OBT Forum

Woo! New year, new Quicksilver challenges!  I accept!

Viper Quicksilver

The Viper was not an old Mech at the time of Operation Revival but it was one that had aged quickly and rather poorly.  Whilst valued for its speed and mobility which let it serve as a
harasser and a sturdy battle taxi for Elementals, with a mere 8.5 tons of pod space the Dragonfly was significantly under gunned when compared to other Clan Mechs and even Spheroid designs. 
The Quicksilver team working on the Viper was stacked with Ghost Bear Scientists as they were the largest user of the Mech and had the most to gain from a refit of the design to counter modern opponents.  Clan Ice Hellion also sent Scientists to the development team as their Clan had a long love affair with the fast, agile mechine.

Although the Scientists realised that the best results would be gained from slowing the Viper down slightly to free up some weight consumed by its nearly 12 ton engine, this was not feasible within the Quicksilver protocols so they concentrated on the weapons fit.

Prime – Although a superb harasser the Prime was grossly under gunned, out gunned by all other Clan Mechs, even the Fire Moth packed a bigger punch than the Viper and this had to be addressed.  First to go was the AMS and paired machine guns as these consumed 2.5 tons of precious space, and the pulse lasers, whilst great for engaging fast targets whilst moving at high speed, they were just too heavy.
Keeping with the harasser design of the standard Prime, the Quicksilver Prime doubled its missile load with the addition of another SRM-4 whilst the lasers were replaced with a trio of ER Medium lasers.  For anti-infantry work a flamer was installed.  This did cause heat issues and another two heatsinks were installed to counter this.  The result was a far more potent punch finally giving the Viper some teeth.


Dragonfly Quicksilver Prime
Clan TW
40 tons 
BV: 1,673
Cost: 8,753,127 C-bills

Movement: 8/12/8
Engine: 320 XL
Heat Sinks: 12 [24]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 67 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 134/137 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               12       16
Center Torso (rear)                  7
Right Torso                10       13
Right Torso (rear)                   7
Left Torso                 10       13
Left Torso (rear)                    7
Right Arm                   6       12
Left Arm                    6       12
Right Leg                  10       19
Left Leg                   10       19

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
SRM 4                           RA     3
SRM 4                           RA     3
ER Medium Laser                 LA     5
ER Medium Laser                 LA     5
ER Medium Laser                 LA     5
Flamer                          HD     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 4 Ammo                      RA    25


A – Designed to be a deep penetration raider, harasser and infantry hunter the A features an all energy armament and is built with an eye towards quickly dispatching hostile light and medium weight Mechs quickly and efficiently.  To this end it is armed with a trio of Medium pulse lasers whilst anti-infantry firepower comes from a pair of small pulse lasers, more than enough to reduce a squad to charred ruin in moments.  Finally, an ER small laser provides additional firepower.  With its speed and huge jumping capability, the A can get into position to engage a foe from their weakest point as well as run down nearly every Scout Mech in the Inner Sphere.
Viper Quicksilver A
Clan TW
40 tons 
BV: 1,705
Cost: 8,496,577 C-bills

Movement: 8/12/8
Engine: 320 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 67 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 134/137 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               12       16
Center Torso (rear)                  7
Right Torso                10       13
Right Torso (rear)                   7
Left Torso                 10       13
Left Torso (rear)                    7
Right Arm                   6       12
Left Arm                    6       12
Right Leg                  10       19
Left Leg                   10       19

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Medium Pulse Laser              LA     4
Medium Pulse Laser              LA     4
Medium Pulse Laser              LA     4
Small Pulse Laser               RA     2
Small Pulse Laser               RA     2
ER Small Laser                  RA     2


B – Although the standard Viper B was a powerful combatant its choice of secondary armament was at best questionable.  The whole goal of the B was to keep the range open, and using a considerable tonnage on a very heavy anti-infantry battery was seen as wasteful and possibly encouraged the Warriors to get close.  This short ranged defensive armament was stripped out in favour of a targeting computer, whilst an ER small laser was added, almost invisible on the Mech’s other arm.  These changes made the long-ranged sniper more threatening in its role as the added accuracy of the targeting computer could let the Viper really ‘reach out and touch someone’.

