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Very nice drak and Ice with two more solid contenders!!

I am stuffed full and awaiting any last minute design entries here. Tomorrow is the last day for new Warhawks to step forward.

Damn! I forgot to write fluff and it would have been good Fire Mandrill stuff, too.

Still working on the review here guys and my schedule is full. Might take me till later this week.

Well the Warhawk (or Masakari) bought out six (6) designers with forty-nine (49) entries to challenge the four (4) existing canon configurations. With an average of eight ( designs per challenger you guys really stand a good chance at revamping this original Clan OmniMech from TRO3050. The disadvantage for canon here was extreme given the alterations allowed by the ilKhan in order to improve upon the existing design. Still you never know. BTW, I haven’t forgotten about looking up notable pilots for the Masakari, I just haven’t gotten the time. So, I will work on it this week hopefully but it is busy, busy, busy here. Anyway, on to the review at hand!

The fluff to update the Warhawk for Quicksilver was very good overall with five contestants all angling for different stories. While Abele’s configurations hinted at some interesting story lines he completed no fluff to speak of unfortunately. I liked drakensis take on the upgrade from an adversarial point of view (Nova Cat v. Smoke Jaguar) but didn’t buy into the whole every modification has to be challenged thing. Hats off to an ambitious effort by Bradshaw to recast the Warhawk as a Jade Falcon refit but not sure that worked. Always good masterarminas delivers again with a Goliath Scorpion effort but it is a little thin here. While very generic overview is created by marauder648 it is very good. Ice Hellion though did a very good job on his Smoke Jaguar based fluff with another Remembrance citation, notable pilots (Brendon Corbett did have a Masakari in canon), and deployment (new Warhawks going to the Jaguar Knights). An impressive display of both canon and Quicksilver knowledge along with a fine storyline. As it shuck out it is clear to me that marauder648 and Ice Hellion have to split this bonus point, congrats to you both. Fine job!

Per standard operating procedure I let canon serve as a basis for all of its initial configurations which meant that Primary would be a multiple (three plus) ER PPC variant. Canon with four ER PPCs is one of my least favorites for the Warhawk as you really can’t even fire three ER PPCs with out going over heat let alone the LRMs which introduce ammo to this veritable heat bomb waiting to explode. Sorry Warhawk but with your built in Targeting Computer a Hellstar you will never be. Sensibly three challengers simply dropped one of the ER PPCs for a better- rounded alternative. Both Ice Hellion Prime and Bradshaw Prime have 3 ER PPCs, Flamer, 4 ton Targeting Computer, 11 Double Heat Sinks, and 4 Jump Jets which creates a hard-hitting mobile asset. Ice went with 2 ER Mediums on his variant while Bradshaw went more electronic with an ECM Suite and TAG. While each had their benefits and disadvantages, I liked masterarminas Prime better with its 3 ER PPCs, LRM-10 with Artemis IV FCS supplied by two tons of ammo (24 rounds), 4 ton Targeting Computer, and 12 Double Heat Sinks. It was better at range and much more heat friendly than its competition to create a far better much more consistent base version of the Warhawk. Point to masterarminas!

