OBT Forum

Note: This fluff will suck as I am writing it while I'm angry

The first innovations coming from the Helm Core reached the realms of the periphery much later than it reached the realms of the Great Houses. The first to reach the Taurian Concordat in the mid-3040s and, initially, was limited to double heat sinks and CASE. Even with this limited technological information, one engineering team saw some promise in it and thus the GRF-2T Griffin was born. Seeing to mount even more weapons on the GRF chassis the team decided to replace the Core Tek 275 engine with Warner 220N borrowed from the Seydlitz aerospace fighter. This move freed up 7.5 tons of weight after replacing the 12 single heat sinks with 10 double heat sinks. To fix balance problems with gyro's software package the Donal PPC was moved to the left arm. A Delta Dart LRM15 launcher replaces the smaller Holly LRM10. Two Omicron 3000 medium lasers take up the space vacated by moving the PPC to the left arm. For added support two LFN Lindblad machine guns are mounted in the center torso. For additional protection this new general purpose Griffin now has eleven tons of standard. CASE has been added to the left torso.

All weapons are of local manufacture making repairs and logistics simpler. Marshal Cham Kithrong requested a number of these Griffins when word reached him at his VI Corps headquarters. Even though they are slower than the GRF-1N Griffin, many proponents believe that it is more durable and tactically flexible.

Griffin GRF-2T

Mass: 55 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: 3070
Dry Cost: 4,841,373 C-Bills
Total Cost: 4,902,373 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,415

Chassis: Earthwerks GRF Standard
Power Plant: CoreTek 220 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: Rawlings 55
    Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Starshield A Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Donal PPC
    1 Delta Dart LRM-15
    2 Omicron 3000vMedium Lasers
    2 LFN Lindblad Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
    Primary Factory: Illiushin
Communications System: Neil 6000
Targeting and Tracking System: Octagon Tartrac, System C

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      91 points                5.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                220                      10.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 4 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT                                         2.00
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
    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:              Standard Armor               AV - 176                 11.00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     18           26       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  9         
                                           L/R Torso     13           18       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  8         
                                             L/R Arm     9            16       
                                             L/R Leg     13           24       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Machine Guns                               CT        0         2         1.00
LRM-15                                       RT        5         3         7.00
2 Medium Lasers                              RA        6         2         2.00
PPC                                          LA        10        3         7.00
@LRM-15 (16)                                 LT        -         2         2.00
@MG (200)                                    LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 23

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 14
4j         3       3       2       0      2     0   Structure:  5
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


Once more technology became available through trade and intelligence efforts, the GRF-3T came into being. The most expensive piece is the 275 XL which was acquired through sources in the Free Worlds League along with the technology to build pulse lasers. In a move to follow the tend set by the GRF-2T, the engineers sought to take the Griffin of long range fire support to that of a trooper 'Mech. The first step was to replace the PPC with the newly designed Thunderbolt-12 large pulse laser. This new weapon is meant to cover the short-range gap of the LRM10. In keeping with the design changes made by the GRF-2T, the pulser is mounted in the left arm while the two medium lasers remain in the arm. The two machine guns have been moved from the center torso to the left torso. A Hotshot flamer is now mounted in the center torso. Armor protection is provided by ten tons of ferro-fibrous armor.

Griffin GRF-3T

Mass: 55 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3059
Dry Cost: 10,088,382 C-Bills
Total Cost: 10,149,382 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,343

Chassis: Earthwerk GRF Standard
Power Plant: Hermes 275 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Rawlings 55
    Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Durallex Super Medium Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Thunderbolt-12 Large Pulse Laser
    1 Holly LRM-10
    2 Omicron 3000 Medium Lasers
    1 Hotshot Flamer
    2 LFN Lindblad Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
    Primary Factory: Illiushin
Communications System: Neil 6000
Targeting and Tracking System: Octagon Tartrac System C

