Greetings Professor HeyTeeEn. They boys at the Hellsport Mek Werks have 'played around' with the design of the Sphinx Battlemech designed by the Clan Nova Cat. Without an example to actually work upon, they have determined that the Sphinx 3 is probably the 'best' design for most Mercenary units. TEN ER Medium Lasers are kind of hard to beat. Especially when the heat curve is so low. At a full run, and firing all ten lasers, the Mech only generates a heat burden of 52, and has 25 C-DSHD installed. Giving the Mech a heat delta of +2 heat per 'turn' of combat. Thus the Mech is able to fire all, or most of its weapons every turn and still maintain its top speed in combat. Running the Mech up to a heat delta of 8, or even 10, is likely in the 'heat' of combat, and yet turning off ONE of the lasers for 20 seconds (two combat 'turns') will return the Mech to 'heat neutral'. Turning off TWO lasers for 10 seconds (one combat 'turn') in combat can reduce a heat delta of 10 to zero. Thus, the maximal manner of usage of the Sphinx in combat would be to fire all 10 lasers for 50 seconds while at a full run, and then only fire 8 a single time during the next 10 seconds. This 'cycle' of fire should keep the Mech moving at its top speed, and keep returning the Mech to a heat delta of zero at the end of one full minute of combat. A Heavy Mech, moving at 86 KPH is not 'bad', and the Sphinx can cross its entire engagement envelope in under 20 seconds to end up in CQC distance. The opponent must do significant damage against a 'fast' target at longer ranges, or when the Sphinx does get into range, it will do serious damage to the opposing Mech VERY quickly. The top speed of 86 KPH is about equal to the top speeds of at least half of the faster Inner Sphere Medium Mechs, and you are doing so with a Heavy Mech, which mounts far more weapons systems. Using the 'standard' weapons algorithm, the Sphinx 3 does up to 70 standard 'points' of damage out to its maximum range of 450 Meters. In addition, the Mech only gets MORE accurate the closer it gets to the Enemy during combat. 70 standard 'points' of damage, or the potential for such, is well worth the expenditure of time, effort, and resources to build and utilize this Mech design. It is fast, for a Heavy Mech, has very good firepower potential at closer combat ranges, and remains relatively cool on the battlefield. Even though having half the range of an ER Large Laser does not affect this appreciation all that much. A full 13.5 tons of 'standard' armor plating does have its benefits. Allowing the Mech to close upon its target quickly and lose minimal armor doing so. Comparisons with other Clan Mechs, and Inner Sphere Heavies has resulted in a slight advantage for the Sphinx chassis. Given that the ER Medium Lasers are fairly easy to obtain from Clan Salvage, and the rest of the Mech is almost 'dead simple' to repair, with the only real 'issue' being the replacement of the relatively expensive, and relatively rare, 375 rated Clan XL Engine. Overall, I, and my staff, as well as the 'boys' at the Hellsport Mech Werks, would recommend this Mech design to Mercenary units. That is, if they can find any to buy or salvage. Diana McFairlain, Head Mech Tech, Ghost Lions Legions Hellsport Mech Museum Stygian Compact
I've been playing around with potential setups on my base-model version, and had a thought... If you shuffle things around a bit, and cut 4 of the ER medium lasers, you can retrofit TSM into the machine, with room leftover for a targeting computer, with enough weight leftover to max out the armor coverage... Seems like it would make for one hell of a wrecking ball...
@@andrewamann2821 Reducing the potential 70 damage of the lasers to 42 seems, at least to me, to be too much of a bite out of the combat ability of the Mech, just to add the potential of doubling physical damage incurred during CQC operations. I do not suggest it.
@@franksmedley8619 Methinks we're considering different versions... The original model's pair of Clan-grade ERLLs, with an additional 6 ER medium lasers would be 62 damage, at a net heat of 8, 9 if you're running, on the alpha strike... It also buys you that little bit of extra maneuverability to close the gap.
It’s very boxy, and seems to have its weapons practically glued on to the chassis. I know it’s tough, but all the right angles and simplistic body design remind me of what Tex had to say about the Charger. It’s definitely prioritizing function over form.
Greetings Professor HeyTeeEn.
They boys at the Hellsport Mek Werks have 'played around' with the design of the Sphinx Battlemech designed by the Clan Nova Cat. Without an example to actually work upon, they have determined that the Sphinx 3 is probably the 'best' design for most Mercenary units.
TEN ER Medium Lasers are kind of hard to beat. Especially when the heat curve is so low.
At a full run, and firing all ten lasers, the Mech only generates a heat burden of 52, and has 25 C-DSHD installed. Giving the Mech a heat delta of +2 heat per 'turn' of combat. Thus the Mech is able to fire all, or most of its weapons every turn and still maintain its top speed in combat.
