Mordel's Bar & Grill
Kali KA-1L
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Mordel's Bar & Grill Forum Index » Design Submissions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Marcus Smythe
ComStar
Private, First Class
Private, First Class


Joined: 21-May-2018 12:33
Posts: 45

PostPosted: 23-May-2018 17:14    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

TRO: Kali KA-1L
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Kali KA-1L
Designer:           Marcus Smythe
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Clan (Mixed)
Technology Rating:  F
Tonnage:            60
Configuration:      Tripod BattleMech
Era/Year:           Dark Age / 3140
Rules (Current):    Advanced
Rules (Era):        Advanced
Rules (Year):       Advanced
Total Cost:         21,616,320 C-Bills
Battle Value:       2,495

Structure:            Endo Steel
Power Plant:          300 XL
Walking Speed:        54 kph    
Maximum Speed:        86.4 kph  [140.4 kph]
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:             
    2 Large Pulse Lasers
    6 Machine Guns
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 3.50                     
Engine:                                       300 XL                   9.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 5                                               
    Running MP:                               8 [13]                                            
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         15 [30]                   5.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                   Tripod (IS)                 4.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  223                    16.00                     
    Type:                                 Ferro-Lamellor                                        

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      20             32       
    Center Torso (rear):                               8       
    R/L Torso:                         14             23       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  5       
    R/L Arm:                           10             20       
    R/C/L Leg:                         14             26       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAG                                                       H                 1          1.00             
Supercharger                                              CT                1          1.00             
MASC                                                      RT                2          2.00             
ECM Suite                                                 LT                1          1.00             
Large Pulse Laser                                         RA                2          6.00             
3 Machine Guns                                            RA                3          0.75             
Machine Gun (Ammo 100)                                    RA                1          0.50             
Large Pulse Laser                                         LA                2          6.00             
3 Machine Guns                                            LA                3          0.75             
Void-Signature System (IS)                                *                 7          0.00             

* Void-Signature System occupies 1 critical slot in each location except the Head
		
Back to top View profile Send site message
Marcus Smythe
ComStar
Private, First Class
Private, First Class


Joined: 21-May-2018 12:33
Posts: 45

PostPosted: 25-May-2018 10:42    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

TRO: Kali KA-1L
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Kali KA-1L
Designer:           Marcus Smythe
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Clan (Mixed)
Technology Rating:  F
Tonnage:            60
Configuration:      Tripod BattleMech
Era/Year:           Dark Age / 3138
Rules (Current):    Experimental
Rules (Era):        Experimental
Rules (Year):       Experimental
Total Cost:         19,286,720 C-Bills
Battle Value:       2,951

Structure:            Endo Steel
Power Plant:          300 XL
Walking Speed:        54 kph    
Maximum Speed:        86.4 kph  [140.4 kph]
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:             
    3 ER Large Lasers
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 3.50                     
Engine:                                       300 XL                   9.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 5                                               
    Running MP:                               8 [13]                                            
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         19 [38]                   9.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                   Tripod (IS)                 4.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  224                    16.00                     
    Type:                                 Ferro-Lamellor                                        

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      20             28       
    Center Torso (rear):                               7       
    R/L Torso:                         14             23       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  5       
    R/L Arm:                           10             20       
    R/C/L Leg:                         14             28       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser                                            H                 1          4.00             
2 ER Large Lasers                                         CT                2          8.00             
MASC                                                      RT                2          2.00             
Supercharger                                              LT                1          1.00             
Chameleon LPS (IS)                                        *                 6          0.00             

* Chameleon LPS occupies 1 critical slot in each location except the Head and Center Torso
		
Back to top View profile Send site message
Marcus Smythe
ComStar
Private, First Class
Private, First Class


Joined: 21-May-2018 12:33
Posts: 45

PostPosted: 25-May-2018 10:59    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

I modified the 1L to be the first of the series - CLPS instead of VSS, as the company found out that despite their best efforts, they couldnt build a stable CLPS (It is Star League tech, after all), and were forced to go with a knock-off of the WoB Void Signature System on their production designs.
Back to top View profile Send site message
Marcus Smythe
ComStar
Private, First Class
Private, First Class


Joined: 21-May-2018 12:33
Posts: 45

PostPosted: 29-May-2018 17:20    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

TRO: Kali KA-1L
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Kali KA-1L
Designer:           Marcus Smythe
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Clan (Mixed)
Technology Rating:  F
Tonnage:            60
Configuration:      Tripod BattleMech
Era/Year:           Dark Age / 3140
Rules (Current):    Experimental (Extinct)
Rules (Era):        Experimental (Extinct)
Rules (Year):       Experimental (Extinct)
Total Cost:         15,699,520 C-Bills
Battle Value:       2,384

