OBT Forum

Hearing the collective groan from some designers out there I have already come up with some suggestions of my own for this one which I will post at the conclusion. Also, if you do not want to participate on the rearmament of the Crossbow I will be running another thread on Quicksilver’s Next Step (link below) which I hope you will join in on. Research on this design did lead me to some new information on OmniMech Proliferation within the Clans and a look in at Clan Steel Viper which I hope to shed some light on.

https://www.ourbattletech.com/forum/index.php?topic=3599.0

It is said that ‘during the Golden Century the Viper Khans lacked the foresight to recognize the value of the OmniMech’ and my research would seem to confirm that. The story of Sanra Mercer is the first to give me insight as in 2860 she was nominated to the post of saKhan by Khan Jacob Masters an aerospace pilot. This greatest of Viper leaders used a Highlander (possibly IIC) lending credence to the Clan’s lack of modular technology. As Jade Falcon and Wolf were the first to seize this innovation in 2863 it may be more accurate to blame Jacob Masters singularly for the failure to realize the value of this new tech.

Whatever the truth of the matter Sanra Mercer would continue to use her Highlander through her death in 2906 against the hated Jade Falcons. There is also the development of the fearsome Storm Giant during the Golden Century which had a 400 XL Engine. While we do not know exactly what this design had as the Scylla fluff eludes to it replacing the weaponry, electronics, and adding jump jets this 100-ton BattleMech would be quite a deadly investment in its own right. It is likely that the Storm Giant was a terrifying opponent even against OmniMechs despite its fixed equipment. With such a large power plant this massive menace would have been a significant investment by the Vipers soaking up much of their resources.
 
The Crossbow itself was first deployed by Clan Steel Viper in 2870 during their successful Trial of Possession for Firebase Climax on Homer versus the Smoke Jaguars. It was only after the Vipers captured Snow Raven scientists that development of this OmniMech moved forward. This implies that this rival Clan had access prior to the Vipers who seem to be one of the last to field the OmniMech. This design in particular seems to have been inspired by the Lyran Age of War BattleMech with which it shares many design similarities. While this first generation omni did have some design limitations (arm mounted pod space only - a fluff limitation) it served the Clan well for almost one hundred and eighty years.

According to Operation Revival Trials RATs by the time of the invasion only four Clans fielded the Crossbow. Aside from its Steel Viper (39%) creators only Blood Spirit (47%) fielded them in any appreciable numbers. I suspect that any salvaged models say by the Snow Ravens and perhaps others were in fact sold to the tech starved Spirits. Burrock (14%) and Diamond Shark (11%) utilized far fewer in their Toumans likely rounding out their Heavy front line forces. It proved unpopular with the other thirteen Clans despite its good speed and survivability likely because of its low amount of pod space and arm mounting restrictions.

Remember, the Steel Vipers have long embraced ‘Zombie’ designs in order to best protect their elite warriors. As seen by its low casualties on Tukayyid and low warrior turnout annually the Clan is much more averse to pilot safety then say the Smoke Jaguars whose reckless aggression makes them feared. While no one dare match individual skill against the warriors of the Viper Clan the time to develop these crack troops makes the Clan very mindful of any potential losses. They are therefore geared to the rugged survivability of Zombies (like the Crossbow) as opposed to faster Werewolves or more offensive Vampires which can take much less damage.

The ilKhan’s decision to endorse the Crossbow as the 65-ton Zombie early on in the Quicksilver Program was controversial but ultimately saved valuable resources. Proven and reliable Viper scientists set out to make what simple improvements they could to the existing design. Thanks to their efforts technicians were able to modify existing models to allow them to mount weaponry and equipment in locations other than the arms. These modifications learned from studying the Battle Cobra upgrade bolstered the case for this venerable OmniMech with some other Clans. The Kindraa of Fire Mandrill in particular became fans of the new Crossbow likely in part to their Blood Spirit allies who continue to favor this 65-ton design to all others. While Burrock and Diamond Shark have both shifted their priorities away from the Crossbow neither Clan can simply afford to cache their remaining numbers.

Like the Battle Cobra it is also one of the Clan designs which also lacked an InnerSphere designation despite being present for some time. Thanks to marauder648 we learned that the Battle Cobra was first spotted during the Viper assisted pacification of the Ghost Bear Occupation Zone where Draconis agents named it the Nozuchi (a fat snake like demon of Japanese legend for its squat, broad form and clearly cobra esque stylizing). ComStar also referred to the Battle Cobra as the Hooded Cobra for its wide shoulders and stylized hull features. So perhaps the Crossbow might have a similar story? Or maybe not?

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 best new Quicksilver fluff and the best InnerSphere designation!!

Criteria
Design: Crossbow (??) Heavy OmniMech
Era: 3052, just following the Truce of Tukayyid
Tech: Clan Level 2
Mass: 65 tons
Internal Structure: Standard (6.5 ton)
Engine: Fusion 325 Fusion (12 tons)
Movement: 5/8
Heat Sinks: 10 (20)
Gyro: (4 tons)
Cockpit: (3 tons)
Armor: Standard (12 tons – 192 armor factor)
Armament: 16 tons available for pod space

Please have your entries in by Friday July 20th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, good luck!!