Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Phosphorus - Div60 Midsized 2073 (Elemental)


Type:
Midsized, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: 150 cid IC engine (Tubes/Blue/VP/Spr), 5 gal. dueling tank (8dp), Tires: 4 FP-Radial-Steelbelted-Solids (14dp), Crew: Driver (blended body armor, fireproof suit, portable fire-extinguisher), Weaponry VMG (15/incendiary) in UM mount turret (2D area, fire 2/1), PS (20/reg) under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array, Weighted Accessories: Active Suspension, rollcage, IFE, safety seat, HD shocks, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC, HD-antilock brakes, Overdrive, no-paint tinted windshield, [6 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 59 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 3x10+9 pt WH all tires (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP & gas tank (4 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 0 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 144 pts FP Plastic: F(30) B(30) R(30) L(30) T(12) U(12); HC: 5 (6 over 60), Acc. 20 (Overdrive 10), Top Speed 87.5 (107.5), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5759.8 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $59,810.50

  • Option 1 - Personal equipment is $1400 & 28 lbs.
  • Option 2 - Convert armor to LRFP: Remove 13 pts. external vehicle armor, now 36 pts WH, 18 pts WG, remove 2 rounds from PS, $60,592.50, 5758.2 lbs.
Design Notes - My idea for this inaugural car for the 2073 season was yet another attempt to make the 'perfect car' which means (1) full internal safety equipment (roll-cage, safety seat, component armor, fire extinguishers) (2) highest possible handling class (so radials, spoiler, active suspension), and since there was only room for one weapon, that is a Vulcan (I'm addicted; I can stop at any time, I swear).

To be perfect, I needed to ignore cost in order to maximize utility. Not sure if it will survive full combat playtesting, but I feel comfortable I was able to meet my goals. Picture is of a Porsche 911 GT3 2009 found in public domain. 

Name Notes - From the Wiki, phosphorus is "a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15... [and] is never found as a free element on Earth. ... White phosphorus emits a faint glow when exposed to oxygen – hence the name, taken from Greek mythology, Φωσφόρος meaning 'light-bearer' (Latin Lucifer), referring to the "Morning Star", the planet Venus." 
Summary: Midsized, X-Hvy Ch, Hvy Sus, 150 cid IC engine (Tubes/Blue/VP/Spr), 5 gal. dueling tank, 4 FP-Radial-Steelbelted-Solid Tires, Driver & Gunner, VMG (15/incen.) in UM turret, PS (20/reg) under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array, Active Suspension, rollcage, IFE, safety seat, HD shocks, HRSWC, HD-antilock brakes, Overdrive, no-paint tinted windshield, 4 OD (FBRL) 6 SkD (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), 5 laser webs, 4 bump trig, 59 pts WG/WH, 9 pts LRFP Cmp Ar. for PP & Driver; Armor (144 FP Plastic): F(30) B(30) R(30) L(30) T(12) U(12), HC 5 (6), Acc. 20 (10), Top 87.5 (107.5), 5759.8 lbs. $59,810.50

* Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons) 

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Actinium - Div10 Compact (Elemental)



Type: Compact, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Medium Electric (PC & SC) (Pwr 1610, 8dp), Tires: 4 PR tires (9dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry VFRP (30/reg) front (1Dx6 burst), Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: SWC, Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 foam (2T, 2U, 1R 1L),  Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front (or choose where), Component Armor 10 pts plastic for (a) PP (4 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 1 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 57 pts Composite (43 Metal/14 Plastic): F(8/2) B(8/2) R(11/2) L(11/2) T(2/3) U(3/3); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 95, DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 4439 lbs. Max 4440, Cost: $9,979.50
  • #1 Div15 Option - Upgrade pretty much everything: Compact, Xhvy Ch. Hvy Sus, Med. PP (PC & SC), 4 Solid tires, driver, VFRP (30/reg) front, dischargers as above with smoke instead of foam, HRSWC, HD brakes, 4 bumper triggers (linked to oil dischargers & side weapons), HTM & Overdrive (linked), 9 pts FPLR CA around PP, same WG/WH, 56 pts Composite armor (39 Metal/17 plastic): F 8/2, B 7/2, R&L 10/2, T 2/3, U 2/6; HC 3, Acc. 5 (10), Top 95 (70/115), 4436.2 lbs, $14,938.50
Design Notes - After I made Protactinium, a Div20 sedan, I wanted to make the cheapest viable VFRP car that still could have OK targeting (7 to hit is cromulent) and most of my normal Styx Motors accessories (10 dischargers, full WG/WH, as much component armor as possible). As you can see, the price was the biggest difficulty & I needed to use every trick: (a) substitute metal for plastic armor (which resulted in a great 11 pts for the sides!) (b) unmodified CA instead of my standard LRFP, (c) nearly no accessories (no bumper triggers, HTM etc), (d) changing smoke dischargers to foam (which have the effect on lasers like paint)

