12 replies to this topic

[Firelizard]

So, I was bored and thinking (dangerous, I know), and figured I'd go through and see if I could figure out which omni-mech variants would be full variants and which might just be available as separate omni-pods.

Note this is all opinion, so take it for what it is.

With that out of the way...



Kitfox (IS Uller)

A/B Variant: These are both not likely to be full variants. The B would have identical hardpoints to the Prime, and the A would be different only in the lack of a missile hardpoint in the right arm. Barring hardpoint inflation, these will likely be a pass.

C Variant: Now here is where things get totally farking crazy. -Three- AMS, ECM, TAG, and Active Probe in the SAME ARM. Then we have the left arm, which mounts not only a pair of energy, but a pair of ballistic hardpoints as well. This thing will be the clan counterpart to the Raven, and a strong contender for a full purchasable variant, with the only issue being the stock Anti-personnel Pod (A-pod) in each leg.

D Variant: Missile boat, plain and simple. Both arms have a pair of missile hardpoints, though the right has a NARC and thus one may be tube-limited, depending on how PGI decides to model it. More than different enough from Prime to be worthy of being a full variant.

E Variant: 3054 introduction date would be a little bit of a stretch to bring it in, and it would require Advanced Tactical Missiles (ATM) in stock configuration. But what we get is a jumpy light mech for the clans, along with a double energy right arm and missile-armed left.



Adder (IS Puma)

A Variant: An obvious choice. Arms mount missiles instead of guns, and you get an energy hardpoint in each side torso.

B Variant: Between the A variant and Prime parts, you could pretty much build this thing with the addition of the ballistic left arm. I see the arm being a separate purchasable omni-pod, rather than a full variant.

C Variant: Similar to the B, you could build this one from an A variant with the addition of the NARC-equipped right side torso. Again, purchasable pod only.

D Variant: Definite contender for a full variant. Missiles in the torsos, and a right arm ballistic.

E Variant: Another 3054 variant, this one would require the addition of not only ATM's, but also micro-class lasers. Its hardpoint layout would also obsolete the A variant. Omni-pods only, if we get it at all.



Stormcrow (IS Ryoken)

A Variant: A fistful of lasers on the left, missiles everywhere else. More than enough a departure from the Prime to warrant a full variant.

B Variant: A bigger fistful of lasers on the right, a big honkin' gun on the left. And another obvious choice for a full variant.

C Variant: Hardpoint wise, the only thing that stands out from the B Variant are the side torso energy hardpoints. Possibly pods only.

D Variant: The left side is the only thing separating this variant from the A, with twin missiles in the left torso, and a left arm launcher. A tossup as a full variant.

E Variant: 3054 variant that needs ATM stock. Sporting a missile and energy in each arm, and double energy in each side torso, this would be viable as a standalone variant, and would also end up parted out for beam-boat builds.



Nova (IS Blackhawk)

A Variant: Subpar compared to the prime, with the exception of the left torso energy hardpoint and double AMS mounting. Likely pods only.

B Variant: I could see this one as a viable full variant. A ballistic right arm and two ballistics in the left torso, along with a right torso energy hardpoint.

C Variant: The only other potentially viable standalone variant after the B variant. A ballistic left arm instead of the right, and a left torso missile launcher. Like the B variant, it mounts an energy weapon on the right torso.

D Variant: Ballistic left arm, missile right. No other hardpoints. Could possibly be parts as all you would need are the arms to recreate it with any other variant.

E Variant: A 3054 variant needing ATM's. Easily recreated through the combination of arm pods from the D and Prime variants.



Summoner (IS Thor)

A Variant: No difference in hardpoints from Prime. Barring hardpoint padding, will likely not be available.

B Variant: Missile specialist, with two missile hardpoints in each arm, and a narc in the left torso. AMS pre-installed, so there is the possibility of an extra AMS hardpoint. Definite contender for full variant.

C Variant: Hardpoint-wise, the only difference from Prime is that the right arm has two energy hardpoints instead of one. Likely pods only.

