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master arminas
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Star Colonel
Joined: 07-Mar-2007 16:14
Posts: 718
Location: United States
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 Posted: 08-Jan-2012 15:15 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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Having completed my postings of Clan equipment, I thought that I would say a few words on the structure of the Clans for this Alternative Universe. There are many things that FASA, Fanpro, Wiz-Kids, and Catalyst have done with the organization of the Clans that leave you scratching your head. From the fact that some Clans have forty or more Clusters (before garrison units!) while others have half that number. There exist Clusters that contain only fifteen ‘Mechs—and yet these are supposed to be equal to a standard Cluster with forty-five? It seems that despite their respect of tradition and order, the Clans are inherently chaotic in nature.
And the numbers of their warrior-caste are so absurdly small that they cannot even man their ships, much less field PGCs! So, I have made some changes.
First and foremost, in the dog-eat-dog atmosphere of the Clan Homeworlds, why have smaller Clans managed to even survive? Why haven’t the Falcons or the Jaguars or the Adders or the Bears simply absorbed Clans like the Cobras or Scorpions? They should have, if those Clans actually possessed such small toumens and were stagnant. This results from the concept that the ‘first-tier’ Clans should be so much larger and more powerful than the rest. It is a false concept in my own opinion, so I have rebalanced the forces available to each Clan.
Without including garrison units (PGCs) in the mix, I have set the general strength of the Clans as follows:
Blood Spirit: 16 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and three Galaxies of five Clusters each.
Cloud Cobra: 14 Clusters, consisting of two Keshiks and three Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Coyote: 16 Clusters, consisting of four Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Diamond Shark: 16 Clusters, consisting of one Keshiks and five Galaxies of three Clusters each.
Fire Mandrill: 17 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and four Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Ghost Bear: 21 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and five Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Goliath Scorpion: 14 Clusters, consisting of two Keshiks and three Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Hell’s Horses: 14 Clusters, consisting of two Keshiks and three Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Ice Hellion: 16 Clusters, consisting of four Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Jade Falcon: 21 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and five Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Nova Cat: 17 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and four Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Smoke Jaguar: 21 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and five Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Snow Raven: 14 Clusters, consisting of two Keshiks and three Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Star Adder: 18 Clusters, consisting of two Keshiks and four Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Steel Viper: 17 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and four Galaxies of four Clusters each.
Wolf: 21 Clusters, consisting of one Keshik and five Galaxies of four Clusters each.
And the Clans field the Ebon Keshik, which in this AU is a full-strength Cluster, not a Trinary, giving them a total force of 274 Clusters.
The big Clans (Bears, Falcons, Jaguars, Adders, and Wolves) are still at the top of the pack, but not by so much that the smallest Clans (Cobras, Scorpions, Horses, and Ravens) can be considered pushovers. And the middle tier of Clans (Spirits, Coyotes, Sharks, Mandrills, Hellions, Cats, and Vipers) are not very far at all from toppling one of the alpha-dogs leading the Clans.
I believe that Garrison units should be mostly in the background: these units don’t have ‘Mechs, ASF, or Elementals, but are outfitted with combat vehicles and conventional infantry. Unless part of a scenario, the garrison clusters (PGCs) simply don’t count towards the Clan’s military might. But that doesn’t mean that they should have an unlimited number of PGCs either. The garrison warriors are still members of the Warrior-caste, for all that they are considered second-rate. Personally, I believe that each Clan should field about half their listed number of Clusters in PGCs; which given the much higher manpower a PGC represents (around eight hundred warriors apiece, compared to one hundred and fifty in a typical cluster) means that the garrison warriors are a larger numerical force than the highly trained front-line Warriors, by about 2.5 times. As it should be.
And that still gives even the largest Clans just 11,150 Warriors, while the smallest measure around 7,700 Warriors (discounting naval forces).
Next we have the differing configurations of Clusters: it is truly mind-boggling! I have standard this somewhat into various types:
Orthodox: This is the original Cluster configuration assigned by Nicholas Kerensky. Only the Blood Spirits retain it to this day, and they look at the other Clans as heretics for abandoning it. This type of Cluster consists of three Trinary formations of BattleMechs, one of vehicles, and one of Elementals, for a total of 45 BattleMechs, 30 combat vehicles, and 75 Elementals.
