Well, the results are in. I'd like to thank everyone who participated; your thoughts and reflections on the design gave me some new things to think about. Now, I liked everyone's fluff . . . but there can only be One. And in this case, the One is Red Pins.
His fluff fitted my view of the design just a wee bit better than the others.
Of course, it has to be adjusted because not all of his configurations made it into the final design! In fact, only his A, B, C, and G configs made the final cut! Ice Hellion won with his Prime, A, and E configurations, and Takiro with his H config. Abele also made it in with his A Config.
Now, to meld all of those together, they got re-lettered. But anyway! Here is the final design.
Arctic Fox
Overview
As the Hellions watched the remaining Clans of Kerensky once again begin to overwhelm their Warrior Caste with slower but more heavily armed and armored Omnimechs Khan Jena Norizuchi realized the Hellions would never be able to completely overwhelm their opponents with the sheer speed and maneuverability favored by Hellion Warriors. Despite the Founder’s decision, Norizuchi came to the conclusion speed alone was not enough.
Looking to the archives of the Hellion Loremaster for answers, files assembled by former Khans provided detailed analysis’ of this contradiction to the Hellion’s combat doctrine. The resulting information caused a stir among Trueborns -- the successful Warrior, after both brilliant and ignorant tactics were removed from the equation, was able to inflict more damage than the enemy. Speed, the essential Hellion trademark, was irreverent beyond a certain point as armor and weapons took primacy in combat. The successful Warrior was most often one with sufficient armor and heavy weapons, who was successful in moving into a position to use those advantages.
As always, the Warrior caste was unwilling to concede the point, but at the order of the Khan the saKhan and Loremaster began to assemble records of the recent conflicts of the Ice Hellions. Refining the information took longer, but within weeks algorithms were devised to accurately predict the outcome of future Trials based on the data. The data, closely held by the Scientists involved, proved conclusive.
Predicting unsuccessful outcomes proved successful when several factors were taken into account; Armor, Firepower (brute damage output, adjusted by heat dissipation -- what was termed, ‘intensity’), and Mobility. Offensive and defensive roles were taken into account as well -- the ability to nullify one factor could lead to the ability to overwhelm an opponent when the other factors remained superior to an opponent’s.
Within three months, calls for changes to Hellion priorities and adjustments to Omnimech chassis in the Touman were made before an internal Warrior’s Council and the results of the data explained to the Warriors attending it. Norizuchi, aware of the difficulty in convincing Warriors arrogant enough to charge Assault Mechs in Lights as much as five times their mass, paved the way for a series of Trials within the Warrior Caste itself to determine the truth. Having quietly assembled a Trinary of the 7th attack cluster to experiment with the most successful Omnimechs found in the study, Khan Norizuchi allowed challengers to bid for Trials to refute the evidence.
Only twelve of the Warriors were challenged, however. Each of the challengers used mechs identified as weak by the data, against slower designs proven to be superior. Two of the twelve challengers were victorious, proving the validity of the testing methods and once again the Clan was faced with a dilemma; continually low on resources, the Clan was unable to produce the OmniMechs most likely to bring victory in the continual Trials bleeding the Clan of raw resources and military strength.
Capabilities
The answer came once again from the Castles Brian of the former SLDF. Familiar with the need to claw back additional mass from the frame, armor, and engine of the ’Mech itself, the HER-3S Hermes contributed the original Endo-Steel frame necessary for the new design. Maximizing the small amount of armor able to be fitted to the frame, the refitted design allowed only 5 and a half tons to be fitted to the bare skeleton. The 300 XL engine, so common among SLDF units, provided a maximum speed of 162.0 kph with MASC as a design requirement pushing the new mech to 216.0 kph.
This olive branch extended to Hellion traditionalists was seemingly in violation of the new concepts being considered, but in fact the new design was to function as a substitute for the poorly protected Fire Moth. The Ghost Bears had designed the Fire Moth as a scout and infantry transport capable of limited support, and although its speed made it popular among Hellion Warriors it was capable of little else.
The newly-named Artic Fox, however, was both blindingly fast (as fast as the Fire Moth it would replace), but fully armored to directly confront enemy units on the battlefield. Having maximized two of the major factors, the remaining quandary of what to do with the design’s 6.5 tons of pod space remained.
Deployment
Initial deployment of the Arctic Fox was slow and laborious due to the need to strip the endo-steel frame from the ancient design and engines from different units entirely before reassembling it with modern components. Initial tests proved the concept sound, but field tests revealed the weaknesses of the out-of-date SLDF equipment as space within the chassis was difficult to find and the engine was more easily damaged compared to modern equipment. The risks were found acceptable given the experimental nature of the design, and the Artic Fox successfully endured most of the combat assignments asked of it without issue as a pair of prototypes utilizing the more advanced Clan components were built.
Continued testing with the new design has proved the successful blend of armor, speed, and pod space compared to the older Fire Moth, with Mechwarriors assigned to fight beside the Arctic Fox complaining of the lack of comparable armor. These Warriors are clamoring for refits to the engine capacity for a heavier shell of armor to remain in the field a comparable length of time, but the difficulty continuing to meet demand for the new design makes it impossible to begin the process.
With the field tests a success, limited production of the Arctic Fox using modern Clan endo-steel internal structure, ferro-fibrous armor plating, and extra-light engines began in 3004 on Hector.
