrades only)
Communication System: Sipher CommSys 3
Targeting & Tracking System: Eagle Eye SY

Type: Dragon
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 60

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:                     6
Engine:            300 XL         9.5
Walking MP:         5
Running MP:         8
Jumping MP:         0
Heat Sinks:            11 (22)            1
Gyro:                           3
Cockpit:                        3
Armor Factor:            197            11

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         20         28 / 12
R/L Torso         14         20 / 8
R/L Arm         10         20
R/L Leg         14         26

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
AC/20            Right Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 10      Right Torso      2      2
CASE            Right Torso      1      .5
ER Large Laser      Left Arm      2      5
SRM-6            Center Torso      2      3
Ammo (SRM) 15      Right Torso      1      1
C3 Slave         Head         1      1