u/Bookwyrm517

Apologies for the wait, I couldn't find the sketch. But right after I gave up on adding it to the mech sheets, I finally found it. So there is art today, even if I got the arms backwards.

I also apologize for the terrible name. I couldn't think of a good one, so I just named it after what was on my mind at that moment (my 1-year-old was hungry). Consider it a placeholder name for the time being.

I'll be upfront, I don't remember the design goal behind this one. My best guess is that it was supposed to act as a support unit to mediums and heavies. The most interesting thing I have on it is that I think I might have accidentally swapped it's tonnage with the Forerunner.

In terms of performance, I think it is pretty average. Decent movement at 6-9-6, an OK 4.5 tons of armor, and an average close-range loadout. It's heat neutral on the run (even if it doesn't have the best brackets), and can squeeze by with a +4 after a jump. The Cracker's main drawback is the ammo-heavy loadout. While the side torsos are well padded, there's no way it can blow through all it's ammo before it starts taking crits. The other weak point is the different missile launchers. While great for options, it really limits the crackers firepower.

I'm... neutral about the base variant. It's definitely not meant to run solo, but still should pull it's weight in a force.

Variants: I actually tried to add a bit of variety on this one, despite my limited options.

The -C1S, -C1L, and -C1IG are all field refits that swap one missile launcher for the other, typically dropping the ton of ammo for armor. The -C1IG is a small exception, as it upgrades the SRM 4 to a SRM 6 and replaces the LRM with 3 machine guns and a half-ton of ammo. (You can probably guess where the "IG" comes from)

-C2: the C2 is the Helm/early clan invasion upgrade to the cracker, and it keeps it simple. Endo-steel and Ferro-fibros armor are applied, the ML is upgraded to a Medium Pulse Laser, and the SRM 4 is swapped for a pair of Streak SRM2s. I'd have added case, but the Ferro didn't grant enough armor to shave off a ton. It's debatable if it's a upgrade , as all helm upgrades tend to be.

-K1: It's a Kurita spin on the design that, true to form, turns into it's own thing.

I wanted two things on this cracker: an MRM launcher and a C3 slave. I added Endo and Ferro to make tonnage for the C3, adding CASE and a half-ton of armor. After the normal CT ML, I had trouble deciding on what to put in the left arm. I didn't have enough tonnage for another launcher, so I bounced between MLs, SPLs, a one-shot SRM4 and Flamers. Eventually the MLs won because the DHS gave it more heat budget than it could ever need.

I am still torn on if I should give it an XL engine or not. If I exchanged the Ferro-fibros for an XL, I could fit another MRM10 and some more lasers or other goodies. I just didn't know which way to commit and ended up with the more bland option. Regardless, I think it'll serve as a decent C3 spo​tier.

But thats about it for the cracker, and probably the last of my ancient light mechs. I think we'll be moving into mediums next. Not idea when that'll be though.​

My next most ancient design (at least the next one to be interesting enough to survive) is a slightly more advanced scout mech, the Forerunner.

Like the Longshot, this design is at least... woah, ten years old!? Based on an the date I saved the sketch, it's at least ten years old. Wow.

Anyway, like the Longshot, some of the details on the original Forerunner design is both very old and very hazy. I'm reconstructing it from memory, terrible design decisions and all.

The role given to the Forerunner was to be a mix of scout and fire support unit, with the added stipulation of being able to reach developing engagements as quickly as possible.  To do this, the Forerunner was designed as a 25 tonner with powered by a XL 175 engine. It's top speed is a impressive 118kph, with MASC letting it reach speeds of 130kph for short bursts. It's short but broad profile was designed to help avoid enemy fire, but had the side effect of mechwarriors using the low-hanging arms to do "handbrake turns" when cornering at high speed. RRMW techs despised this practice, but after a few years consented and reinforced the Forerunner's arm and hand actuators so that pilots would stop mangeling them with the practice.

The Forerunner has a variety of weapons at it's disposal, but all of them lack punch. It's main weapon is a pair of LRM 5 launchers in the Left shoulder, fed by one ton of ammo. The original goal was a LRM 10, but it had to be split in two to save weight. The other main weapon is a medium laser in the center torso, positioned right below the cockpit and above the MASC systems. The Right and left arm hold a small laser and machine gun, respectively, with 100 rounds of MG ammo sitting in a CASE protected bin in the Left Torso. Finally, a Beagle Active Probe sits in the Right Torso. 4.5 tons of armor give the Forerunner adequate protection

I have no idea why I included a solitary machine gun, I must of felt obligated to put at least one of every weapon type on my mechs at the time. It is useful for clearing infantry, but that job could be done better by a small pulse laser or flamer. Otherwise, it's basically almost a boondoggled Valkyrie. It's lighter, faster, and has more sensors, but at the cost of it's jumps and a hefty price tag. I feel in it's current form, the Forerunner is usable but niche.

As for Forerunner variants, there aren't any yet. I'm sure there's plenty of refits that swap the machine gun for something else (or even swap the SL for another MG), but I haven't tried to improve on the design at all. I think the best way to go would be more sensor tech, and either CASE II or a Light engine to improve survivability. It certainly will enjoy MMLs if it turns up in that era.

But that pretty much covers the Forerunner. Unless I find something older, I think my next entry will be another light might mech, though this one seems to have never received a name.