OBT Forum

Quote from: JPArbiter on June 17, 2014, 11:37:47 AM

Like I said before I am saving getting REALLY creative for when we get out of the 20 ton catagory.

25 tons. is almost as bad. 30 and up allows for some creativity, but I beleive the Zombie is the only open category there.

the Mongoose, Jackrabbit, Commando, and Gambit all show what you effectivly can do with 25 tons... and all are fairly varied

Nice Lord Grayson, keep those designs coming folks!

Good Luck  to thoose that entered.

Very nice, I love the smell of new design entries in the morning.

That gives us six qualifiers so far for the new Clan 20 ton Vampire (Assailant).

Cobra Dog (Shadow Wraith)
Bloodwing (masterarminas)
Dust Liger (drakensis)
Caracara (JPArbiter)
Sghian Dubh (LordGrayson)
Lionheart (drakensis)

I still love to see a finished Iron Mongoose type entry finished that MA proposed for example or perhaps even a quad. A little more than fifteen hours remain before this contest draws to a close!

OK, I got back into this one with a quad. HOwever the fluff is not great and I'm not all that pleased with it.

Caracal

Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Quad Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 2,764,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 339

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 140 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 75.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 118.8 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    7.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      35 points                2.00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             140                       2.50
    Walking MP: 7
    Running MP: 11
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 FLL, 1 FRL, 1 RLL, 1 RRL
Gyro:               Standard                                               2.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV -  67                  3.50
    Armor Locations: 3 LT, 4 RT

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     6            7         
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  3         
                                           L/R Torso     5            7         
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  3         
                                       L/R Front Leg     4            7         
                                        L/R Rear Leg     4            7         




Overview:
The Caracal was conceived in the late 30th century by Clan Nova Cat, initially as a
secondline mech to bolster their garrison clusters. Originally equipped with 120 series
standard fusion engine and lack the targeting computer, it proved to be an unsuccessful
design and was shelved. Then the Dragoon Compromise came along and the Nova Cat
Khans thoght it would be a good idea to revisit the design forfuture needs and expansion
of the Touman. The first thing that the Nova Cat engineers did was repalce the fusion
plant with a lightweight 140XL plant. This move increased the speed by 16% allowing for
greater survivability on the battlefield. Three and hal tons of Ferro Fibrous armor protect
the Caracal and it's pilot. The use of endo-steel was eschewed so that thee was enough
space to mount double heat sinks and weapons. Originally, none of the configurations
featured targeting computers or ECM suites, but new minds and experiences in the
Inner Sphere have altered the original design to its current form.

In the 3030s, Clan Goliath Scorpion successfully gained manufacturing rights to the
Rooikat to bolster their then diminished light forces. It was their experience
with targeting computers that changed the Prime configuration to its current iteration
and added the computer to the C and E configurations. These three variants are used
heavily by the Goliath Scorpions. However, the Nova Cats have been using the Prime
and the D in ever increasing use. The Ultra AC/2 equipped B Config is the least popular
as it lacks enough offensive firepower. The twin Streak SRM-4 A Configuration is finding
use among the Nova Cats, especially against Elemental-equipped Novas in battles with
Clan Smoke Jaguar. The E Config came about through the Nva Cats experiences in the
Inner Sphere, where Kuritan troops would often lay in wait while attempting to ambush
Nova Cat formations, especially in built up or heavily forested environments.

The Caracal can also be found in small numbers amongst the Toumans of Clans Smoke
Jaguar, Ghost Bear and Ice Hellion, mostly as isorla.


================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime                                          Cost: 3,388,000
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,527

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             11(22)                    1.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 FLL, 1 FRL, 1 RLL, 1 RRL
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ER Medium Lasers                           RT        10        2         2.00
Targeting Computer                           RT        -         1         1.00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           LT        10        2         2.00
ER Medium Laser                              HD        5         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 6

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 15
7          4       4       0       0      1     0   Structure:  1
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: A                                              Cost: 3,304,000
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 842

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: LT, RT                                                 0.00
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Streak SRM-4                                 RT        3         1         2.00
Streak SRM-4                                 LT        3         1         2.00
ER Medium Laser                              HD        5         1         1.00
@Streak SRM-4 (25)                           RT        -         1         1.00
@Streak SRM-4 (25)                           LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 9

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 8
7          3       3       0       0      1     0   Structure:  1
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: B                                              Cost: 3,052,750
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 571

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: LT                                                     0.00
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra AC/2                                   RT        1         2         5.00
2 ER Small Lasers                            LT        4         2         1.00
@Ultra AC/2 (45)                             LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 9

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 6
7          2       2       1       0      1     0   Structure:  1
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: C                                              Cost: 3,292,750
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,049

