From: tfpayn01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Subject: Re: Design Ideas Mecha [Answers]
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 19:46:22 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

In article <1993Jan2.064253.1@acad3.alaska.edu>, nsmca@acad3.alaska.edu writes:
> Not sure if anyone thought of the following, most I had thought of a few yars
> ago, I don't have the latest in Battle Tech or MEcha lit, but I think the
> following will still be useful..
> 
> Disposeble weapons: Namely weapons strpped on or attached to a MEch for a
> limited time.. They also can be used when a area that the weapon is attached to
> as a additional site for crits/hits..

	Silly boy, read the RULES!  I can't define the location at present, but
there are rules for one-shot SRMs and LRMs, but no other weapons (sort'a waste
of time, no?).  In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Crusader
(3025) originally supposed to have LL and RL SRM-2s?  INFERNOs at that?  

> 
> Straped on Armor: In the same vein as applicae armor of total. Basically armor
> that is attached until it goes away.. Or acts as armor against weapons that the
> Mecha is not used to being proof against. Or as temporary armor to cover a area
> that for some reaosn can't be covered for now..
> 
	A nice thought, but this is the same as having the armour on the main
torso!  It would cost the same amount of weight, or possibly even SLOW DOWN
your monster.  The Griffon supposedly has these on the LA and RA, upper portion
(shoulder), though it's simply included in the armour/weight count.
	
	OF COURSE, you could erect armour plates that a 'mech could hide behind
(like an emplacement, just in front of a city, in the path of invaders,
etc...), say an 80-point (5 ton) plate that the 'mech could use as cover.
Although this would give the 'mech partial cover (AND give the enemy the
punch-hit table!!!), the defending 'mech would be at a disadvantage as he
wouldn't be moving (in game terms), though he could hide behind this and peek
out to pump the bozo full of Gauss/PPC shots!!

> Drop mines for a Mecha.. Namely can be used to discourage someone following
> you.. Such as the old fashion Caltrops..
> 

	Nice thought, but what if the rest of your unit is behind you?  Or
maybe vehicles??  What if that's your line of retreat?  YOU could be sucking on
this mine too!

	HOWEVER, if you used a light, say a modified Locust (see
Roadrunner/Flash postings), and stripped it of all its weapons, maxxed
armour/speed, and filled it with mines, using it as a scout/minelayer at the
enemy lines/approach would be MOST efficient!!

> Popup mines. Namely they are mines designed to jump up and to fire a charge
> downwards, namely designed for MEcha with a "head".. basically to go for the
> cockpit..
> 

	Too difficult to create.  If mines could accurately (and remember,
we're talkin' a max of 160 Mph for some 'mechs!) strike the head, then weapons
fire would be a helluva a lot more accurate!

> Armored Personnel Carrier Mecha.. Mecha designed to operate as a team.
> Three MEcha act as personnel carriers with a total complement of a Infantry
> Platoon. With one MEcha to act as a command Mecha and as heavy fire power..
> 

	Actually, my friends and I (who've played for some 5 years now) came up
with something like this, but only for city/space fighting, as we found field
use of this concept is utterly useless and only results in freshly cooked
infantry.

	We took a Charger, maxxed the armour and speed, dropped a large laser
& 5 machine guns on the arms, mounted to cover/defend, and one small laser on
 the head, and created space for a platoon (usually SRM platoon).  In fact, we
opened the doors and had them fire at a 'mech from BEHIND with INFERNOs!  Nice
touch.  We stated the doors took no time to open (like the doors covering
SRM/LRM pods).

> Digger Tank: A tank designed to dig themselves literally in and pop up to
> attack..
> 
	I ran a campaign where the Clans were being attacked by a Davion Merc
unit.  These clansmen were second line rogues, and entrenched 5 modified
Warhammers.  The 'mechs were covered with a light camouflaged netting, and had
rocket packs (one-shot backpacks!  Movement of 2 to get them out of their
trenches and placement of at least 1 hex away from the holes) to get them out. 
MOST EFFECTIVE.  And they're legal too!  Sure caught the Merc force TOTALLY out
of surprise (Clan knew drop location, time, etc.....).  The Overlord didn't
know what was happening 'til 2 'mechs were down, and by then they were in full
retreat!



> Anti-Air Mecha: Mecha will extrme long range weapons to be used against
> Air Craft/Lams...

	See posting regarding the Rifleman.  It's a ROBOTECH 'mech designed as
AA support.  Take about 65 tons, slap a bunch of AC-2s, -5s, a GAUSS for
damage, and maybe LRMs for effect.  Remember, aircraft are not treated like
'mechs for distance.....

> 
> Remote Piloted Vehicles: To act as recon..
> 

	Nice thought, but what happens when said 'mech hits the enemy
ECM/Jammers???  Most likely why they've never used this in actual battles, only
for simulators/training.


-- 

/  / // / / /  / /  / / // / / // / //  / /   /  // /  / / / / // // / / / // /
// // /  / // /// // / / /// /// // /// /// // // /// / ///// // /   / // // /
/  /  ________|\_______________________________________________   /  /  // / /
/ // |\_\_\_\_| |_____________________________________________/   / / / / / / /
// / / /      |/  / / //  // /  / / / //  /  /  / /  /  /  / /  /  / / / /// /
/  / /  /  ///  / /  /  Tom Payne *** Louisville, KY	 / //  /  /  /  / / / /
 /  //TFPAYN01@ULKYVX.LOUISVILLE.EDU   /  / INFTECR1@ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU /// /
/ // / /  /   / / / /  ///  // (502) 635-2473 / / // // // / /////  / / // // / 
>>>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-<<<
>>         Picard / Riker '96                                              <<
>>         Let's take this country where none have gone before             <<
			{Borrowed}