OBT Forum

Overview
Clan Ghost Bear is known for many things among them their stable and cautious nature, making them unlikely to be surprised but unable to quickly adapt or evolve to new situations. Following Tukayyid, they were taken aback by the attitude of some Clans that tried to find the sightliest excuse to rearm and set things in motion to attack the Inner Sphere.
Feeling honour-bounded to respect no matter what the truce earned by the ComGuards, the Khans ordered to go further then any other Clans and to retrofit some of their older designs to upgrade their forces. This is how the Kingfisher, one of the earliest Clan Assault OmniMechs, a design still present in huge numbers in their Touman, got a second chance and went through this new secret programme, aimed at giving Clan Ghost Bear, the raw power it needed to defend the Inner Sphere, the only right way for a Clan: through might and steel.


Capabilities
Looking back at Operation Revival, Clan Ghost Bear had found out rather quickly that logistics and thus the capacity to hold on for longer fights and for whole campaigns had been one of their main weaknesses. Seeing two ways to solve this problem, either through less dependent ammunition Configurations (or more ammo) other through more firepower to quickly bring down their opponents one after another, the different design teams went through all the ‘Mechs used by their Clans to see how they could improve them.
Thanks to its simplicity and reliability, the Kingfisher was already on top of their list and the boost provided by the decisions made by the entire Clan provided an incentive to go as quickly as possible with the “easiest” ones.

Already well protected and not carrying a fragile Extra-Light Engine, this “Zombie” ‘Mech had even earned the nickname Grail Knight from some ‘MechWarriors of ComStar because of this heavy survival capacity and the similarity of its name (Kingfisher) with the Fisher King from the Arthurian Myths of old where this man, a Grail Knight, was quasi-immortal thanks to its closeness to the Holy Grail.
Looking back at the original blueprints, the Scientific Caste members of charge of this project decided to give it a little boost in terms of available tonnage by dropping 3 Double Heat-Sinks that were not in the Engine. This could put an extra burden on the Warriors piloting Kingfishers as they might have to select more carefully their firing weapons but the availability of 12.5% extra capacity for the different weapons was seen as a greater advantage than this small extra burden.

The primary Configuration philosophy was kept but the weapons were either changed or upgraded. The long range firepower relies on a LRM-15 with an Artemis-IV System with 3 tons of ammo and 2 ER Large Lasers. Once the opponent is at closer range, the Kingfisher Prime can switch to a massive battery of 5 ER Medium Lasers and a Streak SRM-6. 15 Double Heat-Sinks allow it to fire in brackets while an Anti-Missile System provides some extra protection.

Configuration A takes the Timber Wolf as an example. With one ER PPC ain each arm coupled with one Artemis-IV LRM-10 in each torso (with 4 tons of ammo), it is a nearly copycat of the infamous Wolf BattleMech. Its 16 Double Heat Sinks are not enough to let if fire all its weapons and every Warrior choosing this Configuration will have to carefully select its pattern of fire but thanks to the vast supply of ammo, it can say at long range nearly forever and slowly take down its opponent. To give it a further protection against infantry and Elementals, without having to waste its bigger guns, a Small Pulse Laser was put under each ER PPC.

Configuration B follows the pattern of the original Kingfisher but with a massive LB 20-X instead of the Ultra AC/20, letting its raw firepower for a more devastating (against some targets) and flexible one with 4 tons of ammo. Clearly assuming the role of a short-range fighter, it is only backed up by 3 ER Medium Lasers, an Active Probe to detect hidden foes and 2 Jump Jets to add extra mobility in urban settings. To increase the precision of this close combat unit, it was given a Targeting Computer.
With no long range weapons, one can only wonders if this Configuration is meant to work with others, which would be a surprising move for a Clan design.

Configuration C is clearly a redesign from the Marauder. With 3 Large Pulse Lasers (one in each Arm and the third one in the Right Torso) and 2 ER Medium Lasers, all linked to a Targeting Computer, it can put quite a lot of precise firepower on any target. To ensure that things run smoothly, an ECM Suite was added to shield the Targeting Computer from outside interferences and  16 Double Heat Sinks allow this Configuration to fire all its Large Pulse Lasers all together while moving.

Configuration D is a variant of Configuration C that focus on longer range and increased raw firepower with 2 ER Large Lasers and a Gauss Rifle backed up by 4 ER Medium Lasers. This selection of weapons is less demanding at long ranges on the Heat management system while giving it some flexibility in the selection of firing patterns once the ER Medium Lasers are within firing range.

