330 replies to this topic

[Badgerpants]

If I could have any mech in any configuration, An Energy based Phoenix Hawk IIC with Micro Pulse Lasers and an ER Large Laser to reach out and touch people, with a few Heavy Medium lasers as back up if a mech gets too close, Plus a personnel bay for a Battle suit, if I ever need to get out and explore. If sticking strictly to a 3050 timeline a Nova (Black Hawk), Just swap some ER Medium Lasers for Small Pulse Lasers and I'm good to go. Though I would swap it for a Black Lanner if they're available.

Edited by Badgerpants, 17 June 2013 - 06:30 AM.

[Nathan Foxbane]

More nifty stuff that may or may not be useful for putting on your 'Mech at the end of the world: Lift Hoist and Salvage Arm are among the more practical while construction equipment like backhoes found on IndustrialMechs are of more dubious overall utility for their weight and against other survivors. I cannot believe I did not put a searchlight (for free I might add) on my Grasshopper. And why does Sarna list some of the more interesting and unusual systems with just their rules and not their weight and crits?

[Nmementh]

I think I'll opt for a bit of team work, so if anyone has a good utility set up, but not so hot with anti bandit weaponry I offer this:

Modified Shrek (A)PC Carrier:
300XL fusion reactor good for about 64 kph (also 6.7 million C-Bills lol)
14.5 tons ferro armor, in MWO terms this is good for 132 front/100 side/90 rear and 96 turret armor.
2 Hellstar particle cannons, good for buildings crowds and armor at range
2 Purity L-series Flamers (one COAX, one BOW), for mobs inside the PPCs range and more fun with buildings (also CLEANSE IT WITH FIRE!!!!!111)
A crew of 6, although after Driver/Gunner/Commander what do the other 3 do? coffee guy? mail man? film crew?
2.5 ton troop storage

[Jukebox1986]

Cyclops.

They dont have a Chance anyway. And i like my electronics!

[Nathan Foxbane]

In my continuing quest to refine my Grasshopper (who's last incarnation had a loadout error due to some misplaced hardpoints), I have refined my build to include some new equipment by reminding myself of the versatility of some of the old.

Revisiting my GHR-5HZ from the last incarnation in this post.

Build notes and some of the logic behind hidden by spoiler to reduce the wall of text:

Spoiler

Still stripping out the LRM 5 and modifying the now useless ammo feed in a passageway so leaving the 'Mech is not necessary if I have no need to actually dismount or otherwise work externally. I found a way to make one of the old LRM bay useful by mounting a Searchlight in it (the first one is free after all). The left torso large laser had to be downgraded to a medium and the right arm medium moved to the left (half the hardpoint error). The center torso large laser was moved to its proper place in the right arm (the other half of the hardpoint error) and subsequently replaced with an ER PPC. . The right torso infantry bay is also retained though it will likely receive extensive modification as a living space though it still shares the torso with a pair of DHS. Mounted in the left torso with a medium laser in place of the larger model is a rear mounted Lift Hoist for construction and salvage operations. It is mounted in a similar manner to those found on the Diomede Construction 'Mech. One double heat sink and half a ton of armor were sacrificed to add a Beagle Active Probe to the center torso to aid in discovering ambushes set by other survivors and to aid in seeking out good salvage (hopefully).

The layout comes from certain decisions made early on to obtain maximum flexability for both combat and utilitarian operations. Because canon supports 'Mech lasers being adjusted for use at any yield less than their maximum rated damage output they can be used for both cutting, welding, and even secure line of sight communications so having at least one arm with a laser in it is of importance. The ER PPC was mounted in the more vulnerable right arm rather than the left torso to give it maximum flexibility and to not have to move one DHS out of the left torso to make room for it. Though that option is still a possibility. The retention of both hand actuators instead of mounting a Salvage Arm in place of one was because the salvage arm would hamper carrying capacity and reduce combat ability too much while only providing minimum enhancement to salvage abilities in my opinion. The choice of mounting the high tech BAP and the ER PPC on something that is supposed to endure a zombie appocalypse despite low tech being better in the long run was simple: They can be eliminated and downgraded respetively very easily. Admittedly the addition of the BAP was the hardest thing to justify for this build and is mostly indulgence on my part. As for the searchlight, well not everyone is going to have the wonderful sensors a Battlemech mounts and I have no intention of being a loner. The decision to change the loadout from last incarnation of the Grasshopper to this one instead of simply down dropping a large laser for a medium and playing with the extra 4 tons was two fold. First the the ER PPC has longer range than the large lasers meaning even though it will just be the PPC at longer ranges the greatly increase range allows roughly the same amount of damage the paired large lasers put out by themselves before the medium came into play. Second with this build the 'Mech actually gains firepower over the last one once a target comes into the range of the medium lasers. I would have loved to mount something like a Backhoe, Rock Cutter, Mining Drill, or even a Pile Driver for helping to make any base of operations more than just a well chosen site to set up camp, but the costs in weight and losing a hand actuator were just too high for me to have committed to such specialized assets.

