First off, going by the poll the winning name of this OmniMech shall be the Blood Asp. I suppose there is enough bitterness between the Adders along with their Burrock allies and the Blood Spirits that the name could still make sense. Perhaps it was the same design team which submitted the Blood Tick (Quicksilver Program #9) which came up with the Blood Asp name here. We had 6 entries from 5 designers (3 followed the criteria while 3 armor or Heat Sink variants also appeared) and a total of 38 different configurations to go over. It was a lot to go over and the decisions weren’t easy to make at all.
Ultimately, I chose the baseline Blood Asp with 14 (28) Double Heat Sinks, 16 tons of standard armor (256 factor) and 42 tons pod space over any potential variants. The uparmored Black Mamba by masterarminas was slightly over protected by one point. Now I understand 279 is the max here but I hate waste anything and with 17.5 tons providing a 280 factor we have one armor point going to waste. I would have preferred the plus one ton of armor approach (272 factor) which Bradshaw and Ice Hellion attempted. Unfortunately, neither version did it for me in regards to armor allocation with Ice being a little better than Bradshaw. I also would like to thank Ice for trying less integral Double Heat Sinks which had the possibility of improved low heat ballistic and missile entries but in the end, it was the baseline entry that I preferred to other variants. It has inspired me to create a unique Black Mamba featuring Ferro-Fibrous though. More on that later!
For fluff I was really looking forward to drakensis entry for some Star Adder Symphony inspired fluff but it was not to this time around. I guess Virgilia and team are busy planning other things at this time rather than getting involved in Mech design. While Abele and Bradshaw did have design entries neither completed any fluff which was surprising especially given the later’s fandom for the Adders. Thankfully three designers tried their hand at some Quicksilver fluff and they came up with some great stuff. Third place went to marauder648 who included some nice tid bits such eluding to the secret development of Heavy Lasers by the Star Adders plus I can see the design getting its InnerSphere name from a raid on the Wolf OZ by the 3rd Ceti Hussars. Ice Hellion was a bit better with an unconventional take from an intelligence point of view. Pretty good stuff and I am still wondering who exactly stole this report commenting all the way through but the fluff point has to go to masterarminas. He really went to town on the Blood Asp / Black Mamba debate formulating them as two slightly different designs and I enjoyed the bit about mandatory field testing which I think would be prudent. Great job and fluff point to masterarminas!
With regards to InnerSphere Designation I got to talk to Bradshaw about his Panzerschreck name which was based on the look of the Blood Asp. I could see a Lyran coming up with it but it did hurt that there was no story behind it. Galehaut by marauder648 is so named for an Arthurian Knight which again could be a good FedCom designator. Deploying the Black Mamba with the Ghost Bears for field testing resulted in that design being named the Kungbjorn in masterarminas story while the Blood Asp serving with the Wolves was tagged the Rabid Wolf. Again, both monikers make a lot of sense but I preferred the Durandal from Ice Hellion if not for the awesomeness of the name but the backhanded way his fluff smacks it down. Deriding it as another unimaginative creation from a Davionista which was so bad it was going to stick made me smile and say he is the winner cause ain’t that what happens folks? Naming point to Ice Hellion.
Abele's 3050 revision of the Blood Asp was pretty straight forward swapping out the yet undiscovered Heavy Lasers for their ER or Pulse counterparts. This variation canon will once more serve as a baseline for the competition here in the Primary Configuration. While I liked the iconic look and outward capabilities of canon or in this case Abele Prime low Gauss ammo is a draw back for me. Ice Hellion Prime took a bit of a different approach with dual Gausses, two ER Larges, four ER Mediums, and two Small Pulses. Thanks to his lower number of integral Double Heat Sinks this configuration is a hot running bracket firer but I wanted something closer to the baseline. Two nearly identical entries (marauder648 Prime and masterarminas Blood Asp Prime) did just that by addressing the low amount of Gauss ammo. Removing two Double Heat Sinks enables them to reach sixteen rounds for each of these massive guns without too degrading its cooling capacity much. Wanting to keep the layout as close to the original as possible gives the win to marauder648 this time around who improved the design while keeping the look. Point to marauder648!