D Variant: Direct-fire specialist with two energy in each arm, and a ballistic and AMS in each side torso. Almost certainly a full variant.

E Variant: 3054 variant needing ATM's stock. Any build this variant needs can be recreated with omni-pod combinations from above variants.

F Variant: 3054 variant, but for once it doesn't need ATM's. Notable for the combination of energy and ballistic in each arm. Possibly pods only.

M Variant: Identical to the Prime, save for the addition of an energy hardpoint on the left torso. Possible pods only.




Timber Wolf (IS MadCat)

A Variant: Left side torso has no missiles and sports three energy hardpoints BEGGING to be shoulder-pod mounted, otherwise nothing radical. If B/C variants are standalone, this will likely be pods only.

B/C Variants: These two are very similar, with the C variant having an AMS preinstalled on the left torso and a center energy hardpoint. Otherwise their hardpoint layouts are identical. With the exception of the C's center energy hardpoint, any build from these could be built on the Prime with the addition of the right arm. A tossup between these and A variant as standalone.

D Variant: Possible full variant. Double missiles in each side torso, offset by single energy in each arm, and a centerline energy.

E Variant: 3054 variant needing ATM's. Can be recreated completely with combinations of pods from the above variants.

S Variant: Pretty much a D variant with additional ballistics in the side torsos, an extra energy hardpoint on the right side, and jump jets. Seeing as the depicted Timber Wolf has no jump jet vents, I don't see this one happening. There is also the fact it would obsolete the D variant completely.



Warhawk (IS Masakari)

A Variant: With a ballistic right arm and a right torso missile, this one has promise as a full variant. Left arm is identical to Prime, however.

B Variant: Ballistic and energy left arm, triple energy right. Torso contains a pair of missile hardpoints on the right side and a possible single-tube centerline. A definite contender that will likely also end up parted out for missile or ballistic builds along with the A variant.

C Variant: Identical to Prime, save for the centerline energy. May not be enough for it to be a separate variant, barring hardpoint padding.

D Variant: 3054 variant notable for a pair of energy hardpoints in the right torso. Possible pods variant for said torso.



Dire Wolf (IS Daishi)

A Variant: With the double-missile left-side torso available separately, any build from this variant could be built on the Prime.

B Variant: Definite contender for a full variant, thanks to its double-ballistic side torsos and centerline energy hardpoint.

C Variant: 3054 variant needing ATM's, notable both for mounting an ECM suite and a trio of jumpjets. With the mix of hardpoints throughout and the capability of providing an ECM assault mech for the clans, this one is a pretty strong contender as a full variant.

S Variant: Another jumping Dire Wolf, this one with a much heavier direct fire loadout. I could see us getting this instead of the C variant, especially if ATM's are not introduced, and simply giving it the C's ECM ability. Of course an ECM jumping assault mech would cause so much forum rage that it would be visible from orbit, regardless of the variant.

[FupDup]

Something to note is that the command chair posts have said that omnipods "inferior" on paper (fewer hardpoints) would get positive quirks to make them viable (or PGI could go the other way around and simply nerf the crap out of the "superior" pods). As such, variants with seemingly fewer hardpoints may be fair game for inclusion.

[Firelizard]

FupDup, on 26 April 2014 - 07:07 PM, said:

Something to note is that the command chair posts have said that omnipods "inferior" on paper (fewer hardpoints) would get positive quirks to make them viable (or PGI could go the other way around and simply nerf the crap out of the "superior" pods). As such, variants with seemingly fewer hardpoints may be fair game for inclusion.

That is quite possible. But the ones with markedly fewer hardpoints (Nova-A as a good example) will need some massively good quirks as an offset.

[FupDup]

Firelizard, on 26 April 2014 - 07:11 PM, said:

That is quite possible. But the ones with markedly fewer hardpoints (Nova-A as a good example) will need some massively good quirks as an offset.

Or, knowing PGI, uncalled for sledgehammer nerfs to the Nova Prime's pods (case in point: Battlemasters 1G and 3M).