GHR-5H-ZS2 Grasshopper (Zombie & Salvage version 2)
Mass: 70 tons
Engine: 280 Standard
Speed: 64.8 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 12.5 tons of standard
Jump Jets: 4
Heat Sinks: 15 DHS
Weapons:
- 1 ER PPC (RA)
- 3 Medium Lasers (RT, LT, and LA)
- 1 Flamer (LA)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (H) (no weight or criticals consumed)
- 1 Infantry Bay (RT)
- 1 Lift Hoist (LT(rear))
- 1 Beagle Active Probe (CT)

While packing a longer ranged punch I designed this 'Mech to be easily down graded as time wears on to maximize its longevity in addition to enhancing its salvage and even construction capabilities. It does run warmer than the previous version but that was a sacrifice that can easily be reversed. The only thing this Grasshopper cannot do is carry extra cargo that is not related to the infantry bay internally; however, with the addition of the lift hoist it should be able to carry up to half its own weight without encumbering the arms. Should be kind of nifty being able to haul off an entire light 'Mech if need be.

So I now put out my little challenge in all this. Anyone else willing to put some extra work into their 'Mech of choice for the end of the world and show the rest of us how they will make the most of what they have selected?

Edit: Adding in additional ideas under the spoiler tag below so as not to bump a thread few seem all that interested in. Several ideas are me just realizing some of the specialized builds some of us have come up with can be used for more than just the zombie apocalypse. Broken down into several spoiler groups by chassis for faster browsing. Please forgive my wordiness. WIP
Edit 2: I realize many of my designs seem under gunned, but I am trying to make these as flexible as possible for many noncombantant uses as well. The Z(ombie) designation on most of the 'Mechs simply means it has an Infantry Bay in it of some kind and can therefore be lived in.

Grasshopper:

Spoiler

The following are several of my more interesting ideas that might work well for a company sized guerrilla force operating behind enemy lines or coordinating with apocalypse survivors in conjunction with my previous Grasshopper build. I will be making no further changes, despite some temptation to do so, to the GHR-5H-ZS2 as I feel it is where I want it to be. No worries about build monotony, not all of the 'Mech builds I am tossing up are Grasshoppers.

GHR-5H-ZRSC Grasshopper (Recon & Salvage Command)
Mass: 70 tons
Engine: VOX 280 Standard
Speed: 64.8 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 13 tons of standard
Jump Jets: 4
Heat Sinks: 15 DHS
Weapons:
- 1 ER Large Laser (RA)
- 3 Medium Lasers (RT, LT, and LA)
- 1 Flamer (LA)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (H) (no weight or criticals consumed)
- 1 Mechanized Infantry Bay (RT)
- 3 tons of Communications Equipment (LT)

Using my modified Grasshopper as a starting point the modifications were fairly easy. The first change necessitated moving one double heat sink into the right arm with the idea behind the Mechanized Infantry Bay that weighs in at a cringe worthy 8 tons/criticals was to provide a lance or even company of survivor or simply combat salvage teams with a long range, highly mobile reconnaissance element namely in the form of VTOL Infantry (circa 3045). The bay itself holds 5 personnel though a VTOL squad is only 4 men, the 5th berthing will be for the Mechwarrior/unit commander though a spare VTOL pack will be retained instead of increasing his/her living space. This was done by exchanging the ER PPC for an ER Large Laser and removing the BAP. The right shoulder will be modified to have a platform on it for easy launch and retrieval of the recon team. Dropping the lift hoist in exchange for three tons of communications equipment a double heat sink had to be moved out of the left torso and into the left arm to make room. The extra communications equipment will give the 'Mech a net amount of communications of 4 tons enabling satellite uplinks if any are available, providing additional communications range, and ECCM capability at the cost of carrying capability. Sadly a Command Console could not be equipped without removing the already limited long range combat capability, but some of the benefits of the communications equipment outweighed the benefits of a Command Console supported by a Satellite Uplink salvaged from an Atlas. It just so happens that the communications equipment is also lower tech than both of those, thus easier to maintain. I had originally intended for a Battlemaster to sport this build, but the Battlemaster did not want to cooperate with the limited information I had on it. I may revisit it another day when I can take the time to actually calculate things out.