Viper Quicksilver B
Clan TW
40 tons 
BV: 2,051
Cost: 8,647,777 C-bills

Movement: 8/12/8
Engine: 320 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 67 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 134/137 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               12       16
Center Torso (rear)                  7
Right Torso                10       13
Right Torso (rear)                   7
Left Torso                 10       13
Left Torso (rear)                    7
Right Arm                   6       12
Left Arm                    6       12
Right Leg                  10       19
Left Leg                   10       19

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
ER PPC                          LA    15
ER Small Laser                  RA     2

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Targeting Computer              CT

C – The Viper C was found to be far too specialised.  Outside of city fighting it was all but useless save as a Scout and it was another design that was lacking in firepower and the Quicksilver program worked to make this very specialized Mech more flexible and thus useful outside of city fighting.  Its primary punch comes from a pair of SRM-6’s, each drawing from their own ammo bin to allow the Pilot to choose different warheads.  When facing tanks inferno rounds are very popular.  Further direct firepower comes from an ER Medium laser whilst anti-infantry firepower comes in the form of 3 flamers.  An active probe lets the C find its prey and obliterate them.

Viper Quicksilver C
Clan TW
40 tons 
BV: 1,339
Cost: 8,888,227 C-bills

Movement: 8/12/8
Engine: 320 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 67 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 134/137 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               12       16
Center Torso (rear)                  7
Right Torso                10       13
Right Torso (rear)                   7
Left Torso                 10       13
Left Torso (rear)                    7
Right Arm                   6       12
Left Arm                    6       12
Right Leg                  10       19
Left Leg                   10       19

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
SRM 6                           LA     4
SRM 6                           LA     4
ER Medium Laser                 RA     5
Flamer                          RA     3
Flamer                          RA     3
Flamer                          RA     3

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 6 (Clan) Inferno Ammo       LA    15
SRM 6 Ammo                      LA    15

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Active Probe                    HD

D – A significant swap from the original D, the Quicksilver D is instead a missile support unit.  Armed with a pair of LRM-10’s, each with their own ammo bin the D acts as a fast-moving missile battery, able to support its Starmates whilst also being able to rapidly disengage and reposition thanks to its superior mobility.  For close in defence a trio of ER small lasers provide some punch, and in combination with the LRM’s they can dispatch a foe that tries to get close.

Viper Quicksilver D
Clan TW
40 tons 
BV: 1,527
Cost: 8,679,277 C-bills

Movement: 8/12/8
Engine: 320 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 67 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 134/137 (Ferro-Fibrous)
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso               12       16
Center Torso (rear)                  7
Right Torso                10       13
Right Torso (rear)                   7
Left Torso                 10       13
Left Torso (rear)                    7
Right Arm                   6       12
Left Arm                    6       12
Right Leg                  10       19
Left Leg                   10       19

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
LRM 10                          LA     4
LRM 10                          RA     4
ER Small Laser                  LA     2
ER Small Laser                  RA     2
ER Small Laser                  HD     2

Ammo                           Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
LRM 10 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo  LA    12
LRM 10 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo  RA    12

Thoughts on the Viper

I don’t really like this Mech, its way too fast, and needs to be a 7/11 ideally if you want to free up some space as it’s just a less well armed, but Jumpy Fenris, trading firepower for mobility.  A lot of the configs make no bloody sense in terms of weapons. 2.5 tons of MG and AMS that it does not have to spare on the Prime and WHY does the C have 3 tons of MG ammo!?  If you slowed it down you’d gain 5 tons of space which this thing so desperately needs. 
The only classic configs I like are the A B and D, although they could use fixing, the B’s huge anti-infantry battery is baffling.  I didn’t replicate the D as we already had 2 ‘generalist’ versions presented here.

