OK...just I realize I'll likely never get my Crossbow Omni, and that it probably wouldn't be "great" (ok, it would take a miracle to be good, lol) anyhow.
But the more I dig into the retconned Crossbow Battlemech, the more I want that one. And I think the reasons are pretty solid.
The biggest reason? I always like the basic feel and look of the Orion, but it's hitbox Geometry is BAD. Butt when I was doing a quick sketch of the IS Crossbow I had an Epiphany:
Most of the aesthetic elements I liked on the Orion are present on the XBow. Especially my cherished ON1-VA with it's big missile drum arms.
But the Xbow has way better hitbox potential with much more massive arms to torso ration, hinting at good tankability, a smaller profile at 60 tons, and as a stock 84 kph mech enough speed and base agility to be a solid twister.
Downside is no super high hardpoints that most people feel are mandatory. But with it's hitboxes and mobility, it has a lot of Centurion like hit and fun skirmisher potential, especially with traditional IS Hardpoint inflation.
360 max engine (104 kph) and enough potential hardpoints to utilize larger number of lighter weapons. A few mock ups:
-CROSSBOW CRS-6B:
JJs: No
ECM: No
Equipment:
-H:
-CT:
-RT: PPC x1
-LT:
-RA: LRM10 x1, Ammo (LRM) x1, Medium Laser x1
-LA: LRM10 x1, Ammo (LRM) x1, Medium Laser x1
-RL:
-LL:
Hardpoints:
-H:
-CT:
-RT: E x2
-LT:
-RA: Mx2, Ex1
-LA: Mx2, Ex1
-RL:
-LL:
.... just adding Endo and a 325-350 XL, then swapping the LRM10s for paired SRM4s in each arm, and you have a mean machine.
-CROSSBOW CRS-6C:
JJs: No
ECM: No
Equipment:
-H:
-CT:
-RT: PPC x1
-LT:
-RA: AC10 x1, Ammo (AC) x1
-LA: Medium Laser x1
-RL:
-LL:
Hardpoints:
-H:
-CT:
-RT: Ex3
-LT:
-RA: Bx2
-LA: Ex3
-RL:
-LL:
-CROSSBOW CRS-X(P):
JJs: No
ECM: No
Equipment:
-H:
-CT:
-RT: Large Laser x1
-LT:
-RA: LRM5 x2, Ammo (LRM) x1, Medium Laser
-LA: LRM5 x2, Ammo (LRM) x1, Medium Laser
-RL:
-LL:
Hardpoints:
-H:
-CT:
-RT: Ex1
-LT:
-RA: Mx2, Ex2
-LA: Mx2, Ex2
-RL:
-LL:
.... Here either PGI makes a home brew based off the Obsolete "X" version. Either the lower speed is ignored, or comped thru better quirks/ ECM, extra hardpoints, etc. One could also give it a higher torso mount. Whatever.
I think the IS Crossbow battlemech has the potential to vie for best IS 60 tonner, with better hitboxes than the DRG, Lancelot, etc, better speed than RFLs, and such.
And it would look good doing it.
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Odanan, on 25 April 2016 - 08:52 AM, said:
