Armorcast Battletech Mechs????

[Thunderbolt Pilot]

Battletech-ers'

I have a question....  I am considering purchasing an Armorcast large scale (28mm/1-60th) Battletech Mech to build, paint and play in Battletech games at the occassional large-scale convention event.

I am looking forwad to just building and painting the model.  That said, I would like to build a mech-killing model I can play with as well.  As such, from the three available on their website, which would you recommend and why?  Another way I could have phrased the question may be....  If you could only buy one, which one would you buy and why?

Battletech Mechs
Atlas Inner Sphere Battle Atlas Inner Sphere BattleMech Product Number: ACS 2320
Mad Cat OmniMech Product Number: ACS 2510
Vulture Clan OmniMech Product Number: ACS 2511

These optional weapons are shown on the Armorcast webiste, as well.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Additional Mech Weapon Arms
Mad Cat ER PPC
Mad Cat Twin ER Large Laser
Mad Cat Ultra AC/5
Mad Cat Heavy Large Laser
Vulture Triple Medium Pulse Laser
Twin Large Pulse Laser
Vulture/Ryoken Quad Medium Pulse Laser
Streak SRM 6 Missile Launchers
Mad Cat LRM 15 Missile Launchers
Mad Cat LRM20 Missile Racks

Thanks in advance,

[Oni no Ted]

Battletech-ers'

I have a question....  I am considering purchasing an Armorcast large scale (28mm/1-60th) Battletech Mech to build, paint and play in Battletech games at the occassional large-scale convention event.

I am looking forwad to just building and painting the model.  That said, I would like to build a mech-killing model I can play with as well.  As such, from the three available on their website, which would you recommend and why?  Another way I could have phrased the question may be....  If you could only buy one, which one would you buy and why?

Battletech Mechs
Atlas Inner Sphere Battle Atlas Inner Sphere BattleMech Product Number: ACS 2320
Mad Cat OmniMech Product Number: ACS 2510
Vulture Clan OmniMech Product Number: ACS 2511

These optional weapons are shown on the Armorcast webiste, as well.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Additional Mech Weapon Arms
Mad Cat ER PPC
Mad Cat Twin ER Large Laser
Mad Cat Ultra AC/5
Mad Cat Heavy Large Laser
Vulture Triple Medium Pulse Laser
Twin Large Pulse Laser
Vulture/Ryoken Quad Medium Pulse Laser
Streak SRM 6 Missile Launchers
Mad Cat LRM 15 Missile Launchers
Mad Cat LRM20 Missile Racks

Thanks in advance,

I myself would go with a Mad Cat or a vulture, I tend to have bad luck with assault mechs

The MC has big LRMs and (usually) ERPPCs and lasers
The Vulture has average size LRMs and more lasers

For the MC I would go with LRM20s and ERPPCs
For the Vulture I would go with the Quad Med or the Double Large Pulse Lasers

[Thunderbolt Pilot]

Oni,

Thanks for the rapid reply!

I've been leaning toward the Mad Cat and the Vulture anyway.  I think I just like the "look" of those models better than the Atlas....

By the way, what are the differences between each?

The MC has big LRMs and (usually) ERPPCs and lasers
The Vulture has average size LRMs and more lasers

For the MC I would go with LRM20s and ERPPCs
For the Vulture I would go with the Quad Med or the Double Large Pulse Lasers

What are the advantage/disadvantages of each of these weapons?

Again, thanks,

[Thunderbolt Pilot]

?

[Oni no Ted]

Oni,

Thanks for the rapid reply!

I've been leaning toward the Mad Cat and the Vulture anyway.  I think I just like the "look" of those models better than the Atlas....

By the way, what are the differences between each?

What are the advantage/disadvantages of each of these weapons?

Again, thanks,

The Quad Med is good for close defense, The Double Large is better for attack

[JohnT]

  Oh wow...  If you'd accept my two cents:

  Well, from the minis perspective (saying that the large scale uses the same rules), I would go with the Mad Cat with ERPPC and Streaks 6's.

  From the game persepctive, the platform used to have the heatsinks to alpha-strike if needed and not be too stressed over heat generation.  I've used it more than a few times in round robin games... and in one duel.  The PPC's are great 'hello' at long range and the streaks a beautiful followup once you get closer, as they will find the holes the cannons create.