GHR-5H-Z Grasshopper
Mass: 70 tons
Engine: VOX 280 Standard
Speed: 64.8 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 13 tons of standard
Jump Jets: 4
Heat Sinks: 16 DHS
Weapons:
- 2 Large Lasers (RA and LT )
- 2 Medium Lasers (LA and RT)
- 1 Flamer (LA)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (H)
- 1 Infantry Bay (RT)

The fixed version of the GHR-5H-Z. A searchlight has been added for completeness.

Starslayer:

Spoiler

Next up is a modified Starslayer, that will a little on the rare side readily lent itself to modification in two iterations though the second is strictly for salvage/raiding ops and looking menacing and not suited as a living space making it best paired with the first variation. Both actually work well with the Starslayer's original role as a 'Mech for mop up and recon/raiding ops and garrison duty. Large numbers of 'Mechs in the 50 ton class will keep spare parts for these treasures flowing.

STY-2C-ZS Starslayer (Zombie & Salvage)
Mass: 50 tons
Engine: Magna 250 Standard
Speed: 86.4 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 7.5 tons of Standard
Jump Jets: 5
Heat Sinks: 11 DHS
Weapons:
- 1 Large Laser (RA)
- 2 Medium Lasers (LT)
- 1 Flamer (H)
Equipment:
- 1 Infantry Bay (RT)
- 1 Searchlight (RT)
- 1 Lift Hoist (LT (rear))

The modifications to this first Starslayer are not nearly as extensive as that found on the Grasshopper. Conveniently enough, the BlazeFire Systems Large Lasers are quite sizable and leave room aplenty for a standard Infantry Bay as a living space while a searchlight has been mounted in the old large laser port. A rear facing lift hoist again mounted like on the Diomede is mounted in place of the normal SRM 4 and its ammo. Finally the rear facing small laser was replaced with a forward facing flamer. This change was enabled by the C.A.S.E. for the SRM ammo being rendered useless with the removal of said ammo. This is really just a smaller, faster, simpler, more agile version of my Grasshopper with the lack of a lower arm and hand actuator in the right arm hampering its ability slightly. The benefit of that right arm being that it can be flipped to provide impressive covering fire while retreating.

STY-2C-SR Starslayer (Salvage & Raiding)
Mass: 50 tons
Engine: Magna 250 Standard
Speed: 86.4 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 7.5 tons of Standard
Jump Jets: 5
Heat Sinks: 12 DHS
Weapons:
- 1 Binary Laser Cannon (RA)
- 2 Medium Lasers (LT)
- 1 Flamer (H)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (RT)
- 1 Lift Hoist (LT (rear))

This was built to be a raider and simply down right intimidating to the the ignorant. Both large lasers have be fused in the right arm to form a Binary Laser Cannon which is nothing new, and if I read the description right not all that hard to manufacture. It is however a very scary looking weapon, even if it is actually less damaging than the weapons it is based on (not that bad even in MWO terms because you do not have to worry about convergence) and thus, ideal for raiding and escort as a psychological weapon as much as a combat weapon. Another double heat sink has been added to relieve some of the high heat load. Most pilots, especially those that cannot afford the damage, will not chase after something that has a weapon that hits harder than a PPC facing to the rear so again the lack of a hand and lower arm actuator is a small bonus in this case. It is otherwise identical to the ZS version. Should double heat sinks become a problem it can be downgraded to the ZS version that does not run quite so hot.

Kintaro:

Spoiler

The Kintaro is a fairly common 55 ton missile 'Mech, but the KTO-20 has some good potential. This is more heavily specialized as a salvage 'Mech as it lacks the ability to mount jump jets or much in the way of energy weapons. It does have exceptional durability and endurance with a center torso mounted large laser. It can be made more combat capable at the expense of requiring ammo, though SRM are pretty versatile weapons so the sacrifice is worth it.