Alternate A was the place for long range energy boats again resembling canon’s accurate and somewhat mobile configuration. Abele did a nice job here simply replacing the yet undiscovered two Heavy Large Lasers with a pair of ER Larges. This change produces a slightly cooler (54 weapon heat cooled by 25 Double Heat Sinks) but longer ranged base that is pretty formidable. Despite accuracy (all weapons linked to a 4 ton Targeting Computer) which itself is defended by an ECM Suite movement puts this variant overheat. Just walking puts you over by five and jumping by seven so pilots must alternate their fire. It was marauder648 A that tried to one up that version by dropping the ECM and a Double Heat Sink to add another Jump Jet. I gotta say that is a cool idea going for maximum movement (4/6/4) but it exacerbates the heat issue. Bradshaw D was an interesting idea going with four ER Larges rather than using ER PPCs at all here. While lighter hitting it has superior range and thanks to eleven additional Double Heat Sinks but I didn’t care for his secondary weaponry which was ammo based and very limited to be useful. Perhaps if he went for more of a mobile version (Jump Jets) this option could have carried the day. It also sent me designing a five ER Large linked to a Targeting Computer variant that could cool itself. Sadly while it figures out ton wise it comes up four critical spaces over, damn! The Black Mamba E by masterarminas similarly didn’t pan out to me as his three ER Large approach with six Medium Pulses while linked to a Targeting Computer seemed inefficient to me. The best option to me was the Blood Asp A from masterarminas which paired two ER PPCs and two Large Pulses with a five ton Targeting Computer which is still protected by an ECM Suite. A dozen additional Double Heat Sinks dissipate all heat (movement and weapon) generated in a single turn allowing it to fire repeatedly at range with tremendous accuracy. Even though we lose the mobility of Jump Jets I think we gain a great energy-based fire support model which is a definite battlefield plus. Point to masterarminas!
The canon version of the Blood Asp B which did not feature Heavy Lasers at all remained almost unaltered in three designers’ minds. Abele B, Bradshaw B, and marauder648 B are all pretty identical to the original canon version which while pretty potent did have a concern I would have liked to seen address. With only a dozen reloads for the LRM-20s which are the main weapons of this variant it could run dry in a large battle leaving this Blood Asp vulnerable in the long run. What the Blood Asp B by masterarminas did to improve that was to swap out two Medium Pulse Lasers for two ER Mediums and two additional tons of LRM ammo. This extends the effectiveness of an already solid loadout and grants a bit more range to the secondary energy arsenal. With a deep binned Gauss Rifle (two dozen rounds of ammo) now joined by twin LRM-20s linked to Artemis IV FCS (now each with eighteen reloads) supported by two ER Mediums and two Medium Pulses this winning configuration can still produce 83 points of damage. Two additional Double Heat Sinks cool all weapon fire and permit walking without any overheating. Even constant running produces only a slight overheat which can be managed very easily plus an onboard ECM defends against any opponent wishing to disrupt the Blood Asp B’s twin Artemis FCS. Point two to masterarminas!!
The canon version of Alternate C is another original variant which did not utilize Heavy Lasers rather it relied primarily on Autocannons. Abele simply resubmitted the LB 20-X AC with ten rounds of ammo, dual Ultra AC/10 with forty rounds of ammo, and ER Large configuration seen in canon texts. Even on rapid fire this design only slightly overheats and has pretty good range but other folks took their shot at doing it better. Reversing the types of autocannons marauder648 C did the same damage but with only ten shots for his Ultra AC/20 it has somewhat limited effectiveness. I will come back to Black Mamba C from masterarminas later but what I liked better than canon here was Bradshaw C. He added another ER Large while subtracting one of the supporting AC/10s allowing a deep bin Ultra AC/20 (twenty rounds) supported by the twin lasers and a LB 10-X AC. With five additional Double Heat Sinks only repeated rapid fire of the Ultra AC/20 will cause you to overheat. I really like this approach as you get even longer range and better ammunition supply while maintaining the same firepower (70 damage possible). The best however was the Blood Asp C by masterarminas who mounted three Ultra AC/10s fed by sixty rounds of ammo and one ER Large. Two additional Double Heat Sinks perfectly account for continuous rapid fire and constant run movement. Again, seventy damage is possible and the range improvement thanks to the Ultra AC/10s is significant as the one big but short ranged gun has been removed. Point three masterarminas!!!
