Saturday Battletech, Careful with that Axe, Marcus,

A little background.

I played Battletech with my best friends and my little brother back in High School.  Like any teenager, I tinkered with designs.  And, like now, I loved my joke names.  I decided early on one of my Mechwarriors was going to be a son of a pair of historians.  While the bad fiction I wrote has been lost to the mists of time (for the better I'm sure) I remember the first lines I wrote about Marcus.

My name is Marcus Aurelius Borden.  Marcus Aurelius, because my parents were historians by trade.  Borden, because my family maintains the tradition of a family name.  One of my ancient ancestors achieved a level of infamy, and I named my 'Mech after her.

Cheesy I know.  But it stuck with me.  So of course his Mech's name was Lizzy.  (If you don't get it, google it and complain to your American History Teacher).  I've played Lizzy in one form or another for 30 years now.  So now I share her with my few readers.  Happy Gaming!

Field Testing Summation: Prototype Hatchetman HCT-3F refit designated HCT-3B

Producer/Site: New Avalon Institute of Science, New Avalon

Supervising Technician: Marcus Aurelius Borden

Project Start Date: 3029

Non-Production Equipment Analysis:

None

Overview

“Lizzy” was a reconstruction project supervised by the graduating class of 3029, but her ‘final exam came in the defense of the NAIS by the cadets and staff, and of course First Prince Hanse Davion.  While severely damaged in the fight, she was later rebuilt and became the personal ride of the newly graduated Leftenant Marcus Aurelius Borden.  The ‘Mech takes her name from an ancestor of Leftenant Borden’s

The frame of the Hatchetman was rebuilt around a DAV 225 fusion engine, and the larger gyro taken from an “Avenging Angel” Vindicator.  To make room the Defiance Killer Autocannon was replaced with a ChrisComp 43 Special large laser, “donated” from a wrecked Enforcer, along with additional heat sinks.  The communication and electronics systems were replaced with components from captured Ravens, giving her better communications than the standard model This required removing the Ares-8a and the sensors were replaced with a spotlight.   The Defiance B3M medium laser was moved from the right arm to the left, which helped the balance.  Finally, armor was increased almost 50%, making her as well armored as ‘Mechs 10 tons heavier.  Limitations of the frame meant that the jump capacity remained 120 meters but the resulting increase in ground speed remained the biggest surprise to opponents expecting a ‘regular’ Hatchetman. 

Combat History

Marcus Borden and Lizzy served with distinction along the Federated Suns/Capellan Confederatuib prior to thewar of 3039.  As the 3039 war escalated Marcus was rotated to the Draconis March, where the combination of superior speed and ammunition independency made for an ideal raider and hunter killer.  When teamed with other Hatchetmen or slower Medium units, Marcus would play the role of “wounded bird” holding back and using his medium lasers to lure foes closer, thinking he was simply out of autoncannon ammunition.  He would then use his ‘Mech’s superior speed to get to the flank of his foes, when he would fire all his weapons and use the hatchet, only to jump away to quickly cool down.  Marcus was eventually promoted to command a fire support company, where he often would keep his speed equal to a standard Hatchetman’s 64.8 KPH maximum, only to suddenly shoot ahead and provide spotting or a surprise physical assault to the enemy.  When asked about the risk in his tactics, Marcus replied “When you’re facing down close to 120 long range missiles and multiple PPCs, a medium ‘Mech with a stick seems a slightly lower threat.”

Notes: If playing with advanced rules, Lizzy has a full head ejection system.  Lizzy has the following quirks. Improved Communications, Spotlight, Difficult to Maintain.

Type: Hatchetman HCT-3B “Lizzy”

Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Introductory)

Equipment				Mass
Internal Structure:				4.5
Engine:		DAV 225		10.0
	Walking MP	5
	Running MP	8
	Jumping MP	4
Heat Sinks:		13		3
Gyro:				3.0
Cockpit				3.0
Armor Factor:		152		9.5
		Internal Structure	Armor Value
	Head	3	9
	Center Torso	14	21
	Center Torso (rear)		6
	R/L Torso	11	17
	R/L Torso (rear)		5
	R/L Arm	7	14
	R/L Leg	11	22

Weapons and Ammo	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 Medium Lasers	LA	2	2.0
Large Laser	RT	2	5.0
Hatchet	RA	3	3.0
Jump Jets	LL	2	1.0
Jump Jets	RL	2	1.0

Heatsinks are in the left arm, left torso, center torso and right torso respectively.

