Even less time to write up this review on my end so let me get right down to it. Unfortunately, Abele wasn’t able to get fluff or a name suggestion in so three submissions to pick from. Fluff is a tie between marauder648 and Red Pins as both hit upon important elements of the Quicksilver storyline that will be used in the final story, so a half a point to each of you. Best InnerSphere name for the Shadow Cat goes to drakensis for the Yabusame designation from Draconis reports on Luthien, I liked that angle better than the Mastiff or the Wildcat but good tries.
For Primary Configuration we had the excellent canon version with its Gauss Rifle, 2 ER Mediums, and Active Probe which was backed by Abele. This very solid configuration was challenged by drakensis who tried an all energy variant (ER PPC) which ran heat neutral (plus 6 Double Heat Sinks) linked to a Targeting Computer. This could have been a winner but unlike Red Pins who switched the Active Probe for an ECM Suite (would have been nice protection for those looking to jam the Targeting Computer) he kept it. Pins I understand switching the Probe for an ECM but the winner to me was marauder648 who dropped the Active Probe for another ER Medium Laser. This improved on the canon version by making it an all-in combatant something I can really see the Clans doing. Point to marauder648!
Another solid canon configuration is A which again received endorsement from Abele and I can’t blame him. Red Pins switches out the Active Probe for a TAG which I would not call an improvement but marauder648 drops the Active Probe for another Double Heat Sink. This helps to balance the heat scale from the canon variant (2 ER Larges and a Streak SRM 6) a good thing. However, it was drakensis A which threw out the Streak SRM 6 for a Targeting Computer added an ECM and 5 Double Heat Sinks to balance the heat scale for this highly mobile recon sniper. Point to drakensis!
The third and final canon variant ‘B’ is an LRM fire support entry which again I can not blame Abele for endorsing, very solid. Red Pins goes the farthest in his LRM submission which features ten LRM-5s with 120 shots of ammo backed by two ER Mediums. This fifty-missile barrage entry which can sustain fire for 12 turns in game play terms is very tempting especially when paired with a NARC partner. Sticking with the base canon design and modifying it drakensis B drops both the Active Probe and ECM Suite for more ammo. I have to agree with marauder648 B which drops just the Active Probe for more ammo and retains the ECM which protects the Artemis IV FCS. That is the stand alone LRM entry which I can see Clan warriors going for. Point two for marauder648!!
Moving on from canon versions there were three Pulse submissions which set the theme for me for configuration C. Red Pins submission with 6 Medium Pulses and 2 ER Medium linked to a Targeting Computer isn’t bad but it generates a ton of heat (34 Alpha Strike) without taking into account movement. While many of the Pulse entries suffered from heat problems because of the Shadow Cats ten doubled twenty heat sinks it is a solid approach. Both Abele G and marauder C both use the one Large Pulse approach which does help to mitigate heat issues. I liked the dual Large Pulses of Abele C here even with their 2 Medium Pulses and 1 Small Pulse which Alpha Strikes result in 30 heat as it provides accurate fire at all ranges which you can bracket if necessary depending on movement. Point for Abele!
Sticking with the first submission for D which featured an Ultra AC/20 I wanted to evaluate all entries here for that new configuration of which there were three. The Shadow Cat is extremely fast thanks to its MASC and mobile with jump jets making it an ideal deliverer for this up close big gun firepower. All of the entries fluff wise were from the Smoke Jaguar a fact which we can all agree upon, very good. With only two tons of ammunition marauder648 F is a bit short on staying power for the main weapon which is why I liked his competitors with three tons of ammo better. Both Red Pins H and drakensis D were exactly the same stat wise so this left me with tie breakers as discussed. I liked drak’s blurb about heavier Kurita Grand Dragons unable to avoid battle with this blitzkrieg Shadow Cat D. Point two to drakensis!!
I was drawn to ER PPCs for Alternate Configuration E in search of what may have been my favorite of the bunch. Previously pointing to drakensis Prime as a solid but just shy of perfect entry for me as one competitor here there was also Abele E. Combining an ER PPC with an ER Large could have been perfect for a two ton Targeting Computer but alas this was not the direction Abele went. Another solid entry was marauder648 G which tied an ER PPC to a Targeting Computer and supported that with two LRM-10s. Ultimately it was Red Pins D with his twin ER PPC variant cooled by five Double Heat Sinks that I liked best here. Taking a page from the Adder indeed this version can dish out heavy firepower at range and depending on movement can choose not to fire one of these in order to cool down. Very nice, point for Red Pins!
Next up I wanted to look at all the LB 10-X AC entries we got for the Shadow Cat which was not a bad fit with its low waste heat and cluster ammo option. Both Abele D (4 ER Mediums) and Red Pins E (4 ER Smalls, Active Probe, ECM) go with shorter range companions of the big shotgun which isn’t bad and has a place against conventional vehicles. I liked drakensis F and marauder648 E however who paired their big shotgun with an ER Large which gave them substantial better range which could make them effective anti-aircraft capable as well. The final decider for me was the tertiary backup which was better with an ER Medium. Point three marauder648!!!
So, for the final three configurations I really didn’t start with a theme just went for the best of the rest. I would have liked to have seen an Ultra AC/10 entry but it is what is. Alternate Configuration G made me think Griffin for its mix of big energy weapon mated to a large LRM battery. While drakensis C was solid in this area I ultimately awarded it to Abele F whose LRM-20 with Artemis IV FCS (18 shots), ER Large, Medium Pulse, and two Small Pulses made it more of a fighter then drak’s heavy electronic entry which was more of a scout and we have that already. Point two for Abele!!
Red Pins F really grabbed me for Alternate Configuration H which harkened back to the original Alternate A with Streak SRMs. With four Streak SRM-6s, two ER Mediums, and two ER Smalls this machine is capable of 72 points of damage at close range at 30 heat. Now the down side it is it only has two tons of SRM ammo which means there is only 7 turns of fire. While it could have been done a bit better this one was a winning concept. Point two for Red Pins!!
Alternate Configuration I was another one meant to decimate Infantry by the Smoke Jaguars. Originally labeled drakensis E it has two LRM-10s with 24 shots to engage enemies at range but its main firepower comes from a group of 2 Small Pulses and 8 ER Small Lasers. Alpha Strikes would generate 28 heat (without movement) and 66 points of damage! Not too shabby plus it has an Active Probe to find the enemy along with three additional Double Heat Sinks. Point three to drakensis!!!
Another close contest folks with 3 design points going to drakensis and marauder648 while Abele and Red Pins had 2. With half a point to marauder648 and Red Pins for fluff it was the point to drakensis for InnerSphere name that made all the difference for the win. Congrats drak, you win this one by half a point. Very tight margin. It was surprising to me that no canon configuration survived and they were pretty damn good! So very good job everyone. See you soon for the next contest.
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Topic: Quicksilver Upgrades #12: Shadow Cat (??) 45 tons (Read 2042 times)