Looking at the smaller caliber autocannons for Alternate D we begin with Abele canon D whose three Ultra AC/2s seem ill suited here at first. However, the more I looked at them and thought about it their superior range (27 hexes), low heat (6 max), and firepower (12 max damage) could create a unique harasser platform for an assault Mech. Backed by a pair of ER Large Lasers and a Gauss Rifle with sixteen reloads it has some extreme range potential. These weapon systems are cooled by two additional Double Heat Sinks and can be supplemented at medium range by Abele’s only variation from canon a pair of ER Mediums which replaced the non-existent Heavy Mediums. The Blood Asp D as proposed by masterarminas switched the autocannons to LB-Xs which while achieving better range decreased the effective firepower. Even though he pointed at crit seeking or golden bb possibilities of such weapons this was less desirable to me than the double tapping of the Ultra ACs at extreme range. I did like the Black Mamba Prime by masterarminas with a single LB 5-X set up around a Battlemaster inspired armament of an ER PPC, six Medium Pulses, Streak SRM-6, and a Flamer. With a 5 ton Targeting Computer linked to the direct fire weapons and additional cooling provided by four more Double Heat Sinks it was an effective design. However out of those best two I have to say Abele D was the better choice in my opinion and sets up almost a unique Star Adder creation for future use. Point to Abele!
While there was no canon or Abele competitor for Alternate E many of the configurations presented there had their own special benefit. Ice Hellion E was a hard-hitting medium range entry thanks to its Ultra AC/20, Ultra AC/10, and three ER Medium Lasers while the Blood Asp E by masterarminas was a longer ranged monster thanks to two ER PPCs, three Streak SRM-6s, and two Medium Pulses. Bradshaw E tried to put his finger on the pulse of this contest with two Large Pulses, four Medium Pulse, six ER Smalls, and three Streak SRM-2s all while adding jump jets. Similarly the Black Mamba E by masterarminas had six Medium Pulse but thanks to three ER Larges had a longer range. What I liked best here however was marauder648 E which he created for Khan Cassius N’Buta. Three Large Pulses, two LRM-15s linked to Artemis IV FCS, and two Medium Pulses grant the user accurate long-range firepower. Six additional Double Heat Sinks help cool most of the weapon fire and an ECM Suite defends the missile tracking systems. While I also considered Ice Hellion C here to with its four LRM-20s all linked to an Artemis IV FCS, an ER PPC, and six ER Mediums the win goes to marauder648 E. Although I do have to say Cassius will be sticking with his Kingfisher ultimately it adds a solid configuration to this design. Point two to marauder648!!
This time around Alternate F will have to stand for field commander as the configurations considered here all had superior electronics which can enhance a leader’s presence in combat. With the inclusion of an Active Probe and ECM Suite being the bare minimum necessary for consideration here only three entries made the grade. While I already commented on the quality of Bradshaw D in our Alternate A competition (whose long-range weaponry and frequent ECM Suites could also be pluses for commanders) it features every electronic package available from Targeting Computer to TAG. While I am not a huge fan of those being present on Clan machines it is possible with the Adders I suppose. Ice Hellion F lacked both of those additional electronics focusing on weapons like the Gauss Rifle with two dozen rounds of ammo, an LRM-20 linked to an Artemis IV FCS with eighteen reloads, four ER Mediums, two Medium Pulses, and a Streak SRM-6 with the obligatory fifteen shots. While powerful I preferred the Blood Asp F by masterarminas thanks to its five ton Targeting Computer linked to a Gauss Rifle with twenty-four rounds of ammo, two ER Larges, two ER Mediums, and four ER Smalls. With eight additional Double Heat Sinks it can cool itself effectively and move while being able to defend against all attacks be they enemy ‘Mechs or infantry. Point four to masterarminas!!!!