KTO-20-ZS Kintaro (Zombie & Salvage)
Mass: 55 tons
Engine: Core Tek 275 Standard
Speed: 86.4 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 10 tons of Standard
Jump Jets: N/A
Heat Sinks: 10 DHS
Weapons:
- 2 Medium Lasers (RA)
- 1 Large Laser (CT)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (RT)
- 2 Lift Hoists (RT (rear) and LT (rear))
- 1 Infantry Bay (RT)
- 1 Salvage Arm (LA)

This version of the Kintaro was designed for battlefield salvage operations. This is acomplished by dropping all missile launchers and mounting a standard Infantry Bay in right torso and a rear facing lift hoist in both right and left torsos. The left hand actuator has been replaced with a Salvage Arm to better facilitate cutting appart 'Mechs and vehicles during salvage operations and assisting in repair operations. Having a second lift hoist made the extra hand actuator a bit redundant though being a medium 'Mech its lifting capability is much more limited than say an Atlas. A flamer could be added in place of one of the medium lasers and this variant is called the ZS(F). The combat variants of the ZS and ZS(F), designated ZSC and ZSC(F) respectively, drop the right torso lift hoist for an SRM 2 in the left arm, a ton of ammo in the left torso with CASE, and half a ton of armor.

Stalker:

Spoiler

The Stalker seems a little counter intuitive for the end of the world, but it actually works alright as an armored cargo hauler or a construction unit. With the blimp like torso occupants should also find it quite roomy. These variants are done very liberally on my part while doing my best to preserve the aesthics.

STK-3F-ZSC Stalker (Zombie, Salvage, & Command)
Mass: 85 tons
Engine: Strand 255 Standard
Speed: 48.6 kph
Frame: Endo-Steel
Armor: 13.5 tons of Standard
Jump Jets: N/A
Heat Sinks: 10 DHS
Weapons:
- 2 Large Lasers (RT and LT)
- 2 Medium Lasers (RA and LA)
- 2 Flamers (RA and LA)
Equipment:
- 1 Command Console (H)
- 1 Searchlight (RT)
- 1 Infantry Bay (RT)
- 2 Container Cargo Bays (RA and LA)
- 2 Lift Hoists (RT (rear) and LT (rear))
- 2 Salvage Arms (RA and LA)

This is probably the most exotic and opulent mod I have done. All the missile weapons have been dropped and Endo-Steel was added. A medium laser in each arm was changed to a flamer. A total of three Container Cargo Bays were added for their compact size to weight ratio (one crit per 10 tons). The arms have been modified accordingly with half of the lower structure removed and the upper structure extended out to form two sides of a box with the upper structure having a loading crane like assembly that drops down to pick up and retract containers while a pair of extending magnetic clamps on the side keep the containers from swaying. A standard Infantry Bay has been added to the right torso while a searchlight has been mounted on top of the right torso. Each side torso has had a lift hoist mounted on top of it. A Command Console has been added to the head and augmented with a Satellite Uplink salvaged from an Atlas to help coordinate salvage and cargo convoy operations. To give the Stalker actual salvage capability a Salvage Arm has been added to the outside of each arm though the lower arm actuator that is added back with it is only for the salvage arm and does not actuate the weapons or cargo bay. Think of of it like a 'Mech scale version of the robotic assembly arms found in car factories that retracts up into an armored housing when not in use. Finally a medium laser was dropped from each arm in exchange for a flamer.

STK-M-ZC Stalker (Misery) (Zombie & Construction)
Mass: 85 tons
Engine: Strand 255 Standard
Speed: 48.6 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 12.5 tons of Standard
Jump Jets: N/A
Heat Sinks: 10 DHS
Weapons:
- 1 Large Laser (CT)
- 2 Medium Lasers (RA and LA)
- 1 Flamer (LA)
- 1 Fluid Gun (LT)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (RT)
- 1 Infantry Bay (RT)
- 1 Lift Hoist (RT)
- 1 Container Cargo Bay (LT)
- 1 Backhoe (LA)
- 1 Pile Driver (RA)

Hero 'Mech turned ConstructionMech, this Stalker has just about everything, including the kitchen sink. The Gauss Rifle and SRM 6 were dropped to make room as was four tons of armor. One right arm medium laser was removed and one left arm medium laser was replaced with a flamer. A massive pile driver has been mounted in the right arm while a Backhoe was mounted in the left. The Gauss rifle has been replaced by a Fluid Gun with two tons of liquid storage and a Container Cargo Bay. The right torso mounts a lift hoist, a searchlight, and a standard Infantry Bay. I am not actually sure why I constructed this one except maybe to prove the obvious: BattleMechs are more weight efficient than IndustrialMechs. Though the pile driver is quite possibly the last word in zombie squishing.

Quickdraw:

Spoiler

The Quickdraw is shy on armor and big on mobility. When all is said and done it becomes very similar to the Starslayer with the advantages of two functional hand actuators, making it a good common stand in for the rarer 'Mech. The Quickdraw has more potential than I am putting into it, but it becomes more like my vision of what the Merlin should be than anything else.

