OBT Forum

The Astarte has been fluffed and folded.

Well folks that is it. The contest is over. I will begin evaluating all these great designs soon.

Sorry Ice, I would like to see what you have come up with but it will be a non qualifier unfortunately.

A God of the Wind or storms would do nicely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wind_deities

Here's one I was working on for a second entry, but decided to go ultralight

45 Test

Mass: 46 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Motive Type: Hovercraft OmniVehicle
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 2,026,800 C-Bills
Battle Value: 344

Power Plant:  180 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 97.2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 151.2 km/h
Armor:  Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    16.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      25 points                5.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                180                      10.50
    Cruise MP:  9
    Flank MP:   14
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         2.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            5.00
Turret:                                                                    1.50
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 105                  5.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     28       
                                          Left/Right   20/20       
                                              Turret     20       
                                                Rear     17       



================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime                                          Cost: 3,250,800
Tech Rating/Era Availability: X/X-X-X-A                       BV2: 1,674

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle                                  T         1         1        12.00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           T         10        2         2.00
CASE                                         BD        -         0         0.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)                            BD        -         0         2.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 17
9h         3       3       2       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, TUR(3/3/2)


================================================================================
Loadout Name: A                                              Cost: 3,394,800
Tech Rating/Era Availability: X/X-X-X-A                       BV2: 1,225

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 10-X AC                                   T         2         1        10.00
2 Medium Pulse Lasers                        T         8         2         4.00
CASE                                         BD        -         0         0.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      BD        -         0         1.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 12
9h         3       3       1       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, TUR(3/3/1), FLK 1/1/1


================================================================================
Loadout Name: B                                              Cost: 3,430,800
Tech Rating/Era Availability: X/X-X-X-A                       BV2: 1,684

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-20                                       T         6         1         5.00
    Artemis IV FCS                           T         -         0         1.00
Large Pulse Laser                            T         10        1         6.00
2 Machine Guns                               T         0         2         0.50
CASE                                         BD        -         0         0.00
@LRM-20 (Artemis) (18)                       BD        -         0         3.00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              BD        -         0         0.50

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 17
9h         4       3       3       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, TUR(4/3/3, IF 2/2/2), IF 2


================================================================================
Loadout Name: C                                              Cost: 3,028,800
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A                       BV2: 1,512

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             15                        5.00

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC                                       T         15        1         6.00
Vehicle Flamer                               T         3         1         0.50
LRM-10                                       T         4         1         2.50
@Vehicle Flamer (20)                         BD        -         0         1.00
@LRM-10 (12)                                 BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 15
9h         3       3       3       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, TUR(3/3/3), IF 1



46, it started as 45, but that one ton made a difference in getting an available engine

That's when you fluff in a quirk about automation and non-standard crew size. Heck with the use of autoloaders and ammo-fed weapons you would never need more than three crew on most vehicles over 45 tons (driver, turret gunner, gunner for hull-mounted weapons)

Well here it is Saturday and I still keep getting designs so this was a very good challenge in my view. With at least two more entries to be posted here (there are always future possibilities after all) the Clan Hover Hellraiser sure generated interest. In all nine designs were completed by five designers and even though I have to disqualify one right off the bat all were very good. So once more before we begin the review I would like to thank everyone who participated. You are making for one damn fine Technical Readout even if it is just a Fanbook. I for one am having a hell of a good time putting together.

N/A. Raja Indainda (JPArbiter)
Fractional accounting and a WiGE movement type get you bounced almost instantly but I gotta say these disqualifications are pretty awesome. JP has bought another type of Ultralight Clan Vehicle to the table for future development. Not a bad thing. Comparing you to Ice Hellion’s Michael I see that the WiGE is slightly faster than the Hovercraft and I am sure there are more advantages of which I remain unaware. This 5 ton entry put forward by the Hell’s Horses was based upon the Gabriel Hovertank once deployed by the SLDF. The Engine remains the same but the Vehicle increases speed thanks to its movement type (14/21). Just under a ton of Clan Ferro-Fibrous (19 factor) provides good protection for a design of its size which relies on speed to survive. With 1.259 tons of pod space you slightly improve on the Gabriel and tack on some pretty interesting configurations. Yes Micro Lasers are in development but in this universe they are likely to be fitted on Ultralight Vehicles like this one rather than the ProtoMech. Simply inspired sir! Excellent job breaking the rules once again although I should really stop encouraging you.

