OBT Forum

Hominid2, unless you're trying to crit-pad the LRM ammunition, the ERLL might be better off in the CT.

I'll be sitting this contest out.  Never really liked the Atlas, to tell you the truth.  Besides, working on my fiction and working at work has been running me ragged and I don't have a lot of time to spare.

For all the variations of the Atlas and other 100-tonners around, there aren’t a lot of pure missile boats, and honestly that strikes me as optimal for a 3/5 fire support command ‘Mech.  After all, my favorite 100-tonner is the Bane 3, and this isn’t as good, but still nearly as good as a Viking (and better when firing indirectly).  In this case, the insane amount of explosive ammunition means that CASE is necessary… but that a Master C3 system is likely to get blown to bits when the CASE is inevitably activated.  So this is a ‘Command’ Mech that isn’t a Master C3 node for the Dragon.

Type: Atlas AS7-KC
Production: Draconis Combine (Independence Weaponry)
Combat Value: 2230 BV
Total Cost: 10,626,000 C-Bills + 330k ammo (including x2 tonnage premium)

Internal Struc (Endo): 5t
Engine: Vlar 300: 19t
  Walking: 3
  Running: 5
Heat Sinks:   12(24): 2t
Gyro/Cockpit (std) 6t
Armor Factor (std) 19t (304 pips)

Head 3/9
Center Torso 31/47/14
R/L Torso 21/32/10   
R/L Front Leg 17/34
R/L Rear Leg 21/41

Quirks: Battlefists, Command Mech, Distracting, Improved Comms

5x LRM-15 (15cr, 35t) RA/2RT/LT/LA
12x Ammo (LRM) 96 (12cr, 12t) 5RT/7LT <--- usually one or two tons of Deadfire missiles
2x CASE (2cr, 1t) RT/LT
1x C3 Slave (1cr, 1t) H

Although Independence Weaponry of Quentin released the Atlas AS7-K in 3050, the ‘Mech suffered from several striking weaknesses that were exposed during the Clan Invasion – the inability to handle the heat of a full broadside, and the expensive and vulnerable Vlar 300 XL engine, among other things.  As a result, Independence crash-developed the AS7-KC, with the first few examples delivered to rebuilding DCMS units in the first quarter of 3053.

The revamped KC reverts to the older, more compact Vlar 300 standard engine, with two tons of double-strength heat baffles integrated into the engine itself (reflecting the production limitations in the Combine that limited the number of self-contained double heat sinks available in the early 3050s).  The side-torso integrated CASE systems were retained, protecting the five-and-seven tons of ammunition in the right and left torsos.  The major manufacturing shift was the use of Alshain Class 920 Endo-Steel, taken from their unpopular Victor lines, and heavily reinforced to handle the 100 ton load of the Atlas.  The full nineteen tons of Durallex Special Heavy armor, which makes the Atlas one of the best-protected ‘Mechs in the Inner Sphere, was retained.

The major changes come from armament.  All the expensive advanced weapons systems (Gauss Rifles, ER lasers, pulse lasers) were all replaced with a spread of five Shigunga LRM-15 systems, with one set of missile tubes in each arm (in a ‘shoulder’ mount), one in the left torso, and two racks in the right torso.  The firing systems are controlled by the Angst Discom and Accuracy electronics suite of the classic Atlas, which also include a satellite uplink capability and a full command suite capable of coordinating the C&C of an entire company of ‘Mechs or other heavy units.  The addition of a Tanadi Citizen C3 slave system just behind the iconic skull-head cockpit of the massive assault ‘Mech, just allows the Atlas AS7-KC to use allied targeting data to add fire support from long range, and indirect supporting fire as well.  Although there was discussion of incorporating a Tanadi Coordinator Master C3 system instead, the heavy (and explosive) ammunition loads and incorporated CASE protection made DCMS leadership nervous about potentially losing the very pricey system – and thus the decision to include a C3 slave system in its place.

Although the KC has no backup weapons to speak of, Independence incorporated one last nasty ‘surprise’ for any foes that venture close, hoping to get within the minimum arming distance of an Inner Sphere LRM.  Only just put into production by Luthien Armor Works the year before, the dead-fire missile trades accuracy for a massive close-range punch (comparable to an SRM).  Independence recommends the KC carries at least one ton of such ammunition for emergencies, enabling this Atlas to hit with firepower potentially greater than a classic SRM carrier (or other ambush predators) should opponents come too close.  In fact, the ammunition feeds of the KC are capable of feeding missiles from either torso bin to any and all of the LRM systems carried by this ‘Mech.

