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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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 Posted: 15-Aug-2010 17:43 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 |
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Okay, let's do this. I'll work with books currently in print, so I'll use the TRO 3050 upgrade as the base for my work... May the heavens and the coordinator be with you if you decide to delve deeper.
FLE-17 Flea
I think that this 'Mech isn't that bad, only misunderstood. In my opinion the Dragoons didn't build this thing for reconnaissance purposes. Not at all. This thing is a cheap walking companion for the Dragoons that should keep the elementals at bay. The dragoons couldn't reach the BAs while in the IS, but that doesn't mean, that they've forgotten about them. And so the Flea was born. If it's fluffed to work in broken terrain and urban settings, then I'd replace the rear-mounted lasers (not needed that much, the Flea can flip it's arms backward) and the MASC in order to finally teach the Flea how to jump.
FLE-19 Flea
This thing only reassures me abut the anti-infantry specialisation of the design. I wonder if the MG arrays are of any use here, as the firepower will be miserable anyway and crit seeking would be a more viable option anyway, so I wouldn't be afraid to drop them for one of the following options: More MGs, a medium laser, or more RLs, giving the Flea more bite for the cost.
Fire Ant
I don't have any info at hand.
HNT-171 Hornet
The upgrades are fine overall, but I have serious doubts about the amount of missiles carried. If half-tons were allowed for ammo than you know where to seek the room for upgrades. In that case I'd get back the 5/8/5 movement profile.
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Karagin
Imperial Karagin Army
Imperial General
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 4120
Location: United States
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| Posted: 15-Aug-2010 17:52 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 |
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These are a good start.
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Karagin
Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato
"Wasted trip Man. Nobody said nuthin' about lockin' horns with no tigers." Oddball
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 16-Aug-2010 00:24 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 |
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As I'm thinking about it the Hornet is a fail in a concept and should be replaced by vehicles under most circumstances. Many light 'mechs should't be used to fight the other 'mechs, not even those of their own size. The Hornet (in all of it's configurations so far) is one of them. single LRM-5 is a wonderful tool for harrasment of the conventional forces, but the Hornet, while dirty cheap is also almost sure to be lost because it lacks the speed to stay away anywhere but in extremely broken terrain. In this case I'd Deem the XL engine worth considering, but something would have to go away to spare wight for it. If the speed was something around 9/14, then it would be an entirely different story, but the overal fragility would still be a problem if something brought a gauss rifle to the field.
More 'Mechs to come.
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 16-Aug-2010 15:48 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 pt. 2 |
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COM-5S Commando
This thing has, for some reason, two different (and incompatible) missile systems. That IMO is a problem for logistics. In the battle the sheer amount of ammo carried could be a problem (two tons of SRM-6 ammo and one ton of streak SRM-2s). Enough to last through 30 rounds, but with the 6/9/0 speed and three tons of FF armour we know where this is heading.
The refit I'd make would either return a bit toward the 2D, removing all current missiles for one SRM-4 in RA and two in CT all supported by two tons of ammo.
Another possibility, a preferred choice of mine, would replace all the missiles with one streak SRM-2 in RA, and one in each torso and two tons of ammo.
Both of these refits perfectly work in the traditional Commando role of adding salt to the wounds caused by other Stainer big guns. I have one support variant in mind as well. Using SRM-4 in it's traditional RA spot the CT missiles (that's where they *should* be) would be replaced with a Narc launcher. Along with two tons of ammo and one half of extra armour would make a good use of this otherwise disliked weapon system.
FLC-4P Falcon
no upgrade necessary IMO
FFL-4B Firefly
This thing works along the same lines as the Hornet, but it can withstand some more pounding. Once again I'd recommend considering advanced engine to kick the speed up.
JVN-10P Javelin
Just like with the Commando I have no idea why there are two different missile systems. It should pack only rhe streak SRMs (as the standard SRM variant is already in TROs 3025/3039).
SDR-7M Spider
I just wonder whether more armour and one standard ML wouldn't improve Spider's chance to survive and report back. Replacing of the pulse lasers with advanced electronics package would also be a boon and the other with standard lasers would also be a bit more useful IMO.
UM-R63 Urbanmech
no upgrade necessary.
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 17-Aug-2010 16:12 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 pt. 2 variants |
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FFL-4C Firefly
Well the 'Mech uses XL engine and ES structure along with DHS to get what? Pulse lasers? So an attempt to create a jumping jack? Well, I think an upgrade of the missile system should have been considered instead.
FFL-4D Firefly
Light engine and ER weapons... that's more like it. But standard heat sink and Artemis for a LRM-5? Whyyyy? The heat sinks should definitely be DHSs and the missiles need an upgrade, but what about the MMLs instead?
JVN-11D and JVN-11F Javelin
Well I wonder whether it really pays to install ES and XL to a close range brawler with miserable armour to get some more close range guns (we're talking about MG arrays and pulse lasers here). I'd certainly prefer to down-tune these 'Mech a little to having one extra gun or two.
11D carries three ERMLs and two MPLs slaved to TC and C3 slave. Too much electronics for it's own good IMO. I'd drop the TC and keep the original chassis.
11F packs Snub-nosed PPC and two triple MG arrays... that's some weird mix, but it's a tech demonstrator.
Spider variants are pretty good actually
For the Urbanmech variants I'd only mention the UM-69, which is kinda counter-productive. Drooping one ton of armour (and upgrading to FF) and one HS to get an UAC/10 with a single ton of ammo? The trashcan is usually low on ammo, but this is a bit too much. Drop the SPL to get some more ammo at last 
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 29-Aug-2010 04:21 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 pt. 3 |
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FS9-S Firestarter
This thing seems to work well actually, which can't be said about the Periphery variant, whih packs RLs combined with DHSs. The other variants are relatively fine IMHO, But the DHSs really belong everywhere else than to the periphery variant.
JR7-K Jenner
I dont's see any problems with the way the 'mech got upgraded. MML varian, on the other hand could be a problem. I somewhat fail to see the reason to seek inspiration with the Jenner IIC, mostly loosing the original spirit of the 'Mech, but it *can* work as a high-tech Commando. C3 variant seems to return to the munchkin JR7-F, so no problem here at all.
PNT-10K Panther
Now what? They wanted to upgrade the PPC and installed the ER variety, but without any improvements to the heat dissipation system, sacrificing cadence for range. ES structure is a bit of a waste here, because instead of the Artemis IV should have been another HS insted. DHSs would be better. 12A Is a bit lackluster. 16K, on the other hand, is what you need when you are looking for a modernized Panther. Blakist 14S is a botch and should be scrapped without replacement IMHO (EDIT: okay, as a broken terrai special with a good pilot, but still I can imagine doing it better).
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 12-Jan-2011 14:49 Post subject: Sensible Technology Upgrades - TRO 3050 pt. 4 |
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RVN-3L Raven
Trying to do too much with too little. I'd decompose this 'Mech to two more specialized variants. For a scout/spotter I'd drop the Narc and reduce SRM to get thicker armour and a more powerful engine... or perhaps I'd consider replacing enough weapons to install a large laser. The other variant would be a dedicated Narc carrier which would drop TAG, BAP and get some plating and better engine as well.
WLF-2 Wolfhound
Plain and simple. This doesn't need any changes at all.
ASN-23 Assassin
The "upgrade" was done on the wrong things. Decrease in armaments doesn't help much (Even the SRM-2 was better than nothing). ES or FF would certainly be welcome, but preferably both, although they are not necessary if the 'Mech is meant to be low-tech. I wouldn't mind droping the Artemis, as the ammo is costly and the effect negligible and perhaps geting TAG, if the armor was out of question.
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