Configuration E is the traditional missile boat, of which an unknown number can found in all armies with models like the Archer or the Bombardier. However this time, Clan Ghost Bear tried to provide at the same time an important number of missiles with each salvo while still focusing on precision. This was achieved with 4 LRM-15 launchers, each with its own Artemis-IV Fire Control System and each with its own ammo. As a back-up, 4 ER Medium Lasers and a Small Pulse one are there to destroy anything trying to get close enough.

Configuration F is another generalist Configuration. With a first layer provided by an Artemis-IV LRM-20 (and its 4 tons of ammo) and an ER PPC and a second one with 4 ER Medium Lasers and a Streak SRM-6, few opponents can stand against it. It can’t alphastrike but can fire each layer and move without any peculiar problem. A Targetting Computer linked to each energy weapon increases the efficiency of each shot.
To add further protection, an Active Probe is linked to the ER Medium Laser and the Artemis-IV Fire Control System and an ECM Suite is there to jam any system trying to get a lock on the Kingfisher.


Battle History
Eager to train the Warriors that had remained in the Homeworlds against Inner Sphere tactics, Clan Ghost Bear launched Exercise “Polyarnanya Zvezda” (Polar Star in Russian) on the model of the Martial Olympiad of the Star League Defence Forces. This Exercice was designed to try both Warriors and units up to the Cluster level against both honourable and dezgra tactics being used.
Due to its “novelty”, the upgraded Kingfisher was used as the standard opponent in the Assault units, both as a pragmatical way to test it and to surprise Warriors that could have believed they knew everything.
Thanks to its simplicity and to the reliance on energy weapons of most of its Configurations, the Grail Knight, although a bit undergunned at first, shined in the longest operations, illustrating to the Clan Ghost Bear Warriors that didn’t go in the Inner Sphere the danger of not thinking about logistics and long-term planning when fighting any opponent.

The most iconic of these fights was when a Star lead by a Grail Knight launched a surprise attack on the encampment of a Star lead by an Executioner C. In spite of its superior raw firepower, the Executioner and its Star mates had been hunting ghosts for the past days, leading them to waste their ammo. Once its pilot had activated it, the Executioner was only able to trade a few shots with the Kingfisher before running out of ammo.


Deployment
So far most of the new Kingfishers have been kept in reserve and dispatched only in full Stars, in a move that seems akin to the way the Star League Defence Forces acted. Will this become a common practice in Clan Ghost Bear Touman if only just to ease the burden of going on the offensive at the end of a long logistic road? Only time will tell.


Notable ‘MechWarriors
In a surprising move, one of the first Grail Kings to be produced was sent as a gift to Khan Cassius N’Butta of Clan Star Adder, one of the most well-known and enthusiastic pilot of the “old and reliable” ‘Mech. This move might have been part of a political move from Clan Ghost Bear but so far nothing has been asked from the Star Adders and their Khan has already been seen at the forefront of the new limited war against Clan Burrock.

‘MechWarrior Bjarki is a bondsman captured on Thule. In spite of his small stature, he has done well, managing to earn a position in the 139th Striker Cluster with a brand new Kingfisher as a reward for “his efforts to become a true Clanner.” It remains to be seen if this “poster boy” is really what he seems to be or if he is just playing a role.

Kingfisher Grail King

Mass: 90 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: 10 851 375 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 237

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 360 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43,2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64,8 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    27.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   138 points                4,50
    Internal Locations: 4 LT, 3 RT
Engine:             Fusion Engine                360                      33,00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             14(28)                    4,00
Gyro:               Standard                                               4,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 278                 14,50
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 3 LT, 3 RT

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     29           45       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  12       
                                           L/R Torso     19           28       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     15           30       
                                             L/R Leg     19           38       



================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime                                          Cost: 14 353 075
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 660

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             15(30)                    1,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 RA
    CASE Locations: LT, RT, LA                                             0,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-15                                       RT        5         2         3,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           RT        -         1         1,00
ER Large Laser                               LT        12        1         4,00
Anti-Missile System                          LT        1         1         0,50
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1,00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           RA        10        2         2,00
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        1         4,00
Streak SRM-6                                 LA        4         2         3,00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           LA        10        2         2,00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (24)                       RT        -         3         3,00
@Anti-Missile System (24)                    LT        -         1         1,00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)                           LA        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 13

