OBT Forum

Could do that Ice as I suggested on CBT forum. The Mobile Assault Company seems to be the largest vote getter thus far.

Happy Easter gang! I don't know how many of you are following along on this thread or on the main boards but work on the Sohei continues. We have scheduled the battle for May 4th which will likely conclude our RPG season this year. Work also continues on the Turkina evaluation too. Hope you all have a good Sunday!

I am following it on both forums

I think Watanabe is going to have a hard time winning if physicals are off the table.  She's only a 3 Gunner.  If physicals are permitted, though, no sweat.

We are gonna have to see how it plays out Daryk but the Sohei will be playing by Clan rules until they break them. What I need from you is your variants for this duel for both Katsumi Watanabe [Wolverine] and Hisoka Matsumoto [Victor].

Last night I received the WHM-PP3 Warhammer (aka the Popcorn Popper) from Doc_Argen and it looks great!

I also have the Atlas (believe I designated it the AS7-GLL) here that Daniel McAlister will be using for the battle.

As O5P is aware of this I was planning on having McAlister equipped with an Atlas I worked up. EndoSteel structure, standard 300 Fusion Engine, 3 Large Lasers (one each in the arms and center torso), and two Gauss Rifles (side torsos). It is a pretty solid variant which will hopefully provide him with some chance of taking down his opponent but might still be a tall order.

I know Bradshaw has already done some work on variants for the duelists but paramount to me is input from their individual contributors. Let me know what kind of modifications you want for these rides guys and if your Gunnery/Piloting skill numbers are unlisted please fill them in.

Shiori Noriko, Elite, Cataphract [Ice Hellion]
Catherine Kennedy, Elite, Grasshopper [Dragon Cat]
Aika Gunma, Elite (2/3), Warhammer [O5P Ghost]
Irena Petrova-Kawamoto, Elite , Griffin [Sharpnel]

You are allowed to optimize your Mech using 3050 InnerSphere tech in order to maximize your chances of winning the duel.

Quick Summary

Well the Trial unfolded like I thought it would with the Sohei performing probably better than expecting. Shiori Noriko [Ice Hellion] bought down the Thunder Stallion with her first shot, a well-placed ER PPC blast directly to the cockpit. Likewise, the Behemoth and Warhammer IIC were also taken out with head damage in subsequent turns creating excellent salvage. Unfortunately, Catherine Kennedy [Dragon Cat] in her Grasshopper was forced to eject after taking on the Galaxy Commander in his modified Behemoth. As the battle turned against the Jaguars they lashed out with Mechwarrior Frenz breaking Zell and pouncing on Katsumi Watanabe in his Wolverine who was already engaged with another opponent. The Wolverine was soon taken out by combined fire in the resulting grand melee. Frenz’s Hunchback IIC was also consumed in the resulting reckoning unleashed by the Sohei. Regrettably, Jak “Two Guns” Warren [Doc Argen] was KIA after suffering combined fire from the Hellhound and Shadow Hawk IIC which produced multiple head hits. The Jaguars fell back toward their base which held the supplies being fought over by the combatants and the Sohei were unwilling to follow these treacherous killers. They did however fell Star Commander Dak’s Marauder even though he managed to escape.

In the end five Smoke Jaguar Mechs (Behemoth*, Supernova, Great Wyrm, Hellhound, Shadow Hawk IIC) escaped. Four Clan Mechwarriors (Sibum, Annazah, Hogah, Frenz) were KIA while Star Commander Dak was WIA but escaped. Sadly Jak “Two Guns” Warren [Doc Argen] was KIA but the rest of the Sohei remained in pretty good shape. Three (Catherine Kennedy, Aika Gunma, Katsumi Watanbe) were WIA but can probably continue to fight in the battle. Of the three Sohei Mechs disabled during the Trial only the Wolverine was destroyed all the Blazer could be salvaged it never registered a hit. The Grasshopper could be repaired but needs a lot of work which ironically means the Popcorn Popper (WHM-PP3 Warhammer) is probably in the best shape even though its pilot is no more. Don’t forget as well that three Clan Mechs (Behemoth, Thunder Stallion, Warhammer IIC) are very salvageable and are probably in even better shape than the Sohei’s damaged Mechs.

This sets up the greater battle of Rockland which will unfold as time goes on. Love to hear what you think guys. What is our next move?

I am working on greater detail as always Ice to better explain things.

The Initial Trial was genuine offer on behalf of the Sohei who were instructed to defeat the Smoke Jaguars using Clan rules and regulations. The Jags and their commander in particular were not ones to honor an agreement with one of the most dubious Houses in the InnerSphere. Their duplicity is well known to the Children of Kerensky not only historically through their assistance given the Usurper but more recently during the invasion. Examples of their dishonorable behavior during Operation Revival from Wolcott to Luthien are well known to anyone who cares to examine their battlefield decorum. In light of the election of their new saKhan any and all measures to destroy this dezgra band while maintaining order are authorized. So the Sohei were afforded safcon and bargained with as if an honorable foe but no such deal was ever possible.

It is interesting to note that Gus and Bradshaw who played the Jaguars did so very well luring the Dragon's minions in for the kill. However I must also say the skill and damage inflicted against their forces stunned them into a deeper fight making the Jaguars "betrayal" come some three to four turns after it was originally planned. Even when they were able to position themselves around the Sohei for maximum joint strike attack it was a tempered ambush. The Jaguars withdrawal towards the supply base which the actual Trial was fought over was also a lure passed on by the Sohei. In the end the engagement was a decisive victory for the now wary and vengeful Sohei.

Trial of Honor should be the name for this whole scenario to be quite honest. I found myself asking what is bushido going in all the while presuming that the Jaguars while viewing themselves as the epitome of honor regularly violate it because well they win. To a degree I think the Jaguars have always had this attitude. Don't get me wrong they have definitely changed for the worse in regards to adherence to the code but they always struck me as the Clan no Clan wanted to mess with cause they are so damn intimidating. The Jags were always good about striking fear into their enemies, taking what they wanted, might makes right, and justifying any violation by blaming the other party involved.

One thing I am reviewing is which other Clans liked or were allied with the Smoke Jaguars and even the among the Jade Falcons who were their only true peer ally they were not particularly liked. Perhaps Burrock was friendly but that could just be a lack of information but who else??