With low logistical costs, durability, hitting power, and a sticker price as well of just over 10 million C-Bills, this new Atlas is quickly garnering praise from DCMS pilots and commanders, who feel they can now more appropriately respond to Clan opponents (and in particular their long-ranged guns).  The Gunji-no-Kanrei, Theodore Kurita, has already praised this Atlas for being an effective and cost-efficient design, and other ‘Mech companies in the Combine have started designing comparably hard-hitting, low cost heavy and assault ‘Mechs of their own in respose to the future Coordinator’s (seemingy) off-handed comments.

Kudos for even remembering that DFMs are an option - most of us don't!

The Atlas is not an easy one to optimize, I will say that.

I don't care about optimising for optimising. The story behind is more important 

That said I have found an idea that makes sense and I hope that MasterArminas will like it.

And yes, this is a teaser.

Overview
Thomas Calderon was known for his extreme paranoia for everything related to the Federated Suns and House Davion. This culminated with his order in 3049 for the Taurian Defence Forces to go on high alert in 3049 following a series of accidents and rogue raids on their common border and the Future Victor 39 military exercise being held there too. An order that still holds today.

Apart from jeopardising the whole Concordat and its economy thanks to the high priority given to the military in every aspect (transportation, mandatory defensive works on all planets, levies…) and even the military by keeping it in permanent alert without allowing it time to rest and refit or train, this full alert (something unseen even during the Reunification Wars or the Amaris’ Coup), this extreme paranoia had almost no positive aspect. One of the few positive aspects was the request to become almost self sufficient when it comes to ‘Mech and their upgrades to modern technologies.

This resulted in several intents and among them one of the most successful being the AS7-RST family.


Capabilities
All the AS7-RST are upgrades of the AS7-RS which makes them sometimes akin to the Atlas II of old, a back to the roots trips since some saw the AS7-RST has a downgrade of the SLDF advanced model.
Another feature of this family is that they are almost all upgraded only with components being made on Sterope and the Taurus Territorial Industries being in charge of the final retrofit thanks to their installation able to produce different kinds of ‘Mechs.

For the AS7-RST1-A, the first born of the family, the first step was to increase heat management thanks to the use of 16 Double Heat Sinks that dissipates more than the original 20 single ones while freeing much needed tons.
The weapons were all replaced by Taurian ones, starting with 2 Medium Lasers in the arms associated with 2 ER Large Lasers, courtesy of Sterope Defence Industries.
The local plant also replaced the LRM-20 by 4 LRM-5 and the SRM-6 by a Shannon Fore SRM-4 (found in the Commando)  adding instead of the AC/20, a LB10-X with 3 tons of ammo to allow each ‘MechWarrior complete control over the way he uses the LB10-X.
No improvement was made on the armour but CASE was put into both torsos to improve the overall survivability of the ‘Mech.

Like the AS7-RS, the new upgraded ‘Mech was a much more diversified ‘Mech able to take down all kinds of targets at different ranges while suffering less from heat and ammo limitation than the AS7-D.


Battle History
The Taurian Guards are usually assigned to the protection of the Hyades Cluster but their battalions are rotating between their duty of protection of the core of the Taurian Concordat and patrol on the borders.
During one such patrol, a Heavy Company of the 1st Battalion detected unusual activity on a deserted planet and headed there to investigate. Leaving their only Assault ‘Mech, an Atlas, behind to guard their DropShip.
That was the occasion that the pirates staying on this planet had been waiting for, hoping to lure most of the Taurians away from their Ship and to take it. Unfortunately, they expected to face an AS7-D and had planned to fire at it from afar while outflanking it to bring it down.
However instead of having to deal only with a LRM-20, they came under the firepower of four LRM-5, two ER Large Lasers and one LB10-X, which were more than a match for them, even more with the DropShip being used as a supply depot.
When the pilot of the Atlas reported for duty to his commanding officer, he was quoted saying that “he felt sorry for being silent for so long but that he had been bothered by small mosquitoes.” When the rest of the unit came back, they saw the remains of the pirate units, earning the ‘MechWarrior in his Atlas the callsign of Mosquito.


Variants
Two different variants were made available.
The first one is the AS7-RST1-B1 which trades the ER Large Lasers for PPC thanks to the drop of 2 Heat Sinks and the use of Ferro-Fibrous Armour, a product quite common in the Taurian Concordat thanks to the Maultier.
The second one is the AS7-RST1-B2, which trades the PPC for Capellan ER PPC, specially imported.
Both variants need to be used with more caution because of the heavy burden imposed by the PPC and ER PPC on the cooling system, they are however appreciated for their heavier punch.


Deployment
All the Atlas of the Taurian Defence Forces are on their way to being upgraded to the new standard and several units operating in the Periphery but lucky enough to have one Atlas have placed orders for this retrofit. However Taurian Territorial Industries is unable to cope with the demand and the waiting list is rather long.


