OBT Forum

Sorry I am pressed for time guys and I hope this review does you all justice. There were nine competitors for Lupus by six designers – all very solid. No design violated the basic criteria and I really don’t think there was a bad entry in the bunch. Really nice job! Given the number of submissions along with the Lupus everyone will be ranked 10 to 1. Two big questions I asked of every submission. The biggest and most Clan - Can the challengers defeat the Lupus in combat? The second and a large concern - Can the challenger go to production as fast or faster then the Lupus? Baring that in mind I would just like to say before we begin if the Lupus beat you I don’t think it is necessary a bad thing. It is a pretty solid design even if it is old.

10. Golden Python (Smegish)
Based on the Lupus chassis is not a bad idea as this would expedite production nicely. However, Cloud Cobra acquiring the design from Coyote is a huge problem for me. These two Clans are not on the friendliest terms and would not be out to help each other what so ever. So production might fall prey to infighting and petty bickering, not good compared to the Lupus. I like the Golden Python name and its natural competitor being the Goliath Scorpion is cool. Speed of 5/8 thanks to the common 300 Fusion Power Plant is pretty good. Pod space of 22 tons is certainly adequate and the configurations are nice. While a half ton of ferro fibrous short of full protection its 192 armor factor is nice. Combat wise it does compare favorably to the Lupus but because of my manufacturing concerns and competitors I feel are just better I have placed it here. Not a bad job.

9. Spectral Dragon (LordGrayson)
Another nice OmniMech concept from the Blood Spirit – Fire Mandrill team. Don’t mind the pairing with Ice Hellion in light of the MASC which makes it our fastest entry, 5/8 (10) thanks to the ubiquitous 300 Fusion Engine. The 201 max armor factor thanks to 10.5 tons of ferro fibrous is pretty solid. Pod space of 19.5 tons comes close to using a third of this war machine’s mass for weaponry and equipment. Plus your configurations check out so the design is very nice. I think this Dragon redux could have been able to outperform the Lupus. However I have some concerns. Starting Dragon production would be more difficult as there is no existing Clan production line. While minor cause the materials used here are not cutting edge and are readily available the Lupus probably would beat you back into production. Fluff wise I wish there was something about Kindraa Sainze who would certainly be out in the lead for this ‘Mech. Including them prominently in your back story would have shot you right to the front of the line. So this one could have been much better, still a solid effort.
 
8. Lupus
This is an excellent OmniMech design that despite its age was deemed a plausible threat to Inner Sphere opponents and therefore still useful to the Clans. Despite being phased out of service the Lupus still exists in large numbers that can be easily activated. There are age concerns that require minor updates like Battlearmor holds which are now universal on Clan Omnis as well as other trivial concerns I am sure. Not really a big deal. The political consequences of picking this Clan Coyote revival could be more damning as I am sure the Zombie philosophy would be imperiled by this retired designed. I would truthfully want a new design rather than reactivate an old one cause it could be retired again pretty soon by newer challengers. However it is capable so beating the Lupus isn’t easy.

7. Great Kraken (drakensis)
This Steel Viper design whose name and back story was not all that bad. While it has no design basis per say although it looks very Rifleman like. It a simple 240 engine that is readily available can expedite manufacturing and trudging along at 4/6 meets design criteria. With 29 tons of pod space and the 201 max armor factor thanks to 10.5 tons of ferro fibrous the Kraken is a real zombie. She certainly packs a punch in combat and could defeat the Lupus in trails. While it might take a little more time to produce than the Lupus it is pretty straight forward so no big negatives. I do wish there was something more fluff wise but nice job edging out the Lupus.

6. Deathstalker (masterarminas)
I think you took fluff is taken to extremes here Master Arminas. While Diamond Shark are the primary manufacturer of the Sand Devil the Goliath Scorpions could be secondary producers. Secondary facilities are much smaller then the enlarged primaries thanks to Quicksilver and while numbers of machines would be smaller the Scorpions could make their own. They designed the Mech after all. Also I felt it was a little extreme with the scientists suicide but hey to each his own. The pairing with the Hell’s Horses was interesting if somewhat brutal for the Scorpions. Design wise you have a very solid concept based on the Thresher which does not require much alteration. The EndoSteel chassis is in place even though you down grade the engine to a 240 Fusion Engine which with its 4/6 speed and 29 tons of pod space if much more Zombie like. The max 201 armor factor due to 10.5 tons of ferro fibrous is most appropriate as well. So quick production is a yes thanks to your Thresher basis and combat wise she is solid. The fluff was just a bit off for me and I placed the formidable Deathstalker here. 