The Div15 option allows an upgrade on tires & targeting at the expense of less vehicle armor.

Name Notes - Actinium is much more important an element than I realized when I randomly chose Protactinium a few days ago (mainly because I was just methodically going through the end of the alphabet elements). I'm not a chemist but as very young lad I loved the periodic table. The entire concept of a list of ordered ingredients that make up the universe was perfect for my personality and burgeoning worldview. It's part of the reason I love RPGs: the organization of a world into rules.

Actinium is the first of the row of actinides, which to my then (and now) untrained eyes was both an aberration in the symmetry of the Table and a sign of rigorous study in the accuracy of the chemical world. 
  
The element, as described in the Wiki

[This has] the symbol Ac and atomic number 89.... [and] gave the name to the actinide series, a group of 15 similar elements between actinium and lawrencium in the periodic table. It is also sometimes considered the first of the 7th-period transition metals, although lawrencium is less commonly given that position. Together with polonium, radium, and radon, actinium was one of the first non-primordial radioactive elements to be isolated.

A soft, silvery-white radioactive metal, actinium reacts rapidly with oxygen and moisture in air .... The name actinium originates from the Ancient Greek aktis, aktinos (ακτίς, ακτίνος), meaning beam or ray."

There is no thematic connection between the element and the car design except in the relationship to protactinium.

Image of a 1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT from here. I chose to include the earliest covered Ferrari image available because, as stated above, this is meant to be a precursor to Protactinium.

Variable Fire Rocket Pod Cars




My latest design, Protactinium, was to flesh out the concept of having a Sedan with a VFRP & HRSWC to compete in Div20 (or if possible 15). Now, the Car Wars VFRP was introduced after my heyday (1987, when I was in junior-high), but in terms of 20th century weapons, it made sense. 

Yet the VFRP cost/weight/space ratio is offset by the low to-hit. To make rockets valuable, they either need to be in low-price cars (because everything is hard), ramming designs (+4 to hit), or laser guidance (which is insanely pricey for 30 rockets)

I also have a weakness for putting things in turrets, which means vans or campers, both which have their major vulnerabilities.

Anyway, before I add to the VFRP pile, I should catalog - just for my own benefit - my previous designs.

The existing cars
  1. Protactinium, Div20 Sedan, front facing VFRP with HRSWC
  2. Corps, Unlimited Van: smartlinked VFRP in 3sp turret & front, ITL & LGL with Hires targeting computer, gas engine
  3. Battlestorm, Unlimited Camper, VFRP with mag in 3sp turret, ITL & LGL with cyberlink
  4. Palladium, Unlimited Van, C/A frame, 3 space pop-up cupola with HR & ITL & LGL smartlinked to VFRP front, HRTC
  5. Armydillo, RPG Van (because this has passengers), VFRP in 3sp turret, SWC
  6. Blowout, Div70 Van, VFRP in 3sp turret, 4 RL (2 front, 2 back), all TL & LGL, smartlinks, HRTC
  7. Osmium, Div70 Camper, VFRP in 3sp turret, LGL & HRSWC {Div30 option removes LGL}
  8. Atlas, Div60 Van, VFRP in 3sp turret, ITL & LGL, HRSWC
  9. Fenrir, Div50 Luxury, RL with mag in turret, VFRP front & back, TL & LGL for all 3, all smartlinked (BTW, this is a mess!)
Six of nine designs (4 vans & 2 campers) have the VFRP in a 3sp turret, 1 van that's a concept car with a pop-up cupola, but nearly all of them have a smartlink between targeting lasers. My most recent, Protactinium, is the only real low-price entry. Which is where I need to go.

