OBT Forum

Well folks this Blood Spirit version of the Battlemaster went through several different variations until I was satisfied. Originally presented by LordGrayon it has changed a lot. What do you think?

BATTLEMASTER IIC
Mass: 85 tons
Chassis: Hollis Mark X
Power Plant: Clan Standard 255 Fusion Engine
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Compound Zeta Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 1 CRG Gauss Rifle
   1 Type 22 Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon
   2 Type XX “Long Bow” LRM 20-Racks with Artemis IV FCS
   2 Series 1 Extended Range Small Lasers
Manufacturer: BattleMech Y3 Facility
   Primary Factory: York
Communications System: HartfordCo COM 4000
Targeting and Tracking System: HartfordCo XKZ 1

OVERVIEW
   While modularization of the Blood Kite into the Stone Lion was cause for celebration among the Clan some Blood Spirits realized the need for a capable replacement was even more important. Several thought the Awesome IIC would fill that role with the second line units of their Touman. However, this ignored the Warhammer IIC upgrade which thanks to the contract with Diamond Shark was occurring rapidly. Khan Karianna Schmitt authorized her designers to “explore cost effective alternatives to the Blood Kite”. Thankfully the Quicksilver Program had already showcased several different 85 ton BattleMechs which could potentially be effective. Among these was the well respected Battlemaster which had served with distinction since its introduction in 2633. Ironically it had been the fifteenth Quicksilver Trail which was ultimately responsible for the Blood Kite upgrade that a Battlemaster OmniMech was proposed by the Fire Spirit Design Team.

CAPABILITIES
   It could be said that little remains from the original Battlemaser except for the Hollis Mark X chassis and internal myomers but this would overlook the electronic systems. Both the HartfordCo COM 4000 communication system and the HartfordCo XKZ 1 targeting system were successfully recreated by their new Goliath Scorpion allies. Rebuilt from existing models featured on the Battlemaster and the Shogun these components had helped make for an effective command ‘Mech. As the lead machine for slower Assault Stars the decision was made to incorporate a smaller standard engine. Replacing the VOX 340 with a 255 Fusion Engine reduced the overall speed and required a smaller gyroscope.
Ample supplies of these lesser power plants from cached machines like the Stalker and Shogun as well as equipment already in production such as the Thor, Kubulai, Thunder Stallion, and Stone Lion allowed designers to allocate more long ranged weaponry in the Battlemaster IIC. Described by some warriors as part Archer and part Warhammer the ‘Mech armament features two big missile systems and two big guns. Two Type XX “Long Bow” LRM 20-Racks with Artemis IV Fire Control along with a CRG Gauss Rifle and Type 22 Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon compose the primary arsenal. Able to deliver distant devastation these major offensive systems are backed up by twin Series 1 Extended Range Small Lasers providing close support.
   It is true that the main weaponry of the Battlemaster IIC is advanced and more costly than that of the Blood Kite but because of its stature as a command ‘Mech this extravagance has largely been justified. Drawing these arms from conventional vehicles also mitigated the potential expenditures somewhat. That said the Battlemaster IIC is still pretty cost effective even for the notoriously tightfisted Blood Spirits. To protect their investment thirteen and half tons of Compound Zeta Ferro-Fibrous armor replaced the standard StarGuard armor plating. This sophisticated armor originally used on the Mars Assault Vehicle provides ninety eight percent of maximum protection.

DEPLOYMENT
   Ideally suited for activation as a Clan second line BattleMech many were called up from Brian Caches or salvaged from InnerSphere battlefields. The first Battlemaster IICs appeared as Command ‘Mechs for second line formations in Blood Spirit and Fire Mandrill forces spreading quickly from there. Goliath Scorpion assistance enabled their early acquisition of this design which they quickly passed along to Steel Viper. Their possession of Trellshire Heavy Industries on Twycross rapidly made their Battlemaster IIC force the third largest. Diamond Shark and Snow Raven swiftly acquired rights to the design as well proliferating it throughout Clan space. Hell’s Horses acquired the Battlemaster IIC from Kindraa Payne and using the 255 Fusion Engines found on their Thunder Stallion BattleMech have activated a number of these classics. With a number of salvaged InnerSphere machines in their possession the Jade Falcons immediately picked up on it as well. Only Burrock, and to a lesser extent Cloud Cobra, seem to be lagging behind. Preferring their Marauder IIC in just another chapter in their bitter rivalry with the Blood Spirit trails between the two war machines have been intense.

Type: Battlemaster IIC
Technology Base: Clan Level 2
Tonnage: 85 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                      8.5
Engine:            255                13
   Walking MP:         3
   Running MP:      5
   Jumping MP:      0               0
Heat Sinks:            13 (26)            3
Gyro:                              3
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:         259               13.5

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso        27            41 / 11
   R/L Torso         18            27 / 9
   R/L Arm         14            28
   R/L Leg         18            35

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Critical   Mass
Gauss Rifle            Right Arm      6      12
Ammo (Gauss) 16         Right Arm      2      2
ER PPC            Left Arm      2      6
LRM 20             Right Torso      4      5
Artemis IV FCS         Right Torso      1      1
Ammo (LRM) 18         Right Torso      3      3
LRM 20             Left Torso      4      5
Artemis IV FCS         Left Torso      1      1
Ammo (LRM) 12         Left Torso      2      2
ER Small Laser         Right Torso      1      .5
ER Small Laser         Left Torso      1      .5