As always, the Battletech Universe belongs to Topps. (unless I win the Powerball, then we'll talk) Marcus Aurelius Borden however is mine

Saturday Mechwarrior New design SDR-8N Nagaina

A brief overview.

Battletech the game system has existed since the 80's.  While not quick playing by itself, (though there are apps that can speed the rolling up, one of my favorites is here)  it is a game that I've fond memories of.  There's even the popular unofficial version of the game, Megamek.  There are official computer based RPGs; Mechwarrior Online and Hairbrained Schemes Battletech.  These articles won't be touching those, since a) I can't run them on my old machine and b) they don't have the customization that the tabletop (and Megamek) has.  So I'll be posting some custom designs and if anyone wants to use them, great, just let me know if you enjoy them.

Disclaimer: Battletech and all its associated trade dress, trademarks and logos are property of Topps Company Inc, and this does not challenge that.  Frosch Military Technologies, Kabaker Agricultural Technologies, the names and places created for these articles are property of me.  Also, if you want to play me on Megamek or table top, drop me a line.

So without further rambling, I give you the Nagaina!

Field Testing Summation: Prototype Spider SDR-8R refit

Producer/Site: Frosh Military Technologies, Summerstide

Supervising Technician: Sally Frosh

Project Start Date: 3074

Non-Production Equipment Analysis:

Engine Supercharger

Partial Wing

Small X-Pulse Laser

Overview

The Nagaina began as the personal ride of Lieutenant Gina Taklachak.  A former AFFC mechwarrior, she operated an independent command of light hunter mechs.  She found her ride was too short ranged for her preferred style of being able to provide cover for her command.  The pulse lasers, while highly accurate, just did not have the range needed.  Clan made pulse lasers would have been too expensive, and too difficult to maintain.  The answer came with a shipment of Magna extended range medium lasers.  The initial plans to replace the two pulse lasers with four of the extended range lasers  were scrapped when she realized the heat burden would quickly overwhelm the Spider’s cooling system.  Instead she planned to install just two, with the extra weight to electronics. 

An ambush by a Word of Blake infantry battalion changed those plans.  The scout lance was able to extradite themselves from the ambush and route the Blakests in good order, but she realized she also would need the anti-infantry abilities a flamer, machine gun, or small pulse laser would provide. 

The answer came with the arrival of an FMT repair and refit team.  The technicians of Frosch Military Technologies were able to provide a compromise that filled all of Lieutenant Taklachak’s needs.

By replacing the paired pulse lasers with paired extended range medium lasers, the Nagaina’s range doubled, with a slight reduction in damage potential.  The diminished accuracy was compensated for in part by the installation of a Suns made targeting computer, which was installed in the head.  Finally, to help deal with the threat of infantry and fast moving targets, an expensive FMT Small X-Pulse laser was added to the right arm, mimicking the placement of the flamer on the original 5D variant.

The end result, a longer ranged and still cool running light ‘Mech, suited Lt. Taklachak’s style of leadership perfectly.  She can often be seen leaping from skirmish to skirmish on the battlefield, using the 300 meter jump distance (in normal atmospheric pressure) to dictate the range of one on one combat, or to suddenly support a member of her scout lance with well placed laser fire.  Whatever units her lance might be supporting, many have found the sight of the brilliantly painted red and gold Spider a welcome sight.

Type: Spider

Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)

Equipment				Mass
Internal Structure:		Endo Steel		1.5
Engine:		240 XL		6.0
	Walking MP	8
	Running MP	12
	Jumping MP	8(10)
Heat Sinks:		10(20)		0
Gyro:				3.0
Cockpit				3.0
Armor Factor:		104		6.5
		Internal Structure	Armor Value
	Head	3	9
	Center Torso	10	15
	Center Torso (rear)		4
	R/L Torso	7	11
	R/L Torso (rear)		3
	R/L Arm	5	10
	R/L Leg	7	14

Weapons and Ammo	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 ER Medium Laser	CT	2	2.0
Small X-Pulse Laser	RA	1	1.0
Targeting Computer	H	1	1.0
Partial Wing	LT/RT	4 LT/4 RT	2.0
Jump Jets	LT	4	2.0
Jump Jets	RT	4	2.0

[Empires Aflame] Terran Supremacy before 3095

Terran Supremacy before 3095

So, Empires Aflame gave us a bare bones campaign setting, a ‘what if’ Battletech.  So I’ve some loose thoughts on how we got there.