5. Frost Liger II (drakensis)
Nice job drak on this Hell’s Horses effort which was based on the Mad Dog. The name shows that you should not be afraid to reuse a cool design moniker that did not initially make it in the future. The EndoSteel structure borrowed from the Linebacker could help expedite matters as the Mad Dog uses standard materials. I think it probably could enter production quickly despite this chassis upgrade. With a 5/8 speed thanks to the omnipresent 300 Fusion Power Plant it moves pretty well and I like the 12 (24) heat sinks which are the maximum possible as integral parts of the engine. The 191 armor factor (10 tons of ferro fibrous) nearly gives the Mech full protection and considering it includes an integral ECM Suite its 19 tons of pod space is pretty formidable. I think combat wise it could equal or defeat the Lupus. The mention of a Steel Vipers urban variant was very interesting but left me wanting more. Still great design, just four better!

4. Iron Golem (Abele)
This Steel Viper based on the Matador is pretty solid. Aesthetic changes might not take that long but switching to an EndoSteel chassis could be somewhat time consuming – still could get to production pretty quick. The movement profile of 4/6/4 thanks a venerable 240 Fusion Engine and Jump Jets is pretty mobile. Throw in 24 tons of pod space with an integral ECM Suite and combat wise I think the Golem could have beaten the Lupus. The 201 max armor factor due to 10.5 tons of ferro fibrous is another big plus and slightly out does the Lupus. Unfortunately there were a few designs I just liked better Abele so fourth place for this one.

3. Obsidian Mantis (masterarminas)
Excellent write up Master Arminas even though it was not what I was expecting which was more of a Grasshopper theme. However this Snow Raven effort with assists from Ghost Bear and support from Blood Spirit is awesome. I love the Burrock derision calling it the “Fat Dog” and the Mantis being a natural predator. Using the Mad Dog as a basis is good but the EndoSteel switch over might cost you some time however not enough to delay rapid production. It goes 5/8 thanks to the omnipresent 300 Fusion Power Plant which is a big plus. Pod space of 21.5 tons is pretty good and configurations are spot on especially with a  max 201 armor factor (10.5 tons of ferro fibrous). Pretty capable machine which combat wise I think the Mantis could match or outperform the Lupus. The fluff is perhaps the best but I felt two designs beat you out. Congrats on third place, the Mantis was a real change up that I liked.

2. Raging Bull (Abele)
This Hell’s Horses entry comes so very close to fulfilling your quad omni goal Abele. I really liked this submission which was based on your past quad design efforts. The inclusion of the Snow Leopard research is a nice touch and this design has a real Hunchback IIc feel. The whole imagery of a great bovine running at opponents is pretty cool I have to say. A readily available 240 Fusion Engine allows it to do that at 4/6 with a MASC for bursts of 8 MPs. The 216 armor factor (13.5 tons of standard armor) is the most protection available for this weight class and fits this hard charger nicely. Pod space of 24 tons ain’t too shabby neither and the configurations were pretty good. I think combat wise a match up between the Lupus and the Bull would be pretty tight but you could win. Putting the Bull into full production quickly may be the biggest challenge given that no such quad is currently built. However your fluff and past submissions help the case plus it is a relatively simple design with existing components. When it comes down to it one design beat you out. What I would like to do is make this excellent submission into a standard BattleMech fielded by the Hell’s Horses with a slight upgrade, a 300 XL engine. Great job!

1. Iron Spider (JPArbiter)
Aside for some small typos this very impressive work is nearly perfectly done JP. Hard to argue the omnification of an existing design like the Glass Spider would be more difficult than restrarting an old design or creating a brand new one. Even the Dagda Industrialplex Zeta as part of Burrock holdings in 3052 checked out. Nice job! The Fusion 240 Mark V is proven and gives the Iron Spider the same movement profile (4/6) as its forebearer. Dropping a ton of ferro fibrous armor (9.5 tons for a 181) does take a little bit away from the Zombiness of this war machine but 30 tons of pod space really makes it into a offensive juggernaut. The ranged configurations make it difficult for Mechs or fighters to close with this bad boy. So despite being slower than the Lupus it clearly outranges it and the niche it can fill as a front line anti aircraft battery is important in the homeworlds and in the InnerSphere alike. Fantastic job Arbiter and congrats on the gold!!

So seven of the nine entries beat out the Lupus which will remain retired and Coyote has got to be pissed about losing out. I will update the Industrial Commitment Table as part of the next contest. Great job gang! Hopefully the next contest will be up tomorrow!

Well done to JP Arbiter for the win and Abele and Master Arminas for their improved medal counts.

WOOT!