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Pulse Laser                           RT        4         1         2.00
ER Small Laser                               RT        2         1         0.50
ECM Suite                                    RT        0         1         1.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           LT        4         1         2.00
ER Small Laser                               LT        2         1         0.50
Targeting Computer                           LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 8

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 10
7          3       3       0       0      1     0   Structure:  1
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: D                                              Cost: 3,334,000
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,254

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC                                       RT        15        2         6.00
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 11

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 13
7          3       3       2       0      1     0   Structure:  1
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: E                                              Cost: 3,679,000
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 987

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Actuators:      L: H+UL+LL+F    R: H+UL+LL+F

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Suite                                    RT        0         1         1.00
ER Large Laser                               LT        12        1         4.00
Targeting Computer                           LT        -         1         1.00
Active Probe                                 HD        0         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 10

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      2    Points: 10
7          2       2       2       0      1     0   Structure:  1
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA

Sorry folks getting a late start this morning and wanted to wrap this contest up. No more entries please. We got seven qualifiers.

Cobra Dog (Shadow Wraith)
Bloodwing (masterarminas)
Dust Liger (drakensis)
Caracara (JPArbiter)
Sghian Dubh (LordGrayson)
Lionheart (drakensis)
Rooikat or Caracal (Abele)

Thank you all. Hope to have the reviews up tomorrow along with the next contest!

Well folks we’ve come to the end of another design contest of which there were seven solid submissions. I want to thank everyone for their participation and input on these light machines. Twenty tons isn’t an easy design especially for the specs I was giving you all but I think we covered all the bases.

While the Iron Mongoose (masterarminas) didn’t qualify for the contest as it lacks fluff and weapon configurations this design had a lot of potential. With a movement of 8/12 and 9 tons of pod space I was immediately interested. It’s a real shame that someone didn’t take advantage of this idea. Sacrificing armor for speed and offense is a pretty damn good combination which should be considered in future Vampire contests. This should never be confused with a speedster or a Werewolf cause its primary focus is still offense (pod space). So take note future designers.

The Cobra Dog (Shadow Wraith) was the Diamond Shark entry for the contest which only featured 8 tons of pod space. That is kind of the low end for what I was considering for this challenge which I wouldn’t have minded if the movement was significantly more than 6/9. Speed is really key for light Mechs. However I do like your weapon configurations and your fluff was good.

The Sghian Dubh (LordGrayson) is another one in the Claybeg series by Fire Mandrill and Blood Spirit of which I am a big fan. The Black Claybeg had a little more pod space (8.5 tons) then the Cobra Dog and with the same speed. However it adds a MASC which gives a nice tactical boost even at 6/9 which was the low end for this challenge. The weapon load outs are good but I found the fluff to be a little disjointed.

The Lionheart (drakensis) put forth by the Ice Hellions has 8 tons of pod space but goes 7/11 and adds a MASC for super pursuit mode. Unfortunately this design was light on fluff which is a must have for me. Otherwise it was good.

The Caracal (Abele) a Nova Cat creation put to use by the Goliath Scorpions is perhaps the most out of the box entry. The big drawback is the 7 tons of pod space which was the slimmest of all design submissions. Again I like the fact that the design exceeded the 6/9 floor with 7/11 speed and the fact it is a quad makes it a unique entry. Except for the late name change I liked the fluff and the unusual weapon configurations including the Ultra AC/2. Unfortunately I’m just looking for something with a little more.

Third place goes to the Dust Liger (drakensis) which featured 10 tons of pod space for a 20 ton OmniMech. Very nicely done! This could have only been done at 6/9 speed and the weapons loadout seems good. I liked the fluff as well especially about the crowd control configuration. So while I did consider this one for the win it was edged out by two other designs. Congrats on the bronze!

A very close second place goes to the Caracara (JPArbiter)with 9 tons of pod space. Despite going 6/9 I loved the way in which this design was presented as a Clan Trainer. The fluff was outstanding and the layout excellent. One thing that played against you was the Fire Falcon at 25 tons which I figured gave the Clan a light Mech and a Trainer could be a bit of a luxury. Still congrats on silver JP, gave me a lot to consider here. Very tough to turn down. I was flipping back and forth between this and………..

The Bloodwing (masterarminas) engineered by the Snow Ravens goes 7/11 and has 9 tons of pod space! While armor is light the extra speed covers this sacrifice somewhat but that is what I was looking for. All or nothing. The weapon configurations are good and so this was a very nice design job. The fluff is superb and in particular I love the bit about the Snow Ravens not producing the Mech but trolling for others. I also found it fitting that the top two contestants came from rival Clans (Jade Falcon-Snow Raven) once more. I’d love to include the competition with the Caracara in the finished fluff. So congrats and the gold goes once more to the Master!

Until next time!!!