First Succession War.  There are two major events in the opening salvos of the FSW.  The first is the seizing of the systems ‘within 60 light years’ of Terra.  Per Sarna’s lovely map and Wiki entry, we see that this was 54 systems, 55 including the Sol system.  Per Liberation of Terra II roughly 1K regiments of combined arms and Comstar has 170.  We’ll assume that 128 defected to the great houses, but I’d say it is maybe half that, with DeChevallier and Blake welding the SLDF together with charisma and rage.

And of course 414 warships of varying sizes and ages.  So 55 systems could be ‘seized’ quickly with those forces. 

The second event is the first shots in the FSW took place differently.  While we can spitball 114 or so Mech Regiments in the SLDF/Comstar makeup, that put them on par with the other Successor states. I would say the simultaneous attacking of the FWL armies and the DCMS armies had help.  Either by tossing around nukes, orbital bombardment or subterfuge.  Or, more likely, D) all of the above.  Operation Black Shield, as mentioned above, allowed the Terran Supremacy to hold planets and most importantly… heal.

The interdictions of Black Shield played to the TSDF’s strengths.  The Great Houses suddenly both had to worry about if their neighbors were also interdicted or if they could take advantage of the blackout.  It also meant that they couldn’t concentrate their forces in any one place, for fear that someone would move elsewhere.  This allowed the Supremacy to bring their numbers to bear in force, overwhelming unprepared troops by two or more to one.  It also allowed for ‘removing’ some of the rogue units who had pledged to the Great Houses.

What resources aren’t spent stabilizing the budding Supremacy are spent rebuilding it.  Regardless of the timeline, the planets of the former Hegonomy/future Supremacy were devastated by war.  Within the breathing space provided by Black Shield, the Supremacy would focus on repairing the environmental, physical, and financial losses of the war. Mental as well as physical health would be essential.  Both the Kerensky boys, and Jennifer Winson/Jez Cole seem to be better adjusted in this reality Not being cooped up on the dropships and warships of the Exodus seems to have meant that they, and likely other SLDF soldiers got the help they need.  She also seems to be the Jennifer adopted by Aaron DeChevallier.  Amusingly this could mean that a Cameron leads the Terran Supremacy.

Adventure Seeds.

• Repo Men: The players are SLDF troops.  Someone has decided to take his services, and his PHX-1c, to the Capellan Confederation.  You’re sent to stop him.  Oh, did they mention he took his entire lance? 
• Kentares Redux:  The players are on Kentares IV providing relief when they receive word of the assassination of Minoru Kurita.  They’re hearing rumors of refugees being rounded up and slaughtered.  Then a transmission come in with a plea to get video off world.  Can the players get the news of the Kentares massacre out to the Terran Supremacy?  Or do they engage on a mission of revenge on their own?
• Should I stay or should I go? The players are a diplomatic corps, sent to the Magistracy of Canopus to establish relations between the Supremacy and the state.  Things are going well, too well in fact.  Is Stephan Ebon exceeding the mandate given by the Terran Supremacy?
• The Nightwings: The players are SLDF special forces.  They have the latest in light armor, the Nighthawk Mk. XXX.  So what could go wrong in a HALO drop into Atreus?  Did we mention it is an assassination mission, with the target to be revealed once on the ground?
• Black Shield/Black Sword: Another special ops mission.  An unscrupulous tech has made off with several Supremacy designs, including the schematics for the advanced SLDF neurohelmets.  With Black Shield going on he can’t send the plans over the HPG net, not even encrypted, so he’s on a dropship, making its way to Tharkad.  Can the players recover the plans and eliminate the threat without causing a major diplomatic incident?