Conservative: Five separate Clans use the conservative approach, which has three Trinary formations of BattleMechs, one of Elementals, and one of Aerospace Fighters (45 ‘Mechs, 75 Elementals, and 30 ASF). These are the Diamond Sharks, Fire Mandrills, Jade Falcons, Snow Ravens, and Steel Vipers.
Reform: The Goliath Scorpions and Wolves use the reform model. This Cluster configuration uses mixed Trinary formations and consists of one Command Trinary with 12 BattleMechs, 10 Elementals, and two Aerospace Fighters; two Trinary formations with 10 BattleMechs and 25 Elementals; one Trinary with 5 BattleMechs; 25 Elementals, and 10 Aerospace Fighters; and one Trinary with 10 BattleMechs and 10 Aerospace Fighters. Final totals are 47 BattleMechs; 85 Elementals; and 22 Aerospace Fighters.
Mobile Infantry: Used by the Ghost Bears, this model uses four Trinary Formations with 10 BattleMechs and 25 Elementals each, a Binary of 20 Aerospace Fighters, and a Command Star of BattleMechs. This results in 45 BattleMechs, 100 Elementals, and 20 Aerospace Fighters.
Heavy: The heavy formation is used by the Coyotes, Jaguars, and Adders. This configuration consists of three Trinary units of BattleMechs, one of Elementals, a binary of Aerospace Fighters, and a command star of 5 BattleMechs. Total strength is 50 ‘Mechs, 75 Elementals, and 20 Aerospace Fighters.
Mechanized: Only used by the Hell’s Horses, this Cluster consists of a vehicle supernova with 20 vehicles and 25 Elementals, two BattleMech Supernovas with 10 BattleMechs and 50 Elementals each, an Aerospace Fighter Binary, and a BattleMech Binary. Force strength is 30 BattleMechs, 20 combat vehicles, 125 Elementals, and 20 Aerospace Fighters.
Light: Three Clans (Cloud Cobras, Ice Hellions, and Nova Cats) use the light configuration, which consists of three Trinary units of BattleMechs, a Binary of Elementals, and two Binary formations of Aerospace Fighters. Total strength is 45 BattleMechs, 50 Elementals, and 40 Aerospace Fighters.
That is still seven Cluster formations, but since each Clan now uses only one model, it makes things a lot easier.
The Cloud Cobras and Snow Ravens also field three Clusters of Aerospace Fighters that are not included in the list for their ground forces. With 150 ASF in each Cluster, these units are counted by the Clans as support elements and are grouped with their naval assets.
The Blood Spirits rely exclusively on their Naval Assets to provide aerospace fighter support.
And finally, the Fire Mandrills are not the caricature of a Clan that they have been presented as. The destruction of one of their Kindraa by the Coyotes woke them up to the danger and they have since reorganized on a more rational basis. They still have many internal factions, and differing Kindraa don’t always get along, but the Mandrills have come to realize that their own survival as a Clan is at stake, and that takes priority over inter-personal differences.
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke
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master arminas
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Star Colonel
Joined: 07-Mar-2007 16:14
Posts: 718
Location: United States
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| Posted: 08-Jan-2012 15:20 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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Before you ask, Elementals are almost the same as in canon: the only difference is that the Elementals of my AU can be fitted with an AP Gauss instead of a small laser or machine-gun, and flamers are not an option.
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke
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master arminas
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Star Colonel
Joined: 07-Mar-2007 16:14
Posts: 718
Location: United States
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| Posted: 08-Jan-2012 16:32 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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| Code: | Clan Blood Spirit
Command Keshik
Blood Guard Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy (The Blooding)
Red Guards (Elite)
37th Red Assault Cluster (Veteran)
33rd Red Battle Cluster (Vetera)
55th Red Vanguard Cluster (Veteran)
7th Blood Drinkers Cluster (Elite)
Omega Galaxy (The Sanguine Reavers)
Scarlet Guards (Elite)
258th Scarlet Assault Cluster (Veteran)
112th Scarlet Battle Cluster (Veteran)
77th Scarlet Vanguard Cluster (Veteran)
79th Blood Hussars (Elite)
Beta Galaxy (The Crimson Flood)
Crimson Guards (Veteran)
71st Crimson Assault Cluster (Regular)
42nd Crimson Battle Cluster (Regular)
88th Crimson Vanguard Cluster (Regular)
44th Crimson Cuirassiers (Veteran)
Garrison Clusters: 8 (All Regular) |
The Spirits are still one full galaxy below their full strength TO&E, thanks to the casualties incurred during the Burrock Absorption. You will notice that the quality ratings I give don't square up with those offered in canon: this is deliberate, as if the elimination of the morale rating. Due to their total immersion in the Warrior culture of the Clans (since before birth!), the morale rating doesn't really apply to them. They are all considered (in IS terms) as fanatically loyal to the Clans--if they aren't, they are removed quickly.
The quality ratings, on the other hand, I always felt was TOO high. The Clans are already one step better than the IS (a Clan regular is approx to an IS Veteran; a Clan elite unit is better than 95% of all IS elite units). Too many Clan units in canon were given absurbly high rating. I have corrected that in part. Not completely, because of the edge that Clan training gives them, but in part. Green is still very rare, but now you don't find elites, elites everywhere.
Total strength (exclusive of PGCs) is 720 BattleMechs; 1,200 Elementals; and 480 combat vehicles.
| Code: | Blood Spirit Naval Reserve
Alpha-class: Blood Fury; Blood Rage
Beta-class: Blood Diamond; Devouerer; Spirit Quest; Star Swimmer
Gamma-class: Stooping Kite
Delta-class: Blood Fury; Exsanguine
Epsilon-class: Carmine Justice
Zeta-class: Rocinante
Theta-class: Theta-Spirit
Eta-class: 16 vessels
Death Dancer-class: 36
Arbalest-class: 16
Scorpion-class: 64
Mangorel-class: 8 |
JumpShips are not included in the list, nor are cargo DropShip assigned to the Merchant class. Fleet strength includes 725 Elementals and 530 Aerospace Fighters.
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke
[Last edited by master arminas on 09-Jan-2012 15:53; edited 5 times in total]
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master arminas
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Star Colonel
Joined: 07-Mar-2007 16:14
Posts: 718
Location: United States
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| Posted: 08-Jan-2012 22:13 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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| Code: | Clan Cloud Cobra
Command Keshiks
Cobra Pharaoh Keshik (Elite)
Cobra Temple Keshik (Elite)
Alpha Galaxy (The Keystone)
33rd Battle Cluster [Thor’s Hammer] (Elite)
1st Cobra Coil [Wild Kaards] (Veteran)
214th Cobra Fang [Black Sheep] (Elite)
149th Cobra Guards [The Azure Guard] (Veteran)
Beta Galaxy (Scourge of the Pentagon)
84th Cobra Fang [Wings of Pharaoh] (Veteran)
185th Cobra Fang [Heaven’s Gate] (Regular)
45th Cobra Grenadiers [Spitting Serpents] (Veteran)
73rd Cobra Guards [The Ebony Guard] (Regular)
Gamma Galaxy (Pharaoh’s Sentries)
121st Cobra Fang [Dragonscales] (Regular)
222nd Cobra Fang [Iron Butterflies] (Veteran)
268th Cobra Fang [Titanium Wind] (Regular)
116th Dragoon Cluster [Last Stand] (Veteran)
Garrison Clusters: 7 (All Regular) |
Total strength (exclusive of PGCs) is 630 BattleMechs; 700 Elementals; and 560 Aerospace Fighters
| Code: | Cloud Cobra Naval Reserve
Alpha-class: Hell Fury; Hertzog's Staff; Perdition's Flame; Trump
Beta-class: Blind Faith; Glory Road; True Sight; Wisdom of the Ages
Gamma-class: Brimstone; Hellfire
Delta-class: Cataclysm; Consequence; Incense; Inquisitor
Epsilon-class: Thunderbolt
Zeta-class: White Cloud
Theta-class: Theta-Cobra
Eta-class: 14
Death Dancer-class: 23
Arbalest-class: 14
Scorpion-class: 70
Mangorel-class: 15 |
JumpShips are not included in the list, nor are cargo DropShip assigned to the Merchant class. Fleet strength includes 800 Elementals and 820 Aerospace Fighters.
