8 replies to this topic

[Phoenix Branson]

ISN News Flash
Sat. Aug 11, 3049: After the successful test of its Arrow artillery system last year, Confederation
unveils the CPLT-C3 Catapult.

Can we expect the Arrow IV Artillery System to make it into the game this year?
http://www.sarna.net...ow_IV_Artillery

Edited by Maverick01, 01 November 2012 - 08:31 PM.

[Scratx]

Tricky question because Arrow IV is an artillery system and I am not sure the current targeting systems are appropriate for it.

I'd expect being able to call off-map artillery in certain game modes, but actually having an Arrow IV equipped mech in battle...

[Antonio De Lesante]

use tag to designate target - fire.

if tag drops, arrow continues in a straight line until new lock (could actually change targets this way, or, target a ground location.

[RiceyFighter]

The C3 Catapult only has 1 ton of ammo for both Arrow IV. Only 5 shots and you are out of luck. Also 10 Heat per launcher that is equivalent of 2 LRM 15 heat.

The only build I would suspect C3 to be decent is 2 Arrow IV with Double Heat sinks. Strip out all the Medium lasers and jump jets for ammo.

Edited by RiceyFighter, 01 November 2012 - 08:46 PM.

[EDMW CSN]

Arrow IVs only strike a location and deal splash damage to the hexes around it.
But it's tricky, if the missiles are too slow, almost everything can wander out of the splash damage, thus making it useless.

Make the missile too fast and here come the whines.

[Volthorne]

RiceyFighter, on 01 November 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

The C3 Catapult only has 1 ton of ammo for both Arrow IV. Only 5 shots and you are out of luck. Also 10 Heat per launcher that is equivalent of 2 LRM 15 heat.

The only build I would suspect C3 to be decent is 2 Arrow IV with Double Heat sinks. Strip out all the Medium lasers and jump jets for ammo.

Not to mention the hardpoint requirement. For the C3 to work you have to apply the special rule that allows you to split the crits between the arm and torso to even fit it in...

EDMW CSN, on 01 November 2012 - 08:50 PM, said:

Arrow IVs only strike a location and deal splash damage to the hexes around it.
But it's tricky, if the missiles are too slow, almost everything can wander out of the splash damage, thus making it useless.

Make the missile too fast and here come the whines.

A solution would be to make it fire directly upwards (yes, you heard me), which would give it a distinct advantage over LRMs - along with making it a more unique weapon - and fly at a speed of 200 (in comparison, LRMs fly at 100 and SRMs at 300).

Edited by Volthorne, 01 November 2012 - 09:28 PM.

[EDMW CSN]

RiceyFighter, on 01 November 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

The C3 Catapult only has 1 ton of ammo for both Arrow IV. Only 5 shots and you are out of luck. Also 10 Heat per launcher that is equivalent of 2 LRM 15 heat.

The only build I would suspect C3 to be decent is 2 Arrow IV with Double Heat sinks. Strip out all the Medium lasers and jump jets for ammo.

Arrow IV weighs 15 tons per launcher with even lesser ammo per ton compared to the Gauss rifle. And it generates extreme heat if you carry 2. With a weapon that is designed to hit on map sheets, the minimum arming distance is going to be huge if you do not wish to blow up on yourself.

I rather the Cata sticks to only 1 launcher, use DHS to remove the 5 extra HS and keep a few meds, Arrow IV ammo and an SRM-6 for self defense.

Edited by EDMW CSN, 01 November 2012 - 10:31 PM.

[Ninja Penguin]

I cant immagin the screams and tears if this weapon hit the game. The noobs already hate and cry about LRM's

[EDMW CSN]

Ninja Penguin, on 01 November 2012 - 10:29 PM, said:

I cant immagin the screams and tears if this weapon hit the game. The noobs already hate and cry about LRM's

It would be different per se from LRMs. LRMs can be effectively negated by speed and bouncing from cover to cover and AMS.

Arrow IV would be immune to AMS and ECM (http://www.sarna.net..._Homing_Missile) but they would require a scout to keep the TAG on target. And the scout must stay alive long enough for the missile to hit.

And if the scout is too close, he would be caught in the splash damage as well !