OBT Forum

Finally got some time from school and stuff.  Here is my submission and its still follows the story from my previous entries of a engineering group headed up by Clan Diamond Shark, the other clan's are Blood Spirit, Goliath Scorpion, Hell's Horses and Ice Hellion.  The team started informally calling themselves the P.E.G. (Pentagon Engineering Group) 

Hell's Titan

Overview

Hell's Titan is is the answer from the pentagon engineering group from Clan Dimond Shark, Goliath Scorpion, Hell's Horses, Ice Hellion, and Blood Spirit.  After coming up with no viable designs for the previous competitions.  This group looked to the past and decided that for the 100 ton Vampire assault mech.  They based the chassis of the Hell’s Titan on the Annihilator.  With a few still found in some of the Brian Caches.  They forged new endo steel chassis, the 400XL engine was taken from Gargoyles that were deemed to expensive to repair.  And this omnimech supports the full 19.5 ton standard armor.  The base chassis comes with 38 tons of Pod Space and MASC.  All five clan’s will provide the parts and weapons to outfit the omnimech and will be assembled at Strana Mechty.  The name Hell’s Titan was decided by trial between the warriors in the program.  The freeborn warrior Steavo from Clan Hell’s Horses won the trial and to honor his clan, he named it Hell’s Titan.

Overall mission profile of this mech is to engage the enemy as a general purpose brawler, heavy cavalry striker units for the models with MASC.  A Star worth of Mechs were assembled and sent to the IlKhan’s Operation Quicksilver for evaluation.  The final plans were distributed to each clan’s for their own evaluation, expansion of their secondary and tertiary lines for the parts for production and the possible production for their own Clan’s use.

Capabilities

The Prime model was designed by the scientists from Ice Hellion and its to be the rapid assault/response mech and for long range combat. It mounts a Gauss Rifle and an LRM 20 w/Artemis IV and four tons of ammo for each weapon.  This should provide ample supply for combat against Inner sphere forces.  An ER PPC is installed in the center torso.  Four ER Small lasers are installed for close in combat against battle armor This model is equipped with MASC.

Type A is designed by the scientists from Goliath Scorpion like the ancient Awesome, except its faster with MASC installed.  This model mounts an ER PPC and SRM 4 in each arm with a ton of ammo.  An ER Lg Laser is installed in the Center Torso.  The three weapons are tied to a Targeting Computer.  An SRM 4 are also mounted on the arms with a ton of ammo.  An LRM 20 w/Artemis IV and three tons of ammo is provided.  This model tends to run hot if the warrior is not careful in its weapons, since it only has 16 heatsinks.

Type B is another design by the Goliath Scorpion and Blood Spirit scientists.  It retains the targeting computer and is designed to be as a long range fire support.  On each arm an ER Lg Laser and an LRM 20 w/Artemis IV is mounted and the LRM’s have a total 6 tons of ammo.  As close in weapons a pair of ER Med lasers are mounted.  This model jump jets are installed and the MASC removed to give it more mobility in rough terrain/urban areas.

Type C retains the jump jets of Type B, but removes the targeting computer.  This model is designed for long to medium range combat.  An LB20-X is mounted on the Right Arm with five tons of Ammo.  On the left arm a pair of ER Lg Lasers is mounted for long range combat and as it gets close a Lg Pulse Laser is mounted on the center torso.  As an afterthought, an ECM suite is mounted to help it avoid being targeted and hide it on long patrols.

Type D retains the jump jets and is designed for independent operations.  A Gauss Rifle is installed on the Right Arm with four tons of ammo.  An ER PPC and Lg Pulse Laser is mounted on the left arm.  Four ER Med Lasers are mounted on the torsos.  Heat is an issue with this model, but it allows for extended operations.

Type E removes the jump jets and only has 12 double strength heatsinks.  This was designed by Clan Blood Spirit for long to medium range combat.  On the Right Arm a Gauss Rifle (4 tons of ammo) and ER Med laser is installed.  On the Left Arm an LB20-X is mounted with three tons of ammo.  On the Right and left torso, an ER Lg laser is mounted.

The final model, Type FX was designed with a Sword mounted on the RA.  This design came up after several scientist and warriors reviewed battle footage in urban areas and close combat and saw mechs with hatchet doing significant damage on physical combat.  An LB10-X is mounted on the Left arm with five tons of Ammo.  On the Right and Left Torso An ER PPC is mounted and in the center torso two ER Med Lasers are mounted.  13 double strength heatsinks are mounted.

