OBT Forum

Right, you are fabulousorcboy;

1. Poor Man's Atlas. This one might have been touched on but with Liao and Marik being so Assault Mech strapped any Banshee they have could be converted into a five-ton lighter version of the Atlas. This would be a 285 Fusion Engine model with max armor and a formidable arsenal. Again, I've seen the entries already presented and elements of this one could be already be out there so it might have to be different or combined somewhat with my other idea.

2. Bandit Lord. With a Rim Worlds factory devoted to its production at one time this Mech could be a perfect ride for a Bandit King or Queen out in the old Republic area. I'd slow it down to a 3/5 machine again but as the boss pirate Mech I think it makes a lot of sense here.

I've always liked the Banshee, just because it was so inefficient.  But I detest the slower BNC-3S . . . so, here is my take on what Defiance Industries might have done with recovered technology to make the Banshee useful on the modern battlefield.

BNC-4E Banshee

When Defiance Industries began designing the Banshee for upgrade to utilize recovered technology, there were many ideas that were examined.  One of these was designated as the BNC-4E which remains true to the original in many respects.

Using a newly developed Endo-Steel II internal chassis, along with 15.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor plating, the BNC-4E frees up enough tonnage to make it a fearsome and fast-moving (for a 95-ton Assault 'Mech!) war machine.  The primary weapons are a Magna Hellstar PPC in the right torso with a Defiance Disintegrator LB-10X Autocannon in the left torso (fed by three tons of ammunition for 30 bursts of fire!).  CASE protects the autocannon ammunition.  Three Magna Mk II Medium Lasers were also fitted (head and two in the center torso), while a CherrySeed Bullseye TAG system was installed in the right torso.

Twelve double-strength heat sinks eliminate nearly all waste heat production; the BNC-4E can only overheat on a running Alpha Strike, and then by only the smallest of amounts.

Currently Defiance and the LCAF are field-testing the BNC-4E to serve as a command 'Mech for heavy and assault companies that match the speed of the newest Banshee.

Banshee BNC-4E

Mass: 95 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 11,104,990 C-Bills
Total Cost: 11,148,990 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,837

Chassis: Star League XT Special Endo-Steel
Power Plant: GM 380 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Starshield Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Magna Hellstar PPC
    1 Defiance Disintegrator LB 10-X AC
    3 Magna Mk II Medium Lasers
    1 CherrySeed Bullseye TAG
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: Dalban Comline
Targeting and Tracking System: Dalban HiRez-B

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   145 points                5.00
    Internal Locations: 1 LT, 3 RT, 4 LA, 4 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine:             Fusion Engine                380                      41.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             11(22)                    1.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 277                 15.50
    Armor Locations: 1 LT, 3 RT, 4 LA, 4 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     30           40       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  12       
                                           L/R Torso     20           30       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     16           30       
                                             L/R Leg     20           38       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PPC                                          RT        10        3         7.00
TAG                                          RT        0         1         1.00
LB 10-X AC                                   LT        2         6        11.00
2 Medium Lasers                              CT        6         2         2.00
Medium Laser                                 HD        3         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      LT        -         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (20)                         LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 2

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 18
4          3       4       2       0      4     0   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: TAG, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/1
BNC-4G Banshee

The BNC-4G removes one double-strength heat sink, the LB-10X Autocannon, the TAG system, and one center torso Medium Laser to mount a Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle in the left torso, fed by two tons of ammunition for a total of sixteen shots.  Armor and speed remain the same as the BNC-4E.

Banshee BNC-4G

Mass: 95 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 10,722,790 C-Bills
Total Cost: 10,762,790 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,004

Chassis: Star League XT Special Endo-Steel
Power Plant: GM 380 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Starshield Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle
    1 Magna Hellstar PPC
    2 Magna Mk II Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: Dalban Comline
Targeting and Tracking System: Dalban HiRez-B

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   145 points                5.00
    Internal Locations: 1 LT, 3 RT, 4 LA, 4 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine:             Fusion Engine                380                      41.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 277                 15.50
    Armor Locations: 1 LT, 3 RT, 4 LA, 4 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     30           40       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  12       
                                           L/R Torso     20           30       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     16           30       
                                             L/R Leg     20           38       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PPC                                          RT        10        3         7.00
Gauss Rifle                                  LT        1         7        15.00
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1.00
Medium Laser                                 HD        3         1         1.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)                            LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 4

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 20
4          3       4       3       0      4     0   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA

Not bad Hominid Mk II but I steer away from Rocket Launchers and Rifle Cannons in these contests. Plus, I was thinking something more like this...

BNC-3P BANSHEE

Mass: 95 tons
Chassis: Star League XT
Power Plant: Pitban 285
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Starshield
Armament:
   1 FarFire Maxi-Rack LRM-20
   1 Imperator-B Autocannon/10
   1 Magna Hellstar Particle Projection Cannon
   1 Magna Mk II Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Parts Unknown (refit only)
   Primary Factory: ?
Communications System: Dalban Comline
Targeting and Tracking System: Dalban HiRez-B

Overview:
   Recent reports of pirate BattleMechs operating in the former Rim Worlds Republic are especially concerning because of the presence of this new Banshee. We presume that these machines are refits based on the BNC-3E because of their observed condition which tends to be worn. We know that Diplass BattleMechs of Apollo produced this ancient Terran war machine for years during the Star League after acquiring the design from its Hegemony allies. Following the conquest of the near Rim Worlds by the Lyran Commonwealth manufacturing of the Banshee was halted altogether. That means a sizable number of these BattleMechs exist in the region which despite the attrition of the Succession Wars could reasonable be upgraded. Obviously the InnerSphere was not the only region to be affected by the Clan Invasion as the Periphery may have even more traumatized by the annihilation of so many groups in their axis of advance. So, there is certainly a desire to upgrade their equipment in light of this new threat but the backwater nature of the area made any such effort near impossible. Despite the lack of organized civilization and industrialized resources a mysterious conglomerate has suddenly emerged. Parts Unknown probably located somewhere in the former Rim Worlds Republic or nearby regions is constructing primitive BattleMechs and upgrading existing ones like this Banshee. Conclusions reached by the community here seem to point to some enigmatic benefactor but if that is an InnerSphere agent or even some sort of Clan bandit cannot be determined at this time.

