Discussion: Mech Chassis

Reserved (Crab)

 

6 Draconis Combine Mechs Tzeentch would like to see (With a little explanation "fluff" as to why)


Avalanche Series : 50 tons (Close Combat: Regular Army)

A relatively recent mech, the Avalanche made it's debut in the 32nd century as a co-effort between the Draconis Combine and Clan Nova Cat. Built entirely out of IS tech with economics in mind, the default Avalanche carries 4 ER medium lasers and 2 lrm 10s into battle while being only slightly under armored with 10 tons of protection. An excellent choice for rank and file soldiers, this mech also features case protected ammo, 5 jump jets and a modest top speed of 86 kph for it's size and loadout. Following the dissolution of Clan Nova Cat after their failed revolt against the Draconis Combine, Clan Nova Cat's supply of these mechs was auctioned off to various IS powers. Given it's cost efficiency and relative usefulness on the field against a variety of opponents, it is not impossible to see these deployed in limited quantities by other powers, wherever supplies of them still exist outside of Draconis Combine.



Dragon/Grand Dragon: 60 tons (Lancer:Common)

The real workhorse of the Draconis Combine and one of the most iconic older mechs to continue it's service life into the 34th century. Essentially a battlemech version of the F/14, several favored variants and hardpoint load outs exist with an exceptional service record and history. "Multiple production lines on many well-defended worlds, including Luthien, meant the design was so prevalent every battalion and almost every company featured the Dragon, with some battalions composed of nothing but these 'Mechs." It is impossible to think of the DC without the Dragon coming to mind. With a respectable speed, loadout, and tactical capability the DC could think of no better mech to convert to the modular hardpoints system and carry with them into the 34th century for the best of their forces.

A "true successor" unit was once produced during the Dark Ages, named the Dragon II, that was upgraded to 65 tons. However this Mech was developed to fulfill a support role carrying the Arrow IV system while keeping an ER-PPC for all range combat. Veteran Dragon pilots had some trouble adjusting to the shift from pure combat to mid-long range support, and following the end of the Dark Ages as a rapid advancement in technology led to modular hardpoint systems, the Dragon II was easily outperformed by other mechs in similar roles. Combined with the Dragon II's price, being made from Light Ferro-Fibrous armor and various clan-tech, it was deemed inappropriate for use. The Dragon II was quickly phased out and the original line of Dragons/Grand Dragons were reinstated to make use of the new era tech to great effect.



Venom: 35 Tons (Scout: Regular Army)
"The recovery of much lost technology and the Jenner's prominence within the DCMS made it a prime candidate to receive new upgrades, however Luthien Armor Works deliberately avoided any radical changes to preserve the original's core advantages. Hence while the new JR7-K began replacing the earlier model with little fanfare, it wasn't until the Jenner started to be outclassed by other designs using superior technology that Jenner pilots began complaining. Still there was reluctance to make any changes, and slowly many commanders began mothballing their Jenners in favor of newer light 'Mechs and OmniMechs."

The Venom has replaced the Jenner as the new primary light scout/anti infantry mech for the DC in the 34th century. Produced by Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited as an upgraded version of the Spider and weighing in at 35 tons, the Venom possesses exceptional mobility. With a top speed of 129/kph and a jump distance of 240 meters the Venom is more than capable of navigating and providing scout support on any terrain. This grants it the added benefit of being able to outrun most Lancer mechs it cannot directly engage. This qualities make it the favored unit of the Draconis Combine to deploy against unanticipated attacks, as their survival rate relative to other mechs against Freelancers and factioned 'Lancer units tends to allow them to delay hostile forces long enough for reinforcements to arrive.


Catapult: 65 tons (Support: Regular Army)

You know damn well why.


No-Dachi: 70 tons (Assault: Regular Army)


A strong, front line Kuritan mech with an iconic samurai sword and an admirable speed of 86 kph for it's weight . It's default variants tend to favor close-mid range engagements. The exception to this trend being the 3X variant, which favors ranged combat by utilizing clan-tech Artemis IV guided lrm 15s and an ER-PPC.