Ahh you speak of common sense, this rarely applies to the 3050 Clan Mechs. 

"I see you have a big ballistic main weapon, 1 ton of ammo for that, 9 TONS OF AMMO FOR THE SINGLE REAR FACING MACHINE GUN!"

"I see you have cool running ballistic and missile weapons, here have 20 fixed double heatsinks. None for you with the ER PPCs!"

And yep, totally agree, pod the JJ's or slow the damn thing down to 7/11/7 and gain 5 tons of pod space.

Interesting fluff drak, Happy New Year!

Don't know if i would slow it down per say marauder648 but the jump jets would certainly be pod mounted freeing 4 tons of pod space.

While slowing it down to 7/11 with a 280 XL would provide an additional 5 tons of pod space you get farther away from a definite Speedster or Werewolf Omni (favoring quickness over firepower or defense) to an Assailant or Vampire Omni (favoring offense and pod space over speed or toughness).

Don't forget here at the 40 ton chassis we had a log jam where five existing canon designs squared off for three spots. While the Viper (Dragonfly) won the Werewolf (Speedster) slot, the Pouncer with its 240XL (6/9/5) and 15.5 tons of pod space won the Vampire (Assailant) slot, and the Battle Cobra almost by default won the Zombie slot with its standard 240 Engine (6/9) and 14 tons of pod space. Also considered here were Coyotl with its 280XL (7/11) and 15.5 tons of pod space and the Phantom with its 360XL (9/14) and 6.5 tons of pod space. Ultimately the Coyotl which Coyote tried its best to refurbish and reintroduce fell into that deadly middle ground between Werewolf and Vampire. Not as fast or as mobile as the Viper it was also not as capable as the Pouncer in regards to firepower plus it faced a bit of a stigma problem as a 'Solhama Design'. However it fits your slow it down argument perfectly where I say just take the jump jets off the others and they gain so much more in both their areas of concentration.

Five tons up we faced the 45 ton chassis log jam with the Ice Ferret (Fenris) and its 360XL (8/12) 9.5 tons of pod space, the Mongrel (Grendel) and its 315 XL (7/11/7) 13.5 tons of pod space and the Shadow Cat and its 270XL (6/9/6) 17 tons of pod space. Again the Mongrel (Grendel) was left out in that middle ground between either category. I understand the Coyotl and Grendel have their uses certainly but with the types determined were squeezed out by their brethren. 

I hear ya bud, I just updated my above post with some further Quicksilver info which may lead to further discussion.

Very cool Abele, Happy New Year!

I'm sorry to hear that Abele. I thought u had finished ur design? Did the fluff throw ya off??

Well a lot of consternation with this weeks Quicksilver challenge with the Viper aka the Dragonfly. While it does not have that much pod space which would limit variety I would point out that things should be getting rosier for our contestants in upcoming weeks as we ascend higher and higher into the Medium, then Heavy, to finally the Assault ranks. Till then let us see what we have here with this week’s entries.

For the Overview fluff I have to give it to drakensis for a Bondsman PGC against a cluster of Unblooded from the Homeworlds. I’d love to hear more about this battle and the unit which came about out of it. Very nice little story. So, bonus point one to drakensis!

Primary Configuration – Yeah canon prime was a goner going into the contest. I could see what they were trying to do here but it is so tame compared especially compared to what you guys came up with. Overall, I thought drakensis was a tad better than marauder648 here with his heat efficient choices of two Streak SRM-4s and four Machine Guns creating a nice balance with twin ER Mediums. Point to drakensis!