Notable ‘MechWarriors
The Devil's Own is the nickname of the 3 Subalterns leading the battalions of the Taurian1 Guards, each at the command of an upgraded Atlas as a symbol of the might of their units. When they are together and to confuse any opponent facing them, they all display a 6 as their tactical number, spearheading the destruction of anyone fool enough to face them.

Atlas AS7-RST1-A

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 10 304 000 C-Bills
Total Cost: 10 443 000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2 140

Chassis: Foundation Type 10X Standard
Power Plant: Vlar 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32,4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54,0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy Special Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2 Sterope Defense Industries/Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER Large Lasers
    1 Sterope Defense Industries/Armstrong Class-B ClusterGun LB 10-X AC
    2 Sterope Defense Industries/Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
    4 Sterope Defense Industries/Delta Dart LRM-5s
    1 Vandenberg Mechanized Industries/Shannon Fore SRM-4
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries
    Primary Factory: Sterope
Communications System: Angst Discom
Targeting and Tracking System: Angst Accuracy

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     152 points               10,00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19,00
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    6,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA
Gyro:               Standard                                               3,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 304                 19,00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1,00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           47       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  14       
                                           L/R Torso     21           32       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     17           34       
                                             L/R Leg     21           41       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 10-X AC                                   RT        2         6        11,00
SRM-4                                        LT        3         1         2,00
4 LRM-5s                                     LT        8         4         8,00
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1,00
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        2         5,00
Medium Laser                                 LA        3         1         1,00
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        2         5,00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (20)                      RT        -         2         2,00
@SRM-4 (25)                                  LT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-5 (48)                                  LT        -         2         2,00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RA        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 10

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 21
3          4       4       3       0      4     0   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1, FLK 1/1/1

Atlas AS7-RST1-B1

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 10 580 000 C-Bills
Total Cost: 10 719 000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2 166

Chassis: Foundation Type 10X Standard
Power Plant: Vlar 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32,4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54,0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Light Ferro-Fibrous Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    2 Sterope Defense Industries/Donal PPCs
    1 Sterope Defense Industries/Armstrong Class-B ClusterGun LB 10-X AC
    2 Sterope Defense Industries/Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
    4 Sterope Defense Industries/Delta Dart LRM-5s
    1 Vandenberg Mechanized Industries/Shannon Fore SRM-4
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries
    Primary Factory: Sterope
Communications System: Angst Discom
Targeting and Tracking System: Angst Accuracy

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     152 points               10,00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19,00
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             14(28)                    4,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 304                 17,00
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 2 CT, 4 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1,00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           47       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  14       
                                           L/R Torso     21           32       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     17           34       
                                             L/R Leg     21           41       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 10-X AC                                   RT        2         6        11,00
SRM-4                                        LT        3         1         2,00
4 LRM-5s                                     LT        8         4         8,00
PPC                                          RA        10        3         7,00
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1,00
PPC                                          LA        10        3         7,00
Medium Laser                                 LA        3         1         1,00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (20)                      RT        -         2         2,00
@SRM-4 (25)                                  LT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-5 (48)                                  LT        -         2         2,00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RA        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 0

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 22
3          4       5       3       0      4     0   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1, FLK 1/1/1

Atlas AS7-RST1-B2

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 10 980 000 C-Bills
Total Cost: 11 119 000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2 181

Chassis: Foundation Type 10X Standard
Power Plant: Vlar 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32,4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54,0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Light Ferro-Fibrous Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    2 Ceres Metal Industries/Ceres Arms Warrior ER PPCs
    1 Sterope Defense Industries/Armstrong Class-B ClusterGun LB 10-X AC
    2 Sterope Defense Industries/Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
    4 Sterope Defense Industries/Delta Dart LRM-5s
    1 Vandenberg Mechanized Industries/Shannon Fore SRM-4
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries
    Primary Factory: Sterope
Communications System: Angst Discom
Targeting and Tracking System: Angst Accuracy

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     152 points               10,00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19,00
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             14(28)                    4,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 304                 17,00
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 2 CT, 4 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1,00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           47       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  14       
                                           L/R Torso     21           32       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     17           34       
                                             L/R Leg     21           41       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 10-X AC                                   RT        2         6        11,00
SRM-4                                        LT        3         1         2,00
4 LRM-5s                                     LT        8         4         8,00
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1,00
ER PPC                                       RA        15        3         7,00
Medium Laser                                 LA        3         1         1,00
ER PPC                                       LA        15        3         7,00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (20)                      RT        -         2         2,00
@SRM-4 (25)                                  LT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-5 (48)                                  LT        -         2         2,00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RA        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 0

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 22
3          3       4       3       0      4     2   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1, FLK 0/0/0


Since the site crashed on Friday with 12 or less hours remaining i am going to extend this contest another week. So new deadline is December 24th at midnight Eastern Standard Time. Any further ideas you want to expand on please feel free to go ahead.