OBT Forum

I really like those names Vition

And re the Fire Falcon, this is honestly one of those Mech's that i'd not touch.  The Fire Falcon is one of the most potent Clan lights out there and shares that title with the Hellion and much later Tiburon.

Its fast enough to get a good TMM, its got adequate protection for its size and with 10 tons of pod space this is then used correctly, even the LB-2 and scout versions are fine.

As I said here;

http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,45814.0.html

The Fire Falcon is one of those rare Mechs that is a bloody monster and its a monster by accident. But then again its a Mech from TRO:3058, a  book that produced very very few shit configs or actual designs.  Sure the art was...sub-par for many of the designs (sorry, I just don't like Loose's style) but the Mech's in it were anything but.

Good stuff Vintion2!

You did a great job on the Article marauder648 and quite possibly those configs are as perfect as they can get but have all options been played out? I think not. I have two versions in mind to expand on the Fire Falcon's mission that I think will work nicely. There might be more out there, so we will see.

Hope you feel better Drak, nice entry!

Nice Abele, looking forward to the fluff!

Granted this was a tough one to improve upon but I had two thoughts going in that I’d like to share with you now. One was a head capping ER PPC version and the other a recon config loaded down with all sorts of electronics (Active Probe, ECM, etc.) benefiting from its impressive speed. Jump Jets were in my mind as part of the recon model but would be another fun option that perhaps a third variant could have been built around. So, with that said up front lets see what we have here.

First points go to Vintion2 for coming up with Skadi (the Goddess of Winter and the Hunt) as the Lyran designation for the Fire Falcon. Very appropriate.

Second point to drakensis for building on this name in a very nice overview for the design, great job.

Primary Configuration – I have to give props to Abele for going head on into the competition from canon which ultimately won the day. Even though I decided to stick with canon here your variant did a nice job in gaining range in exchange for some firepower. A good try bud! I will comment more later on drakensis primary entry which I liked but in a different way than this solid configuration. So canon wins a point.

Alternate Configuration A – Appreciating marauder648 support for all the Fire Falcon’s configurations I found this one to be the weakest. Yes, it is a nice harasser but for ten tons of pod space the Ultra/AC 2 seems kind of weak to me. Certainly not a load out that would remain one of the most popular in my opinion. Endorsing the Prime canon config was a nice touch by drak but left Abele’s A with its ER PPC the competition. However, I really wasn’t ready to endorse the ER PPC here. Instead I liked Abele’s D whose fire support model basically removes the Ultra/AC to double down on the LRM-10s. Two ER Mediums and an ECM Suite create a very effective new A. Point to Abele!

Alternate Configuration B – This was the hardest canon nut to crack here as twin ER Larges tied to a Targeting Computer helps make a fast light weight sharpshooter that is impossible to beat with the Tech Level given anyway. I liked the way that drakensis simply endorsed it as his choice. I have to salute Abele who took a shot at unseating it with his Alternate B with 6 ER Mediums, 2 additional Double Heat Sinks, tied to a Targeting Computer. A little too inefficient for me or perhaps it just pales in comparison to the canon version. Still nice try Abele, my sincere thanks. Another point to canon.     

Alternate Configuration C – Here is where I wanted to go with the ultimate recon variant and undue the canon version. Abele’s C does a nice job but left me somehow wanting, maybe too similar to B with the ER Large. Same thing with drakensis’ C which in comparison to its canon counterpart showed the strengths of canon C which is what I choose as the winner. Canon is up to three points.

Alternate Configuration D – Lastly for canon we have one more possibility and only one real challenger with Abele’s D winning the new A configuration. Very similar to the canon version I really like how drakensis made it a little better with a tweak. Removing the ER Medium and a ton of SRM ammo for an LRM-5 and ammo really maximized a NARC concept that while dezgra, yeah unClanlike I really started to like. So, point to drak for a new D!

Alternate Configuration E – We had two E entries which were good. I liked Abele’s trooper which had a little bit of everything but there is that ER PPC variant I have been looking for and it just clicks for me. Even in comparison to Abele’s A this jumping head capper with dual Flamers by drakensis was the one that did it for me. Very nice job and point two to drak for configs anyway.

Alternate Configuration F – For Fire Falcon F or Triple F as I am calling it I have to go with my favorite ‘F’ing entry. Primary Weapon Configuration by drakensis was a winner that took half its weight for a small energy weapon arsenal that tied into a targeting computer and reserved the rest for three LRM-5s. This mini Mad Cat is a worthy addition to the Fire Falcon arsenal, three points to drak for configs!

Alternate Configuration G – Here is my throw at the wall to see if it sticks. What do you guys think of a loadout that matches the Peregrine? One Large Pulse Laser and two Medium Pulse Lasers makes for an effective configuration in my opinion. What do you think?

Alternate Configuration H – If and this again is up to you guys a harasser configuration with a Ultra AC/2 or a LB-2X AC is your cup of tea how about we place it here? I don’t think it would be popular but it may be effective. So how about holding on to this canon pain in the butt and placing it here??

Congrats again to drak on the overall win with 4 points! Nice job as well to Abele and Vintion2 for earning a point each in my overall Quicksilver Upgrade contest. Even though marauder648 did not participate per say I would like to thank him for presenting a solid case in favor of the canon design. Thanks again everyone!

Please let me know what you guys think about Configurations G and H, much appreciated!

See you soon for the next contest!!

Thanks for the feedback drak.

Good stuff on the reasoning behind Alternate G, the Peregrine also mentions underwater operations - do you think that works here too? I like it as an anti-aircraft and anti-infantry platform as well.

Wouldn't it be four ER Mediums with an LB-2X and a ton of ammo for the final harasser?

We could go with an ER Large instead of the four ER Mediums to make for a longer range harasser.