2
We hopefully will see another Heavy, before any of them, IMO. But as a Medium Jock, (and thus admittedly biased) I want to see the Assassin. Badly.
Why?
Medium Mechs are supposed to be y far the most common. Admittedly, even with far better game balancing, I doubt we will see that reflected by actual in game numbers anytime soon, as in general, Mediums greatest strength, versatility, is also their greatest weakness, especially in a minmax game like MWO. And most people feel anything at the low end of a weight class are a total waste.
As a class, Mediums are entirely too top heavy. We need more 40-45 tonners, IS and Clan.
There are 3 timeline variants (ASN-21, 23, 101). 101 was in extremely limited numbers (as Strum will likely excoriate me over) but limited availability has not really stopped PGI yet (HGN was not exactly common, in any form, and outside of Comstar and the Clans the 732 was extinct)
Fast. Very fast. Should have a 340 engine cap, same as the Cicada (by the 1.3 multiplier, it would be 360-365, but by the 8.5x limiter, a 340). 151 kph with speed tweak.
VERY Jump capable. Second only to the Spider. In fact, following the typical JJ inflation, I expect some 9-10 JJ capable versions. With .5 ton JJs.
In theory, it should have a VERY small, compact frame, not terribly larger than a Spider, or Firestarter, at worst. (Of course, we know PGI will screw this part up, and it will be at least as big as a Centurion)
Typical hardpoint inflation should make some nice possible weapons variants.
-ASN-21: 4 Missile hardpoints (2x each torso) and 2-3 energy in the RA.
-ASN-23: Reduced missiles (2-3 in RT?) same 2-3 energy, but great candidate for ECM and enhanced JJs. (Cicadas, Atlases and Commandoes never had ECM in the versions PGI chose, either). Also all weapons on one side for those that like to "shield".
-ASN-101: 2x Missile hardpoints (1 each ST), 2x Energy in the RA, 1x Energy in the RT, LT and H. Reduced JJs, but as a "special" limited test version of the Assassin, even more likely a candidate for ECM due to the NAIS (introduced in 3024, in the early days of lostech recovery, and a House Davion redesign), and very likely the torso lasers would be relatively high mounted, making a good candidate for light jump sniping.
So, in a nutshell, blazing fast, great jumper, small size and profile should make it relatively tough to target, with 3 variants that should (conceivably) actually feed into VERY different roles and playstyles.
*Edit: New Concept Art
Anyhow, not saying it is THE must have mech to be released, just making a case for why it would be a good addition.
Flame away!
Updated basic concept, narrowed the side torsos to bring it's silhouette and hitboxes more in line with the original line art. Also highlighted "ideal" hitboxes.
thoughts?
*EDIT
Or to put it in MWO terms
Stock engine: 280
Max Engine: 340
Stock speed: 124.7 (after tweak)
Max Speed: 151.5 (after tweak)
Max armor: 274
Stock JJs: 7
Max JJs: 9
JJ Distance: 65 meters
ASN-21
Armament:
RA: 1 M.Laser
RT: 1 LRM5 / 1 ton LRM ammo
LT: 1 SRM2 / 1 ton SRM ammo
MWO Hardpoints:
RA: Energy x2
RT: Missile x2
LT: Missile x2
ECM capable? NO
ASN-101
Armament:
H: 1 S.laser
RA: 1 M.Laser
RT: 1 S.laser / 1 LRM5 / 1 ton LRM ammo
LT: 1 S.Laser / 1 SRM2 / 1 ton SRM ammo
MWO Hardpoints:
H: Energy x1
RA: Energy x1
RT: Missile x1 / Energy x1
LT: Missile x1 / Energy x1
ECM capable? NO
ASN-23
Armament:
RA: 1 MP.Laser
RT: 1 LRM5 / 1 ton LRM ammo / Artemis
MWO Hardpoints:
RA: Energy x3
RT: Missile x2
ECM capable? YES
Just a few examples of what an ASN could do in MWO.
*Edit...and I just found out AUSwarrior24 is doing a pretty neat job trying to 3d render it.
Looks good so far!!!
Edited by Bishop Steiner, 22 September 2014 - 09:46 AM.
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