34 replies to this topic

[0d1n]

Suggesting a future clan mech, the mighty 100 ton Stone Rhino. A Clan assault class mech, the Stone Rhino was available at the beginning of the Clan invasion, putting it easily within reach of the MWO timeline and canon. Previously, this mech was "unseen" but has now been "reseen" and available to the Battetech universe and copyright. I for one think this is an interesting mech and should be implemented into the game, and here is why.

As an assault mech, the Stone Rhino is highly specialized. It cannot mount missiles in its standard configurations. It has an extremely slow turning rate and very little arm traverse, making it suitable for ranged combat only. It fires both of its gauss rifles via its dorsal cannon, meaning they cannot be fired simultaneously.

So what does the Stone Rhino bring to the table? Well it is one of the only assault mechs to mount jump jets. This alone allows it to get into positions the current planned assaults cannot. It has a pretty devastating arsenal; 2 guass rifles, 2 large pulses, and a small pulse laser all give it a monstrous potential for stripping armor at any range. The low profile and mounting of the gauss rifles above the head, and pulse lasers on the same level as the head, mean if you can see it in this mech, you can shoot it. The gauss rifle mounting on the dorsal means you could potentially shoot targets you cannot 100% see as well, though that would certainly be difficult. For an assault, the mech presents a small target with a small torso and short stubby legs. Shooting the gauss rifles or legs out of this thing will be difficult at range to say the least.

The Stone Rhino is not without faults however. The turn speed of this lumbering beast is slow at the best of times, and the torso traverse and traverse speed are not the best either. It accelerates slower than an Atlas, and has slightly less armor. The dorsal gun is the biggest weakness, as it is the only way for the 2 primary weapons to fire. The legs present a large target, and the cockpit of the mech is large relative to its torso. The arms and dorsal gun are spaced apart from the cockpit very far, making fighting anything up close a chore to say the least. The Stone Rhino can fill only one role effectively due to its weapons layout and vulnerabilities and that is to fight at a long range. It's more disadvantaged than the Catapult in close quarters due to its speed, size, and weapon spacing.

So why add the Stone Rhino? While not the most iconic mech, it, to me, is still and interesting one. Besides sporting one of the coolest designs in Battletech in my opinion, it fills a role no assault currently holds; that of a long-range specialist. It's the kind of mech that can reward skilled pilots with a powerful weapons platform but still be countered by smart pilots. It almost requires teamplay, as its a huge asset if kept away from enemy aggressors, and a huge detriment if stuck brawling when it should be sniping. It's a high-risk, high-rewards mech and I feel that those are severely lacking in the current lineup. It has an interesting mix of strengths and weaknesses, and could be a dynamic and skill-driven addition to the current lineup.

[_Comrade_]

Yes the big rhino i remember that mech from the old MW games....man that thing was slow LOL

[Doubledealer]

Every time someone suggests adding a Clan Mech to the lineup, somewhere a kitten falls over and dies a horrible death.

You took the time and effort to write out a thoughtful post without taking the time and effort to think it will be minimum a couple years at the current rate of time before we see any sort of Clan anything. Moreover, if you look at the released list of mechs, you see... all IS designs.

Come on, use the noggin' someone gave you.

Getting really tired of seeing these. :/

Edited by Doubledealer, 14 August 2012 - 12:39 AM.

[Heldenhammer]

It also has very few possible variants, since of the entire two listed, one of them isn't available until 3059 at the earliest. Ten years if they follow their day by day timeline. Ouch.

If you want an assault mech with jump jets, pin your hopes on the Victor or the Highlander, machines that will already be available in the game's timeline at launch.

[aresfiend]

0d1n, on 13 August 2012 - 11:58 PM, said:

Suggesting a future clan mech

Doubledealer, on 14 August 2012 - 12:39 AM, said:

Come on, use the noggin' someone gave you.

How about you use it?

[Doubledealer]

aresfiend, on 14 August 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

How about you use it?

Because at this stage of the game when the devs are still balancing game issues and we don't even know what's going to be in the game for IS Mechs, all it does is encourage the waaaah, want my timberwolf!!!EeleventyONE crowd. Wait until it becomes relevant. Thought out or not, right now it is mostly just a waste of time and an eyesore on the part of people who are getting really tired of seeing it.

Just like you are tired of seeing waaaah, MWO is a scam, bla bla, there are a LOT of people who are getting tired of wah wah wah add clan mechs!!

[aresfiend]

Doubledealer, on 14 August 2012 - 01:11 AM, said:

Just like you are tired of seeing waaaah, MWO is a scam, bla bla, there are a LOT of people who are getting tired of wah wah wah add clan mechs!!

So him saying that he'd like to see the Stone Rhino when we get around to the clans is just as immature as the kid who's whining about not having the Mad Cat RIGHT NOW?

[Doubledealer]

aresfiend, on 14 August 2012 - 01:23 AM, said:

So him saying that he'd like to see the Stone Rhino when we get around to the clans is just as immature as the kid who's whining about not having the Mad Cat RIGHT NOW?

To a certain extent, and it's also encouraging the whining kid in question.