8. Michael (Ice Hellion)
Well this is the first time a designer has submitted an entry from a Clan that he shares a name with. This 5 ton Ultralight submission from Ice Hellion is nicely based on the SLDF Gabriel from Technical Readout 2750 fame. The 25 Fusion Engine (13/20) is straight from the original Gabriel and I doubt making new models would require a massive investment in time or resources. With 1 ton of Ferro-Fibrous (19 factor) on a 5 ton design I would say you have plenty of protection for a design of its size. A half ton turret does spread out your armor and I would have considered leaving it out. With only 1 ton of pod space you don’t have much room for weapons and equipment. However you do a nice job with many of the configurations mounting everything from a ER Medium, to a couple of Flamers, to a Small Pulse, to a couple of Machine Guns. I do not really get the two configurations with an Active Probe and ECM Suite. Lack of weapons would not really please a Clan warrior. The name is very ably done and most appropriate in my opinion to this contest. Your fluff was pretty good and even the Cloud Cobra assistance does not seem over blown. References to Operation Ice Storm are a tad bit premature as this is 3052 just after Tukayyid. Mostly cause of your small size I am placing in you in 8th place this time out Ice. Hope we will see you again in these contests.

7. Astarte (Abele)
Another awesome Ultralight was again presented by the Star Adders based on the old Star League Maultier. The way in which you kept in around as a common equipment hauler was done well in the fluff. This 13 ton design takes its 60 Fusion Engine (11/17) from decommissioned UrbanMechs much like the Pele from a competition before. With 2.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous (48 factor) this Combat Vehicle has good protection for its size. The half ton turret does spread this out but does enable its 3 tons of pod space to be mounted with extra agility. While you have a Light Active Probe which is unavailable currently in Configuration D your arsenal could be quite formidable. I don’t understand however why some weaponry was not turret mounted when you have the room. Good job overall although I admit that using the Greek name for Ishtar made me think why is he putting a 65 ton Wheeled OmniVehicle here for?

6. Camulus (Abele)
This 30 ton entry from Clan Diamond Shark was based on the ancient Rim Worlds Hipparch obtained from the Scorpion archives. I went back and forth on the fluff which has great parts like using battlefield isorla like the 140 Fusion Engine from Kurita Panthers along with the very premature Shark enclave on Itabiana. Yeah that was canon but this is only 3052 and that was a Jihad era event. I do love the name and the design is pretty solid. The aforementioned 140 Fusion Engine (9/14) which can also be found on the Howler (Baboon) BattleMech and the Odin Scout Tank gives this OmniVehicle good speed with ample sources for power plants. You set the standard for this challenge with 4 tons of Ferro Fibrous (76 factor) providing ample protection for this hell raiser. Most impressively 10 tons of pod space along with a full ton turret gives users the ability to mount everything in that mobile location. You have wide variety of capable configurations from F with its Large Pulse to C with a Ultra AC/5. Not bad at all Abele.

5. Tyr (drakensis)
Rebuilding an Odin Scout Tank with a hover drive train does grab your attention I will say. This 27 ton Hell’s Horses design was envisioned as an escort for the Svantovit Infantry Fighting Vehicle is nicely done. While the fluff is a little light, the name is good, and the design is better even if it is an odd tonnage. The 140 Fusion Engine (10/15) is a solid choice for hover designs around 30 tons and with a little tonnage stripped out you increased the speed slightly. You follow the standard 4 tons of Ferro Fibrous (76 factor) protection that many of your opponents also featured. With 7.5 tons of pod space and a half ton turret you can mount five tons of armament in a very mobile location. Love your Primary Configuration copied from the Odin which would make for a nice transition for some existing crews. The others I am less jubilant about with B being slightly flawed with a 1 ton piece of equipment likely the Active Probe or the ECM Suite being misplaced. All in all a solid entry.

4. Baalzebub (drakensis) [Star Adder]
Great job here drakensis with this 8 ton Star Adder Ultralight. Along with a very appropriate name you did a nice job with straight forward fluff. I liked the part about Blood Spirit supplying the 60 Fusion Engine (12/18) in a possible move towards rapprochement. Most just tend to pick up the post Absorption hatred but that has not happened and the universe is a changing. Plus both Clans have a common goal in this Vehicle development. Likewise the battle history against Burrock was interesting along with a little blurb about the Blackjack School of Combat. Of course 1 ton of Ferro Fibrous (19 factor) is rather light armor but this is an ultralight. Plus you did not waste any mass on a turret which improves protection. The 2 tons of pod space is ably front mounted in most cases and I like the configurations from long ranged A with its missiles to others mainly energy based. I already like this one and with Micro Lasers and other smaller equipment right around the corner it can only get better.

