Fang
05/27/08 01:36 PM
151.193.203.13
|
Ground Zero wanted to produce a short range urban brawler capable of causing enemy units to pause before engaging. While the 55 ton Brave may not actually strike fear into enemy pilots, it is still a potent machine. The Brave has been through many inceptions and variations before the final version detailed here. It was only through prolonged testing and development that the design was deemed ready for production.
Capabilities:
The final version differs little from the original plans first laid out for CEO John Stonkin.
The first Brave was rather lacking in mobility with only two jump jets provided, and was a bit too ammo reliant in the use of machine guns and an SRM6 launcher. The second Brave added 3 more jets and dropped the machine guns, but then replaced the Short Range Missiles with a single Artemis enhanced LRM5 launcher. It did not take long for Stonkin and his techs to pull the long range missiles as they seemed in conflict with the mechs original mission profile of being a short-ranged fighter in close quarters. The third and final Brave regains the short range missiles and adds a Guardian Counter Measures suite. Two Large pulse lasers provide the main punch while the SRM6 can exploit any cracks caused by the laser barrage. The small pulse lasers are used as a deterrent to light units and infantry. Fourteen double heatsinks help keep the heat to a minimum if the pilot is careful. Technicians have actually been more receptive to the design than some pilots. This is due to the semi modular layout of the weapons and components. While not as efficient or advanced as a true Clan or even Inner Sphere omni, the Brave is an indicator that Ground Zero is on the way to developing their own completely modular omnimech.
Variants:
There are two factory variants available at this time. The first replaces the small pulse lasers with two flamers. The second changes the mech completely. The 37G removes the large pulse lasers and instead mounts two Particle Projection Cannons and regains the Artemis enhanced LRM5. One Brave in ten is the long range version. The 37G’s in service with the Stonkin Mechs Inc mercenary unit have been further modified. Several have had the PPC’s and LRM5 removed, and in their place are two arm mounted Artemis LRM15 missile launchers.
Deployment:
There have been limited orders placed, mostly from House units to see if the Brave is a good fit for their armies. There are a number in service with the SMI ( Stonkin Mechs Inc) mercenary force and at least three have been reported dueling in the Solaris VII arenas.
55 tons
XL engine
14 double heatsinks
no hand actuators
movement 5/8/5
Endosteel internal structure
9.5 tons standard armor
Armor Allocation:
H 9
CT 21/6
RT/LT 16/5
RA/LA 17
RL/LL 20
Weapons and Ammo
RA Large Pulse LAser
RA 2xDoubleHeatsink
RT 3x endosteel
RT Small Pulse LAser
RT Guardian ECM
RT Heatsink
RL 2x Jumpjets
CT JumpJet
LL 2x Jumpjets
LT 4x Endosteel
LT SRM6
LT Ammo(srm)15
LT Small Pulse Laser
LT CASE
LA Large Pulse Laser
LA 7x Endosteel
Notes: Design was created using TDB, so if any want to try it, it should be easy to put in the info provided to get the same mech as here.
One by one, the rabbits are stealing my sanity.....
|
Dester
05/28/08 01:14 PM
216.57.96.1
|
Hate to burst your bubble, but this mech would get picked apart at range, or blasted a part as other mechs would run by it.
The IS Large pulse laser is just horrible. its weight to range to damage to heat ratio is all out of wack. and while 9 pts is a good chunk of damage its not a whole lot considering you had to use an XL engine to get everything to fit.
The armor is respectable, but will falter way to quickly for a line holding close in brawler that you invision with this mech. One of the biggest failing of the 3025 era Hunchback was that the AC-20 was truely feared and made people gun for it, which its armor just couldn't stand up to for very long. The Brave has less armor then the Hunchie and the extra vulerability of the XL engines.
With mearly adiquite armor, and lack-luster weapons, no one willl really pay this mech much attention as they blast it apart, or leave it later to mop up.
The variant with 2 PPCs would make it an ok fire support type mech.
For a better brawler type mech i would suggest the following
Remove all weapons and extra heat sinks.
Keep the ECM (good attition for a front line to break up C3, and stuff)
Add 2 tons of armor
Add 1 LB-10X
Add 2 Ammo(LB-10X)
Add 4 Med. Pulse Lasers
Add 2 small Lasers
This gives a weapon that can be fired at range while closing with the enemy, yet is still efective at close range and has the spread potential of the SRM-6 rack you lose. The 4 med pulse lasers more then makes up for the loss of 2 Large pulse lasers in damage and heat, keeping the acuracy of the Pulse at the cost of a slight reduction of range. The small lasers can add a little extra punch at close range or be used on vehicles or infantry that the small pulse lasers did. The extra armor helps it stay in the fight a bit longer. Lack of the extra heat sinks can cause a bit more heat problems especially if the pilot is jumping alot, but a smart pilot can cycle his weapons to keep this to a mimium issue.
With a total alpha strike potential of 42 pts of damage and the scary crit potential of the cluster LB-10X rounds, this variant would command attention on the battlefield and could no longer be ignored.
Can tinker around with the weapons some to maybe add an AMS or 2 to help it suvive missle boats like the archer/ trebuchet also. Anything to help it hold the line for another round or two.
Hope this helps
Dester
|
Fang
05/28/08 01:48 PM
151.193.203.13
|
Not bad. While the Brave is intended soley for urban combat and close range, you are correct. In open situations where the mech has to close with an enemy, it makes a great target and not much else. It is up to the commander to deploy the Brave in its proper role. If not, then he has to explain why he has a lot of scrap and a lot of dead pilots. As far as it getting mowed down as other mechs run by, possibly. It is a bit more mobile than the afore mentioned Hunchback. Perhaps an all energy layout, using standard large lasers and adding armor/heatsinks/or additional back up weaponry. I tried a different one without an XL, but everytime it was usually too heavy, too slow, or both. The Brave is not the end all and definitely has its flaws. The LBX is a nice version. Pop out from behind a building and blast a light with its mech sized shotgun. I like your other suggestions as well. Thank you for the feedback.
One by one, the rabbits are stealing my sanity.....
Edited by Fang (05/28/08 01:49 PM)
|
Fang
05/28/08 02:17 PM
151.193.203.13
|
In truth, I was trying to design to match the artwork in the attachment here.
Attachment (318 downloads)
One by one, the rabbits are stealing my sanity.....
|