Topic: Quicksilver Upgrades #12: Shadow Cat (??) 45 tons (Read 2041 times)

Takiro · « **on:** February 04, 2018, 11:44:02 PM »

So next up in our reconfiguration series is an excellent design that I am hoping we can add to rather than replace. The Shadow Cat only has three canon configurations and was not a flawed original OmniMech from TRO3050. Appearing in the Black Thorns Sourcebook and TRO3058 it is pretty damn solid. Fluff wise in was created in 3003 by Clan Nova Cat to replace the Ice Ferret which it may have done completely if not for the Clan Invasion. By the Operation Revival: Placement Trials even Clan Ice Hellion who created the Wolf Hunter aka Ice Ferret had only 19% of their medium Touman composed of that OmniMech while the new Shadow Cat composed 28%.

Three Clans (Cloud Cobra - 11%, Fire Mandrill - 22%, Star Adder - 25%) used only the Shadow Cat as their 45-ton OmniMech by the time of the invasion. Most Clans used both with Nova Cat (29%) and Diamond Shark (44%) having more Shadow Cats than Ice Ferrets. Burrock (11%) had amassed equal numbers of Shadow Cats and Ice Ferrets in their Touman. Five Clans (Coyote - 3%, Jade Falcon - 3%, Smoke Jaguar - 5%, Snow Raven - 11%, Steel Viper - 8%) had begun begun to field the Shadow Cat but still possessed more Ice Ferrets in their Touman. Blood Spirit used neither while four Clans (Ghost Bear, Goliath Scorpion, Hellâ€™s Horses, Wolf) featured no Shadow Cats at all in their Touman.

Following the invasion and a fearsome performance by the Shadow Cat earned the design more widespread acclaim. When it squared off against the Mongrel (Grendel) in the Quicksilver Trials for the 45-ton Vampire (Assailant) OmniMech it had fifty years of supreb military service under its belt. While the Mongrel held some promise the Shadow Cat was better suited to the Vampire design archetype and so it was endorsed by the ilKhan. Since Quicksilver seven Clans have announced their preference for the Shadow Cat over the Ice Ferret (Fenris) and the Sand Devil.

Nova Cat continues to be the primary and sole producer of the Shadow Cat while the number of Ice Ferrets in their possession continues to decline. Diamond Shark who had the highest percentage prior to the invasion continues to prefer it among their frontline forces even though they are now the primary manufacturer of the Sand Devil and they still field the Ice Ferret in limited numbers. Star Adder is perhaps the most enthusiastic user of this 45-ton design at the exclusion of all others. Their Cloud Cobra allies still prefer it as well although they are testing the Sand Devil in limited numbers. Smoke Jaguar has made a concentrated effort to increase the number of Shadow Cats as their preferred 45-ton chassis frequently sparring with the Nova Cats for production share.

Burrock continues to maintain a balance between the Ice Ferret and the Shadow Cat in their Touman using each design as necessary. Certain Fire Mandrill kinrdaa will not use any 45-ton OmniMech but the Shadow Cat while others now prefer the Sand Devil. Only Ice Hellion has reverted back to the Wolf Hunter aka Ice Ferret (Fenris) in the wake of the Quicksilver Trials as they have embraced a maximum speed philosophy among their forces. Ghost Bear has begun to acquire a few Shadow Cats for limited deployment and field testing in the InnerSphere after witnessing its performance in the invasion even though they still prefer the Fenris. Only four Clans (Blood Spirit, Goliath Scorpion, Hellâ€™s Horses, Wolf) still do not use the Shadow Cat in their Toumans.

Interestingly enough we find in the canon situation that no InnerSphere pilot survived contact with a Shadow Cat and thus it was never named. ComStar simply knowing its Clan designation informed everyone what it was following Tukayyid. Not sure I love that especially for my setting so if anyone can think of a good name and reason the InnerSphere just designated it such after Tukayyid please do so. A bonus point will be awarded to the best entry.

So please discuss what you like about the existing configurations (would you keep them as is Quicksilver fluff will give you half a point now) and introduce your alternatives. Please explain why yours is best, what role it plays with your modifications, etc. Remember I love fluff. Again, you are not allowed to alter the base design itself but the configurations are opened game. Clan Level 2 is the tech level for this contest just after Tukayyid so no ATMs, AP Gauss, Heavy Lasers, or Light Active Probes! Teamwork is also very welcomed so if you have an idea it is acceptable to collaborate. Since multiple configurations can win whoever gets the most wins, wins! Bonus point to the new Quicksilver fluff and InnerSphere name designation!

Criteria
Design: Shadow Cat (??) Medium OmniMech
Era: 3052, just following the Truce of Tukayyid
Tech: Clan Level 2
Mass: 45 tons
Internal Structure: EndoSteel (2.5 ton)
Engine: 270 XL (7.5 tons)
Movement: 6/9(12)/6
Heat Sinks: 10 (20)
Gyro: (3 tons)
Cockpit: (3 tons)
Armor: Ferro Fibrous (7 tons â€“ 134 armor factor)
Armament: 17 tons available for pod space

Please have your entries in by Friday February 9th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, good luck!!

marauder648 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2018, 03:20:37 AM »

Oooh the Shadow Kitty. Intersting choice, as this thing is very new and as you said it more needs expanding upon rather than significant changes as its a good design.

I won't change the Prime for sure. But lets see what else we can all come up with

Abele · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2018, 05:41:11 AM »

Since the Prime, A and B variants are the only ones that meet the criteria of the challenge, there definitely is room for expansion. The first three configs don't even need replacing as they are fine as they are. All new configs it is then.

marauder648 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2018, 06:12:44 AM »

Only thing i'd do with the Prime is drop the probe and add another ton of ammo but that's about it. Let faster Mech's do the scouting, this things job is to kick people in the teeth.

drakensis · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2018, 06:39:29 AM »

Shadow Cat

Mass: 45 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 10,415,531 C-Bills
Battle Value: 722

Chassis: Type 79-45 Endo-Steel
Power Plant: RFUM 270 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Maximum Speed: 97.2 km/h (129.6 km/h)
Jump Jets: Model KY Boosters
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: Compound H17 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
17.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Barcella Beta
Primary Factory: Barcella
Communications System: JNE Integrated
Targeting and Tracking System: Build 2 CAT TTS

Overview:
First sighted by the Inner Sphere on Luthien, where it was deployed in the Kadoguchi Valley, the Shadow Cat was nicknamed Yabusame by the DCMS, in reference to an ancient and ritualised form of mounted archery still practised by traditionalists within the Combine. The identification was only made limited use of since Wolf Dragoon personnel personnel provided the correct designation, the Shadow Cat having entered deployment around their departure from the Clans. Use of the Yabusame designation is currently used by some more traditionalist DCMS officers in subtle rebellion against the Gunji no Kanrei's reforms and the decision to accept the assistance of mercenaries on Luthien.

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Author Topic: Quicksilver Upgrades #12: Shadow Cat (??) 45 tons (Read 2041 times)