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      91 points                5.50
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             275                       8.00
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 5 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL                                   2.50
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             12(24)                    2.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 179                 10.00
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 2 LT, 4 RT, 4 LA, 3 RA
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1.00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     18           27       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  9         
                                           L/R Torso     13           19       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     9            18       
                                             L/R Leg     13           24       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamer                                       CT        3         1         1.00
LRM-10                                       RT        4         2         5.00
2 Machine Guns                               LT        0         2         1.00
2 Medium Lasers                              RA        6         2         2.00
Large Pulse Laser                            LA        10        2         7.00
@LRM-10 (24)                                 RT        -         2         2.00
@MG (200)                                    LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 5

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 13
5j         3       3       1       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1




Musical inspiration provided by the Unlucky Morpheous album "Unfinished"

Couldn't get to sleep as I'm stressing, so here's my Kuritan model.


Victory BattleMechs decided that the soldiers of the DCMS needed a Griffin that was wholly of Combine origin and not a foreign design captured when Marduk was taken from the Federated Suns. Using the GRF-1DS chassis and 275XL engine as the basis for the design, it was decided to replace the LRM-20 with a pair of Artemis IV FCS-equipped LRM-10s with tow tons of ammunition for each launcher in CASE protected bins. A quintet of medium lasers, four standard and one pulse, provide the extra firepower to counter Clan battle armor. An extra ton of armor has been added along with a C³ slave unit for better unit cohesion.

Some mechwarriors have expressed concern over losing the ER PPC, but most have learned to adapt to the new layout and the ability to 'spam' the enemy with missile barrages of greater accuracy.


Griffin GRF-3K

Mass: 55 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 10,805,257 C-Bills
Total Cost: 11,045,257 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,555

Chassis: Earthwerks GRF Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Nissan 275 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Rawlings 55
    Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Starshield A Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2 Telos DecaCluster LRM-10s w/ Artemis IV FCS
    1 Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Laser
    4 Victory 23R Medium Lasers
    1 Tanadi Citizen C3 Computer (Slave)
Manufacturer: Victory Battlemechs
    Primary Factory: Marduk
Communications System: Neil 6000
Targeting and Tracking System: Octagon Tartrac, System C

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                    91 points                3.00
    Internal Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 4 LA, 4 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             275                       8.00
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 5 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT                                   2.50
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             11(22)                    1.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 168                 10.50
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1.00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     18           26       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  9         
                                           L/R Torso     13           19       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  7         
                                             L/R Arm     9            16       
                                             L/R Leg     13           20       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C3 Computer (Slave)                          HD        0         1         1.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           CT        4         1         2.00
LRM-10                                       RT        4         2         5.00
    Artemis IV FCS                           RT        -         1         1.00
LRM-10                                       LT        4         2         5.00
    Artemis IV FCS                           LT        -         1         1.00
2 Medium Lasers                              RA        6         2         2.00
2 Medium Lasers                              LA        6         2         2.00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (24)                       RT        -         2         2.00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (24)                       LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 4

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 16
5j         4       4       2       0      2     1   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: C3S, CASE, MHQ1, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 2





Music accompaniment brought to you by Band-Maid's "Just Bring It" album.

Did anyone try their hand at a ComStar Griffin 

Yeah i did one

Okay folks this contest is all over. No further entries please!

Well, this review listing took a long time because of the twenty-eight entries from six different designers I had to review. Add to that the number of Griffin production facilities in the InnerSphere (six) and there was a lot of room for possible winners. All the entries except one qualified for the review and the quality of the designs I have to say was very impressive. So, here is the listing without further delay with some comments to follow.

DISQUALIFIED
N/A. GRF-4M (Abele)             Marik? No fluff? Blazer!

