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We now know what the Wave 2 Invasion ‘Mechs are, and they are Good. Mostly what we all expected given the limitations on MASC in-game, but nevertheless, the Clans will finally have their fast strike platforms!
As a Cicada pilot and a pretty dedicated 40-65-ton ranger, I am totally ready to get my Squee! on for the Ice Ferret. For those who are not aware of what the Ice Ferret is/does:
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Ice_Ferret
For those who don’t click Sarna links for whatever reason:
A 45-ton fast-attack unit originally developed by Clan Ice Hellion (who develops nothing but fast-attack units, which is a policy I can get behind) to take down the pride of rival Clan Wolf, the Timber Wolf OmniMech. The Ice Hellion name for the unit, “Wolf Hunter”, encompasses the Hellions’ original, lackluster weapons configurations. After enduring the annoyances of the Ice Hellions’ attacks, Clan Wolf saw the potential of the new design and eventually succeeded in winning the rights to the production facility. They renamed the ‘Mech the Ice Ferret, after the ice hellion’s only natural predator, and redesigned its weapon configurations to suck less, adding the ‘Mech to their own forces, where it was a lot more awesome than it was for the Hellions.
The Ice Ferret is built on a 360XL engine which gives a top speed of 129.6kph (142~kph after Tweak), and is equipped with both Endo Steel and Ferro-Fibrous structural upgrades. It’s fitted with 12 double heat sinks integral to the chassis and carries seven and a half tons of armor, near the maximum count its frame can support. The ‘Mech has 9.5 tons of pod space, which paltry number is considered to be the one real weakness in its design.
All right! Now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of what we could potentially expect to see from the machine. Unfortunately, the prognosis isn’t great. None of the Ice Ferret’s configurations carry the mass profusion of weapon hardpoints that would allow it to go crazy boating small weapons the way the Viper could have, and with only 9.5t pod space, it doesn’t really have the room to carry anything heavier than a single C-ERPPC. The Ice Ferret pays for its speed at this tier, oh boy howdy it does. The four variants we have to choose from, as per timeline:
Ice Ferret Prime:
1x C-ERPPC
1x C-ERSL
1x C-SSRM-2
1x Active Probe.
This gives us…2E/1M. Yikes. This isn’t as bad on the Ice Ferret as it is on the Summoner since the Ferret’s a lightweight strike platform in the underutilized medium bracket instead of the heavy tier…but it’s still not good. About the only thing you could do with it would be to jerk the probe and the Slaser, upgrade the Streak-2 to a regular SRM pack, and/or maybe see if a C-LPL would work. This isn’t a very encouraging variant.
Ice Ferret Alt. A
1x LB-X/2 Autocannon
2x C-ERML
1x C-AMS
2E/1B/1AMS. Also total crap. Given the 9.5t pod space issue, the ballistic hardpoint is next to useless. Class 2 autocannons are about the only thing that fit, and we all know how “well” a single AC/2 on a small ‘Mech works. However, given the fact that Piranha needs to try and keep the hardpoints evenly available and the fact that this is the Ferret’s official AMS variant, I’m rather afraid this will be one of our variant offerings. I can hope for a Nova-B situation where we just get the AMS pod itself and two actual useful variants…but right now a hope is all it is.
Ice Ferret Alt. B
1x C-ERLL
1x C-SRM-6
1x C-SRM-4
1x C-SPL
2E/2M, and potentially a useful configuration. Surmbombing is what this sort of ‘Mech is made for by MWO standards, and this gives us a twelve-tube maximum to do it with. Not exceptional by any means, especially with the looming phantasm of the SplatDog hanging over us…but twelve tubes and a couple of beams at 142kph is nevertheless nothing to sneeze at. I think it’s pretty much a given that we’re getting the B or the C, and if we don’t get the D I’d prefer the B over the C.
Say that five times fast. I dare you
Ice Ferret Alt. C
3x C-ALRM-5
1x C-ERSL
1E/3M. The first Omnimech to come with Artemis stock if we get it, which might unfortunately be a sign that we won’t get it. Nevertheless, this is probably the best we can hope for when it comes to making effective use of our Ice Ferrets. The C fit gives us a potential maximum of eighteen SRM tubes for high-speed Surmbombing, and as we know from days long past, agile medium Surmbombers with eighteen tubes of missile can certainly do the job. If we can somehow bodge together a 2E/3M configuration that gives us 3xC-SRM-6 and 2xC-ERML, I completely expect that to become the de facto standard fit. As well as a surprisingly deadly striker given its speed and respectable-if-not-stellar armor, and especially Mk. II if Piranha’s generous with the hitboxes on this li’l cruiser.
Ice Ferret Alt. D
4x C-MPL
1x C-AMS
4E/1AMS, and I am praying to all the gods that ever were that we get this sucker instead of the Alt. A. I could do work with 4E at 142kph. Four C-ERML with four additional heat sinks and the default AMS gives you 16DHS to cool a 28-point beam alpha out to 400 meters at 142kph. It makes my heart go pitter-patter a little bit just thinking about it, especially as 4x C-ERML is very nearly a bolted-to-the-frame standard addition to my Stormcrow fits. If we get the Prime, the C, and the D, we will be in very good shape insofar as the Clans’ new fast striker goes. If we get the Prime, the A, and the B…well, we’ll do what we can.
What about you folks? What’re your thoughts on this unusual little Clan fastie, and are you guys looking forward to it as much as I am even with its somewhat anemic hardpoint counts?
P.S.: how bad did the original Hellion configurations have to be for these to be considered 'Mech saving improvements?! o_O
Edited by 1453 R, 15 September 2014 - 01:36 PM.