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke
[Last edited by master arminas on 09-Jan-2012 15:50; edited 5 times in total]
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Jade_Dragon
8th Sword of Light
Sho-sho
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1325
Location: United States
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| Posted: 09-Jan-2012 13:23 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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I agree that the clan TO&E never really made much sense. I for one never liked the fact that according to the way FASA's original books read the Binary and Trinary sounded like something that would be used it something close to equal number or 30/70 split. Then as more and more Clan sourcebooks were released the Binary pretty much dropped from existance, everything was Trinary.
I like your setup as as it does bring the Binary back into play!
I also like the general cluster type setup as it gives players a basis to start from when determining what a cluster should have for content. On the other hand Khans, Galaxy Commanders, and Star Colonels preferences and combat losses are going to affect this, still a cluster that was supposed to have 2 Mech trinaries and a fighter binary and has a Mech trinary and a binary and fighter trinary is still going to conform to the general idea.
_________________
The JadeDragon
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master arminas
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Star Colonel
Joined: 07-Mar-2007 16:14
Posts: 718
Location: United States
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| Posted: 09-Jan-2012 15:01 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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I am concerned I have too many ships for the size of the toumen, so I have going through and paring them down. Bear with me, please.
Master Arminas
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke
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master arminas
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Star Colonel
Joined: 07-Mar-2007 16:14
Posts: 718
Location: United States
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| Posted: 09-Jan-2012 15:47 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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| Code: | Clan Coyote
Alpha Galaxy (Spirit of the Coyote)
Golden Keshik [Guardians of the Prophecy] (Elite)
Silver Keshik [The Chosen] (Elite)
Bronze Keshik [The True Vision] (Veteran)
38th Assault Cluster [The Faithful] (Veteran)
Delta Galaxy (Heart of the Coyote)
100th Assault Cluster [Bloody Hundredth] (Veteran)
19th Battle Cluster [Long Fangs] (Veteran)
44th Battle Cluster [Hard Eights] (Veteran)
55th Strike Cluster [Double Nickel Demons] (Veteran)
Epsilon Galaxy (The Stalking Coyotes)
67th Assault Cluster [The Devastators] (Veteran)
12th Battle Cluster [Shadow Coyotes] (Regular)
49th Battle Cluster [Midnight Assault] (Veteran)
95th Strike Cluster [Black Coyotes] (Regular)
Zeta Galaxy (Swift Coyotes)
18th Battle Cluster [Coyote Grenadiers] (Veteran)
33rd Battle Cluster [Iron Guard] (Veteran)
8th Recon Cluster [Eyes of the Coyote] (Veteran)
34th Strike Cluster [Rabid Coyotes] (Veteran)
Garrison Clusters: 8 (All Regular) |
Although the Coyotes were once one of the most powerful Clans, they have slowly waned over the past century. They remain a robust Clan that is solidly in the second tier of Clan toumens, but they are no longer poised on the cutting edge of society: a fact that highly displeases them. Total force strength is 800 BattleMechs, 1,200 Elementals, and 320 Aerospace Fighters.
| Code: | Coyote Naval Reserve
Alpha-class: Gnasher; Howl
Beta-class: Midnight Star; Morning Star; Solar Blaze; Solar Wind
Gamma-class: Broken Seal
Delta-class: Blood of the Coyote; Courage; Faithful; Windrunner
Epsilon-class: Trickster
Zeta-class: Great Coyote Spirit
Theta-class: Theta-Coyote
Eta-class: 16 vessels
Death Dancer-class: 35
Arbalest-class: 16
Scorpion-class: 64
Mangorel-class: 3 |
Total fleet strength 775 Elementals, and 430 Aerospace Fighters.
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke
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innersphere3050
Federated Suns
Corporal
Joined: 12-Jan-2011 18:43
Posts: 69
Location: United States
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| Posted: 25-Jan-2012 22:13 Post subject: A New Clan Vision: Clans, Clusters, and Everything |
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I like that a cluster is more recognizable as a cluster regarding a more narrow range of mechs in the cluster (45-50) most of the time. I would get frustrated trying to calculate the strength of a clan when the range that a cluster could have in it was 30 mechs
The combat vehicles is an interesting add, I don't remember it in the early clan toumans but think it is a good edition
While I agree with only posting the frontline unit clusters, I would still allow the garrison units to have mechs
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