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 27
4          5       5       2       0      4     3   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, AMS, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


================================================================================
Loadout Name: A                                              Cost: 13 687 125
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 525

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    2,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
    CASE Locations: LT, RT, LL                                             0,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-10                                       RT        4         1         2,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           RT        -         1         1,00
LRM-10                                       LT        4         1         2,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           LT        -         1         1,00
ER PPC                                       RA        15        2         6,00
Small Pulse Laser                            RA        2         1         1,00
ER PPC                                       LA        15        2         6,00
Small Pulse Laser                            LA        2         1         1,00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (24)                       RT        -         2         2,00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (12)                       LT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (12)                       LL        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 19

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 25
4          5       5       4       0      4     1   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


================================================================================
Loadout Name: B                                              Cost: 13 828 913
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 281

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jumping MP: 2  (Standard)
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 LL, 1 RL                                         4,00
    CASE Locations: RT, RA                                                 0,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser                              RT        5         1         1,00
Active Probe                                 RT        0         1         1,00
Targeting Computer                           LT        -         3         3,00
LB 20-X AC                                   RA        6         9        12,00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           LA        10        2         2,00
@LB 20-X (Cluster) (10)                      RT        -         2         2,00
@LB 20-X (Slug) (5)                          RT        -         1         1,00
@LB 20-X (Slug) (5)                          RA        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 13

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 23
4/1j       4       4       0       0      4     0   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/0


================================================================================
Loadout Name: C                                              Cost: 13 076 750
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 726

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    2,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LL, 1 RL
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Suite                                    CT        0         1         1,00
Large Pulse Laser                            RT        10        2         6,00
Targeting Computer                           RT        -         4         4,00
Large Pulse Laser                            RA        10        2         6,00
ER Medium Laser                              RA        5         1         1,00
Large Pulse Laser                            LA        10        2         6,00
ER Medium Laser                              LA        5         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 20

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 27
4          5       5       4       0      4     1   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: D                                              Cost: 13 392 625
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 648

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: RT                                                     0,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle                                  RT        1         6        12,00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           LT        10        2         2,00
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        1         4,00
ER Medium Laser                              RA        5         1         1,00
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        1         4,00
ER Medium Laser                              LA        5         1         1,00
@Gauss Rifle (8)                             LT        -         1         1,00
@Gauss Rifle (8)                             RA        -         1         1,00
@Gauss Rifle (8)                             RL        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 22

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 26
4          4       5       3       0      4     2   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: E                                              Cost: 14 736 875
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 650

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: LT, RT, LA, RA                                         0,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-15                                       RT        5         2         3,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           RT        -         1         1,00
Small Pulse Laser                            RT        2         1         1,00
ER Medium Laser                              RT        5         1         1,00
LRM-15                                       LT        5         2         3,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           LT        -         1         1,00
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1,00
LRM-15                                       RA        5         2         3,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           RA        -         1         1,00
ER Medium Laser                              RA        5         1         1,00
LRM-15                                       LA        5         2         3,50
    Artemis IV FCS                           LA        -         1         1,00
ER Medium Laser                              LA        5         1         1,00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (8)                        RT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (8)                        LT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (8)                        RA        -         1         1,00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (8)                        LA        -         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 16

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 27
4          5       5       3       0      4     2   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 3


================================================================================
Loadout Name: F                                              Cost: 14 730 700
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 2 900

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: RT, LA                                                 0,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC                                       CT        15        2         6,00
Streak SRM-6                                 RT        4         2         3,00
ECM Suite                                    RT        0         1         1,00
Targeting Computer                           RT        -         2         2,00
LRM-20                                       LT        6         4         5,00
    Artemis IV FCS                           LT        -         1         1,00
3 ER Medium Lasers                           RA        15        3         3,00
ER Medium Laser                              LA        5         1         1,00
Active Probe                                 LA        0         1         1,00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)                           RT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-20 (Artemis) (18)                       LA        -         3         3,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 12

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 29
4          6       6       3       0      4     2   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, ECM, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


Just about six hours to go!

any update on when this one's going to be judged?

Blimey, you're a madman for jotting 'em down like that O_o  that must take forever.  And yeah with the Christmas season coming up its a bit manic for all of us.

Their nicer than me 

https://youtu.be/wFnRkRwiFrI

Their nicer than me 

https://youtu.be/wFnRkRwiFrI

Bur remember what happened to her? 