Shiro: 75 tons (Lancer:Rare)

Developed during the Dark Ages, the Shiro is designed after ceremonial samurai armor and Named for Shiro Kurita, the founder of House Kurita. When it was first presented to the DCMS, it was ordered only the those who are acclaimed and honor is granted with the chance to pilot the Shiro. That throwback tradition continues into the 34th centruy, with a prize few of these venerable 75 ton mechs ever being presented to only the best of Lancers in good standing with Draconis Combine. Fresh off the factory line, the Shiro is awarded in it's stock loadout, despite almost always immediately being entirely overhauled by Lancers to sport a weapons configuration of their preference. Chief reasons for this blatant disregard of the ceremonious distribution of these mechs being it's 21 tons of Hardened armor slowing down the otherwise acceptable Ford 375 XL engine, and the 4 x LRM 10 loadout backed by only an LB-2X autocannon. Of course, the price of this retrofit seems to be a non-issue. If a Lancer is able to achieve enough praise to be awarded access to one, it can be assumed that they should have the bank to overhaul the chassis. Some Lancers spend their lives chasing the opportunity to customize a Shiro. When asked why they would work so hard toward a mech only to have to spend more money, the general consensus seems to be "That thing looks F##ING BADASS!"

In some instances, the Draconis Combine will cover the cost of the Shiro's overhaul in exchange for a contract more favorable to them, often permanent. This practice is sometimes abused in order to get exceptional yet otherwise destitute Lancers to serve as a prize stock of elite troops in missions "solely serving the interest of the Draconis Combine".

The act is often mockingly referred to as "Selling your soul to the Dragon." and is frowned upon by Freelancers who understand that good looks alone do not make a mech, and that the 'free' customization is a sucker's deal. The regular standing army troops that sometimes have to fight alongside these units openly call them for what they are, 'Shiro's Mechwarriors'.




Rundown:

Lancer Common: Dragon/Grand Dragon (It's the same damn mech, I don't care what you say.)
Lancer Rare: Shiro (Almost always Customized)

General Army:
Scout: Venom
Support: Catapult
Close Combat: Avalanche
Assault: No-Dachi

Primary Supplier Corporation: Luthien Exports (Through subcontract and trade deals with other Kuritan Corporations and Manufacturers to cover their stock.)

The Mercenary Guild And other suppliers/employers with a wide reach may be in possession of a small number of "Hand me down" mechs from retired or deceased Lancers, given the popularity of the dragon.

 

Yay finally got my Thunderbolt done

 

I was strongly considering that one. In the end I thought I'd recommend the Venom instead since, like the spider, it is known for it's jump jets and is also a mech used by the Kuritans in gusto during-following the clan invasion and was ordered in bulk. Although, it was built by Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited, which while tailoring and exporting mainly to the Draconis Combine (their logo was a freaking Japanese tower even), was a company based in the Free Worlds League. While they had three production lines for Spiders/Venoms, their only factory based in Combine space, Lapida II, was destroyed during the Jihad. So unless they still export exclusively to DC or if the relationship between DC and FWL has soured it should still be a viable mech for Draconis Kingdom forces, given it's capabilities and the current military doctrine. If not for the Draconis Kingdom, I recommend it find a spot in at least one of the other nations/corporations.

Post thought: Although I suppose that in the 2-3 centuries since, variants of this mech could have come out with slightly light weight or they could spring for endosteel on the mech, freeing up just enough room for a few jump jets. That considered, with the significantly more armor it has than the Venom (Over twice as much), it would still fit the scout doctrine I had suggested of simply surviving longer than average against Lancers for proper reinforcements to arrive. I approve of this mech in the role actually and I should have given it some more thought. Still, it's your call Magnus.

 

On a side note I've discovered that MRMs were invented by Luthien Armor Works, making them the primary supplier.

 

Back to the drawing board!

I'll try to work up a Raven Alliance force dossier.

 

I tested the chameleon system last night against princess and it did not seem to do anything...

Also the GD Vibrosword doesn't work. I can turn it on, and it is in the list of options for melee, but it is greyed out.

 

I saw that too. I'm working on some resources to get a little better looking list that still relates to canon. I think the regular army units might have to settle for non-Omni Clan designs in some cases since the Ravens have always focused more on Naval units.