  Very tough mech... and having the punch it does along with the heat efficiency makes for a mean machine.  Tom, ya can't go wrong with the Cat.

  BTW, I like the Vulture too... but I found I had the habit of getting into heat trouble way to quickly with it.  As for the Atlas, well... its the Atlas.  It can be very mean but in the current game, it needs support to do its job. (unless they have changed its loadout since I last played.)

  (why yes, I am a battletech geek.  Why do you ask?)

[Thunderbolt Pilot]

All,

Well....  I was fortunate enough to get, both, a Mad Cat and an Atlas for a very reasonable price (I paid significantly less than one might for the cost of the Atlas alone; but slightly more than one might pay for a Mad Cat by itself.)

The Mad Cat appears to have ERPPC and LRM20 Missile Racks.  In addition, the Atlas weapons choices seem somewhat fixed....

JohnT,

Should I replace the LRM20 Missile Racks with Streak SRM 6 Missile Launchers?  (What is the difference between the two?)

All,

What book/reference should I obtain to further examine the weapon stats for the following weapons:

• Mad Cat ER PPC
• Mad Cat Twin ER Large Laser
• Mad Cat Ultra AC/5
• Mad Cat Heavy Large Laser
• Vulture Triple Medium Pulse Laser
• Twin Large Pulse Laser
• Vulture/Ryoken Quad Medium Pulse Laser
• Streak SRM 6 Missile Launchers
• Mad Cat LRM 15 Missile Launchers
• Mad Cat LRM20 Missile Racks

Thanks,

[kilo11]

classic battle tech's TRO 3050 will have the weapons and states for the mad cat




                            joe

[JohnT]

All,

Well....  I was fortunate enough to get, both, a Mad Cat and an Atlas for a very reasonable price (I paid significantly less than one might for the cost of the Atlas alone; but slightly more than one might pay for a Mad Cat by itself.)

  Nice!!

JohnT,

Should I replace the LRM20 Missile Racks with Streak SRM 6 Missile Launchers?  (What is the difference between the two?)

  Its a matter of preferance, really.  LRM 20 is capable of 20 points of damage at long range (almost the range of the ERPPC's) but the average is (iirc) 12 points.  Damage is placed in 5-pt clusters per the rules.  The Streak Systems are a bit shorter in range but if they fire (they only fire if you achieve a target lock (ie: a hit)) all the missles will strike the target, with the location for each missle randomly rolled.

  Clan LRM's have no minimum range like the Inner Sphere ones (Atlas has the I.S. LRM20) so can be fired up close and personal with no penalty.

  My personal preference is the Streaks as I liketo use the PPC's to rip holes at range and then press in, using the streaks to pepper the target and get missles in those armor breaches.  This is also known as "Crit Hunting"...  its a slightly mean practice but a very valid method of whuppin' the enemy.

  But then, I have fought in too many duels where being mean is almost a requirement.  *shrug*

All,

What book/reference should I obtain to further examine the weapon stats for the following weapons:

• Mad Cat ER PPC
• Mad Cat Twin ER Large Laser
• Mad Cat Ultra AC/5
• Mad Cat Heavy Large Laser
• Vulture Triple Medium Pulse Laser
• Twin Large Pulse Laser
• Vulture/Ryoken Quad Medium Pulse Laser
• Streak SRM 6 Missile Launchers
• Mad Cat LRM 15 Missile Launchers
• Mad Cat LRM20 Missile Racks

Thanks,

  As referenced in another post, the Technical Readout 3050 has these stats.  I would get the main rulebook too though... If ya gonna play, it will help having the reference. 

  Hope my answers helped.

[lastoki]

I have all the BT books, I use to play it alot, so if you want to borrow anything let me know.

TTFN,
Brad

[Sinkuu]

John, if anyone, has the best advice.  there are a TON of CBT (Classic BattleTech) players that are regularly in the Wargaming room, and some that aren't. 

there needs to be a good tournament for Dex 9... I SO want in if one happens !!

I could probably bet you'd have a good turnout, too.

[dreamdanz]

Salutations,
 So did it happen at Dex 9, and will it happen at Dreamation 2009, if so Steve is right, I would be interested in playing also.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Will

[Sinkuu]

Holy Necro Post, Batman!