Structure:            Endo Steel
Power Plant:          300 XL
Walking Speed:        54 kph    
Maximum Speed:        86.4 kph  
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:             
    3 ER Large Lasers
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 3.50                     
Engine:                                       300 XL                   9.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 5                                               
    Running MP:                                 8                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         22 [44]                  12.00                     
Gyro:                                        XL (IS)                   1.50                     
Cockpit:                                   Tripod (IS)                 4.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  210                    15.00                     
    Type:                                 Ferro-Lamellor                                        

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      20             31       
    Center Torso (rear):                               8       
    R/L Torso:                         14            20/23     
    R/L Torso (rear):                                 8/5      
    R/L Arm:                           10             20       
    R/C/L Leg:                         14             22       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser                                            H                 1          4.00             
ER Large Laser                                            RT                1          4.00             
TAG                                                       RT                1          1.00             
ER Large Laser                                            LT                1          4.00             
Nova CEWS                                                 LT                1          1.50             
Chameleon LPS (IS)                                        *                 6          0.00             

* Chameleon LPS occupies 1 critical slot in each location except the Head and Center Torso
		
Back to top View profile Send site message
Kylo Kruis
Lyran Alliance
Senior Sergeant Major
Senior Sergeant Major


Joined: 19-Sep-2017 15:46
Posts: 218
Location: United Kingdom
PostPosted: 30-May-2018 12:56    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

Hmmm...

I like the design, although I am not quite sure what it is meant to be: on evidence of the Chameleon, TAG and CEWS system, it seems to be trying to be a scout and spotting 'Mech but at 60 tons and a 5, 8 it seems just a bit too slow and cumbersome, despite the tripod configuration making the design stable. The ER Large Lasers aren't particularly heat efficient either, necessitating an enormous quantity of heat sinks. However, for the role it was designed to fulfil, it definitely packs a punch with those Lasers and, unlike many lighter equivalents, can survive a moderate beating as well. Personally, I would remove 1 laser and add MASC or some JJs for an extra surprise turn of speed and manoeuvrability. With the tonnage saved (10 tons!) by having to use fewer heat sinks as there are only 2 Lasers, maybe you could add a targeting computer as well (or even make the engine standard Fusion), adding to what is already a deadly long range unit. This would, however, make it a purer scout and remove some of the design’s versatility as a front line fire support ‘Mech as well as a spotter. I still feel that a Clan Beowulf or Raven variant would be better suited to the scout and spotter roles.

I also just can't get away from the fact that you have used XL engines in all of your many designs bar one: the Battlemaster. While I do feel that XL engines are a revolutionary design feature, they are rather like sweets (or candy if you are from the States): nice, but too much both makes you sick and rots your teeth. And, at 15,000,000 C Bills, this is one very expensive, sickly sweet scout. Then again, the Clans don’t care about cost, do they?

As I have said before, while gameplay is balanced on Battle Value, reality is governed by budget, and even though an XL engined ‘Mech may have very similar maintenance costs to a standard Fusion engined one, would a Commander seriously risk in battle a 15,000,000 C Bill unit or a cheap one of around half the cost? In reality, a large XL ‘Mech, like the Kali, would be used with extreme caution for the same reason as most WWII Battleships spent most of their service out of harm’s way: the Tirpitz hidden in a fjord, the Bismark hunting merchant ships and Yamato in the middle of the Pacific: governments could not afford to lose what was such a sign of might and source of pride. Of course, this thinking matters more the larger and more expensive the unit gets and is only really relevant with superheavies.

What’s more, the fun of design comes, for me anyway, not in being able to make an excellent (though possibly overpowered) design but in having limited resources and working inside these perameters. This can mean that designs are longer in the making, but, rather like learning a skill, the process is part of the fun too. And though the end product will take longer to perfect, it is so satisfying to see the amazing result of that labour. Try it sometime, restrict the weight saving devices you can use and you may find it much more rewarding.

Sorry, if that came across as belittling, it wasn’t intended to be that way: on the whole I really like your designs and the rate at which you produce them is unbelievable!

Keep going,

Kylo.
Back to top View profile Send site message
Marcus Smythe
ComStar
Private, First Class
Private, First Class


Joined: 21-May-2018 12:33
Posts: 45

PostPosted: 30-May-2018 13:09    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

Feedback! I was wondering when I would get some!

Shes intended as a Cavalry mech - the 'kick them in the pants' half of 'grab them by the nose and kick them in the pants'.

Intro date is forced by the fluff - shes meant to enter service in about 3200, along with all her warrior-goddess named sisters - their Canopian. I figure by 3200, tech is tech and everything that we CURRENTLY have books for is thoroughly spread around.

