It's designed as a more focused fire support, giving up some of it's anti-air performance to be a more effective ground combat unit. Light armor, high heat and lack of ammunition stores are considering the 3 weak points of the Rifleman, while firepower is consiidered it's strong point. But the 3 weaknesses hinder the RFL from effectively delivering that firepower.
So in an attempt to address all 3 issues, both Large Lasers were removed, and the torso mounted Medium Lasers were moved into their place in the arms. A single Hovertek SRM6 rack was placed in th eCT, above the cockpit, to give the new design more close range bite. 3 more tons of armor were added, giving it eqivalent armor to msot mechs in it's tonnage range, and a second ton of ammunition for the Light Autocannons was added, with the ammo for each 75mm GM Whirlwhind Cannon being stored in the arm, in the hope it might help mitigate damage to the rest of the mech and the pilot should the ammo cook off. (record sheet is wrong, the AC ammo should be in the arms, SRM ammo in the LT)
In all, its meant as a medium support vehicle, supporting units like Centurions and Enforcers.
I am considering dropping a heat sink (it could still fire everythign while walking) and adding another ton of armor.
Edited by Bishop Steiner, 27 October 2015 - 09:24 PM.