My statement boils down to this: There is a time and place for everything and right now is not the time, because people are just tired of seeing XYZ thing Clan thing should go into MWO at any point. The forums are saturated with it and it grows tiresome. After MWO has been going for awhile, and we're closer to talking about the possability of Clan Introductions, then it is time to start talking about, Gosh, I'd like to see the Stone Rhino. Here's why. I'm a Clan guy myself. I think a Galahad would be a swell addition, or a Kraken if you want the second line stuff; but It's best to hold tongue about that until it actually matters. The devs have far more on their plate right now than considering what clan mechs to add in two years.

First I imagine will be.. "So, guys. What IS mech would you pay $15 to see added in?"

[Stormwolf]

0d1n, on 13 August 2012 - 11:58 PM, said:

Suggesting a future clan mech, the mighty 100 ton Stone Rhino. A Clan assault class mech, the Stone Rhino was available at the beginning of the Clan invasion, putting it easily within reach of the MWO timeline and canon. Previously, this mech was "unseen" but has now been "reseen" and available to the Battetech universe and copyright. I for one think this is an interesting mech and should be implemented into the game, and here is why.

Stone Rhino seems rather unlikely to be put in this early because:

1. It's not a mech commonly in use with front line Clan units.
2. It was first spotted in the IS at Tukayyid in 3052 IIRC.

Besides, it would make far more sense for them to add the TRO3050 Clan mechs first.

[aresfiend]

Stormwolf, on 14 August 2012 - 01:42 AM, said:

Stone Rhino seems rather unlikely to be put in this early because:

1. It's not a mech commonly in use with front line Clan units.
2. It was first spotted in the IS at Tukayyid in 3052 IIRC.

Besides, it would make far more sense for them to add the TRO3050 Clan mechs first.

Read the first part, of his first sentence.

Bam.

[Stormwolf]

aresfiend, on 14 August 2012 - 01:44 AM, said:

Read the first part, of his first sentence.

Bam.

All Clan mechs are future mechs at this point.

Quote

the Stone Rhino was available at the beginning of the Clan invasion

No it wasn't, those things were only present in the Clan homeworlds, not the IS.

[aresfiend]

Stormwolf, on 14 August 2012 - 01:55 AM, said:

No it wasn't, those things were only present in the Clan homeworlds, not the IS.

Who did you just quote?

[KENANBALL]

what i would love to be added to the Mech's lineup is The Omega.......

[Adridos]

Behemoth is unseen... for no reason, but it truly is.

[0d1n]

Adridos, on 14 August 2012 - 02:46 AM, said:

Behemoth is unseen... for no reason, but it truly is.

Has been reseen, can now be used in the battletech canon and copyright. At least according to Sarna, it was temporarily unseen. EDIT: After doing more digging, the Behemoth is in doubt now. It was temporarily unseen, then reseen in 2004 and 2009 respectively. As of 2011 however, Catalyst Games Labs (the rights holders for the Battletech license) have re-listed it as unseen as a precaution against lawsuit. The Behemoth was never an original offender like the Marauder or Warhammer who were straight rip-offs, simply the artists had worked on other contested franchises (Macross/Robotech) and so FASA made it unseen as a precaution, which CGL is continuing to this day. Since its ties to other franchises are dubious at best, and Piranha games have stated they are making a future announcement on unseen designs, I'm led to believe it may still find a spot in this game in the future. Who can say however.

Stormwolf, on 14 August 2012 - 01:55 AM, said:

No it wasn't, those things were only present in the Clan homeworlds, not the IS.

Seeing as the Behemoth was designed prior to the exodus of the SLDF, I don't see it being beyond reasonable that a few may have popped up on the frontlines of clan invasions, particularily with the Smoke Jaguars.

Stormwolf, on 14 August 2012 - 01:42 AM, said:

Stone Rhino seems rather unlikely to be put in this early because:

1. It's not a mech commonly in use with front line Clan units.
2. It was first spotted in the IS at Tukayyid in 3052 IIRC.

Besides, it would make far more sense for them to add the TRO3050 Clan mechs first.

If we went only by common frontline units, the clan roster would consist of the Mad Cat, Thor, Vulture, and Loki. Diversity is never a bad thing. Additionally, I could not find the date it was first spotted, but it was available, albeit uncommon, during the first year of the clan invasion. I'm all for adding as many chassis as they can balance, and I didn't say this mech needed to be available right at the start of the invasion, just suggesting it as an interesting future addition to the roster.

Doubledealer, on 14 August 2012 - 01:40 AM, said:

To a certain extent, and it's also encouraging the whining kid in question.

My statement boils down to this: There is a time and place for everything and right now is not the time, because people are just tired of seeing XYZ thing Clan thing should go into MWO at any point. The forums are saturated with it and it grows tiresome. After MWO has been going for awhile, and we're closer to talking about the possability of Clan Introductions, then it is time to start talking about, Gosh, I'd like to see the Stone Rhino. Here's why. I'm a Clan guy myself. I think a Galahad would be a swell addition, or a Kraken if you want the second line stuff; but It's best to hold tongue about that until it actually matters. The devs have far more on their plate right now than considering what clan mechs to add in two years.

