Newsgroups: rec.games.board
Subject: BTECH: Crossbow XBW-1K
From: taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
Date: 9 Sep 92 15:26:41 NZST
Organization: Welligton City Council, Public Access.
NNTP-Posting-Host: kosmos.wcc.govt.nz


 Shock, horror. After the usual burnout of essays and term tests, I finally
find time to post something on my favourite subject : BATTLETECH.
 I came across a design I had that I like to use. It may have a few
shortcomings, but I like it and it seems to work, so here it is. But
be warned that this design was made BEFORE the Naga ever appeared!

Crossbow XBW-1K
100 Tons                Criticals  Locations  Tonnage
IS Standard                0           -        10.0
Vlar 300XL                 6         3RT/3LT     9.5
 Walk  3
 Run   5
 Jump  0
Gyro & Cockpit             0           -         6.0
Heat Sinks    11 ( 22 )    0           -         1.0
Armour          304        0           -        19.0 NB: Use Atlas Stats!

Arrow IV System           15         8RA/7RT    15.0
Ammo (Arrow) 20            4         2RT/2RL     4.0
Large Pulse Laser          2           2RA       7.0
Arrow IV System           15         8LA/7LT    15.0
Ammo (Arrow) 20            4         2LT/2LL     4.0
Large Pulse Laser          2           2LA       7.0
TAG                        1           1H        1.0
Electronics                2           2CT       1.5
                         ----                  ------
                          51                   100.0

Overview:
 When the Cappellan Hussars raided St Ives in 3054, DCMS observers credited
the success to the Liao Catapults and their Arrow IV Missile Artillery
Systems. But the shortcomings of the design were best described in the
comment by a Kuritan Sho-sho as "Good punch, great range, lousy duration!".
When the Cappellans expressed interest in selling their Arrows to the
Combine, the Coordinator asked for "a mech that is worthy of such a weapon"
and so the Crossbow was born.

Capabilities:
 Originally the Combine was to use a 70 ton mech. But it was decided that
a dual system would be used to allow "a greater concentration of artillery
support". Since the immense size and weight of two Arrows was so daunting,
it was decided that the Atlas chassis from Quentein would be used. The
torsos, arms and head section would be totally redesigned.
 An Vlar 300XL was incorporated to standardise with the Atlas for parts.
Extensive ammo bins were introduced without the usual CASE protection as
the mech was not viewed as an "assault mech, but as a fire-support mech".
Since the low speed hampered the now named Crossbow and the extensive
range of the Arrow allowed the mech to engage the enemy from extreme
ranges and by the time any close range combat resulted, the ammo bins
would be near empty anyway.
 The Large Pulse Lasers were a matter of contention between the testpilots
and the designers. Since the Crossbow would rarely engage the enemy in
close range, long range weapons were asked for by the pilots. Since the
upgrades of the Panther, Lord's Light PPCs were in plentiful supply. This
lead to pilots demanding their installation. Since the mech lacked the
"honor and glory of its' station". But due to the extremely low ton:size
ratios of the Arrows this was not possible and the Large Pulse Lasers
were installed instead.
 An additional heat sink was installed to allow the Crossbow to launch
both Arrows on the move. The Wich-Ight targeting system though a very
cheap and effective unit does have the drawback of being unable to
fire a LPL and Arrow at the same time. Pilots saw this as a minor issue
as they either used both LPLs or both Arrows anyway.
 The final trappings of a TAG unit and either a Beagle or Guardian were
added as an afterthought. Rear mounted weapons were viewed as unnecessary
since the LPLs could "flip like a Rifleman" and fire rearward.

Battle History:
 Since the Crossbow has been made. Only simulations have been the Crossbow's
battleground. Several have been sent to Luthien for actual battlefield
trials, two lances are begin assigned to the Genyosha units.

Variants:
 Due to extreme compactness of the design, there are no variants. The sale
of the Arrows to the Combine had a clause that forbid the sale, trade or
exchange with the Federated Commonwealth or to any secondary party.
Ensuring that the AFFC were denied this potent weapon.


 Well there it is, hope you liked it.
BTW I like credit when credit is due. (c) Tony Taia 1992

This has been.....
 Tony Taia
  TAIA_A@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz, tai-shu@kauri.vuw.ac.nz
3067: When the Combine retakes Rasalhague back :)
Newsgroups: rec.games.board