Deployment

The star of Hell’s Titan that was submitted for evaluation has only now entered the evaluation phase.  While each participating Clan has their own Clan’s scientist review the engineering specifications to produce the mech and the merchants to review the possibility of increasing the production of the respective parts to provide with the assembly of the mech if its chosen.  This omnimech will be assembled on Strana Mechty by members from all five Clan's that are members.

I appreciate the design Shadow Wraith.  It reminds me of the Hell Horses concept presented previously.  I will hold the rest of my comments until after this collaboration is concluded.  As usual 12 tonight marks the end.

Please keep the input coming. I really want to hear who you guys think is the best and why.

Well this is a different sort of review. For the first time we went with a collective effort over a straight competition. While there have been a few mixed reviews the results were pretty good. Of course I want to hear from all of you – did you collaborating on this design or did you like the old school competitions? Please let me know before I go ahead and post the final Quicksilver Program for OmniMechs. Which style do you favor?

6. Iron Cheetah (Smoke Jaguar) Mechforce
Well I should start off with this design that while a classic just does not feel right to me. First off the name is not great even with its genetically engineered Arcadian background mentioned in fluff. I do not know but Iron and Cheetah does not ring true for me. Then there is the design which features a 400 XL Engine (4/6), an EndoSteel chassis, and Ferro Fibrous armor. Not only does this limit internal space but where the hell are the Jaguars getting all this stuff from?! Do not get me wrong all three of these design features could indeed work on this 100 ton Werewolf even though it cuts down on weapon selection. My bigger objection is that this design which has to be one of the most expensive comes from the Jaguars. Take out the Quicksilver Trails and the Clan still faces material short falls. Could they be made up for in the short term by sheer force of arms by the Smoke Jags? Sure I guess but what I think this design needed was an ally who could build it or finance it. Friends are something the Jaguars have very little of and in this case it literally dooms further development. I could not figure out a plausible storyline for this war machine to get built. So while it was considered the Iron Cheetah had too many obstacles to overcome and finishes as the last place concept.

5. Hell’s Titan (Pentagon Engineering Group) Shadow Wraith
While presented in solid competitive fashion this design came in a little too late for collaborative effort. The Clan alliance idea is not bad and we explored going that route a few times. Picking the Annihilator as a base design is not a bad idea but it did not feature an EndoSteel chassis plus it was not in production. Both of these factors would not aid in development or production of this war machine. The 400 XL Engine from the Gargoyle certainly fits the bill but Clan Wolf was not included in the Group. This is another negative for the project as their support with a ready supply of engines would be critical for mass production. You have an integral MASC and included Ice Hellion presumably for their expertise which is a nice touch. The 19.5 tons of standard plating produces a max 307 armor factor but leaves 5 points on the ground something I do not care for. 38 tons of pod space is pretty good for this Werewolf but one of the configurations uses a Sword? This is a major no no for the Clans at this time. I do have to say your overall presentation was pretty fully done which is a big plus. Again this time around I was looking for a cooperative effort so presenting your ideas early would have been better. Sorry bud, thanks for the design entry.

4. Nike (Coyote) fitzgerald
This Coyote/ Society design is an interesting idea to be sure. Normally such level 3 designs I would disqualify immediately but in this case the base OmniMech is very level 2. Featuring a 400 XL Engine and an EndoSteel chassis everything seems perfectly legal and above board till you get to the weapons. More than anything this high tech proposal forwarded by the Scientist Caste cabal is very appealing because there is no hint of deception just cutting edge Clan tech. I agree with JP Arbiter that the lack of configurations do not bother me. Using Hyper Assault Gauss Rifle is not something that would be available in 3052 even at Clan Level 3. I wish there was more development done with fluff and the name while good is not great. So very intriguing concept fitz

3. Caliburn (Goliath Scorpion) Abele and drakensis
While Abele may not have had as much confidence in this Quad entry it does make a certain amount of sense. Especially cause the 400 XL Engine eats up so much mass that a lack of internal space, something that plagues heavier Quads, is not as much of a factor as it would be on a Vampire OmniMech. Drakensis took the Concord Tiger concept of Abele to the next step by stripping the other Clans out and just going with Goliath Scorpion. Let me say that the fluff for both is excellent and I would go with something of a middle ground. I do like Goliath Scorpion being the driving force behind the project because of the Xanthos. I liked the story of Scientist David ‘Harrison’ who would be a designer interested in developing such a OmniMech, However, Abele is correct that other Clans like Wolf would be needed to supply the 400XL Engine for manufacturing. Also I liked the MASC via Ice Hellion participation because with a 100 ton Werewolf Quad you are missing the boat if you do not maximize two things, speed and armor. My take named the Black Charger for the famed Terran/ Star League unit of old combined both. What you ended up with (post to follow) is the most heavily armored OmniMech ever to take the field. Despite the sheer awesome sauce of this idea I think there were two that were better. So I would like to thank you both and present you each a bronze medal.

