OBT Forum

I know the armor is no existent- I had to give up something (firepower, armor, mobility or electronics) and armor lost.  As for the Beagle Active Probe - I know how the rules read but from a real world perspective I figure they would be constantly scanning and give off warnings when you passed anything, not just at the end of the movement phase (I mean in the real world we don't have movement phases).

I hear ya Irose but me personally I'd probably make a cut in the surveillance package somewhere to get a little armor. I know a solid hit will usually doom a Locust but at least it could take a hit from machine gun fire, flamers, and small lasers before. I think a 5 point armor threshold is a good defense to have everywhere even though Clan weapons tend to do 7 points.

Holy designs Abele!!! Let me sort through these all, nice job!!!!

Well looking over all 14 of Abele’s entries for general comment was a lengthy task but here are my initial thoughts.

LCT-2Er Locust
A super high-end upgrade of the LCT-1E with EndoSteel, Ferro-Fibrous, a 200 XL Engine which allows you to match the Dasher’s base speed, Double Heat Sinks, and quite a weapons array. A Medium Pulse, 2 Medium Lasers, and 2 Small Pulses gives you an all energy arsenal just as the original. Pretty effective but it most be expensive. Once I saw you went with a Dasher movement profile (is a 200 XL Engine available at this time? Where would it come from?) I assume your story is based around an InnerSphere nation trying to match the performance of the Clan 20 tonner. If so where is the MASC? I see it as more of an experimental testbed built to gauge the ability of Star League tech to match the Clan’s biggest advantage.

LCT-2Era Locust
A variant of your first entry this one swaps out the Medium Pulse for a Medium Laser and a TAG which I like as the Laser gives you greater range than the Pulse and so does the TAG. Like I said with the base model it real works as a InnerSphere experiment built to gauge the ability of Star League tech to match Clan tech.

LCT-2S Locust
Abele ups the speed profile of the Locust again here using a 180 XL Engine which may or may not be available at this point in time. Speed is life and if you can go faster than I say do it. I like going with the standard chassis as it provides a good basis for modification of existing models. Ferro-Fibrous also makes sense here again. The ER Large Laser mounted center torso reminds me of masterarminas first Taurian variant but this is certainly a little different. I like this ultralight sniper and think that such a machine just might make it here. Nice job!

LCT-2S2 Locust
Not such a fan of this variant as the LCT-3S is sort of similar. Streak SRM-2s on a Locust might not go well at least in comparison to regular SRMs plus there is no CASE on this version so one well placed shot and it is a very expensive explosion.

LCT-2OA Locust
This limited Periphery refit from the Outworlds Alliance is very well done and thanks to its Medium Pulse upgrade plus a Small Laser exchange from Machine Guns it is pretty effective. It use Ferro-Fibrous which is the second high tech advance featured here for maximum protection. I like the fluff, the diplomatic trading, and minimal yet effective upgrade. Very nice!

LCT-2OA-2 Locust
An inside out weapon swap from the first Outworlds refit works just as well exchanging a Medium Laser for the base’s Medium Pulse and upgrading the Small Lasers to Small Pulses. Would be kind of cool to see both models serving together complementing each other in combat. Another very nice job!

LCT-3OA Locust
By going with a XL Engine you drastically upgrade the weaponry to 2 Medium Pulses and 2 Small Pulses. While a nice pipe dream and projected plan this variant is probably way to advanced for the poor Outworlds Alliance to field. There might be one in their whole military for a VIP or some testing group but mass deployment – I doubt it.

LCT-* Locust ‘Roubidoux’ (2)
Downgrading to a 140 Fusion Engine after salvaging it from a Kurita Panther is a nice story. I like it as a one off custom job for a Mechwarrior but nothing beyond that. As I said before, speed is life for the Locust and slowing it down at all might be a fatal decision. Still like your story and could see this minor character showing up a time or two in my universe.

LCT-2M Locust
With the presence of the 3D an advanced LRM carrier like the one you have here (which also reminds me of Irose's Locust LCT-6X) is going to happen. Unfortunately I don’t like the presence of an Artemis on a  LRM-5 (kind of a waste to me) and while the rest of the weaponry is impressive it doesn’t have much armor for a medium or short range engagement. Not one of my favorites bud, sorry.

LCT-2M2 Locust
You up the armor to max for a Streak SRM-2 and a trio of Medium Lasers which makes for a nasty short-range fighter. Like the fact it can do almost as much damage as its weight and it is definitely better than its base model here. Not my favorite by any means but not bad.

LCT-2L Locust
Not a bad experimental Liao version with a 180 XL Engine and Triple Strength Myomer. I’d want to Double Heat Sinks for this one and all its energy weapons but I suppose you want to overheat for the myomer. Not bad but I don’t see mass production here.

LCT-2L2 Locust
Simply XLing the original 160 Engine and going Triple Strength Myomer is probably better or perhaps more likely than the base model before it. Plus, I like the use of the Guardian ECM by Liao as well. Still a test bed and not production worthy but very nice!

LCT-2K Locust
Presumably the advanced Kurita version of the Locust and hence not bad at all. I like the electronic bonanza included with a Beagle Active Probe, Guardian ECM Suite and TAG all being present although replacing the TAG with a C3 Slave might be more DCMS. Weaponry is good and the speed has been raised thanks to a 180 XL Engine. Not bad.