I hope this one will be worth the wait for every contestant here as the review has taken the longest so far of any. Our usual six superb designers came up with forty-eight configurations to challenge the five existing canon variants. The nature of the Kingfisher which has a large engine that takes up so much space makes for a good energy boat and generalist but unlike other assaults ‘big gun’ configurations weren’t so great at least in my estimation. I found that ballistic weapons often occupied too much of the OmniMechs limited pod space which could be better used for energy weapons or missiles. Before we get to the winning entries there let’s talk about the best Quicksilver fluff and InnerSphere designations.

I combined this into one paragraph as both bonus points ultimately went to one player this time around. While Bradshaw’s fluff wasn’t bad overall the bit about the Banshee basis was sort of interesting the Zombi name suggestion seemed uninspired. I liked the Black Bear suggestion by Abele better even though renaming the design the Blood Reaver which we have already used other than that the Blood Spirit and Snow Raven fluff was okay. Unfortunately, masterarminas did not have a name suggestion for the Spheroids here but the fluff was pretty good from a Blood Spirit perspective. I appreciated the Grail Knight suggestion from Ice Hellion and his Ghost Bear fluff but thought there were just two better. Going with the Polar Bear was a nice touch by drakensis whose Ghost Bear fluff was well done. It was marauder648 suggestion of the Dragur for an InnerSphere designation and his wide scope fluff that I thought was the best. It incorporated the Ghost Bears, Star Adders, and any other Clan effectively while using the Norse theme for Spheroid recognition. Two bonus points for marauder648!!

The generalist canon version of Primary Configuration set the standard for the Kingfisher and gave us a ton of possible designs to choose from. Canon Prime was a solid entrant in its own right and Abele supported its retention by Quicksilver with his first entry. Bradshaw Prime was what I thoink is an improvement on the original version dropping the Pulse Lasers for Extended Ranges. This freed up tonnage for a larger LRM rack (15 instead of a 10) and three more Double Heat Sinks than canon. Both the range and firepower are increased even though the inherent accuracy of the original is decreased while the firing rate is basically unchanged. Depending on how the rest of the competition goes the canon variant may yet return. So, our first design point goes to Bradshaw!

I let the LB 10-X AC guide the way from canon Alternate A which at first look can be improved. Thankfully there were five entries which sought to upgrade the LB-10-X, ER PPC, SRM-6, Medium Pulse, ER Medium, ER Small, and base 17 Double Heat Sinks from the original. Abele D paired the LB 10-X with 2 ER Larges, 2 Medium Pulses, and 2 Machine Guns (100 ammo) which isn’t bad but puts you over by 6 heat on a running Alpha Strike. Featuring an LRM-20 (12) w/Artemis drakensis A could have used another ton of ammo but wasn’t bad either. While masterarminas A with an ER PPC, 2 ER Mediums, 2 additional Double Heat Sinks was pretty good too its 2 Streak SRM-4s had only 25 reloads. Still I like retaining the ER PPC for hit capping possibilities. However, Bradshaw F may have been one of the best pure fighters with an LRM-15 (16) w/Artemis, Streak SRM-6 (15), 4 ER Mediums, and a Flamer even though it goes slightly over heat. Ultimately, I liked marauder648 E a bit better with a Large Pulse, 2 SRM-6s (30), 4 ER Small Lasers, Active Probe, along with another Double Heat Sink as an effective anti-infantry terror. It has a specific role, doesn’t go overheat on a running Alpha Strike and with 64 points of damage possible at mid to short ranges this configuration is very effective. Point to marauder648!

I went into Alternate B thinking that the canon version with only ten shots for its main Ultra AC/20 would be outdone especially when factoring in heat issues. Some like Ice Hellion B tried to go to an LB 20-X AC version and I liked his Targeting Computer/ half max Jump Jet approach but there just wasn’t enough room for what he was trying to do. Similarly, masterarminas B tried the big LB-X with a Streak SRM-6 to mitigate heat but there was a loss in overall combat effectiveness to me. I liked Abele B the best of the LB 20 versions which was paired with an ER PPC for a double big gun approach which suffers from a little overheating. Only drakensis E (6 ER Smalls for a short-range bang) and Bradshaw B (doubled the ER Larges) tried their hand at Ultra AC/20 versions but neither outdid canon which I grew to appreciate more and more. The Kingfisher does have a shortage of free mass and large-scale ballistic weapons suffer as a result unless you take canon Alternate B’s approach which ultimately treat the Ultra AC/20 as a supplemental weapon. I see that if the Mechwarrior relies on their energy weapons for most use (34 heat and 43 damage) it is pretty darn efficient as the Anti-Missile System knocks down potential missile strikes. Then the Ultra AC can be bought to bear when most needed for another potential 40 points of damage which alternating from the ER Large can pay for heat wise. So surprising here for me with point going to canon!