Also, I think I can update my 3 MML designs to at least have the VFRP variant (as that was the whole point of introducing the weapon, no?)

Images: The above gif is a real world VFRP in a tank-killer helicopter. The below image is somehow SJG idea of the future weapon which is both bad art and implausible substitute for the real thing.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Protactinium - Div20 Sedan (Elemental)


Type:
Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry VFRP (30/reg) front (1D each rocket, max 6x1D), Weighted Accessories: IFE, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC, HTM & Overdrive (linked), [1 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 60 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 4x10 pt WH on all wheels, Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), (c) VFRP (3 sp) Cargo: 0 sp, 4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 163 pts sloped Composite (11 Metal/152 Plastic): F(2/32) B(2/32) R(2/36) L(2/36) T(1/6) U(2/10); HC: 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5),  Top Speed 90 (67.5/110), DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6116 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $19,979.10

  • #1 Div25 TL Option 1 - Remove HRSWC, add TG & LGL to all 30 rockets, remove 1 pt Metal & Plastic armor, 6112 lbs, $24,959.80.

  • #2 Div20 Midsize Option Type: Midsize, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (Pwr 2000, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry VFRP (30/reg) front (1D each rocket, max 6x1D), Weighted Accessories: IFE, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC, HTM & Overdrive (linked), [1 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 60 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 4x10 pt WH on all wheels, Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 4.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 163 pts Composite (11 Metal/154 Plastic): F(2/33) B(2/33) R(2/36) L(2/36) T(1/6) U(2/10); HC: 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5),  Top Speed 90 (67.5/110), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5755.6 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $18,191.50 
Design Notes - I'm still in my sedan phase, and after a few of them I'm starting to think of the body type as viable, but that could be a false positive. The major question is whether a sedan is markedly better at the same design concept than an equivalent Midsize. 

I had in my head "OK, a sedan with a VFRP, using a HRSWC instead of LGL, possibly to be Div20 or if possible Div15" The HRSWC because I surmised (correctly, see option 1) that it'd be significantly cheaper to just use the (game-breaking, for this reason) +2, 0 weight, targeting computer than to use laser-guidance (which carries laser penalties & the other weird 'broken link' worries). The metal armor was a way to fireproof the armor on the cheap (and to keep costs low). 

Option 2 proves to me that there's a good place for Sedans, given that the VFRP-HRSWC idea works best as a sedan not a midsized. The original had full component armor (great for fire issues & adding sneaky armor, don't @me) & sloped armor. While the Mid had 2 pts more plastic armor (muted applause) I couldn't keep the main design intact and make it div15.

I feel good about this 'road test' - after all these years, I see that for a high-concept design (meaning: let's have this configuration of weapons/internals), a sedan can allow more accessory variation while still keeping costs manageable. 

Name Notes - Just a random element name. From the Wiki
"...symbol Pa and atomic number 91. It is a dense, silvery-gray actinide metal which readily reacts with oxygen, water vapor and inorganic acids.... Because of its scarcity, high radioactivity and high toxicity, there are currently no uses for protactinium outside scientific research, and for this purpose, protactinium is mostly extracted from spent nuclear fuel."

It's Pro-Actinium because it was seen to be a precursor to Element #89, Actinium. I was about to name the Midsize option that (for symmetry's sake) but after reading about the element, it needs it's own car. It's pretty cool. So I think I'll try to design a really good VFRP car to earn that name.