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

Keep in mind that any configuration sporting unique CT kit will need its own variant, since CTs are where the variant identity is stored. That could mean the variant would be a CT only, but that would mess up anyone who was buying that configuration first.

[Nathan Foxbane]

Since a variant's are tracked out of the CT, any Omni with a nonfixed CT weapon is a viable base.

[Bulletsponge0]

Firelizard, on 26 April 2014 - 06:58 PM, said:

Stormcrow (IS Ryoken)

A Variant: A fistful of lasers on the left, missiles everywhere else. More than enough a departure from the Prime to warrant a full variant.

Gonna love stomping around with this hunting lights

[3rdworld]

My guess is Prime + A&B to start. Perhaps adding in the S" later with the MC/C-bill release.

[Mcgral18]

Part of me really wants the Nova-U. 8 machine guns...along with 6 energy slots, ECM and a sword.

Of course we're not likely to get it...

[Firelizard]

3rdworld, on 26 April 2014 - 09:05 PM, said:

My guess is Prime + A&B to start. Perhaps adding in the S" later with the MC/C-bill release.

Problem with that is mechs like the Kitfox. The A and B variants dont have a lot of diversity. So they will either need to use quirks, or give us something other than A and B.

Also if they go that route then the Clans wont have access to any ECM platforms until the second round of variants is released ala Phoenix. Unless they decide to, say, sell the Kitfox-C right arm as a separate omnipod.

[mithril coyote]

recently the Uller got a few new configs that existed during the invasion. (that is, ones described in the fiction that didn't have record sheets)

for example, the Uller W - this was used as a training mech and infighter by clan wolf and the wolf's dragoons. each arm has a large Pulse Laser and a Medium Pulse laser.

the Kitfox S was an 'urban warfare' config used during the invasion. 6 jump jets, Large Pulse Laser, Medium Pulse Laser, and in the right arm, and a Small Pulse Laser, and SRM4 in the left, and 2 machineguns - one per side torso.

one variant that didn't offcially show up till later, but which uses tech available at the time of the invasion, is the G..
a pair of LRM10's (one per torso), an ER large and ER medium in the right arm, and an ECM system in the left arm.

Edited by mithril coyote, 26 April 2014 - 10:24 PM.

[3rdworld]

Firelizard, on 26 April 2014 - 09:17 PM, said:

Problem with that is mechs like the Kitfox. The A and B variants dont have a lot of diversity. So they will either need to use quirks, or give us something other than A and B.

Also if they go that route then the Clans wont have access to any ECM platforms until the second round of variants is released ala Phoenix. Unless they decide to, say, sell the Kitfox-C right arm as a separate omnipod.

TImeline available is Prime, A, B, C, D, & S.

A is inferior to B if counting hardpoints, C uses A-pods, and S has a half ton of ammo, so they are out.

That leaves D, which has 4 missiles, and can easily run 2 Streak 6s + 2 streak 4s, I am not sure that is a direction you want to push light mechs at this time imo.

So unless they are wanting streaks to become the new norm for light mechs, A & B are really the only options unless they add half ton increments of ammo with the clans. I would expect to see A to have 2 Ballistic hardpoints on that arm (even though it would be worthless) and the uller being generally awful chassis.

[Firelizard]

3rdworld, on 27 April 2014 - 08:16 AM, said:

TImeline available is Prime, A, B, C, D, & S.

A is inferior to B if counting hardpoints, C uses A-pods, and S has a half ton of ammo, so they are out.

That leaves D, which has 4 missiles, and can easily run 2 Streak 6s + 2 streak 4s, I am not sure that is a direction you want to push light mechs at this time imo.

So unless they are wanting streaks to become the new norm for light mechs, A & B are really the only options unless they add half ton increments of ammo with the clans. I would expect to see A to have 2 Ballistic hardpoints on that arm (even though it would be worthless) and the uller being generally awful chassis.

They could still give us the C by stripping the A-pods and putting an extra heatsink in. Or just leaving it underweight. I could of sworn there was another mech here that they did similar to.