3. Nike (masterarminas)
This 25 ton Star Adder proposal done by way of the Wolf Clan and Natasha Kerensky at the expense of the Smoke Jaguars is superbly done. The way at which this story is unwoven makes me wish I could write fluff this good. Not only does it build on canon elements but it also masterfully includes Quicksilver and Clarion Call story threads as well. While the cache is not canon the clever way in which you integrated the 238th Armored Division, the Jaguars fierce opposition to this whole sham, and growing ties to the Adders is wonderful. Wonderfully done! The design, which again does have a turret, is almost an after thought but still is pretty good even with a few errors. The 4.5 tons of Ferro Fibrous (86 factor) make it the best protected design of the contest but there are a couple of problems. The 6 tons of pod space is a magic number for the inclusion of an ER Large or Large Pulse on these OmniVehicles which you did. However Alternate Configuration A would be illegal because of the weight of the Large Pulse (6 tons) increases the Turret (5 tons every half ton) mass. Other than that I like the configurations but you got caught trying to do too much. The 145 Leenex Fusion Engine (11/17) is the biggest problem I have with this design. It is not in production currently in the Homeworlds so a new factory must be built from scratch. Yes it is a small engine and it could be done relatively easy by the Clans. Still your competitors have the edge. However, the 145 Leenex Fusion Engine (11/17) is manufactured on Sudeten by the Jade Falcons for the J Edgar. After reading the fluff I really wanted to proclaim this one the winner but ultimately because of the engine I have to place you third.

2. Morrigu (drakensis)
So close!! The Morrigu is nearly what I wanted but in the end lacked one thing. One of the most difficult things to do with these challenges is to keep track of all the existing components and how best they can fit in the current contest. This 45 ton Ice Hellion entry was the sole design to fill the existing gap currently existing for Clan Combat Vehicles. Using the 215 Vox Fusion Engine (10/15) from the Badger is an inspired choice which I personally loved. It gets one of the first Clan OmniVehicles back in the game so to speak and leaves us with 14 tons of pod space. With a one and a half ton turret all weaponry can be fit seamlessly into this mobile location. This is a plus as I love the configurations which include a Gauss, an Ultra AC/20, and an Arrow IV among others. Fantastic. However, with only 3.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous (67 factor) you lack sufficient protection in my opinion. Your lighter competitors have more armor and are as fast or faster. What really surprised me is that no one went the route of the Gladius, no turret. On this hell raiser, not a tank, it could have provided extra protection. A very close second place drak!

1. Tanit (JP Arbiter)
The first entry to sight the J Edgar as its basis this 25 ton Blood Spirit entry is quite well done. With Fire Mandrill technical assistance they were able to assemble a larger Shamash essentially using 120 Fusion Engines (10/15) taken from bone caches. These power plants usually coming from the SLDF Thorn and Flea BattleMechs make it a little slower than its predecessor which is still very fast. Using the electronics package from the Shamash only adds to the flavor which comes together quickly. Production wise this thing could quickly develop through testing and right into front line service and I love the name after the Patron Goddess of Carthage which is a great touch. With 4 tons of Ferro Fibrous (75 factor) this OmniVehicle with a Turret comes with solid protection. It can pretty much take an impact from a 15 damage factor round (ER PPC and Gauss) and survive counting on its movement to avoid a big beating. Finally 8 tons of pod space enables it to carry a potent arsenal which makes for some pretty good configurations. Prime with its ER Large linked to a Targeting Computer and an ECM Suite can sure make for a long range pest which can stay out in the field forever. Alternate A is rapid fire support vehicle which relies on a LRM 15 to deliver punishment. B is your infantry deliverer (5 ton compartment) with two SRM 4s for close range defense while C is the ultimate recon asset with a TAG, ECM Suite, and Active Probe finding the enemy while 2 Medium Pulses serve as defense. Very nice job Arbiter, congrats on the win!

All nine designs were really well done and placing them was not easy. I was really surprised that every design save one installed a turret. In a couple of challenges we will be coming up on tanks which may require turrets but here I think you could have gotten bye without them. Great competition, thanks again gang! Now on to the next challenge!!