I let the LB 10-X Autocannon guide me for Alternate Configuration A as the canon version sets the bar. On the face of it Canon A is not that horrible but it is ‘oversinked’ with a 40 cooling rate for a machine that can only do 37 heat on a running alpha strike. Plus the LRM-15 having only 8 rounds of ammunition is sort of stupid but all in all it ain’t a bad generalist which unlike most existing Masakari configurations doesn’t run hot. I appreciate what marauder648 A tried to do with an Ultra AC/10 and jump jets at the cost of the LRMs, the Streak system, and any additional Double Heat Sinks but it just wasn’t as good as the canon variant IMO. Abele Prime was pretty effective mixing themes from Prime and A configurations however without any additional Double Heat Sinks you can’t even fire your two ER PPCs. I really liked drakensis E with its LB 10-X, ER PPC, 5 ER Mediums, Medium Pulse, and ER Small all linked to a 5 ton Targeting Computer. Nine additional Double Heat Sinks (44 cooling factor) do much to deal with the 50 heat on a running Alpha Strike, very nice and manageable. Better than that was Ice Hellion F which had an LB 10-X, a Large Pulse, and a ER Large linked to a 4 ton Targeting Computer supported by a LRM-15 with Artemis and Streak SRM-6. Love the generalist feel and offense but a 35 running Alpha Strike is a bit much for the 13 (26) base Double Heat Sinks of the new Warhawk. The ECM Suite and Active Probe are nice but I would take them off along with a ton of the LB-X ammo for three additional Double Heat Sinks. Might have gotten you the win but masterarminas A was the best IMO with an LB 10-X and two ER Larges tied to a 4 ton Targeting Computer supported by a LRM-15 with Artemis and Streak SRM-6. The design produces 37 heat on a Running Alpha Strike but thanks to four additional Double Heat Sinks to the new base 13 (26) it has a 34 cooling factor. Well done, both you and Ice improved on the ammo supply as well but masterarminas A was the better option to me. Point two masterarminas!!

With canon B sporting a Gauss Rifle it would insure that the theme for Alternate Configuration B would be a big nickel deliverer. Bradshaw B wasn’t bad with three ER Mediums and the Gauss linked to a three ton Targeting Computer, two Streak SRM-6s, and four Jump Jets plus an assortment of electronics and twin Anti-Missile Systems. I would have preferred an Ultra AC/20 and some more Heat Sinks with this supporting arsenal to create a fearsome city fighter. Ice Hellion D with an ER Large and four ER Mediums had a nice two big weapon supported by smaller ones a linked to a four Targeting Computer and it was mobile with four Jump Jets. Abele A was more of a generalist with a LRM-20 linked to an Artemis along with an ER Large, three Medium Pulses, and an ER Small. Very nice. There were a couple of common themes too like Twin ER PPC pairings (drakensis C, marauder648 F) which reminded me too much of the Prime Configuration not done as well. The Dual Gauss approach (masterarminas B, Abele J) was a good idea too thanks to the new Warhawks lower base Heat Sinks. I liked narauder648 B a little bit better with a single Gauss paired to twin ER Large Lasers linked to a four ton Targeting Computer which is supported by a Streak SRM-6. Defending it with an Anti-Missile System and an ECM Suite while adding four Jump Jets to produce a highly mobile sniper. However, the win once again goes to masterarminas F with his Super Summoner submission. A Gauss, an ER PPC, and an ER Medium all linked to a four ton Targeting Computer supported by an LRM-15 with an Artemis IV FCS provided a solid arsenal. Four jump jets, an Active Probe, along with an additional Double Heat Sink create a superior configuration in my estimation. Nice job and point three for masterarminas!!!

The lower heat curve of canon C and marauder648 Prime make a good case for retaining Alternate Configuration C. This twin ER PPC variant paired with two Large Pulses all linked to a five ton Targeting Computer is cooled by an additional ten Double Heat Sinks (46 cooling factor). This configuration did have its challengers like the twin ER PPC/Gauss combos mentioned in the last discussion by drakensis C and marauder648 F. Abele Prime also makes a reappearance from our configuration A competition but it is still too hot. Most others took the ER PPCs and paired them with mid-range weapons like Medium Pulses (masterarminas E) and Streak SRM-6s (marauder648 E and Abele F). These also rans aren’t bad but what I really liked was Abele E or Kline as he called it. This changed the original pairing of these configuration from two Large Pulses to two ER Large Lasers. This provides greater range with the same striking power even though I don’t love the back weaponry (Small Pulse and ER Small, better to go with an ECM and Flamer which would give you another ton for a smaller Targeting Computer). Adding thirteen Double Heat Sinks gives you a cooling factor of 52 in the face of 54 weapon heat from your big four energy weapons. A very, very close call here but Abele narrowly gets the win over canon and marauder648, point Abele!

