Our twenty third optimization contest turns to a House Davion favorite which will be the first in the fifty-ton weight class. Originally designed as the Trebuchet’s partner in crime during the last days of the Star League the Centurion went its own way and became a staple for the AFFS. Starting as the CN9-A two other Succession War era variants were developed featuring an AC/20 (the CN9-AH introduced in 2874) and a Large Laser (the CN9-AL introduced in 2915). I must admit to some negative feelings about these blow up machines featured in the BattleTech cartoon during the Clan Invasion but over the years this ‘Mech has grown on me. This is probably cause of the two Yen Lo Wangs and numerous examples of this BattleMech coming in handy during our home campaigns. We already have two lostech variants (the CN9-D introduced in 3049 and the CN9-D3 which features a Triple Strength Myomer introduced in 3053) but can you do better? Can’t wait to see how you think the Centurion fits into the Salient Horizon setting in its most perfect form.
’Mech of the Week: CN*-** Centurionhttps://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,55037.0.htmlBattleTechwiki Page for the Centurionhttps://www.sarna.net/wiki/CenturionDesign CriteriaDesign: Centurion Medium BattleMech
Era: 3052, just following the Truce of Tukayyid
Tech: InnerSphere Level 2
Mass: 50 tons
Tech BaseThe tech base for this enterprise will be InnerSphere Level 2, also known as Star League lostech, circa 3053. Remember some Level 1 standards which Bradshaw and myself think still have value like Large Lasers and PPCs which feature the same damage factor as their higher tech brethren with less range and perhaps most significantly less heat. Here is a list for your design reference. Let me know if there is anything I missed!
Star League LosTechAnti-Missile System
Arrow IV Artillery Missile System
Extended Range Large Laser (ER Large Laser)
Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon (ER PPC)
Gauss Rifle
Ultra Autocannon/5
LB 10-X Autocannon
One-Shot Missile Packs
Pulse Lasers (Small, Medium, & Large)
Streak SRM-2
Swarm LRMs
Thunder LRMs
Artemis IV FCS
Beagle Active Probe
Guardian ECM Suite
Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC)
Narc Missile Beacon
TAG
Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE)
Double Heat Sinks
Endo Steel Internal Structure
Ferro-Fibrous Armor
Extra Light (XL) Engine
InnerSphere Low TechBlazer Cannon (or Binary Laser)
Recon Camera
Remote Sensor Dispenser
New InnovationsTriple Strength Myomer
Hatchet
C3 Computer
Design Traits of this SettingBoth the Federated Commonwealth and ComStar seem to have gone in the other direction with LRM batteries preferring larger LRM-15s and 20s linked to Artemis IV FCS to enhance accuracy. Facing the technologically superior Clan invaders have caused them to spend vast sums of resources on the finest technology available usually translating into high priced BattleMechs that few other factions can afford.
This is somewhat true for the Draconis Combine which has lost a significant portion of their industrial capacity to the Clans. This has been forced Kurita designers to innovate in new and different ways regardless of traditional warrior ethos which pervades the realm. Many Draconis optimizations have included the C3 System which is accelerated from the canon setting which saw their deployment lag.
The Free Worlds League in particular have embraced massed LRM-5s over the larger batteries to provide closer mass equivalents to Clan LRMs. Thanks to a corresponding increase in NARC units these ‘fire teams’ have become quite effective in the Marik Civil War. Also, the Blazer has made an appearance in the shattered FWLM searching for an advantage over their former brethren.
The Capellan Confederation typically fields cost effective designs at this time thanks to their resource strapped situation. While justifications for high end increases can be made like the Outreach Conference, Wrath of Blake technical aid, spoils of war from Isis forces, and good old Capellan espionage these should be minimized. My advice would be Periphery plus for these designs as the Confederation is under strain supporting Isis right now as it is. Growing stealth tech reflected in the Raven would be appropriate in many cases as sophisticated electronic lostech devices like the Guardian ECM Suite would be a priority for their recon designs. There is also a fire support role which is a hallmark of Liao tactical doctrine. The discovery of Thunder LRMs to deploy minefields and use of Arrow IV Artillery on the Catapult are themes which could be amplified here.
Regional factions like the Draconis March and the Periphery have seen the introduction of some ‘simple’ lostech items like Double Heat Sinks, Ferro-Fibrous, Streak SRM-2s, and Pulse Lasers. Extra-Light (XL) Engines remain too expensive and have drawbacks which make their deployment unlikely here. Advanced orbital facilities needed for EndoSteel manufacturing also remain out of reach at this point. They are not beyond using PPCs and Large Lasers either which they view as more efficient than their ER successors.
The Centurion in Action: TodayUndoubtedly, you’ll find the Centurion in the service of the Federated Commonwealth at this moment in time. Featuring much more prominently in traditional Davion commands than anywhere else the Centurion has been a symbol of the AFFS might for centuries. The FedCom RCTs and their AFFC brethren use a mix of Steiner-Davion equipment which obviously includes the Centurion. No doubt seen in service alongside some Lyran favorites in these units this dynamic should make for some interesting pairings. However, many Steiner patriots may look down on this inferior Davion machine meaning traditional LCAF commands may feature the Centurion but at a less prodigious rate than AFFS and AFFC. Mercenaries, especially in some long-term Davion employees will also field the Centurion which is highly regarded among their for-hire community. The St Ives Compact with whom the Yen Lo Wang currently remains in service with will also field their share of Centurions.
The Clans will likely remain the Centurions chief adversary even after the Truce of Tukayyid. Likely all lostech models will be pushed into service along the former Tamar March where they will participate in raids, assaults, and defense of FedCom worlds. Raiders from neighboring states (Draconis, Capellan, and Taurian) and Pirates will make up the rest of the Centurion’s opposition. However, these will likely be lower tech opponents for older models to deal with which could be helped by more sensible upgrades.
I make no secret about the fact that the Marian Hegemony desiring this BattleMech but the nation would not realistically have the means to produce one even in the far future. However, a low-tech variant sold to them as a refit package would be an idea as a market would no doubt exist.
Please do your research (think Objective Raids) for available components as this will be another factor in rapid production. I love fluff and your winning designs will be featured in my BattleTech Salient Horizon alternate setting. I'd like to go beyond the refits bought to you by Technical Readout 3050 and delve into extensive redesigns of your BattleTech favorites. Sharpen up your favorite war machines perhaps drawing on past or current variants while remembering the spirit or role of these Mechs. Don't forget to justify the expense of your project and multiple winners are possible. Figure that all entries have to be completed and posted on these forums by Friday July 31st, 2020 by 11:59 PM which should give you all a full two weeks for this contest, good luck!!