Alternate Configuration A – When looking over the original canon model I have to say A is its best incarnation. Yes, I know that 5 ER Mediums, the SRM 6, and 8 Jump Jets put you way over heat (34 Jumping Alpha Strike with only 10 Doubled 20 Heat Sinks to deal with it) but this is the one traditional holdover I can see. However, the competition was stiff with drak’s long range recon sniper and marauder648’s pulse machine providing excellent choices. So I am gonna hold over the original canon A as the winner but look for its competitors below. Point for canon!

Alternate Configuration B – For B we had a three-way contest between ER PPC variants and let’s face it as they say in Highlander “there can be only one!” First out is the canon config which is a strange mix of supporting weapons to me although I suppose anyone getting in close would live to regret it. I liked what you were trying to do here marauder648 but generally a two- ton targeting computer using just 6.5 tons of weapons I frown on – not your fault whatsoever I know design limitations – but drakensis was spot on. Returning to his original fluff and invoking thoughts of a ‘Super Panther’ was just a winning concept. The armament matches and the idea that the Clans are building on InnerSphere tactics is probably the best entry in this contest. Point two drakensis!!

Alternate Configuration C – Why the hell does somebody need 600 rounds of Machine Gun ammo with just 4 such weapons in BattleTech?!? Are you testing the durability of the weapons or just wanting to see if the Clan in body CASEs could successfully blow out such an explosion?!? Needless to say, not a fan of all of canon’s wasted tonnage here. Plus, both competitors are pretty solid here. With 4 ER Mediums, 6 MGs and 100 shots (or 16+ rounds of sustained fire), 3 Flamers, and a Double Heat Sink I liked drakensis C slightly better than marauder648’s SRM boat. However, look for the SRM boat later in this review. Point three for drakensis!!!

Alternate Configuration D – Canon has an odd way of present an LRM entry here but suppose it is somewhat Wyvern inspired with a mixed bag D. However, both challengers went full on LRM boat here and I think that is the way to do it for D. Here again there can be only one and again drakensis narrowly beats out marauder648. I think the LRM 15 with Artemis and 16 rounds of fire can lay down more damage at range than two LRM 10s with 12 rounds of fire consistently plus his two ER Mediums are better supplement the LRM fire than three shorter range ER Smalls. Point four for drakenis!!!

Alternate Configuration E – E for Extended Range Scout? I really liked drakensis A for its ER Large linked to a Targeting Computer for accurate ranged fire support by an ER Small. Then you really pack on the electronic gear with an ECM Suite, Active Prove, and TAG. Point five for drakensis!!!!!

Alternate Configuration F – Going all Pulse was a nice touch by marauder648 for his A entry and one that I think goes back to what part of canon prime was attempting to do but much more effectively. I wouldn’t want to be an infantryman or involved in city combat against this highly accurate and mobile platform. Nice job marauder648, point one!

Alternate Configuration G – I also really liked marauder648’s C as he cranked up the heat here so to speak with SRM-6s being able to deliver inferno rounds in conjunction with three Flamers supported by an ER Medium. You could have taken out the Medium and a Flamer for another SRM-6 but this play on C is a good one. Point two for marauder648!!

To evenly round out the design with ten configurations (Alternate H and I) I am currently considering a base Large Pulse layout and that Fire Moth inspired Knife Fighter (10 ER Smalls linked to a Targeting Computer) plus a little something. There are barrage models possible as well with 6 LRM-5s or 12 SRM-2s with two tons of ammo possible each supported by an ER Small. Not sure I love the LB-X or Ultra AC options here though as it is just not that effective for the weight but that is the problem isn’t. Anyhow I’d love to get your opinion on those options.

Well nearly a clean sweep for drakensis (5 configuration winners plus overview fluff point) this time around with just a single canon holdover and two configuration winners for marauder648. Congratulations! Hopefully Abele will jump back in the next time around as the contest will definitely feature more pod space even though we are remaining at the 40-ton weight slot for now. Thanks again everyone for your efforts in spite of the design limitations and my restrictions, I know they make it tough sometimes. I really appreciate your work as it makes the Quicksilver setting so much more diverse and deadly. See you next time!