Overview
Clan Blood Spirit has always been facing a dilemma: staying away of the other Clans, that turned their back on Kerensky’s mandate and concentrating their few holding, they always lacked the resources to expand themselves and barely managed over the years to defend themselves.
This is why Peterson, the Scientist-General and Soon, the Master Technician came before their Khans with a proposal: instead of simply reviewing the cost/performance ratio of their forces and discontinuing the use of underperforming designs, why not take the analysis one step further and review/improve each Configuration? The cost to Clan Blood Spirit would be minimal, the consequences of a failure minimal while the potential benefits for the Clan Touman would be more than enough to justify the investment in time.
As usual, before launching such a radical (for their Clan) programme, the Khans and the Loremaster tried to find advice in the wisdom of the Kerensky family and in the past, as
Hark children of the Clans,
To the wisdom of Kerensky and your forebears,
Know what has come before;
Remember it as you strive toward the future.
It took them some time but in the end, they found something in the Remembrance of Clan Cloud Cobra:
"The darkness is behind us, the light is ahead.
Strive toward it, for it is the Way."
Said our Founders, Nicholas.
"Be ever vigilant
And rely on your strength:
Faith, which preserves us;
Knowledge, which gives us power;
Understanding, which us lets face the darkness without fear."
The strength of Clan Blood Spirit was always their “esprit de corps†and the trust they had in each other. This is why the green light was given to this revitalisation programme.
Always cautious and reluctant to waste resources, the choice of the “prototype†for this upgrade programme was selected based on the raw numbers available to test it efficiently and its capacity to make a difference (meaning a design heavy enough to pack a punch but agile enough to bring it where needed). The final candidate was the Crossbow, an early OmniMech design found in numbers in the Clan Touman but that lacked the flexibility of later designs, preventing the use of Omni-Pods elsewhere than in the arms. Eager to go quickly forward, the Scientists and Technicians of Clan Blood Spirit didn’t focus on this, just making some minor adjustments to let the Omni-Pods be mounted in the legs too.
Capabilities
The Crossbow has always been a fire-support ‘Mech, “another design focusing on bringing a rain of missiles on its opponents†as a ComStar analyst once wrote, before writing a note in the margin quoting for an unknown reason the Imperial Encyclopedia, a really old and almost unknown book, about how “the Zhuge Nu is a handy little weaponâ€. And the name of this little repeating crossbow stuck to the Clan design to separate it from its Inner Sphere cousin.
Focusing on this primary mission, Configuration Prime retained the long-range missile firepower, trading accuracy and endurance for raw firepower, increasing the number of tubes from 40 to 60, thanks to 4 LRM-15 mounted in the arms. The only weakness of this design is in its lack of ammo as it only has 2 tons of ammo, but since Clan Blood Spirit didn’t fight the Inner Sphere yet, they think that for the duels and defensive operations they are fighting it shouldn’t be a problem.
Configuration A was always a kind of jack-of-trades with a focus on close-range combat. Deciding to retain this approach, Clan Blood Spirit dropped the LRM-5 for an ER Large Laser giving the Crossbow a more ammo independent weapon at longer ranges, one able to deal damage to opponents allowing the Streak SRM-6 and Medium Pulse Lasers to use them once they start firing.
Configuration B was the close range specialist with its 4 Streak SRM-6. However analysis of battle-reports showed that sometimes it was lacking the speed and the range to dictate the combat. Keeping the spirit but changing the way this Configuration worked, the Streak SRM-6 were replaced by Streak SRM-4 with only two tons of ammo and an ER PPC was put in the Right Arm to give an incentive for the other ‘Mechs to get closer to the Crossbow.
Configuration C was designed as a variation over the Hunchback, the infamous close-range combat master. In spite of its limited efficiency in most combat situations, it suited the defensive minded Blood Spirits. With an UAC/20 in the Right Arm together with two tons of ammo, there are few ‘Mechs that can withstand its firepower and ground speed, allowing to take its target down quickly. To give it something to deal with those staying at long range, it has a LRM-5, a minor weapon but still annoying enough to make those under it fires at try to get closer.
Configuration D is the same as the Configuration C but the complete opposite with a Gauss Rifle and 4 ER Small Lasers to deal with those getting too close. Some would say that both Configurations were meant to work together but “is not the way of the Clansâ€.
Configuration E is likely to have been inspired by the Warhammer and other designs like it. With two ER Large Lasers, it can brings down its opponents at long range, letting them face 4 SRM-6 as they close in. The only weakness of this Configuration is that it can’t alpha-strike but the choices about the right weapons to fire are easily made.
Configuration F is a more efficient Nova. Thanks to its 18 Double Heat Sinks, it can almost fire its 8 ER Medium Lasers at once. To do so without any problem, it only needs a piece of water thanks to two Double Heat Sinks mounted in its legs.
Configuration G main purpose is to work in support of infantry and tanks, so common in the Blood Spirit Touman, when they have to deal with entrenched opponents, a treacherous approach favoured by the Inner Sphere according to the few intel Clan Blood Spirit managed to gather.
Packing a Large Pulse Laser, a LB 5-X and 2 Machine Guns, this Crossbow has to rely on the ones it is supporting to detect the hidden units it has to take down.
Configuration H is obviously inspired by the Enfield and the Enforcer. With an Ultra AC/10 and an ER Large Laser, it can fight against most ‘Mechs. Its only weakness is in its lack of secondary weapons when it runs out of ammo.
Configuration I is a Marauder without its iconic secondary weapon. With a Large Pulse Laser and a Medium Pulse Laser in each arm, there is not a lot of ‘Mech that can deal with it when this Crossbow is in the hands of an expert marksman.