Counter pic is of a Ferrari 488 GTB (2015-2019) from here

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Technetium - Div25 Sedan (Elemental)


Type:
Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry RL (10/incen.) front (2D+2, fire mod: 3/2), TL (front) LGL to 10 rounds, Weighted Accessories: rollcage, IFE, safety seat, HD shocks, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: SWC (to TL), HD-antilock brakes, HTM & Overdrive (linked), [6 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 60 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 4x10 pt WH front, Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), & (c) RL (2 sp) Cargo: 0 sp, 7.8 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 153 pts sloped Composite (7 Metal/146 Plastic): F(1/30) B(1/30) R(1/35) L(1/35) T(1/6) U(2/10); HC: 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5),  Top Speed 90 (67.5/110), DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6112.2 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $24,699.80
  • Turret Option - Add turret, put RL & TL in the turret; remove HD-shocks, remove 5 pts metal vehicle armor & 1 pt WH, add 6 pts plastic vehicle armor; $24,461.10, 6117.2 lbs (2.8lbs extra).
Design Notes -  I'm still in my Sedan phase and the design concept is to start with my favorite group of standards: solid tires, IFE, safety seat, roll-cage etc. After a while, I started running out of weight while still having space. And, as many designers know, that means I needed to resort to a RL w/LGL (and not even in a turret!). That's the first option. 

Name Notes - Got to admit, while I'm pretty familiar with the elements, I knew nothing about this element, which is in the middle of the periodic table, yet radioactive & synthetic. That surprised me.

From the Wiki: "It is the lightest element whose isotopes are all radioactive, none of which is stable other than the fully ionized state of 97Tc. Nearly all available technetium is produced as a synthetic element. Naturally occurring technetium is a spontaneous fission product in uranium ore and thorium ore, the most common source, or the product of neutron capture in molybdenum ores. The silvery gray, crystalline transition metal lies between manganese and rhenium in group 7 of the periodic table,... "

Picture is of a 1949 Mercury 6-Passenger Coupe from here.

* Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons) Defenses: Styx Defensive System*;

Monday, September 14, 2020

Seaborgium - Div15 Sedan (Elemental)


Type:
Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 PR (9dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Gunner (no equip) Weaponry RR (10/reg) front (2D burst), OJ (25/reg) back, SS (10/reg) back, Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC, linked SS & OJ [1 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Wheel Armor: 60 total = 4x10 pt WG, 2x10 pt WH front, Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 3.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 142 pts Composite (45 Metal/7 Plastic): F(9/0) B(9/0) R(11/0) L(11/0) T(2/3) U(3/4); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6116.6 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $14,938.50
  • Option 1 - Remove gunner, slope armor, add 3 pts Metal & 2 pts plastic vehicle armor, reduce HRSWC to SWC, add anti-lock brakes, $14,741.70, 6119.6 lbs.

  • Option 2 - Like Option 1, but remove Anti-lock brakes, convert SS to PS (25/reg) under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array & Styx Defensive System* (i.e. 5 laser reactive webs & 4 bumper triggers, add 5 links = 6 total links),  $14,991.70, 6119.6 lbs.
Design Notes - I had hoped originally to get this below 10K but it was hanging around 11 and I didn't want to immediately strip the accessories or drop the RR to RL, so I pumped it up to Div15 with the HRSWC. Not sure why I wanted a crew of 2 (and I guess I rushed a draft to publication because, TBH, I wanted to make sure I had at least one entry in 2020). 

But the 2 options even out the Div15 decision: sloped armor is always a plus (and worth a gunner, especially when there's only one offensive weapon); and the Styx Defense System works for staving off RL-LGL (or feisty actual lasers) that can be found in Div15.

Name Notes - Element #106, info from the Wiki: "a d-block transactinide element.... [it's] named after the American nuclear chemist Glenn T. Seaborg. As a synthetic element, it can be created in a laboratory but is not found in nature. It is also radioactive; the most stable known isotope." Why this element? Because it's a passive-aggressive way of showing that I'm not super happy with the design. It's obvious that it's a Div10 artificially inflated to Div15. One day I'll figure out the purpose of sedans; I'm still stuck in the Midsized/Luxury mindset I had back in the mid-1980s.

(Counter from here of the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS)

* Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons) 

Friday, October 11, 2019

Strontium - Div15 Sedan

Type: Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry VMG (19/reg) front (2D area), FOJ (25/reg) back (1D-2, fire mod: 3/2), Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: SWC, Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L); Wheel Armor: 36 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x8 pt WH front, Component Armor 10 pts reg for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), (c) FOJ (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 57 pts sloped Composite (46 Metal/11 Plastic): F(10/0) B(10/0) R(11/0) L(11/0) T(2/5) U(2/6); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6118 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $14,994.80
  • Turret Option 1 - Put VMG in turret, armor is now 41 Metal/11 Plastic, 41 pts Wheel armor, 6118 lbs, $15,832.30.