Arctic Fox
Mass: 30 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 6,849,375 C-Bills
Battle Value: 592
Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 300 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 108.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 162.0 km/h (216.0 km/h)
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
6.5 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 51 points 1.50
Internal Locations: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 300 9.50
Walking MP: 10
Running MP: 15 (20)
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 105 5.50
Armor Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 10 15
Center Torso (rear) 5
L/R Torso 7 10
L/R Torso (rear) 4
L/R Arm 5 10
L/R Leg 7 14
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 32
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 6
13 0 0 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
The Prime Configuration is outfitted with an LRM-5 launcher with 24 missile salvoes available. Although the lightest long-range missile system available to the Clans and capable of just limited damage, the inclusion of this weapon provides the Arctic Fox Prime with a long-range bite. At closer range, an ER Medium Laser comes into play, augmented at shorter ranges still by a Streak SRM-4 launcher with 25 missile salvoes. Finally, to combat hostile infantry and battle armor, a Flamer has been fitted to the chassis.
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 7,361,738
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,387
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
Flamer LA 3 1 0.50
LRM-5 RT 2 1 1.00
Streak SRM-4 LT 3 1 2.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
@LRM-5 (24) RT - 1 1.00
@Streak SRM-4 (25) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 22
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
13 2 2 1 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Configuration A include five Jump Jets and only a single weapon system. However, that weapon system is an ER Large Laser. Hard hitting and possessing exceptional range (even for Clan weapon systems), this configuration has proven quite deadly in both simulations and actual combat Trials.
Loadout Name: A Cost: 7,430,800
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,459
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 5 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 2 LT, 3 RT 2.50
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 22
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 15
13/3j 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Configuration B has two sub-variants: B-1 and B-2. Both are nearly identical with four missile launchers, two tons of ammunition, and an ER Small Laser as the sole back-up weapon. Configuration B-1 features four LRM-5 launchers supplied by a total of 48 missile salvoes. Configuration B-2 replaces the long-range missile packs with four SRM-4 short-range launchers fed by a total of 50 missile salvoes.
Loadout Name: B-1 Cost: 7,237,831
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,387
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-5 RA 2 1 1.00
LRM-5 LA 2 1 1.00
LRM-5 RT 2 1 1.00
ER Small Laser RT 2 1 0.50
LRM-5 LT 2 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
@LRM-5 (24) RT - 1 1.00
@LRM-5 (24) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 21
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
13 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1
Loadout Name: B-2 Cost: 7,432,831
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,183
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRM-4 RA 3 1 1.00
SRM-4 LA 3 1 1.00
SRM-4 RT 3 1 1.00
ER Small Laser RT 2 1 0.50
SRM-4 LT 3 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) RT - 1 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 21
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 12
13 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 2/2/0
Configuration C draws upon the Nova for inspiration. Main armament is 10 ER Small Lasers, tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer, along with a Flamer for anti-personnel/battle armor work. One of the few Arctic Fox configurations able to overheat, this configuration is also able to (potentially) inflict more damage than any other.
Loadout Name: C Cost: 7,073,300
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,773
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 ER Small Lasers RA 10 5 2.50
5 ER Small Lasers LA 10 5 2.50
Flamer RT 3 1 0.50
Targeting Computer LT - 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 16
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 18
13 6 6 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Configuration D features just two weapons: an ER PPC and an ER Small Laser. The inclusion of the powerful (and feared) Clan Extended-Range PPC on the design makes the Arctic Fox D a superb hunter-killer of other light-weight BattleMechs and OmniMechs.
Loadout Name: D Cost: 7,361,494
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,921
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC RA 15 2 6.00
ER Small Laser LA 2 1 0.50
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 27
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 19
13 2 2 2 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Configuration E incorporates an Active Probe, an ECM Suite, and a TAG system to provide all of the electronic support a Star requires. However, the weapons array does suffer as only three ER Medium Lasers and a Flamer can be carried.
Loadout Name: E Cost: 7,995,488
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,692
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
Active Probe RT 0 1 1.00
TAG RT 0 1 1.00
Flamer RT 3 1 0.50
ECM Suite LT 0 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 21
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 17
13 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, ECM, TAG, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Like Configuration B, the Arctic Fox F has two sub-variants. The F-1 version features an LB-2X autocannon with 45 bursts of fire and an ER Small Laser. Having the absolute longest range of any current generation Clan weapon system, this cannon also inflicts the lightest possible damage profile. Not particularly popular among the Warriors of Clan Ice Hellion, the few who choose to pilot this Configuration are often experts at maintaining extreme range and "plinking" their opponents to death. The F-2 replaces the LB-series autocannon with an Ultra AC-2 instead (once again with 45 bursts of fire). Slightly more popular, the UAC-2 has less range, but greater potential damage . . . although still considered quite light by Clan standards.
Loadout Name: F-1 Cost: 7,198,994
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 844
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: RA 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 2-X AC RA 1 3 5.00
ER Small Laser LA 2 1 0.50
MASC CT - 1 1.00
@LB 2-X (Cluster) (45) RA - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 25
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 8
13 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Loadout Name: F-2 Cost: 7,150,244
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 895
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: RA 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra AC/2 RA 1 2 5.00
ER Small Laser LA 2 1 0.50
MASC CT - 1 1.00
@Ultra AC/2 (45) RA - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 26
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 9
13 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Author
Topic: Configuration Challenge: Ice Hellion #1 (Arctic Fox) (Read 1557 times)