OBT Forum

Very good Abele, this contest is gonna wrap up on Sunday so anyone else interested in trying their hand at the Battlemaster IIC please get your entry in by then.

Ok folks, I did forget to officially close this contest this morning but sense I just remembered the challenge has come to a conclusion. I will look over all the participants and let you know who won soon.

BATTLEMASTER IIC
Mass: 85 tons
Chassis: Hollis Mark X
Power Plant: 340 VOX
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Compound Zeta Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 1 Type 22 Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon
   1 Pattern J6c Streak-6 SRM
   6 Series 2 Extended Range Medium Lasers
   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 eighty-five-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
   While many different variations were tested by Blood Spirit designers most lacked the ‘feel’ of the original Battlemaster according to Mechwarriors. Engineers faced with increasing costs and criticism from traditionalists went back to the drawing board. Embracing the KISS principle, they set out to keep as much of the base design as possible while upgrading what they could with advanced Clan technology. To that end venerable Hollis Mark X chassis, the reliable VOX 340 Fusion Engine, the original four-ton gyroscope, and internal myomer system were all retained. The still well-respected electronic systems featured on both the Battlemaster and the Shogun were painstakingly recreated with the help of Clan Goliath Scorpion. It was after all the HartfordCo COM 4000 communication system and the HartfordCo XKZ 1 targeting system which had helped make the ‘Mech such an effective command asset.
   Replacing the original armament with advanced Clan spec weaponry is where the Battlemaster IIC improves most dramatically. A Type 22 Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon became the new main gun of the renovation giving it the ability to knock out any battlefield opponent. A Pattern J6c Streak-6 SRM along with six Series 2 Extended Range Medium Lasers make up its devastating mid-range arsenal for threats which attempt to close with the Assault ‘Mech. Since two of those ER Medium Lasers remained rear facing even highly mobile challengers must remain on guard when trying to get behind the Battlemaster IIC. Finally, two Series 1 Extended Range Small Lasers provides further close in support when necessary. All weight savings garnered from this advanced gear was put toward Double Heat Sinks allowing it hang in a fire fight much longer than its predecessor.
   Of course, the addition of such cutting-edge equipment came at a cost. Every completed Battlemaster IIC was 1.6 percent more expensive than a Blood Kite. However, factors such as it’s improved speed, head capping ability, and stature as a command ‘Mech justified this relatively small price increase. 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. Burrock however preferred their Marauder IIC and began to write yet another chapter in their bitter rivalry with the Spirit attempting to seize the first factory model. Star Captain Til Winson boldly bid himself in defense with this new war machine against a Burrock Marauder IIC and a Point of Elementals.
Winson selected the facility loading yard as his Circle of Equals and remained powered down until his enemies approached. Killing four Elementals with his first salvo he crushed the last underfoot then used the Battlemaster IIC’s superior speed to outflank his rival’s Maruader IIC. As technicians from the plant cheered, Winson's fire ripped into the reactor shielding of his opponent, crippling its ability to maneuver or return fire effectively. While the Maruader IIC was claimed as isorla, Winson refused to accept the Burrock's surrender and executed him personally for incompetence in failing to support the Elementals more closely.
   The design rivalry spread as the Jade Falcon Clan salvaged a number of InnerSphere machines and pressed them into service. Star Colonel Nekane Hazen pilots one of these in the Periphery Occupation Zone and has twice squared off against Star Colonel Logan Waters of the Wolf Clan in his Marauder IIC. Both Mechwarriors have each won an encounter versus the other in frontier border clashes between their respective Clans. A third showdown and beyond seems inevitable as the Falcons have rapidly adopted the Battlemaster IIC as the Wolf preference for ilKhan Jerome Winson’s Marauder IIC remains unwavering.
   Goliath Scorpion assistance in the development of the Battlemaster IIC enabled their early acquisition of this design which they quickly passed along to the Diamond Sharks and Steel Vipers. The Viper’s possession of Trellshire Heavy Industries on Twycross rapidly made their Battlemaster IIC force the third largest. The Shark’s have acquired many salvaged and cached Battlemasters rapidly proliferating it throughout their touman. These three Clans have made excellent use this design and the Marauder IIC often teaming them quite effectively in Assault Stars.
   While Hell’s Horses, Ice Hellion, and Smoke Jaguar all use the Marauder IIC they are currently evaluating the Battlemaster IIC for use. These Clans would likely utilize them in close conjuction as the Scorpions, Sharks and Vipers have thus far. Cloud Cobra, Nova Cat, Snow Raven, and Star Adder all still prefer the Maruader IIC. So far none of these Clans have even inquired about the Battlemaster IIC just like the Coyotes and Ghost Bears. These two Clans have eschewed not only the Battlemaster IIC but its new design rival as well preferring their own Assault BattleMechs instead.

VARIANTS
   Two alternate Battlemaster IIC models have appeared alongside the classic Clan upgrade. The BK variant named for the Blood Kite swaps the ER PPC for two ER Large Lasers and the Streak SRM for three LRM-5s. Four ER Smalls also replace ER Mediums in order to make these modifications possible. While this longer range option has its uses, it is not as beloved as the traditional version. Jade Falcon have developed a more popular variant named the SL which has gained notoriety as Nekane Hazen’s personal ‘Mech. Following the old Royal Star League specifications it drops two Double Heat Sinks, the Streak SRM 6, and all six ER Mediums to add a second ER PPC along with a Large Pulse Laser. Four side torso mounted ER Smalls provide close support for this big gun version which is fast becoming a favorite of Jade Falcon second line forces.

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

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         8.5
Engine:            340                27
   Walking MP:         4
   Running MP:         6
   Jumping MP:         0               0
Heat Sinks:            21 (42)               11
Gyro:                              4
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
ER PPC            Right Arm      2      6
Streak SRM 6            Right Torso      2      3
Ammo (Streak SRM) 30      Right Torso      2      2
ER Medium Laser         Right Torso      1      1
ER Medium Laser         Right Torso      1      1
ER Medium Laser         Right Torso (R)   1      1
ER Medium Laser         Left Torso      1      1
ER Medium Laser         Left Torso      1      1
ER Medium Laser         Left Torso (R)      1      1
ER Small Laser         Left Arm      1      .5
ER Small Laser         Left Arm      1      .5



Blood Kite Variant (Ideal range is 15, too close 6 for six ER Smalls)
2 ER Large Lasers         Right Arm      2      8   24
3 LRM-5s            Right Torso      3      3   6
Ammo (LRM) 48         Right Torso      2      2
ER Medium Laser         Right Torso      1      1   5
ER Small Laser         Right Torso      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Right Torso (R)   1      .5   2
ER Medium Laser         Left Torso      1      1   5
ER Small Laser         Left Torso      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Left Torso (R)      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Left Arm      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Left Arm      1      .5   2
18   52


Royal Clan Upgrade (follows SLDF specs, Medium Lasers replaced by ER Smalls, and two Double Heat Sinks had to be removed)
ER PPC            Right Arm      2      6   15
ER PPC            Left Arm      2      6   15
Large Pulse Laser         Center Torso      2      6   10
ER Small Laser         Right Torso      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Right Torso      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Left Torso      1      .5   2
ER Small Laser         Left Torso      1      .5   2
-2 Double Heat Sinks (total 19, over by 4 Alpha Strike)   -4      -2   
                              20   48