I have to say that Alternate C with its twin ER PPC base produced the best design entries in my opinion for the Kingfisher. Not the lest of which was the canon version which had no less than two challengers endorse it as the best possible variant. While others contestants often dropped the twin PPCs for other weaponry like Large Pulses and ER Larges another clear favorite of mine was masterarminas C which goes all Awesome on us with three ER PPCs and enough Double Heat Sinks to use them all repeatedly with little effect, scary. While I am sure we will see it again as one of my favorites here along with some of the other competitors here sticking with canon C makes a lot of sense. Two ER PPCs and four ER Mediums along with eleven additional Double Heat Sinks makes for a very effective existing configuration. Most heat save for movement is cooled and these weapons can pound enemies at mid to long range relentlessly for 58 potential points of damage which is better than masterarminas awesome C. So, I have to agree with Abele C and marauder648 D that canon C should be retained with the new Kingfisher. Point two for canon!!

For the final canon themed entry Alternate D was based on three ER Large Lasers and an Ultra AC/10. While I could have gone with the Ultra AC/10 as the headliner I suppose I think the main attraction of D is the massed group of ER Large Lasers. Unfortunately, their repeated use eats up much of the 17 (34) base heat sink capacity leaving little opportunity for the Ultra AC/10 to supplement their fire at mid-range. Two entrants did take a shot at improving on this long-range sniper including marauder648 A with a Blood Spirit themed Blood Kite inspired configuration. Trading the Ultra AC for an LRM/15 with Artemis, two ER Mediums, and an ER Small with three more Double Heat Sinks made for a harder hitting support asset but lingering heat issues kept me from giving you the win narrowly. Bradshaw D which removes the Ultra AC/10 for another ER Large and eight more Double Heat Sinks. Forty points of damage repeatedly from range is damn good and thanks to those added Heat Sinks it can cool itself on repeated Alpha Strikes. Even though he is a lighter hitter the thought of this repeated laser barrage at range by this 90-ton Zombie is just too simple and good to pass up. Point two to Bradshaw!!

Aside from smaller energy weapons the Kingfisher seems suited for missile launchers as well leading me to Alternate E here which will look at some missile boats. There were three entries that I considered here for their long-range missile support role which would be useful for any Clan. First let me comment on Ice Hellion E which does a very nice job at pairing four LRM-15 with Artemis and four ER Mediums. As both weapon systems do the same heat it produces a nice bracket fire option especially as your opponents close in and your missiles run out. I think the removal of the Small Pulse in exchange for another ton of ammo might have given you the win here Ice but with only eight shots per launcher yours was the lowest on available shots. Abele E with two LRM-20s linked to Artemis IV FCS, Large Pulse, two ER Mediums, and two ER Smalls was a real good one. If you dropped the Smalls for another Heat Sinks you would have been better off as well. Ultimately, I went with drakensis B here with four LRM-20s and two ER Smalls which really can’t overheat even on repeated running Alpha Strikes. Downsides were no Artemis IV FCS to increase the missile hits and only nine rounds per launcher. However, putting eighty missiles downrange is just too good for me to ignore here and provides a real role for the Kingfisher in battle. Point to drakensis!

Alternate F will stand for flak this go around as I take a look at all the multiple Large Pulse Laser entries for something anti-air. While I can harken back to canon Prime (and Abele Prime) for its dual Large Pulse goodness along with many others including masterarminas Prime I was looking for something more. Highly mobile drakensis D with two Large Pulses, two LRM-10s, and four jump jets was innovative but I wanted some Targeting Computer. While marauder648 C ain’t bad it goes over by one ton into my pet peeve inefficient Targeting Computer. Abele H is a real good one with two Large Pulses and four Medium Pulses all linked to a four ton Targeting Computer and cooled by three additional Double Heat Sinks. This would be a fine instructor configuration as well for young sibkin to use and gain confidence with as infantry would scurry away in terror. Bradshaw E was on the right track here with three Large Pulses, two Medium Pulses, an ECM Suite, and an Active Probe but no TC. Ice Hellion C was my pick here with three Large Pulse Lasers and two ER Mediums all linked to a four ton Targeting Computer which is protected by an ECM Suite. Weapon fire from the Pulses is cooled by two additional Double Heat Sinks which means support fire from the ER Mediums can overheat you (by 5 for one or 10 for both) but I like it a lot. Yeah thirty (30) points of damage is pretty light but the long-range accuracy of those three Pulses can knock down incoming fast movers while your tough chassis soaks up damage. Point to Ice Hellion!