Running the Mech up to a heat delta of 8, or even 10, is likely in the 'heat' of combat, and yet turning off ONE of the lasers for 20 seconds (two combat 'turns') will return the Mech to 'heat neutral'. Turning off TWO lasers for 10 seconds (one combat 'turn') in combat can reduce a heat delta of 10 to zero. Thus, the maximal manner of usage of the Sphinx in combat would be to fire all 10 lasers for 50 seconds while at a full run, and then only fire 8 a single time during the next 10 seconds. This 'cycle' of fire should keep the Mech moving at its top speed, and keep returning the Mech to a heat delta of zero at the end of one full minute of combat.
A Heavy Mech, moving at 86 KPH is not 'bad', and the Sphinx can cross its entire engagement envelope in under 20 seconds to end up in CQC distance. The opponent must do significant damage against a 'fast' target at longer ranges, or when the Sphinx does get into range, it will do serious damage to the opposing Mech VERY quickly.
The top speed of 86 KPH is about equal to the top speeds of at least half of the faster Inner Sphere Medium Mechs, and you are doing so with a Heavy Mech, which mounts far more weapons systems. Using the 'standard' weapons algorithm, the Sphinx 3 does up to 70 standard 'points' of damage out to its maximum range of 450 Meters. In addition, the Mech only gets MORE accurate the closer it gets to the Enemy during combat.
70 standard 'points' of damage, or the potential for such, is well worth the expenditure of time, effort, and resources to build and utilize this Mech design. It is fast, for a Heavy Mech, has very good firepower potential at closer combat ranges, and remains relatively cool on the battlefield.
Even though having half the range of an ER Large Laser does not affect this appreciation all that much. A full 13.5 tons of 'standard' armor plating does have its benefits. Allowing the Mech to close upon its target quickly and lose minimal armor doing so.
Comparisons with other Clan Mechs, and Inner Sphere Heavies has resulted in a slight advantage for the Sphinx chassis. Given that the ER Medium Lasers are fairly easy to obtain from Clan Salvage, and the rest of the Mech is almost 'dead simple' to repair, with the only real 'issue' being the replacement of the relatively expensive, and relatively rare, 375 rated Clan XL Engine.
Overall, I, and my staff, as well as the 'boys' at the Hellsport Mech Werks, would recommend this Mech design to Mercenary units. That is, if they can find any to buy or salvage.
Diana McFairlain,
Head Mech Tech,
Ghost Lions Legions
Hellsport Mech Museum
Stygian Compact
I've been playing around with potential setups on my base-model version, and had a thought... If you shuffle things around a bit, and cut 4 of the ER medium lasers, you can retrofit TSM into the machine, with room leftover for a targeting computer, with enough weight leftover to max out the armor coverage... Seems like it would make for one hell of a wrecking ball...
@@andrewamann2821 Reducing the potential 70 damage of the lasers to 42 seems, at least to me, to be too much of a bite out of the combat ability of the Mech, just to add the potential of doubling physical damage incurred during CQC operations. I do not suggest it.
Just adding TSM is a good start. No point in cutting down on the firepower of the machine to put in a TarComp, as the main punch is important.
@@franksmedley8619 Methinks we're considering different versions... The original model's pair of Clan-grade ERLLs, with an additional 6 ER medium lasers would be 62 damage, at a net heat of 8, 9 if you're running, on the alpha strike... It also buys you that little bit of extra maneuverability to close the gap.
I've nearly finished the Dark Age novels. Looking forward to reading about Nova Cats backing the wrong Kurita.
What's kinda interesting is that the Sphinx kinda looks like a Highlander from certain angles.
It’s very boxy, and seems to have its weapons practically glued on to the chassis. I know it’s tough, but all the right angles and simplistic body design remind me of what Tex had to say about the Charger. It’s definitely prioritizing function over form.
Function is honestly all that matters when you are broke and hiding in a country which pretty much despises you.
75? I was thinking that was like 30 wow it looks almost like a commando
Never used it... then again, I've also not been involved in many post Jihad campaigns either (Life does that)...
@@tehpw7574 It honestly is better than it has any rights to be.
I only know this mech from clickytech. Interesting as a heavy brawler, but major heat issues
The Sphinx 3, as I have commented upon, is most likely the 'best' design for this chassis.
Hopping on the heels of Red's Nova Cat vid? :P
No.
I do not follow BigRed.
Reminds me of a lighter clan Cyclops
For the looks, yes. It does win against Cyclops in terms of "survivability" (but not as a good command 'mech).
I wonder how this compares to the Cave Lion...
@@ambientlight3876 Cave Lion is a really odd one, super cool looking but really lackluster in Classic usually.
the clan grasshopper?
Being not jump capable limits it on this front, and sticking jump jets on it would limit its firepower severely.