Capabilities:
   Designers essentially crossed a BNC-3E Banshee with an AS7-D Atlas to create this BattleMech built around ancient but durable Star League XT chassis. The Magna Hellstar Particle Projection Cannon and the original Dalban electronics have all been retained along with many other components of the 3E. It is not known where the Pitban 285 Engine was obtained for this refit but analyst theorize the old Star League Puma Assault Tank. It was the most widely used military vehicle to utilize such a power plant and sufficient numbers could be available. This engine downgrade was also followed with the installation of a smaller gyroscope all of which saved more than twenty-five tons for enhancements to weaponry, equipment, and armor. So, losing approximately ten kilometers per hour in maximum speed has transformed this once derided BattleMech into a true Assault Mech. The common Imperator-B AC/10 replaces the ‘pop-gun’ Imperator-B AC/5 for a more potent but still sufficiently ranged impact. A two-ton ammo bay contains twenty rounds for sustained fire. Similarly, the Magna Mk II Medium Laser replaces the Magna Mk I Small Laser mounted in the Banshee’s head. Additionally, a FarFire Maxi-Rack LRM-20 usually found on LRM Carriers was mounted in the Banshee's right torso. A three-ton ammunition bin enables this massive long-range missile battery to fire eighteen times before needing resupply. Four Heat Sinks were added to facilitate the increased weapons fire which does a pretty good job. A running Alpha Strike will result in only a slight overheating condition which can be mitigated by limiting a single weapon strike. Three more tons of Starshield Armor was added to this model which increased it overall protection by seventeen percent to near maximum levels. With a price tag that is nearly a million C-bills cheaper than the original BNC-3E it certainly seems like a worthwhile investment.

Deployment:
   The largest codified pirate BattleMech in existence was first spotted in the service of Queen Vicious and her Circle. This rising Bandit Lady describes her own Banshee as the 'Poor Woman’s Atlas' which is pretty close to the truth. Since its debut in late 3052 it has been seen in the service of pirates and thugs all over the Rim and its presence is still growing. Rumor has it Susie "One-Eye" Morgraine-Ryan of the New Belt Pirates now pilots one herself. The rapid proliferation of this BattleMech indicates not only outside assistance but some sort of pre-existing supply structure beyond what Periphery Free Traders could possibly organize in such a short amount of time.

Type: BNC-3P Banshee
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 1
Tonnage: 95

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:                  9.5
Engine:            285             20.5
   Walking MP:      3
   Running MP:      5
   Jumping MP:      0
Heat Sinks:         20            10
Gyro:                        3
Cockpit:                         3
Armor Factor:         288            18

         Internal Structure   Armor Value
   Head            3         9
   Center Torso      30         44 / 15
   R/L Torso         20         29 / 10
   R/L Arm         16         32
   R/L Leg         20         39

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
LRM-20             Right Torso      5      10
Ammo (LRM) 18         Right Torso      3      3
PPC                Right Torso      3      7
AC/10            Left Torso         7       12
Ammo (AC) 20         Left Torso         2      2
Medium Laser         Head            1      1

Cost = 8,726,640 C-bills

Takiro, your BNC-3P is certainly the one a Bandit King would prefer to have if he had a choice between it and either of mine!

IIRC, I only came up with the first of my two years ago because I was impressed by the amount of effort Cray must have put into designing Rifle Cannons out of pure historical completism, even though they've rightly been depicted as an unequivocally obsolete weapon system from the very beginning. (I can be pretty completist myself at times, so I definitely empathize.) I figured the rest of us ought to show our appreciation for all his hard work by trying to actually make use of the things occasionally!

And I have to admit I really don't much like Rocket Launchers either. Never seemed very believable to me that anybody except a poor and backward Periphery faction would ever use them. Not even the resource-strapped Capellans. After all, they already had MRMs.

What do you get when you cross a Banshee with an Atlas?

A Banlas? An Atshee?

Edit:
By the way, folks... feel free to shorten my name to just Hominid or even just H if you find that more convenient for casual coversation. Or not. Whatever.

I am actually picturing a Bandit Queen for this Banshee hence my Poor Woman's Atlas in regards to said character. Got any idea whom this person could be? Could be a canon character with a twist for Salient Horizon or a creation of your own.

Hmm... have you already used Susie "One-Eye" Morgraine-Ryan of the New Belt Pirates for anything that's established her as piloting something else? If not, she seems like a good option.

Very nice Bradshaw and Hominid Mk II!!

Nice entries in need of a little fluff. 

I really have no fluff for this, I'm submitting under the idea its the design that should have come out in 3053 with its limited fluff.

Edit 2:
Bradshaw, the fluff for your Banshee Yueji is awesomely creative! What a contrast with my efforts!

Google the names. I sort of appropriated some of this. It standard Battletech fashion.