  • Turret Option 2 - Put VMG in turret, add gunner, remove dischargers, no sloped armor, Vehicle armor is 40 Metal/14 Plastic, 20 pts wheel armor, 6116 lbs, $14,927.
Design Notes - I recently updated a car with my favorite combo, turreted VMG with a FOJ back. I call this the Hyperion, and I just wanted to see if I could make the same combo with a sedan not a midsized in Div15. Short answer, the Midsized version is way better. It has more armor and an IFE, while the main entry doesn't even have a turret (in order to keep the cost low)

Name Notes - An element name that in itself sounds cool. Info from the Wiki:
Strontium is the chemical element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38. An alkaline earth metal, strontium is a soft silver-white yellowish metallic element that is highly chemically reactive. ... Both strontium and strontianite are named after Strontian, a village in Scotland near which the mineral was discovered in 1790...
But the name also evokes the British comic book Strontium Dog
Strontium Dog is a long-running British comics series featuring in the British science fiction weekly 2000 AD, starring Johnny Alpha, a mutant bounty hunter with an array of imaginative gadgets and weapons.

Picture is a Alfa Romeo 4C Spider from here.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Hyperion 2069 - Div15 Midsized

Type: Midsized, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (Pwr 2000, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry VMG (20/reg) in turret (2D area), FOJ (25/reg) back (1D-2, fire mod: 3/2), Weighted Accessories: IFE, Unwgt. Acces.: nil  Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 60 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 4x10 pt WH (all wheels), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 6.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 49 pts Composite (36 Metal/13 Plastic): F(8/0) B(8/0) R(8/0) L(8/0) T(2/7) U(2/6); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5753.6 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $14,948.00
  • Option 1 - remove 11 pts Wheelhubs, add 11 pts vehicle armor (F(8/3) B(8/2) R(8/3) L(8/3) T(2/7) U(2/6)), 5757.6 lbs, $14,914.
Summary: Midsized, Xhvy Ch., Hvy Sus., driver, Large PP, 4 Solid tires, VMG in turret, FOJ rear, IFE, 10 smoke/oil disch., 60 pts WG/WH, 9 pts LRFP CA around driver, Armor (Met/Pl): F(8/0) B(8/0) R(8/0) L(8/0) T(2/7) U(2/6). HC 3, Acc 5, Top 90, 5753.6 lbs, $14,948

Design Notes - The paired VMG-FOJ is one of the best in the game. Like most of you designers, I made one and found it hard to make a div15 with Solid tires. As you can see from below, I've done this many times, and finally this year I put my laptop to the grindstone and made a pretty good version.

The necessary components in addition to that weapon array: Div15, solid tires, IFE, wheel protection. I was able to get component armor, and a full array of dischargers (10), but no bumper triggers or other fancy accessories. This is really tight & to the minimum to get Div15. I like that it's fully encased in Metal armor b/c that makes things fireproof

Here are the previous versions:

Hyperion 2037 (Original) 
  • Main Entry: Midsize, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Large PP, 4 PR tires, driver, VMG in turret, FOJ back, FE, SWC, 1 cargo space 6 lbs, 243 plastic armor: F50, R55, L55, B40, T23, U20; Acc. 5, HC 3, 5754 lbs., $14,304 