Free of canon examples we will go to AC/20 entries for Alternate Configuration D. Five of the six entries utilized just one of these massive cannons and only Abele C focused on the LB 20-X AC. Using an ER PPC, an ER Large, Medium Pulse, Small Pulse all slaved to a five ton Targeting Computer makes for a mixed ranged arsenal. Abele G or Steel Viper entry featured their Ultra AC/20 with an array of Pulse Lasers and an SRM-6 which I liked better. Both maraduer648 C and Ice Hellion C were very similar with an Ultra AC/20 (15) and an ER Large highlighting their entries. While each of these was good in their own ways masterarminas D with Ultra AC/20 (20) and two ER Large Lasers linked to a four ton Targeting Computer was the best. However, it paled in comparison to my favorite configuration in the entire contest which was drakensis B featuring two giant Autocannons. I especially liked how he fit an Ultra AC/20 and a LB 20-X on to the same configuration along with a ER Medium and four Jump Jets. This creates a devastating mobile combatant which would be truly feared in an urban environment for its accuracy thanks to a five ton Targeting Computer. Made possible by the lowering of the base Double Heat Sinks this configuration is a deadly new addition, point to drakensis!

There were five entries that featured two Large Lasers and a mid-range arsenal that competed for Alternate Configuration E here. Ice Hellion B with 2 Large Pulse Lasers, 8 ER Mediums, 3 SRM-4 (25 shots), 3 Jump Jets, and 8 Double Heat Sinks does overheat a bit but I suppose bracket fire could deal with that. Abele I from the Diamond Sharks with 2 ER Large Lasers, four Streak SRM-6s (60), Medium Pulse, ER Small, and a 3 ton Targeting Computer could likewise bracket fire effectively.  Bradshaw F was somewhat of a light hitter with a LB 5-X AC, 2 Large Pulses, 2 Streak SRM-6s (30), Flamer, ECM Suite, Double Heat Sink, 4 Jump Jets, and a Targeting Computer. The top two here concentrated on Pulses however with Abele H by the Burrocks equipped with 2 Large Pulses, 6 Medium Pulses, 2 Machine Guns (200), 5 ton Targeting Computer, and 9 Double Heat Sinks coming close to winning it all. I liked drakensis Prime by the Nova Cats with 2 Large Pulses, 6 Medium Pulses, ER Small, 5 ton Targeting Computer, and 10 Double Heat Sinks a bit better. Point two drakensis!!

Configurations featuring four Large Lasers would square off for our new Alternate F which bore a little bit of a resemblance to the original Canon Primary. Only Bradshaw A featured four ER Large Lasers for superior range which was a pretty good concept despite some questionable backup weapons which added to the heat curve. Two contestants (masterarminas C and Abele B) went the other featuring four Large Pulses which have excellent potential especially as an anti-air configuration. However, much like the new Alternate Configuration C the best entries were so-call mixed laser arrays featuring both ER Larges and Large Pulses which optimize Targeting Computers to just 4 tons a piece. With five SRM-6s adding to his entry drakensis D had close in firepower which required disciplined bracket fire at these tight quarters. Ice Hellion A with two ER Larges and two Large Pulses linked to a four ton Targeting Computer, 11 Double Heat Sinks dissipate all main weapon (except the Flamer) and movement (jumping). I thought that Bradshaw C was the best here even though it had one less Double Heat Sink as it featured an ECM Suite that insures the operation of the Targeting Computer no matter what. Point to Bradshaw!