Alternate G is a good time to look at our Gauss entries which I thought maybe doomed from the outside given this big ballistic gun size issues. However, each entrant bought their best version of a Gauss configuration to the table so I gave them a look. While I always love the Gauss/ ER PPC pairing marauder648 B came up short on overall firepower (51) even though three Medium Pulses generated a heat neutral 28 points for weapon fire. Ice Hellion D embraced his famous bracket fire approach with two ER Larges and four ER Mediums being paired with the Gauss but each laser battery couldn’t fire in concert. Splitting the ice baby was masterarminas D who attempted one ER Large Laser, paired with an LRM-10, two ER Mediums, and a rear facing ER Small. Perhaps the ballsiest entry here goes to drakensis F for his LB 2-X AC pairing with a Gauss and an ER PCC which actually is quite intriguing to me. Ultimately this light hitting crit seeker which has a bit of harasser in it didn’t win the day. Abele G wasn’t bad with a Gauss, an ER Large, and four ER Mediums cooled by an additional three Double Heat Sinks. Not bad at all. It was Bradshaw with four Gauss entries that eventually found the one I liked the best. Bradshaw G paired the Gauss with an LRM-20 with an Artemis along with enough ammo for both (16 and 18 shots respectively) and four ER Mediums. Producing 27 heat and 64 damage possible it was the best of them all and one worthy of a spot on the Kingfisher. Point three to Bradshaw!!!

Alternate H became my home for the best of the rest which included all manner of Generalists even though Primary Configuration covered that area remarkably well. Bracket Firers especially as put forward by Ice Hellion were quite good but would they be appropriate for an OmniMech? I love your Primary configuration Ice but would any Mechwarrior really need to take such a split platform into battle thanks to pod mounts which can be rapidly switched to facilitate necessary roles? Perhaps it is an interesting design philosophy and I do appreciate seeing your designs. There weren’t many Ultra AC-10 entries and to be honest I am not sure this mid-size ballistic which is bigger than energy and missile contemporaries would be well suited here. Certainly, the LB 20-X AC by Abele B was good to but I really loved the simplicity of masterarminas C with his three ER PPCs which is just Awesome. This bigger grandson of that venerable BattleMech would be a worthy addition to the Kingfisher. Point to masterarminas!

Finally, I really wanted to equip the Kingfisher with a brawler configuration which could get in close and pummel its poor opponents with mid-range weaponry. While I had a few ideas of my own which I will share a little bit later there were two entries that provided some hefty close- range punch. While I wish there were more two contestants tried their best to provide some tight quarters firepower on a jumping entry which found a final place here as Alternate J. With two ER Larges and fourteen (14!) ER Smalls all tied to a Targeting Computer masterarminas E did its best to bracket its way to victory here. Unfortunately for him Abele Tet or I as it was known to my graph paper copy was better most cause of its massed mid-range weapons which I preferred to his opponent’s extreme brackets. Two Streak SRM-6s, five ER Mediums, and a Medium Pulse produce 41 heat which is a lot especially given its 18 (36) Double Heat Sinks but with 66 damage possible combined with its mobility (4 Jump Jets) I liked it a little better. Point to Abele!

In conclusion Bradshaw with 3 design points and marauder648 who got 2 fluff points and 1 design point for a total of 3 finish in a tie for first place here. Congrats guys you’ll have to split the top prize this time around. Canon retained 2 configurations as I get the picture that Clan Groganards (Old Guard) would campaign heavily for their favorites to remain anyway. There were a lot of good designs in this one with folks being evenly matched in the end which shows in the final scoring. Abele, masterarminas, drakensis, and Ice Hellion all walked away with one point a piece. A good contest gang and I think we made some improvements to the old favorite that is the Kingfisher. Well done and I look forward to seeing you next year for more Quicksilver Upgrades. Until then, happy New Year folks!!