OBT Forum

Hmm. A Marauder IIC-based design. Fitzgerald, pick up the phone. We called it.

Mechanically I'm close to ready.

Fluff is the hard part 

Last day for entries!

Well I wanted to have this review in the can as I am headed on vacation. If I was on my usual schedule I probably would have issued a call for seconds. That being said every entry was an impressive entry. For the fifteenth time you guys delivered enjoyable designs that continue to add depth to the Clarion Call universe. This really has been a privilege for me getting to work with all of you on these Clan OmniMechs which I can not wait to see in TRO 3054: The Quicksilver Program. Now to the results.

5. BattleMaster II (LordGrayson)
I would have liked to have placed this design higher but there were a few drawbacks to me. As the name suggests this new Battlemaster model put forward by the Blood Spirit-Fire Mandrill alliance is an OmniMech. While I love the Battlemaster name I would have liked a new Clan moniker. There are more significant obstacles to the design like the Star League EndoSteel structure of the Royal Battlemaster which could cause problems with Clan updates which would not be a simple process. Also the Consolidated 340 Standard Fusion Engine (4/6) coming from the Star Adders does not make sense on a Blood Spirit design. The faster speed along with 30 tons of pod space and 13.5 tons of ferro fibrous armor (259 factor) do make an effective Zombie. I did like the configurations especially the one based on another classic design, the Victor. Despite the last place finish here the Battlemaster IIC as you named it is ideally suited to for activation as a second line BattleMech. I imagine the Clans have more than a few of these machines in Brian Caches or salvaged from InnerSphere battlefields that they could put to use.

4. Hellcat (masterarminas)
While this Star Adder and Hell’s Horses design has several things going for it there is on critical error. Basing this design on the Marauder IIC was a solid choice that would have enabled rapid production. With the Consolidated 340 Fusion Engine (4/6) from the Hellcat had 30 tons of pod space and 13.5 tons of ferro fibrous armor (259 factor) making for an impressive fast moving Zombie. Deployment and the tie in to the WW2 fighters are an awesome touch and the fluff is good except for one thing. The mistake is that in 3052 Albion belongs to Burrock and so the whole story kind of unravels which is a shame cause in all other regards it is a good concept. Good enough for fourth place as is and even if it was correct I still think you would have been beat out by the winner. Sorry about that.

3. Imperator (JPArbiter)
This Steel Viper based on the Wakazashi was designed to match the Star League Battlemaster in performance. To me the Imperator exceeds this goal and creates an effective Zombie. The fluff is very solid and builds on what we know of Brett Andrews and his ‘tainted’ agenda. Like the Silverback it too uses an EndoSteel chassis and a 255 Standard Fusion Engine (3/5). With 45 tons of pod space this OmniMech has some very effective configurations like Prime modeled after the Wakazashi and C which fields quite a mix of fire support weaponry. Perhaps the only drawback is the “light” 14.5 tons of standard armor (232 factor) which does not create maximum Zombie protection. I really can not complain about that though. In truth this excellent design was only beat by two better. Congrats on the bronze medal this time around JP.

2. Silverback (Abele)
With a name like the Silverback this design could have only been from the minds of the Fire Mandrill Clan. Great imagery and concept! Based upon the Wakazashi this upgraded OmniMech uses EndoSteel to maximize weaponry. The Standard 255 Fusion Engine from the Stalker and integral Jump Jets create a nice 3/5/3 movement rate. Adding a MASC is not something I really loved but it does give you a temporary movement boost (6) at times. With 16.5 tons of standard armor (263 factor) this Zombie max protects for a best possible durability. 39 tons of pod space enables configurations inspired by the likes of the Royal Battlemaster, the Royal King Crab, the Longbow, the Royal Crockett, and the Stalker. Quite a capable OmniMech with a fantastic hook unfortunately there was one entry better.

1. Stone Lion (drakensis)
Based heavily on the Blood Kite this Goliath Scorpion and Blood Spirit entry really won me over. Going by the RATs these are probably the two poorest Clans and in spite of their very different political views this partnership works well. The design comes from the Blood Spirits who can likely upgrade their existing Blood Kites to front line status rapidly. The Goliath Scorpion factory site on Tokasha is an excellent choice for mass production given the proximity of the Bear’s site as well as the abundance of natural resources. Finally the name of this upgraded OmniMech is very appropriate given that complex’s location. With the EndoSteel chassis and the Standard 255 Fusion Engine (3/5/3) of the Blood Kite there is a great foundation on which to build. Using 13.5 tons of ferro fibrous armor (259 factor) from the Mars Assault Vehicle was also inspired. With 44 tons of pod space it devotes more than half its mass to weapons. Nice job and I must be a Scorpion at heart cause I love Configuration A with the others running a little hot for me. Congrats drak, you’re the winner!

So given the Blood Kite’s front line upgrade into the Stone Lion it only makes sense to authorize the Battlemaster IIC to replace it. Thanks again everyone. Great stuff and I am looking forward to the next Quicksilver Trail!!!

Updating MA's tally board


Drakensis:  5 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze
Master Arminas:  4 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze
Abele:  3 Gold, 8 Silver, 0 Bronze
JPArbiter:  1 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze
Smerish:  1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
Fitzgerald:  1 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
Lord Grayson:  0 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze

Abele remains top of the medal charts with eleven medals. Drakensis is also still second with ten but JP Arbiter moves into third with nine; followed by MasterArminas with eight medals, Lord Grayson with three, and then Fitzgerald and Smegish at two apiece.

Abele:  11
Drakensis:  10
JPArbiter:  9
Master Arminas:  8
Lord Grayson:  3
Fitzgerald:  2
Smegish:  2

Who am I then with my 8 silvers, Russia?

Congrats to all the victors.

MA