Well, if the Taurians are a "bridge too far", then the designs can be developed by Achernar BattleMechs of New Avalon (House Davion).  With the NAIS assisting them, they are certainly capable of putting these designs into production.  All it takes is a change in the fluff text.  As to the LCT-2T-3, I wouldn't lose a ton of missile ammo for a TAG; rather, I'd go ahead and lose the Medium Laser.  Sure, it means less direct damage, but it does fit the concept a wee bit better (at least in my opinion).  24 LRM salvoes, plus on call Arrow IV rounds?  Yeah, that would be a Davion's dream come true!

Anyway, that was just my take on the Locust as it should have been in 3050.  Hope you liked it.

I did, I liked it a lot!

Achernar BattleMechs of New Avalon does fit especially with help from NAIS for the LCT-4D as we will call the LCT-2T-3 if that is ok. However, knowing the Davies they'd want the TAG and the Medium Laser plus cause lets face it they'd want it all. Not sure how to go about that though so I will think about it as there are benefits to both. The Medium Laser is this Mechs weapon of last resort as it has the shortest range. Ideally you'd never want to get closer than 14 or 15 hexes so you can maximize your harassment.

Similarly I'd like to go with the Locust LCT-2T-2 as a new ComGuard ultralight sniper made on Terra. Not sure of the variant number (probably a 4) or ID (B for Blake, CS for ComStar, E for Extended Range T for Terra, etc.) but it would appear after the 4D at a reactivated factory to help rebuild the ComGuards after Tukayyid. Once in manufacture these sniper bugs could quickly replace fallen Light Mechs operating independently without support for long periods.

Your LCT-2T-4 would be a contender for the new LCT-4S slot for the Lyrans but I have my reservations. Don't get me wrong I still like it but would the Heavy minded Social Generals want to spend money on an XL Engine for a Locust?! I mean that is a waste, its gonna get squashed by a heavier opponent anyway and the Clans can easily negate any advantage. Don't get me wrong they are definitely onboard ditching the high tech Davion inspired Streak SRM-2 for what the troops desire regular SRMs which are capable of carrying infernos. Mated with the Firestarter in 'Fire Lances' these BattleMechs could be very effective rear guard pieces. So I was thinking SRM-2s and Flamers in the arms and no XL Engine for the 4S, what do you think??

That leads me back to the base Locust LCT-2T which I have two thoughts on. Would the Taurians sell their advanced ideas via Defiance during the Clan War in order to finance the base model? I mean yeah they hate the Davions sure but the Clans which are the returning SLDF gotta scare the hell out of the them. Plus if they could bring home hard currency and tech for their own Locust project well then maybe. Love to see what you and Irose think here. Two, would there be a lesser model or bridge gap to the XL Engine for them? This is probably the item I see as too advanced.

My quick take on the TC and selling the design to Defiance - not gonna happen during Thomas' rule.  He was paranoid about the FC, was being fed lies by the CC and IIRC though the Clan Invasion was made up by the FC as a ruse to lull the TC into complacency and open them up to attack by the Davions. 

During Jeffrey's era that would be a different story- the TC operated on the theory of spending their military funds on Men & Machines, and that everything else (fortifications, etc) was a waste.  if Jeffrey saw a way to get effectively free funding from the FC I think he might take - especially if it can via Defiance (in the old LC) or maybe the St Ives Compact (where it might be FC dollars but by going through an intermediary it wasn't from the FC). 

Ok, here is my first. Tell me what you think. Very similar to the 5M, yes. But using the 240 XL gets us towards our engine minimum as it is a versatile power plant.

LCT-4M LOCUST

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Corean-II Delux Endo Steel
Power Plant: Hermes 240 XL (from the RFL-5M Rifleman on Thermopolis)
Cruising Speed: 130 kph
Maximum Speed: 194 kph, (?) kph w/MASC
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Kallon FWL Special Ferro Fibrous (unchanged)
Armament: 2 Martell Medium Lasers
   1 Magna Small Laser
Manufacturer: Corean Enterprises
   Primary Factory: Stewart
Communications System: Garret T10-B (shipped from Dalton – Oriente)
Targeting and Tracking System: Corean CalcMaster (ships from Stewart)

Type: Locust
Technology Base: InnerSphere Level 2
Tonnage: 20 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:          EndoSteel            1
Engine:            240 XL            6
   Walking MP:         12
   Running MP:         18 (24)
   Jumping MP:         0               0
Heat Sinks:            10               0
Gyro:                              3
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:            63               3.5

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            8
   Center Torso        6            9 / 2
   R/L Torso         5            8 / 2
   R/L Arm         3            4
   R/L Leg         4            8

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Criticals   Mass
Small Laser             Center Torso      1      .5
MASC               Center Torso      1      1
Medium Laser            Right Arm      1      1
Medium Laser            Left Arm      1      1

Quote from: Takiro on June 17, 2019, 04:00:25 PM

What if this design or research team went through ComStar to achieve this perhaps as mediators? Alternatively these Taurians could go rogue because of their high tech research being stifled. Later these concepts could return to the Concordat in a post-Thomas reign. Just trying to think of a that masterarminas original story angle could fit if just a little.

No way they go through Comstar- Thomas would consider any contact with the FS treason.  It's more likely they go rogue.  Periphery 2e talks about this era - one of the comments is that many Taurians (especially those in the military) were tired of Thomas' paranoia and felt he needed to focus on the real threat - pirates, not the Davion boogeyman.  Therefore I could see some of them getting pissed and leaving - much like how the Far Lookers secretly conducted colonization efforts during Thomas' reign.

I'd love it if you and masterarminas (my two favorite Taurians) come up with some in character names as well as a design team name for this potential fluff. I really like the idea of Taurian designers working on advanced designs to defeat real threats and after years of frustration leave hoping one day to return.

IS flamers weigh one ton, vehicle flamers with fuel cost half a ton.