2. Storm Rider (Hell’s Horses) drakensis
Despite desperately wanting to give the gold to a Hell’s Horse design there were significant obstacles to overcome. The Storm Rider presented by drakensis was the closest to beating the odds by simply taking the Storm Giant from the Steel Vipers. With this very Clan like action the Horses’ secure an existing 100 ton EndoSteel frame and a 400XL Engine to compete with their rival. Plus contracting with the Ice Hellions netted this design a very able MASC which produces blinding speed for such a massive war machine. Armor is quite good with 15.5 tons of ferro fibrous (297 factor) just a half ton shy of max protection. This does put a crimp on internal space and the price tag. Some Wolf involvement supplying XL Engines for production in exchange for a share would mollify my concerns about resource cost. I do not get the picture that the Horses are a rich Clan per say but it is resolved easily enough by their friends, in stark contrast to the Smoke Jaguar entry. For pod space the design has 36 tons available which is not that shabby. I liked the configurations especially C but was hoping for a dual Ultra AC/20 version that could deliver the pain at close range. B does a nice job of that with Streak SRMs and could be nasty bracket fire. In the end I just think that there was one concept that was better. Great job drakensis – silver medal.

1. DeChevalier (Ghost Bear) JPArbiter
Coming into this contest one existing Clan BattleMech was a clear choice for a Quicksilver upgrade, the Kodiak. With its EndoSteel structure and 400XL engine this war machine makes for an excellent base upon which to build such an OmniMech. JPArbiter made a great case for Ghost Bear which up to this point has remained quiet during these Trails. One of the richer Clans in terms of resources the Bears clearly had the wealth needed to undertake such a project. JP simply made a great case one that drew upon his winning Iron Spider and Razorclaw entries. The Bears simply copied the Burrock example. Now granted there is not much fluff but if I could read into this with Alethea Kabrinski. I am thinking that the Bears did not want to get involved with Quicksilver all that much and were sleeping through many of the Trails. Despite their Scientists urging that the Kodiak could be successfully developed into a fearsome OmniMech the Bear Khans remained unconvinced. It was Smoke Jaguar attempts to secure resources for the Iron Cheetah that changed Kabrinski mind. Still irate over the Turtle Bay massacre she ordered her Clan into action to defeat these gangsters.  Naming the project in honor of the Great Father’s chief aide was a marketing coup for Bears who deprived the Jaguars of support from Jade Falcon. The defection of the Falcons eager to field this OmniMech bankrupted the Smoke Jaguar efforts. These thoughts and Abele’s Klondike entry added even more to this winning idea. So congrats JP, gold medal!

I would like to work on the DeChevalier fluff a little more but she is the winner. Another consequence of this round will be the earlier introduction of the Scylla by Steel Viper. Interest generated in this old design would like revive production much earlier than the canon time line. Could also lead to a little Viper-Horse feud as both would likely covet this second line BattleMech. Nice job gang!

Remember let me know, should we go back to the competitions or conclude on a cooperative note for the final OmniMech challenge?

Yup, but I want everyone's opinion. Think I know where you fall Abele.   

Drakensis:  6 Gold, 4 Silver, 4.5 Bronze
Master Arminas:  4 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze
Abele:  3 Gold, 8 Silver, 1.5 Bronze
JPArbiter:  2 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze
Lord Grayson:  1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
Smerish:  1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
Fitzgerald:  1 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze

Drakensis stays at the top of the medal charts with 14.5 total medals, while Abele stays in second with his 12.5 medals. JP Arbiter is still in third with ten; followed by MasterArminas with eight medals, Lord Grayson has four with his recent gold and Fitzgerald with three and Smegish at two.

Drakensis:  14.5
Abele:  12.5
JPArbiter:  10
Master Arminas:  8
Lord Grayson:  4
Fitzgerald:  3
Smegish:  2


And the correct spelling for the winner is DeChevillier

No, you did not. That's what I get for not paying attention. It's been fixed.

I've got two designs for the 100 ton Zombie, but no fluff. I thought I had fluff for one, but must not have saved or I deleted it. So, whichever way you go with the final partici9ant I'm ready to go