(Yes, the 'War Goddess' thing is to help talk a Matriarchy into buying the toys. Like naming a Lyran mech something that amounts to "German Hammer" or a Davion Mech "Annoying Noblebrightness")

Design Rationale (for the whole goddess series):
1.) They are crewed by soldiers, not warriors. Its easier to train a soldier to do one job than two. And Soldiers usually dont spend their entire lives building up towards being the ultimate human war machine. So rather than try to match super-elite pilots, its decided that 2 people, one trained for each task, makes more sense. In my head, she probably has a 4/6 gunner and a 5/5 Pilot (as an example).

2.) Falling down is what a mech does right before it dies. DONT FALL DOWN. Another Tripod rationale.

3.) TAG is standard equipment, as is CEWS. CEWS makes up for lower skills by providing better THNs. TAG is there because in GENERAL tactical doctrine is that mech forces find and fix enemy forces for destruction. Destruction may represent a flanking force, or guided munitions from arty vehicles or aero assets.

4.) Though the CERLL is HOT, and thus inefficient, it is here chosen for range. The mechs are agile enough (barely) to be decent harassers, as well as fast cavalry. The CERLL takes no ammo and outranges most things, and most of the thigns it DOESNT outrange can run out of ammo.

5.) Settled on CLPS instead of VSS because the CLPS feels lower tech to me. Most War Goddess series mechs just get the CLPS in their current versions, with only the scout also mounting a NSS. While they otherwise have 'the best of everything', even by 3200 it amuses me to not have them able to duplicate the Jyhad era WOB VSS.

6.) As you see, the design evolved. Early versions were more shoot-and-scoot, with the MASC and Supercharger. Playtesting suggested I wanted more firepower, and that given access to MASC and Superchargers, pilots were going to wreck their machines. This thing can still scoot and park (its a tripod!) but its less focused on the 'sprint from cover to cover' of the earlier design (which used mask and supercharger to move very very fast into a different set of heavy woods, and then go back to hiding under the VSS)

7.) True story - VSS wasnt fun for me to play with. Lead to everything parking in cover all the time. With the CLPS, thats still an OPTION (I like options) but its not a requirement (I dont like requirements, and boring requirements I like even less)

RE XL ENGINES:
The Invasion Era designs are meant to fight the clans. Against the clans, you need mobility and long range firepower. Better to have 2 XL engineed mechs that can run and gun with a Clan opponent, than 3 that sit there and die from superior firepower delivered from further away than they can really shoot back, all driving by better TMMs.

The later era machines - well, if XLs dont get made cheaper by that point, theres a problem. And youll note the War Goddess line all uses the EXACT SAME Clan 300XL. Idea is ease of maintanace and economy of scale.
Back to top View profile Send site message
Marcus Smythe
ComStar
Private, First Class
Private, First Class


Joined: 21-May-2018 12:33
Posts: 45

PostPosted: 07-Jan-2019 10:05    Post subject: Kali KA-1L Reply to topic Reply with quote

TRO: Kali KA-1L
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Kali KA-1L
Designer:           Marcus Smythe
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Clan (Mixed)
Technology Rating:  F
Tonnage:            60
Configuration:      Tripod BattleMech
Era/Year:           Dark Age / 3140
Rules (Current):    Experimental (Extinct)
Rules (Era):        Experimental (Extinct)
Rules (Year):       Experimental (Extinct)
Total Cost:         15,699,520 C-Bills
Battle Value:       2,384

Structure:            Endo Steel
Power Plant:          300 XL
Walking Speed:        54 kph    
Maximum Speed:        86.4 kph  
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:             
    3 ER Large Lasers
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 3.50                     
Engine:                                       300 XL                   9.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 5                                               
    Running MP:                                 8                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         22 [44]                  12.00                     
Gyro:                                        XL (IS)                   1.50                     
Cockpit:                                   Tripod (IS)                 4.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  210                    15.00                     
    Type:                                 Ferro-Lamellor                                        

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      20             31       
    Center Torso (rear):                               8       
    R/L Torso:                         14             20       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  8       
    R/L Arm:                           10             20       
    R/C/L Leg:                         14             22       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser                                            H                 1          4.00             
ER Large Laser                                            RT                1          4.00             
TAG                                                       RT                1          1.00             
ER Large Laser                                            LT                1          4.00             
Nova CEWS                                                 LT                1          1.50             
Chameleon LPS (IS)                                        *                 6          0.00             

* Chameleon LPS occupies 1 critical slot in each location except the Head and Center Torso
		
Back to top View profile Send site message
Display posts from previous:
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Mordel's Bar & Grill Forum Index » Design Submissions All times are GMT-04:00

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum