General Discussion Secundus

[bluntblade]

I'd change the Warmonger's name to avoid confusion with the Titan variety.

 

Cheers Sim. Perhaps Apophis could be that scratch design, and we can look at others for the Khonsou. If Drak can sketch them like the vehicles are done in the FW Books (along with the Dartwing) we could sneak them in here and there in wargear sections for the Legions.

Edited April 22, 2017 by bluntblade

[simison]

It was something that I was wondering if FW was going to do.

 

Anyway, what's the Warmonger-pattern?

[bluntblade]

An Imperator, only geared to level buidlings and presumably murder fellow Titans at range

[simison]

I meant the Abyssii version.

[Talonair]

The Abyssii pattern focusses a great deal more on being an airborne weapons platform. It's a gigantic craft, capable of carrying 70 Astartes or equivalent in two seperate holds (front and rear) whilst mounting a plethora of weaponry, the grandest of which is a Thunderhawk cannon mounted to the underside in a limited-traverse turret. Some examples omit the Thunderhawk cannon and it's magazine to increase the number of troops it can carry to a full 100 or mount a set of lighter turret mounted weaponry, or replace the Thunderhawk cannon and rear hold entirely to instead contain an enormous bomb hold. The Abyssii pattern (name pending) is something of a flying fortress, even more so with its void shields, but has it's many weaknesses.

 

From a tactical standpoint, it is slow and ponderous for an aircraft, presenting such a massive target that specialised anti-air systems are not necessary to accurately engage it at low-level flight, and would never be described as agile. Air superiority or at the very least a dedicated fighter wing are necessary to safely deploy this leviathan, as if left unmolested enemy aircraft will run roughshod over it, as its primary weapons are useless against airborne targets. Many commanders also balk at the idea of having so many eggs in one proverbial basket; an Abyssii pattern optimised for transport could very well consign a full hundred Astartes and their wargear to oblivion if destroyed.

 

On the strategic level, the pattern is a logistical nightmare. Few airfields have large enough paved areas for it to land, leaving it to land on more unsteady land, and if landed in a spaceport it occupies such a large space that it actively hinders the attempts of other craft to land and take off, not to mention the space requirements for berthing within the holds of a spacecraft. It is a thirsty beast as well; its on-board reactor meets the energy needs but vast amounts of fuel are still required, and in an engagement it can expend thousands of rounds of ammunition. Their construction is difficult as well, incredibly expensive to manufacture and requiring certain techniques typically reserved for the construction of warships.

 

On the whole, the (NAME PENDING)-pattern Stormbird is, if used correctly, a terrifying tool, a pair of them able to deploy an entire Century of Astartes and their vehicular support as well as providing a fortress' worth of firepower, but their correct use places such a heavy demand on the logistical and strategic level that, when combined with the risks involved in deploying one of them as a transport, many commanders simply avoid using them. So, in essense, all the advantages and disadvantages associated with smaller patterns of Stormbirds, but mulltiplied.

 

I do have a fair bit more written about the (NAME PENDING), not sure why I haven't posted it before. If people want to know more I'll post it up

[bluntblade]

So, kinda like a Stormbird-sized Fire Raptor?

[Talonair]

Not quite, since the Fire Raptor sacrifices all it's carrying capacity to carry guns instead. This is basically a Stormbird on steroids and a much larger diet

[bluntblade]

Ah. Expensive to produce and accordingly rare, then? Which Legions would Abyssii provide it to?

[Kelborn]

Guys, I've done something.

 

May I introduce you to the Diadectes class transport? An amphibious vehicle for both, our project and my current Iron Gauntlet contribution, the Imperial Sons.

 

Basing on the 30K Mastodon and some Star Wars vehicles, I came up with that idea.

 

Some basic infos:

 

I gave it a flexible structure for better crossing of difficult terrain. It is able to drive at land, as well as swiming in deep seas (though with some restrictions regarding depths).

Like its kinsman, the Mastodon Heavy Assault Transport, the Diadectes All Terrain Transport is able to transport about 40 Astartes or 20 Terminators.

Its thick hull enables it to dive into certain depths, making it a formidable weapon of choice in aquatic warfare.

 

Its armament consists of the following:

- a pair of twin-linked heavy lascannons

- a set of multimeters

- four torpedo / missile tubes

- two missile launchers (Dreadnaught size)

- additional 4 lascannons which can be exchanged for heavy Bolters, assault cannons or similar sized weaponry

 

 

Would love to hear your thoughts. :)

[simison]

What separates it from the Mastodon? 

[Kelborn]

Armament, hull structure (more flexible because of two hulls being connected), able to do underwater actions and design

 

Wanted to create an amphibious tank, basing on the Mastodon. Why that? It is big enough to possible act as something like a submarine.

Edited April 22, 2017 by Kelborn

[MikhalLeNoir]

What separates it from the Mastodon?

 

You can use it underwater. So perfect for drowned and scions

[bluntblade]

Hmm. Wheeled vehicles might be rather limited in usefulness underwater. I seem to recall that Hesh has the Drowned scornig transports for most of their underwater actions.

[Kelborn]

It's not entirely for underwater missions. It's an amphibious vehicle, acting as a link between the "normal" Land Raiders, Mastodons, etc and the specialized water vehicles (if there are any at all ^^).

 

Imagine the armament of a Mastodon (with some additions) on an AT-TE chassis plus an engine for both, land and water.

[Talonair]

Ah. Expensive to produce and accordingly rare, then? Which Legions would Abyssii provide it to?

Yep! The Abyssii would offer them to the Berserkers, the Halcyon Wardens and the Wardens of Light. The Drowned would recieve a number as part of the peace offering after the total trainwreck (Or is that shipwreck :P) of a first encounter. Outside of that they'd be supplied in lower numbers to the Legions that request them, the exact number depending on relationship with the Abyssii and on 'generous offerings'

[Slips]

I mean, Land Raiders/Spartans are already atmospherically sealed and have been deployed on ocean floors in the cannon already.

 

So a specialized hull, not really necessary; armaments are another thing.

[Kelborn]

The Diadectes is just a dalliance. Will most likely use it for my Imperial Sons (= 8th Brotherhood of the Scions, Yamatar realm).

 

Just wanted to share it with you. ^^

[bluntblade]

 

Ah. Expensive to produce and accordingly rare, then? Which Legions would Abyssii provide it to?

 

Yep! The Abyssii would offer them to the Berserkers, the Halcyon Wardens and the Wardens of Light. The Drowned would recieve a number as part of the peace offering after the total trainwreck (Or is that shipwreck :P) of a first encounter. Outside of that they'd be supplied in lower numbers to the Legions that request them, the exact number depending on relationship with the Abyssii and on 'generous offerings'

We can sneak that into War Machines in Book 1 for the Drowned and/or 2 with the Halcyon Wardens and Berserkers. However, I do still advocate a name change - what are the roots for the names of existing patterns?

 

Also Skal - are you up fo doing some FW-style profile sketches for vehicles?

Edited April 22, 2017 by bluntblade

[Talonair]

Existing patterns? Absolutely no idea

[~Drakzilla~]

Hey guys. Apologies for not being as active recently, I'm still alive, just swamped in schoolwork and projects. Once I get out and have more free time I should be able to contribute more, both art-wise and in fluff/rules for the XVII.

[bluntblade]

No worries Drak.

 

I'm digging - they're from Egyptian mythology. Khonsou gives me a moon god, Apophis a snake demon and Sokar a falcon god.

[bluntblade]

Therefore I suggest Maahres, after a lion-headed war god

[Skalpynock]

Also Skal - are you up fo doing some FW-style profile sketches for vehicles?

I may give it a go, if only to know whether I am capable enough to do it. Might keep me awake for a bit, as well.

[bluntblade]

You don't know 'til you try, right?

 

Btw, does anyone know if we can get template outlines for Land Raiders, Predators, Thunderhawks etc?

[Skalpynock]

You don't know 'til you try, right?

 

Btw, does anyone know if we can get template outlines for Land Raiders, Predators, Thunderhawks etc?

I was trying to figure an easier way to make some than by hand, which proved unsuccessful, but found just now templates for Raiders, Vindicators, and Fellblades.