I was kind of surprised that Alternate G which saw the single ER PPC/Gauss options face off had only two competitors both from the same designer (masterarminas). To give us more range I also included dual ER PPCs like Ice Hellion H and the Blood Asp E by masterarminas. Of the two I preferred the more heat friendly masterarminas offering again damn it giving him certainty of another win here. Yeah, I know sickening isn’t? While the ER PPCs generate more heat on average they do not require ammunition which is an important consideration especially to the strategically and logistically wary planners of Clan Star Adders. However, both single ER PPC/Gauss combos offered by masterarminas did have two dozen rounds of Gauss ammo present which I consider enough for long term engagements. So, which one did I like better? Was it Black Mamba D which supported those two weapons with an LRM-15 (twenty four reloads) linked to an Artemis IV FCS, Streak SRM-6 (fifteen reloads), and an ER Medium that featured a four ton Targeting Computer as well as an ECM Suite or his Blood Asp G. This variant had an LRM-20 with twenty-four shots and a Medium Pulse with the Streak SRM-6 being retained. While the LRM-20 provided more longer reaching firepower the loss of accuracy was just not desirable for me. So what I did was add an ER Small and a Double Heat Sink to compensate for the weight difference making this modified Black Mamba D from masterarminas our winner. Congrats and point five to masterarminas!!!!!
Alternate H was the place for multiple heapcappers sported by the Blood Asp which would see three plus Gauss Rifle or ER PPC configurations square off. First up as I have commented prior Ice Hellion B with its three Gauss Rifles would just be too cool for the Blood Asp with four integral Double Heat Sinks. Sorry about that Ice but with regards to the three ER PPC approach which was forwarded by Ice Hellion A and Bradshaw A I thought Ice was better. Unfortunately, the dual Gauss-dual ER PPC combo variant by Bradshaw Prime had the most potential of any of these entries. While his higher armor and ECM would have caused heat spikes on alternating turns a simple dropping of the Suite with the addition of two Double Heat Sinks is a simple fix. With thirty-two shots this variant does not have the deep bins of the Savage Coyote D and movement will cause the Blood Asp to overheat it does provide a solid addition to this OmniMechs arsenal. That would be a fight I for one would like to see personally as these two rivals square off sometime in the future. Right now, the point goes to Bradshaw!
Alternate J was for jumpers as something sporting jump jets providing mobility which was formerly present on Alternate A would be an aspect valued by the Adders. While marauder648 A added full mobility with four Jump Jets and Abele A retained what was there originally similarity to the new configuration would keep them from winning this contest here. Just not that different in spite of being very capable and I really wanted to add something to the Blood Asp here. I have mentioned Ice Hellion D a couple of times and even though it runs too hot it did receive consideration here as I suppose responsible bracket firing could provide a solid ranged option. Bradshaw E is a short range terror with Jump Jets that could make for an effective city fighter which is something the Blood Asp might certainly be asked to do by the Clan. In this regard the Black Mamba C by masterarminas would be the best and feature that one big gun approach with an Ultra AC/20 with four tons of ammo. A Large Pulse Laser and a Streak SRM-6 with fifteen reloads supplement this main gun which thanks to four Jump Jets is pretty darn mobile. Given the weight differences between designs I made a few modifications which included replacing the Medium Pulse and ER Small with two ER Medium Lasers which also allowed the addition of more Double Heat Sinks. Now with six additional Double Heat Sinks only movement takes you overheat while you double tap any would be opponents. Design point six to masterarminas!!!!!!
Well that was a very impressive display by masterarminas who from fluff to design dominated here with seven overall points. A distant second was marauder648 with two design points while Abele, Bradshaw, and Ice Hellion all managed to pull down just one point. I’d like to thank everybody for participating in these four reconfiguration contests that dotted the upgrade effort. Working on soon to be established designs rather than creating your own (the first Trials) or dealing with what already is (the upgrades nearly finished now Mech-wise) was something a little different. I am just sorry it took so long – especially to sort out this design here and I have more with the Blood Asp including some more configurations from me to consider and the Black Mamba that I need to complete not to mention getting to the Executioner evaluation. Thanks again everyone and congratulations to masterarminas!
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Topic: Quicksilver Reconfiguration #4: Blood Asp or Black Mamba (Read 4302 times)