Configuration J tries to get back to the jack-of-all-trades approach and mixes an ER Large Laser and an ER PPC with two SRM-6. To improve its heat management efficiency, two Double Heat Sinks were added in the legs but any Warrior willing to survive in this Configuration will have too be careful about its selection of weapons.
Battle History
Life is harsh on the enclaves of Clan Blood Spirit because of the constant raiding by other Clans to test their mettle against what they perceived is a weak Clan. One such even happened when the 5th Viper Regulars decided to raid Arcadia to gather some experience. This raid was the first opportunity for the new Crossbow to be used in combat and against other Crossbow.
However the first blood came from a Configuration I facing a Mad Dog A in a small city. Thanks to its superior knowledge of the surroundings, the Blood Spirit ‘Mech launched a guerilla warfare against its opponent, coming out of unexpected corners, firing a few targeted shots before withdrawing back in another street. The fight came to an end when the Extra Light Engine of the Mad Dog was destroyed with a few shots in the rear armour.
Deployment
Due to their lack of manufacturing facilities for the Crossbow, Clan Blood Spirit just spread the information about the new Configurations among its units, resulting in all of them using the new Configurations in defence of their Clan. Due to the isolationist nature of Clan Blood Spirit and in spite of the raiding it is suffering for, the new design didn’t spread in Clan space yet.
Notable ‘MechWarriors
Although Clan Blood Spirit is the exclusive user of the new Crossbow and is staying away from the other Clans, a Star of blood and red Crossbows has been raiding the holdings of Clan Burrock. Clan Blood Spirit has denied any implication or knowledge of this unit.
Since this Star refuses any contact with the outside, there is no way to know the truth. So far, the only thing noteworthy apart from their use of unique Configuration is that they have always fought according to Zellbringen but issuing no challenge.
The castle with a a crown and the dragon painted on their shoulders has led them to be nicknamed the Drakenhöfe.
Crossbow
Mass: 65 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: 6 977 094 C-Bills
Battle Value: 958
Chassis: Anaconda OmniHeavy Standard
Power Plant: New Kent 325 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54,0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86,4 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Compound V6 Standard Armor
Armament:
16.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Bishop 211 Meridian
Targeting and Tracking System: Spanke
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 104 points 6,50
Engine: Fusion Engine 325 23,50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0,00
Gyro: Standard 4,00
Cockpit: Standard 3,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 192 12,00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 21 26
Center Torso (rear) 13
L/R Torso 15 19
L/R Torso (rear) 9
L/R Arm 10 18
L/R Leg 15 26
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 8 640 500
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 914
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LA, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 LRM-15s RA 10 4 7,00
2 LRM-15s LA 10 4 7,00
@LRM-15 (8) RA - 1 1,00
@LRM-15 (8) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 39
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 19
5 3 3 3 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 3/3/3, IF 3
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 8 351 750
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 966
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LA, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4,00
Streak SRM-6 RA 4 2 3,00
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2,00
Streak SRM-6 LA 4 2 3,00
Medium Pulse Laser LA 4 1 2,00
@Streak SRM-6 (15) RA - 1 1,00
@Streak SRM-6 (15) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 40
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 20
5 4 4 1 0 3 1 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B Cost: 8 551 297
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 983
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LA, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Streak SRM-4s RA 6 2 4,00
ER PPC RA 15 2 6,00
2 Streak SRM-4s LA 6 2 4,00
@Streak SRM-4 (25) RA - 1 1,00
@Streak SRM-4 (25) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 42
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 20
5 4 4 2 0 3 1 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 8 241 922
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 617
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LA, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra AC/20 RA 7 8 12,00
LRM-5 LA 2 1 1,00
@Ultra AC/20 (10) RA - 2 2,00
@LRM-5 (24) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 38
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 16
5 4 4 1 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 7 798 484
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 676
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle RA 1 6 12,00
4 ER Small Lasers LA 8 4 2,00
@Gauss Rifle (16) RA - 2 2,00
Free Critical Slots: 38
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 17
5 4 4 2 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 8 681 750
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 818
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LA, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 SRM-6s RA 8 2 3,00
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4,00
2 SRM-6s LA 8 2 3,00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
@SRM-6 (15) RA - 1 1,00
@SRM-6 (15) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 41
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 18
5 3 3 2 0 3 1 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0
================================================================================
Loadout Name: F Cost: 8 396 094
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 142
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 18(36) 8,00
Heat Sink Locations: 3 LA, 3 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 ER Medium Lasers RA 20 4 4,00
4 ER Medium Lasers LA 20 4 4,00
Free Critical Slots: 27
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 21
5 6 6 0 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: G Cost: 8 087 234
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 496
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LA, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Pulse Laser RA 10 2 6,00
2 Machine Guns RA 0 2 0,50
LB 5-X AC LA 1 4 7,00
@MG (1/2) (100) RA - 1 0,50
@LB 5-X (Cluster) (20) LA - 1 1,00
@LB 5-X (Slug) (20) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 39
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 15
5 2 2 2 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: H Cost: 8 152 719
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 657
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra AC/10 RA 3 4 10,00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
@Ultra AC/10 (20) RA - 2 2,00
Free Critical Slots: 44
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 17
5 3 3 3 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: I Cost: 7 959 875
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 912
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Pulse Laser RA 10 2 6,00
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2,00
Large Pulse Laser LA 10 2 6,00
Medium Pulse Laser LA 4 1 2,00
Free Critical Slots: 43
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 19
5 3 3 2 0 3 1 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: J Cost: 8 472 922
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 993
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 12(24) 2,00
CASE Locations: RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC RA 15 2 6,00
SRM-6 RA 4 1 1,50
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
SRM-6 LA 4 1 1,50
@SRM-6 (15) RA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 40
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 20
5 3 3 2 0 3 1 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Upgrades #22: Crossbow (??) 65 tons (Read 2642 times)