First I imagine will be.. "So, guys. What IS mech would you pay $15 to see added in?"

The invasion is coming a lot sooner than you think. If you're so annoyed by and opposed to threads concerning the discussion of clan mechs, why post so much in this one other than to induce counter-productive flaming and baiting? Just because something might not come for a while doesn't mean it can't be suggested, discussed, or reviewed.

Heldenhammer, on 14 August 2012 - 12:45 AM, said:

It also has very few possible variants, since of the entire two listed, one of them isn't available until 3059 at the earliest. Ten years if they follow their day by day timeline. Ouch.

If you want an assault mech with jump jets, pin your hopes on the Victor or the Highlander, machines that will already be available in the game's timeline at launch.

I suggested the Stone Rhino particularily because its very specialized. Few variants makes it stuck in the sniper role it excels at. The Highlander and Victor are both excellent assault chassis, but neither one is to me as interesting and specialized as the Stone Rhino is. All three mechs bring different tactics and specializations to the field of battle, and I would like to see all three implemented. But where the Victor and to a lesser extent the Highlander are quite well known, the Stone Rhino may not be so I created this thread to bring it to the attention of more people who may have never even heard of it.

Doubledealer, on 14 August 2012 - 12:39 AM, said:

Every time someone suggests adding a Clan Mech to the lineup, somewhere a kitten falls over and dies a horrible death.

You took the time and effort to write out a thoughtful post without taking the time and effort to think it will be minimum a couple years at the current rate of time before we see any sort of Clan anything. Moreover, if you look at the released list of mechs, you see... all IS designs.

Come on, use the noggin' someone gave you.

Getting really tired of seeing these. :/

See above, your arguments in this thread have brought literally nothing to the table other than "oh noes a thread about dem der CLAN MECHS". The released list is all IS mechs because there's still several months before the IS even becomes aware of the Clan's existence. It would make no sense from a "news" point of view for Pirhana games to preview clan mechs yet.

Anyone else have any constructive feedback regarding the mech, and not beating the dead horse that is the obvious fact the clans are not in the game right now? From a gameplay and strategy standpoint I believe the Stone Rhino would be completely different from any mech that has been implemented or announced. Mor highly specialized but also with more advantages and drawbacks than the average assault.

Edited by 0d1n, 14 August 2012 - 11:25 AM.

[Stickjock]

Lightdragon, on 14 August 2012 - 01:05 PM, said:

******* stupid clan fanboys DRIVE YOUR ******* SPHEROID MECHS AND ******* LIKE THEM THE INVASION DOESNT HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER YEAR

Dragon... step away from the keyboard... back up... take some deep breaths and relax...

[0d1n]

Lightdragon, on 14 August 2012 - 01:05 PM, said:

******* stupid clan fanboys DRIVE YOUR ******* SPHEROID MECHS AND ******* LIKE THEM THE INVASION DOESNT HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER YEAR

There goes all hope for intelligent discussion. :\ I like both IS and the Clans, am a fanboy of neither. Making a suggestion clearly puts me in a category where I should be senselessly insulted by drivel like yourself. Go away.

[Lightdragon]

hope of inteligent discussion went out the window the moment someone suggested a clan mech when the clans dont even exist yet in this timeline

[0d1n]

Lightdragon, on 14 August 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

hope of inteligent discussion went out the window the moment someone suggested a clan mech when the clans dont even exist yet in this timeline

Really, game time 3049 is drawing to a close, Clans invade around spring on 3050. In fact, periphery worlds are already under attack as we speak. Saying the Clans are not in the timeline is both naive and foolish.


Hmmmmmm. Something tells me you neither checked your facts nor read my post. Since you have nothing to contribute to the discussion, I have nothing else to say to you.

[Stormwolf]

Lightdragon, on 14 August 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

hope of inteligent discussion went out the window the moment someone suggested a clan mech when the clans dont even exist yet in this timeline

Clans have already existed for hundreds of years in this timeline, they didn't just magically pop up out of nowhere.

0d1n, on 14 August 2012 - 10:54 AM, said:

Seeing as the Behemoth was designed prior to the exodus of the SLDF, I don't see it being beyond reasonable that a few may have popped up on the frontlines of clan invasions, particularily with the Smoke Jaguars.


If we went only by common frontline units, the clan roster would consist of the Mad Cat, Thor, Vulture, and Loki. Diversity is never a bad thing. Additionally, I could not find the date it was first spotted, but it was available, albeit uncommon, during the first year of the clan invasion. I'm all for adding as many chassis as they can balance, and I didn't say this mech needed to be available right at the start of the invasion, just suggesting it as an interesting future addition to the roster.

It's not till wave 4 of the Invasion that the Ilkhan allowed the deployement of the Provisional Garrison Clusters in the Clan OZ's to free up frontline troops. You could expect to see Stone Rhino's during the year of peace when all the PGC troops arrived in the IS to take the place of the Frontline troops (3051)

Edited by Stormwolf, 14 August 2012 - 01:52 PM.