While LRM Boats were somewhat ill-suited to the Warhawk especially before the Double Heat Sink revision they found a home here in Alternate Configuration G. Three entries were a mix of LRMs and other weaponry which resulted in undersized Targeting Computer than Warhawk norm. With 3 ER Large Lasers and 2 LRM-15s each with an Artemis IV FCS marauder648 D was a solid entry. Abele D had more missiles with 3 LRM-15s each linked to an Artemis supported by 2 Large Pulses. Bradshaw H reminded me of the Crusader with 2 LRM-15s each again with an Artemis IV FCS, 2 Streak SRM-6s, 2 ER Larges, and 2 ER Mediums. Pure LRM Boats meant tinier Targeting Computers which I had my reservations about but their capabilities were too impressive to ignore. Four LRM-15s with Artemis and a Large Pulse Laser was marauder648 G shot into this foray but two others took it up a notch. Bradshaw G with 5 LRM-15s with Artemis, 5 ER Mediums, and an ECM Suite was an excellent entry but four Jump Jets rather than more LRM ammo probably cost him the competition. It was drakensis A with its deeper ammo bins that won the day with 75 damage possible from its 5 LRM-15 each with an Artemis. Ten ER Smalls all linked to a one ton Targeting Computer will ruin anyones day who gets to close. Point three to drakensis!!!

Alternate Configuration H became my home for those entries so unique that they didn’t make the cut or carried the day here. Failed configurations like those with harassing AC/2s (Bradshaw D and Ice Hellion E), the underutilized LB 5-X ACs (Bradshaw F), and the sparse Ultra AC/10 selections (marauder648 A and H) I won’t comment on that much. They weren’t bad so to speak they just failed to capture this niche like Bradshaw E did. His Mid Ranger is a unique configuration using large groups of smaller mid-range weapons to inflict massive damage. Reminiscent of the canon Nova or Black Hawk this highly mobile (thanks to four Jump Jets) is an innovative design and probably my second favorite of the contest. While having a smaller Targeting Computer (only 3 tons) than the standard Warhawk templates its five ER Mediums, five Medium Pulses, and four Streak SRM-4s with three tons of ammo (75 shots total which means almost 19 salvos each) do impressive damage. With only five additional Double Heat Sinks (36 cooling factor total) you can’t really Alpha Strike but alternating from ER Mediums at range to the Pulses and Streaks close in this highly accurate arsenal is sure to decimate opponents. Point two Bradshaw!!

This left second place finishers to duke it out for Alternate Configuration I our tenth and final spot. This was a second chance for the twin ER PPC and dual Large Pulse carrying canon C/marauder648 Prime as well as the four ER Large Laser by Bradshaw A. The high accurate four Large Pulse Laser platform that was masterarminas C was also considered as was the dual Gauss by masterarminas B. My final analysis lead me to the single Ultra AC/20 outlined in masterarminas D which paired that big gun with two ER Large Lasers for both long range shots and close range power. A Streak SRM-6 added to the high accurate arsenal which utilized a four ton Targeting Computer for its direct fire weapons. Point four for masterarminas!!!!

So the win goes to masterarminas who finishes with 4 points, followed closely by drakensis with 3 points, who is followed by Bradshaw with 2 points. Abele scored one this time around with marauder648 and Ice Hellion each sharing a point for fluff. You guys did manage to shut out canon but the Warhawk did undergo large scale change. Fluff wise I find it ironic that this Smoke Jaguar design will have its ten configurations created by Goliath Scorpion (3), Jade Falcon (3), Nova Cat (3), and Kindraa Kline of the Fire Mandrills (1). Also four of the ten configurations now have jump jets for the suddenly mobile 85-ton Werewolf. Thanks again for participating gang!

Grats all!

And may I draw your attention to this thread.

https://www.ourbattletech.com/forum/index.php?topic=3683.msg46800#new

There's so many...my fingers..my eyes! THEY BLEED!  But yes! For sanity's sake.

When folks do configs in the future do it like

FLUFFFLUFFFLUFFFLUFF
FLUFF
FLUFF

*SCROLLY BOX THING*

NEW CONFIG FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF
FLUFF
FLUFF

*BOX*

and the like, its just so much easier to read and put together stuff like this!