128 replies to this topic

[Gwenaelle Focht]

Hello there, fellow Lyrans,

Judging true Steiner nature, what do you reckon is the most characteristic Steiner mech weapon type group of them all and why?

In accordance with the clenched fist of House Steiner, I personally like the raw bang of (ultra) autocannons (in spite of the limited ammo that can be carried, the limited firing accuracy due to feedback, the danger of explosions prior to the introduction of CASE systems, and the above average mech loading space requirements) and how their salvoes can be run over the torso of enemy mechs (I am already looking forward to seeing armour plates and shrapnels flying away from enemy mechs and raining onto the battlefields).

P.S.: Naturally, I did not include a more detailed approach for the poll regarding the weapon types (for instance, differentiating between conventional and streak missile systems or between pulse lasers and X-pulse lasers, or autocannon types, particle projection cannon types and so on) and I also exluded clan mech weapon type groups (chemical lasers, improved heavy lasers, etc.) and specialized weapon groups (such as long toms and grenade launchers) as I did not want to present too many options and instead focus on the main groups. However, you are very welcome to include these in your discussions as well.

Edited by Gwenaelle Focht, 12 May 2012 - 12:46 PM.

[Anthill]

Considering Steiner's usual offensive tactical disposition, I'd say your description of Auto-cannons fit the bill both in terms of the qualities of the weapon and the drawbacks to the Steiner tendency to throw heavy/assaults classes at any/all problems.

Moar Atlas.

[Wyzak]

I've seen a lot of Steiner assault mechs sporting PPCs. Also they seem to be popular in the books in FC civil war plotlines.

[Bluey]

Volleys of large lasers phew phew

[Zhanna Kerensky]

Well, I will have to go with the concentrated desctructiveness of Gauss rifles, although this could be considered a bit premature (considering the timeline) but the clan invasion hit House Steiner pretty hard ...

[tacobellkiller]

I think Gauss Rifles have a semi-legitimate claim due to Steiner bringing us the glory of the Heavy Gauss.

[Karl Streiger]

The Steiner development of Heavy Gauss, Ultra AC 20 and LB 20X in the 60's make them the "normal" choice for Steiner units.
However Steiner variants in the SW era uses primary Missiles and PPCs (Griffin, Thunderbolt S, Zeus, Archer S)
I think that the success of the 3S Banshee was the "real" start for Lyran Assault Mech spam.

The love for AC is mainly Davion style...but they love long and small caliber guns.

Edited by Karl Streiger, 29 February 2012 - 12:05 AM.

[Lord Banshee]

Gotta uphold Karl's voice here. Heavy Gauss rocks the house... almost two decades later.
Huge autocannons are classic Steiner, no question.
But when you absolutely, positively need to drop that enemy with a skillfully-led shot, wherever you are on the battlefield, make mine a PPC please.
And then I'll beg for a 5S upgrade soon

[rafgod]

Huh. The top choice isn't on the list.

The white flag.

[nubnub]

I guess a flag pole could be used to beat the **** out of enemy mechs - good damage with little weight or heat. Also has the added advantage of luring in mechs expecting surrender, then BAM! pole through the clanner's cockpit.

[Gwenaelle Focht]

According to the current poll results, most players are inclined to believe that Steiner weapons of choice are those with the maximum single damage potential (gauss rifles, autocannons, and PPCs). Although the battle range spectrum could be adequately covered with a mixture of just these three weapon groups, wouldn't a mech equipped just with these three types of weapons face siginificant overheating problems, be less flexible due to fairly long reloading/recycling times, and have to make space at the expense of armour to allow all of these weapons to be installed with a decent amount of ammo (even with regard to an assault mech)?

Would anyone of you consider outfitting your mech/s with a combo from just these three weapon groups?

[Lord Banshee]

BNC-5S in a heartbeat. It does have med-lasers and streaks, but if I'm firing them it had better be a coup-de-grace situation.
Played snipermechs in the 80s, played PPC/Gauss mechs in MW4/BK/Mercs -- they seemed to work out fine
If the heat's too hot, get outta the cockpit...

[Sporkosophy]

Lord Banshee, on 08 March 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

BNC-5S in a heartbeat. It does have med-lasers and streaks, but if I'm firing them it had better be a coup-de-grace situation.
Played snipermechs in the 80s, played PPC/Gauss mechs in MW4/BK/Mercs -- they seemed to work out fine
If the heat's too hot, get outta the cockpit...

What I wouldn't give for a bit more gauss ammo though.

[Felix Dracc]

A no brainer really autocannons are a Lyrans best friend.

[vonStrachwitz]

Autocannons baby! That's what the Fafnir is really meant to carry- a pair of UAC-20s!

[Strum Wealh]

Traditionally, the Federated Suns is the state most heavily associated with autocannons.

IMO:
The Lyrans would be most heavily associated with Gauss Rifles.
The League would be most heavily associated with missiles.
The Capellans would be most heavily associated with E-War equipment.
The Draconians would be most heavily associated with PPCs.

Your thoughts?

[Tadakuma]

Well I'm going to say anything that weighs more then 12 tonnes, AC 20s and Gauss Rifles galore.

Victory through vastly excessive firepower, the Lyran way.

[Kantoken]

House Steiner is all about "bigger is better". This is nowhere as visible as on the Fafnir, with its two heavy gauss rifles. Boom = ho.

[Karl Streiger]

Strum Wealh, on 10 March 2012 - 11:09 AM, said:

Traditionally, the Federated Suns is the state most heavily associated with autocannons.

but only the small ones. The modern 20 class canons where first developed by Steiner

Your association between tech and Great house seams right for me - Alacorn IV, Thunder Hawk alone prove your theory right

Edited by Karl Streiger, 13 March 2012 - 04:12 AM.

[KBone]

Kantoken, on 13 March 2012 - 03:54 AM, said:

House Steiner is all about "bigger is better". This is nowhere as visible as on the Fafnir, with its two heavy gauss rifles. Boom = ho.

Traditionally, House Steiner has always taken a "Bigger is Better" approach to both weapons and tactic. Steiner commanders traditionally favor tactics that allow them to maneuver an enemy into a position where they can bring the most firepower onto and enemy at any given time. While Davion's are know for Autocannons in general (i.e. the development of the Rotary Auto Cannon and the specialized munitions for standard AC's) Steiner has always been known for large bore weaponry (AC/20, LB20X, UAC20, Gauss Rifles, Heavy Gauss Rifles, etc.) including PPC's, Large Lasers and large LRM racks. If you look at examples of traditionally identified Steiner Mechs (Zues, Banshee etc) you will notice they typically trend toward heavy and assault classes, with several large weapons each, supporting the"Bigger is Better" approach.