Sunday 20/1/2008 Battletech After Action Review

Well, finally got to try out the Celestials for real. Kenneth was laughing hard when I mentioned I would be using them for the game.

He stopped laughing when I showed him the new configs I cooked up, at the time whimsically codenamed the 'Toaster' configs. They performed as I had expected, managing to hold a clan star of slightly less BV almost to a standstill, and if Jeff had been a tad more aggressive, would have won the game.

After the game, I was convinced that the 'Toaster' configs meshed well together. Now the problem was, finding a suitable name. It had to be latin, following the tradition established by the Invictus and Dominus configs, so I cracked my brains for a few hours before I realized it was right before me.

I first came across the word singulare in Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series. Singulare were bodyguards for commanders, and high ranking commanders have more than one. Finding a dictionary online that confirmed this definition wasn't easy, but I managed to find it here. An alternative definition also had it as singularly good, exceptional, etc. All connotations suitable for my new series of configs.

So, presenting the Singulare configs of the Celestial omnimechs!

Archangel C-ANG-O Singulare
Heat Sinks: 14 Double [28] 6 4.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 LA, 1 RA)
Actuators: L: Sh+UA R: Sh+UA 12 .00

Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Heavy Gauss Rifle RT 2 12 14 21.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 LT, 1 CT)
1 Light PPC* RA 5 2 3.00
1 Light PPC* LA 5 2 3.00
1 Snub-Nose PPC* HD 10 2 6.00
1 ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
1 Improved C³ CPU CT 0 2 2.50
--------------------------------------------------------
The Singulare config of the Archangel makes it a dangerous mech to approach, and it has the staying power to close in and unleash its special brand of hell on enemies. For obvious reasons, it is the most deadly within 9 hexes. Astute players will also note that the HGR and LPPCs have their short range bracket up to 6 hexes. This is to make it abundantly clear to ECM units that closing within 6 hexes of the Archangel will not be conducive to their survival.

Seraph C-SRP-O Singulare
Heat Sinks: 13 Double [26] 9 3.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 2 RA, 1 LT)
Actuators: L: Sh+UA R: Sh+UA 12 .00

Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Gauss Rifle LA 1 16 9 17.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 HD)
2 MML 5(SRM)s* RT 6 20 7 7.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
1 MML 5(LRM)* LT 3 48 5 5.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 RT)
1 Heavy PPC* RA 15 4 10.00
1 Improved C³ CPU LT 0 2 2.50
CASE Equipment: LT RT 2 1.00
--------------------------------------------------------
The Seraph Singulare is a slugger and close assault vehicle. The gauss rifle, HPPC, and 3 MML 5s are for long range firepower, and if anybody wants to close within 3 hexes, well... they are welcome to try with the MMLs in wait.

Deva C-DVA-O Singulare
Heat Sinks: 11 Double [22] 0 1.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA R: Sh+UA 12 .00

Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Heavy PPC* RA 15 4 10.00
1 Plasma Rifle* HD 10 10 3 7.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
2 Light AC/5s LA 2 40 6 12.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 LT)
1 Improved C³ CPU RT 0 2 2.50
CASE Equipment: LT 1 .50
--------------------------------------------------------
The Deva Singulare seems undergunned, but the LAC/5s are for anti vehicle and anti light mech work when armed with armor-piercing and precision ammunition respectively. The plasma rifle is another weapon to use against vehicles, and can also give unwary mechs a jolt when they suddenly find themselves overheating badly.

Grigori C-GRG-O Singulare
Heat Sinks: 11 Double [22] 6 1.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 LA, 1 RT)
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00

Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 LRM 15 RA 5 24 6 10.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT, 2 RT)
1 LRM 15 LA 5 3 7.00
1 Light PPC* RT 5 2 3.00
1 Light PPC* LT 5 2 3.00
1 Light PPC* HD 5 2 3.00
1 Improved C³ CPU LT 0 2 2.50
CASE Equipment: LT RT 2 1.00
--------------------------------------------------------
The Grigori Singulare is a dedicated fire support unit, and it can support attacks even when the LRM racks run out of ammunition, thanks to the LPPCs. Savvy players will use the LRMs sparingly while using the LPPCs for the bulk of their firepower.

Preta C-PRT-O Singulare
Heat Sinks: 12 Double [24] 6 2.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 LA, 1 RA)
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA 14 .00

Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Snub-Nose PPC* RA 10 2 6.00
2 ER Medium Lasers LA 10 2 2.00
1 Improved C³ CPU CT 0 2 2.50
1 Targeting Computer HD 2 2.00
6 Standard Jump Jets: 6 3.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 3 LT, 3 RT)
--------------------------------------------------------
For the game on Sunday, I used the Preta Dominus, but after reviewing the makeup of the unit, I think a jumper that goes 6 hexes is good enough. The Preta Singulare is a harasser and skirmisher, not a real spotter, though it can readily rotate the role with the Malak Singulare. The Snubbie/TC combo is amazingly efficient for mobile light and medium mechs.

Malak C-MK-O Singulare
Heat Sinks: 10 Double [20] 6 .00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 LA, 1 LT)
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA 14 .00

Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Snub-Nose PPC* RA 10 2 6.00
1 ER Medium Laser RT 5 1 1.00
1 ER Small Laser RT 2 1 .50
1 Improved C³ CPU LT 0 2 2.50
1 Targeting Computer HD 2 2.00
--------------------------------------------------------
The Malak Singulare is another light mech hunter-killer. It lacks the jump jets of the Preta, and must be used with care. It is good for flanking attacks, but this is a tactic reserved for patient players who are willing to forgo the potential firepower of the Malak for several turns.