CONTENDERS
21. GRF-3T (Abele)       275XL, Large Pulse, LRM-10, 2 Medium Lasers, Flamer, 2 MGs
20. GRF-1DC (Bradshaw)        Draconis Combine, Gauss Rifle, No C3
19. GRF-2DS (Bradshaw)            FedCom, 275 XL (5/8/5), LB 10-X (20), LRM-15 (16) with Artemis IV FCS, 2 Medium Lasers, Jumping Alpha Strike produces 18 heat but it has 11 Double Heat Sinks [OVERSINKED]
18. GRF-2D (drakensis)        AFFC, ER PPC and LRM-15 ( 8 ) with Artemis [NOT ENOUGH AMMO]
17. GRF-3K (Abele)       275XL, 2 LRM-10s w/ Artemis. Medium Pulse, 4 MLs, C3 Slave
16. GRF-4D (Abele)       ER PPC, 2 Medium Pulses, 2 Medium Lasers, Guardian ECM
15. GRF-3DS (Abele)            FedCom, LRM-15 (16) with Artemis IV FCS, ER Large, 2 Medium Pulse

NEAR MISSES
14. GRF-2DS (Abele)            FedCom, LRM-20 (18) with Artemis IV FCS, ER Large, 2 Medium Lasers
13. GRF-2S (masterarminas)        ER PPC, 2 LRM-10s with Artemis
12. GRF-3Z (Irose)         Mercs, ER PPC and LRM-10
11. GRF-2T (Abele)       PPC, LRM-15, 2 Medium Lasers, 2 Machine Guns
10. GRF-2D series (masterarminas)    330XL (6/9/6), ER PPC and LRM-10 w/ Artemis, Beagle AP or Guardian ECM

UNIQUE
9. GRF-1N-S7 (Ice Hellion)       Mercs, like the Griffin’s Pride (small merc unit), S7 variant

WINNERS
8. GRF-2M (masterarminas)      Marik, ER PPC, 2 LRM-5s, NARC
7. GRF-3ELH (Irose)          Eridani, ER Large and 4 Streak SRM-2s
6. GRF-2NB (Bradshaw)        ComStar, 275 XL, ER PPC, 4 Medium Lasers, 2 SRM-6s
5. GRF-2T series (masterarminas)    PPC, 2 LRM-5s, 2 Machine Guns
4.  GRF-3D (drakensis)        AFFC, 330XL (6/9/5) ER PPC and LRM-15 with Artemis [FEDCOM] GRF-3DS
3. GRF-2TW (Bradshaw)    FedCom, heavy scout, EndoSteel, 275 (5/8/5), MASC (10), ER Large, 3 Medium Lasers, Flamer, TAG, Active Probe, ECM Suite, Remote Sensor Dispenser [DAVION] GRF-3D
2. GRF-BLR (drakensis)            ‘GriffinMaster’, EndoSteel, 275 (5/8/5), PPC, SRM-6 with Artemis, 6 Medium Lasers, 11 Double Heat Sinks [STEINER] GRF-3S
1. GRF-2K (masterarminas)       PPC, 5 Streak SRM-2s, C3 Slave, 179 AF

First off let me say that if Abele’s GRF-4M qualified for the contest it would have stood a good chance against masterarminas’ GRF-2M for the Marik slot. Both designs were very well suited to the Free Worlds League at this time and the competition would have been razor tight. I really loved Griffin’s Pride by Ice Hellion (requesting more details on these mercs) and their designs but they seem too unique to be official models. So, they will be joining Salient Horizons along with their group but as one of custom designs. I had to pick one of the mercenary designs to be the winner and ultimately that was Irose’s GRF-3ELH. Figure for the overall universe I will simply combine the stories and have these merc builds made on Solaris. In order to meet demand Kallon will license out limited production rights to Innovative Design Concepts. Bradshaw’s GRF-2NB will officially become the GRF-2CS as will his GRF-2TW become the GRF-3D made on Talon. Same with drakensis’ GRF-3D which will be known as the GRF-3DS made on Oliver along with his fantastic GRF-BLR ‘GriffinMaster’ which will be the GRF-3S made on Hesperus II. That Medium Mech with the firepower of an Assault very nearly won the whole contest but was ultimately defeated by the can’t miss GRF-2K by masterarminas. Congratulations! This challenge had nearly everything for me. Great contest, super competitive, and hard to judge. Awesome job everybody!!

And Takiro, they are official
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Griffin%27s_Pride

Very good, Thanks Ice!