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AWAD
Draconis Combine
Chu-sa
Joined: 06-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 766
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 Posted: 24-Apr-2007 22:01 Post subject: What Classifies as a Merc Mech? |
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On the design submission section of the forums you will see that the term "Merc Mech" comes up. For some reason people think it is a very good Mech for Mercenaries or completly not viable for that way of life and combat.
Do you believe there is such a standard? If so, what is it? Name a couple of examples from various eras.
AWAD- COST, COST, COST
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 25-Apr-2007 02:18 Post subject: |
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There are 2 types of Mercs
Smaller bands - Their 'Mechs should be CHEAP, easy to maintain and with available spare parts. They may be specialized in one field of expertise, but should be able to act in more than one role on the field, or be one of the various jack-of-all-trades machines.
Big bands - Seriously, do you think that Wolf Dragoons care for money if they can afford to field upgraded flea? They throw money out of the window. They even purchased a company of SUPER-6000 1A Class Instruction 'Mechs and a troupe of Fireworks to entertain the enemy before the cavalry arrives 
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Stinger
The Knights of Chaos
General
Joined: 30-Apr-2002 00:00
Posts: 1833
Location: United States
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| Posted: 25-Apr-2007 11:37 Post subject: |
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Yup I believe there is. The merc unit I run (when I have time) is mostly energy based, and easy to maintain, this helps to keep some costs down as well as keep machines in near peak conditions as merc units tend to be lean on tech support (buggers are expensive). And then when I uses ammo based weapons I make sure that they are pretty standard with all machines, So when I have a unit with a lrm 15, I try to keep other units with the same type of launcher, that way its easier for accounting purposes as well as matinence issues.
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Stinger
If it's "creepy" to use the Internet, military satellites, and robot aircraft to find a house full of gorgeous young models so I can drop in on them unexpected, then FINE, I'm "creepy". Howard Wolowitz. BBT.
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CO_17thRecon
Kell Hounds
Major
Joined: 10-Sep-2002 00:00
Posts: 1297
Location: United States
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| Posted: 25-Apr-2007 12:04 Post subject: |
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What classifies a Merc 'Mech?
One word, actually: availability!
Other than a few house specific designs they might start with, most 'Mercs are buying standard stuff from salvage yards and small companies.
For instance, my unit started in the Federated Suns. We do have have a few token Dervishes and a Victor, but overall, it's mostly widely available older stuff, like Thunderbolts, Marauders, Grasshoppers, Locusts, Shadow Hawks, etc. The kind of stuff you can find in ANY house military because it is so common and easy to get.
Besides, unless they like you a lot, most houses would be kind of leary of selling mercs unique technology, so going through third parties, on those rare occasions when you are buying a 'Mech, is necessary.
I mean, take the Bandersnatch for instance. Merc 'Mech made by a small company. Also expensive and wasteful as heck. (Not a bad fighter, but that XL engine has to go.) BUT...because they are willing to sell to anyone who ponies up the dough, a lot of them end up going to Mercs. Rich mercs maybe, but mercs.
Secondary considerations are: efficiency, cost, and toughness. If the 'Mech is common enough though, it will become a Merc 'Mech even if it violates those three. See Bandersnatch.
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"What the...?! Where did you get THAT?!"
"Creative aquisition."
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Rudel Gurken
Allisters Light Thunder
Major
Joined: 15-Jun-2005 00:00
Posts: 1456
Location: Germany
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| Posted: 25-Apr-2007 15:50 Post subject: |
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The really big merc units don't seem to bother with price, availability or specialisation!
A "generic" merc mech will almost always be used by smaller units.
The key of success of such a "generic" merc mech is availability! Do you know where your next job will be? Be sure that you're able to get the needed spare parts!
The other factor will be specialisation (or better: lack thereof): If you have 5 regiments under your command there will be specialised lances, companies or even battalions! But in small units any mech that can be used in more than one role is an asset!
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Reality is where the Pizza-man comes from!'Gucken, petzen, verpissen!' (Look at it, squeal it, get the hell away from it!) – Motto of the recon troops'Artillery doesn´t know friend or foe! They only know worthwhile targets!‘ – Kuritan Infantrist
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DarkAdder
Clan Star Adder
Star Commander
Joined: 10-Jan-2004 00:00
Posts: 604
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| Posted: 25-Apr-2007 23:06 Post subject: |
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Availability, durability, and ease of maintenance are going to be the three keys to a mercenary mech.
The machine has to be readily available, and thus a little bit on the cheap side. It kind of sucks to run machines that come primarily from the FWL and get a contract to a place where FWL designs are verboten. That makes replacement, and obtainment of spare parts just that much more difficult.
The mech also has to be able to take a beating before it HAS to go back for repair. The longer a mech can go without needing a new arm or leg, the better. Its also a bonus if a mech is less reliant on ammo based weapons, as well. Theres more than one way for a mech to be 'killed', and running out of ammo is almost as good as zorching it.
A good merch machine has to be easy to fix, too. I dont think your average, run of the mill merc band is going to have a passel of repair bay geniuses kicking around. One, it costs too much, and two, im going to bet that the better mechanics would be more willing to sign on with the better known mercs, like the Kell Hounds or Wolfs Dragoons than they would be to sign on with Joes Mercs. The other part of that is, mechs that are easier to repair are faster to get back into action. Mercs HATE having half of their machines down just because the hex-keys are metric instead of standard, you know? 
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 26-Apr-2007 01:40 Post subject: |
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| DarkAdder wrote: | ... place where FWL designs are verboten...
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In Lyran Alliance, nicht wahr?
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... Mercs HATE having half of their machines down just because the hex-keys are metric instead of standard, you know? |
Metric is standard
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Rudel Gurken
Allisters Light Thunder
Major
Joined: 15-Jun-2005 00:00
Posts: 1456
Location: Germany
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| Posted: 26-Apr-2007 14:46 Post subject: |
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| Sleeping Dragon wrote: |
Metric is standard |
I second that!
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Reality is where the Pizza-man comes from!'Gucken, petzen, verpissen!' (Look at it, squeal it, get the hell away from it!) – Motto of the recon troops'Artillery doesn´t know friend or foe! They only know worthwhile targets!‘ – Kuritan Infantrist
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SaberDance
Federated Suns
Colonel
Joined: 07-May-2004 00:00
Posts: 837
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| Posted: 26-Apr-2007 19:55 Post subject: |
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| Rudel Gurken wrote: | | Sleeping Dragon wrote: |
Metric is standard |
I second that! |
Not in the English Speaking world (where it's short for English Standard, also called English units).
Course, the Britts and the Canadians have already wimped out to the French.
It's so bad when only the upstart Yanks will stand up for a perfectly good measurement system.
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AWAD
Draconis Combine
Chu-sa
Joined: 06-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 766
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| Posted: 26-Apr-2007 20:18 Post subject: |
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[quote="SaberDance"][quote="Rudel Gurken"] | Sleeping Dragon wrote: |
Not in the English Speaking world (where it's short for English Standard, also called English units).
Course, the Britts and the Canadians have already wimped out to the French.
It's so bad when only the upstart Yanks will stand up for a perfectly good measurement system. |
Damn straight, and one day the world will bend to our imperial will.
AWAD- you changes between the King's system and metric easily and find metric better in all but temp
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