QKD-5M-ZS Quickdraw (Zombie & Salvage)
Mass: 60 tons
Engine: Vlar 300 Standard
Speed: 81 kph
Frame: Standard
Armor: 8 tons of Standard
Jump Jets: 5
Heat Sinks: 10 DHS
Weapons:
- 1 ER Large Laser (RT)
- 2 Medium Lasers (RA and LA)
- 1 Flamer (RT)
Equipment:
- 1 Searchlight (CT)
- 1 Infantry Bay (LT)
- 1 Lift Hoist (LT (rear))

Starting off the Ferro-Fibrous armor was downgraded resulting in a reduction in protection, but ease of repair. Then the one-shot SRM 4, LRM 10, LRM ammo, and case were removed for the Infantry Bay and lift hoist. Finally the rear facing medium lasers and three DHS were dropped so that a forward firing ER Large Laser and a flamer could be added.

Edited by Nathan Foxbane, 22 May 2013 - 02:05 PM.

[Rushin Roulette]

Id go for the Ares and;
strip off all Anti-personnel pods (No need for 6 of them which can not be re-used anyways)
remove the LRMs and SRMs (no need for useless mass filled with Ammunition dependant weapons)
Change the energy weapons to the following (Giving the mech the possibility of engaging at multiple distances)
ER-PPC
ER-Large Laser
Large Laser
Medium laser
Small Laser
Small Pulse Laser
Flamer

Add a Search light, Infantry bay, Lift hoist and the rest with Doubble heat sinks (At least until it is heat efficient) and max Armor.

The reason for the Ares... it has 50% more legs than most mechs to stomp on the Zombies that do get past the Small Pulse Laser and Flamer.

Edited by Rushin Roulette, 16 May 2013 - 12:18 AM.

[dal10]

Hussar "zombie mode" HSR-385-D

Mass: 30 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 5,203,705 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,001

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 270 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 151.2 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 ER PPC
1 Cargo, Standard (0.5 tons)
1 Cargo, Liquid (0.5 tons)
1 Communications Equipment (1.0 tons) (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 51 points 1.50
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 3 RT, 4 LA, 3 RA, 1 LL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 270 7.50
Walking MP: 9
Running MP: 14
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 105 6.00
Armor Locations: 1 HD, 2 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT, 2 LA, 2 RA, 1 LL, 2 RL

Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 10 15
Center Torso (rear) 5
L/R Torso 7 11
L/R Torso (rear) 3
L/R Arm 5 10
L/R Leg 7 14

================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC RT 15 3 7.00
Cargo, Standard (0.5 tons) LT 0 1 0.50
Cargo, Liquid (0.5 tons) LT 0 1 0.50
Communications Equipment (1.0 tons) (1.0 tons) LT 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 7

BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 10
9 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


not much is going to mess with a clan tech ERPPC moving at 151.

[Blaze32]

did anyone say this mech yet? i would pick the Clan
Piranha


Because of 12 MG!! and it goes 150! KPH

[Theodor Kling]

dal10, on 07 January 2012 - 06:56 PM, said:

if it was not in the realistic MWO timeline i would bring a packhunter. fully humanoid with jumpjets and nice low tech parts that could easily be replaced as well as it is fast and has hands..
[...]
also i would have a laser rifle and gray death scout armor stashed in an easily accessible port on the mech. that way if i have to leave for a foray the zombies still won't be able to get me. even if they pin me down i can fry them with jump jets.

Don forget those nice.. fingernails on the pack hunter
But Since neither packhunter nor grey death scout are available in 3050...well.. ECM is always good against other survivors, so definetly pack one. For versability a good light or medium mech. Hands for utility... limits options somewhat... maybe a Royken with hand modules and an all energy setup.... but anyway: zombie apocalypse is likely happening on one planet, not all of them at once.. so just quarantine that planet. If containing people wanting to flee from there ( and possibly spreading infection) becomes too hard... well there is always the option to ask for a special exeption from the ares convention and simply nuke it from orbit.

[Felicitatem Parco]

Okay... this thread was created prior to the Launch of MechWarrior: Online's open game play features. As such, it was meant for people to sift through BT Mechs for ones of their choosing... however, it basically became **** for FireStarter fans.

This is what I'm going to do: I am going to retire this old thread, and resurrect a new one based on what's available using in-game tech plus a few BT techs put in for functionality (some infantry bays, etc.)... so, that way, you can survive the zombie apocalypse in your own custom Mech from Mechlab instead of from TROs... standby my friends.

Here it is...

Edited by Prosperity Park, 09 July 2013 - 04:07 PM.