  • 2037 Option 1: FOJ to OJ, add 1 pt. armor, 5757 lbs., $14,304
  • 2037 Option 2: add Ram Plate, armor: F50 (ram) R45 L45 B40 T20 U18, $15,763
  • 2037 Option 3: FP armor + Ram Plate (#2), no SWC, $19,951
  • 2037 Option 4: FP armor, no SWC, FOJ to OJ, add 1 armor, 5760 lbs, $14,588
  • 2037 Option 54 Solid tires, no SWC, FOJ to OJ, remove 2 pts armor, 5753 lbs, $14,956
  • 2037 Option 6: 4 Solid tires, no SWC, FOJ to HDOJ, no cargo space, remove 8 pts armor, 5760 lbs, $15,260 (remove 25 pts armor to get to Div15, 5624 lbs, $14,988
Hyperion 2057 (Oct 9, 2007)
  • 2057 Main Entry Midsize, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Large PP, 4 PR tires, driver, 2 linked MG (20/incd) in turret, FOJ (15/reg) back, 6 Smoke/Oil Dischargers, IFE, SWC, Bumper Triggers R&L, 10 pts. FP CA around driver, 86 pts Composite MET/Plastic armor: F(10/5) B(8/3) R(11/3) L(11/3) T(0/17) U(0/15); Acc. 5, Top 90, HC 3, 5754 lbs., $14,304
  • 2057 Version 2 replace metal with a (total) of 246 pts. plastic armor; $16,561
  • 2057 Version 3 (div20) 4 Solid tires, VMG in turret (20/incd) in turret, FOJ (15/reg) back, 6 Smoke/Oil Dischargers, IFE, 4 Bumper Triggers, HD-ABS, HD shocks, spoiler & airdam, 10 pts. FP CA around driver, 2 10pt WG back, 2 5 pt WH front, BA for driver,  200 pts plastic armor (F40 B35 R45 L45 T20 U15); Acc. 5, Top 90, HC 3(4), 5760 lbs., $19,875
  • 2057 Version 4 (div25) 4 Solid-Radial tires, VMG in turret (18/incd) in turret, SS(10/Hot) back, 7 Smoke/Oil Dischargers, HRSWC, FE, 4 Bumper Triggers, HD-ABS, HD shocks, spoiler & airdam, 10 pts. FP CA each around driver & PP, BA for driver, 200 pts plastic armor (F40 B35 R45 L45 T20 U15); Acc. 5, Top 90, HC 4(5), 5760 lbs., $24,895
Hyperion Cold (Oct 10, 2007)
  • 2057 Cold Midsized, Xhvy Ch., Hvy-Active Sus., Large PP (PC), 4 Solid Tires, driver (Body Armor), VMG (20/reg or 10/HD) in turret, ID (20/reg) back, 6 Oil/Smoke dischargers, SWC, FE, spoiler & airdam, active suspension, HD-ABS, HD shocks, HTM & Overdrive, 2 10 pt WG rear, 2 5 pt WH front, 10 pts FP CA around driver; 190 pts Plastic Armor: F40 B30 R40 L40 T22 U18; Acc. 5 (10), Top 95 (75/115), HC 4(5); 5760 lbs., $24,940
Name Notes - Hyperion is a moon of Saturn, and in general one of my favorite names.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Radon - Div5 Sedan

Type: Sedan, Chassis: Light, Suspension: Improved, Engine: Medium Electric (SC) (Pwr 1540, 8 dp), Tires: 2 HD tires front, 2 Std. tires rear (6/4dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Gunner (no equip), Weaponry 4 Light Rockets front (reg) (1D burst), FT (10/reg) back (1D, fire mod:4/3), JD (10/reg) right & left, Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: nil, Dischargers: nil, Wheel Armor: nil, Component Armor nil, Cargo: 0 sp, 225 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 15 pts sloped Metal: F(4) B(3) R(3) L(3) T(1) U(1); HC: 2, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 92.5, DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 4365lbs. Max 4590, Cost: $4,952.50
  • Option 1 - Remove rockets, add 2 more JD, all 4 linked, tires now all HD, add 1 pt armor, 4580 lbs, $4952.00
Design Notes - Now comes the inevitable Div5 for sedan attempt. I do think that the option is a bit better than the original, if anything for having better tires, but some people have front firing weapons. For a div5, this could survive a bit, especially with a torrent of junk out of the rear, and a decent weapon (flamethrower).

Name Notes - When I think of Radon, I think of poison in backyards. From the Wiki:
Radon is a chemical element with the symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas.


Counter is an Isuzu 117 Coupe is from here.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Molybdenum - Div10 Sedan

Type: Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10 dp), Tires: 4 PR (reg, 9 dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Gunner (no equip), Weaponry 2 HR front (3D burst), 2 linked SD (BR & BL) (10/reg) & SS (10/reg) linked to SD, Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.:  [2 total links], Dischargers: none, Wheel Armor: 8 pts total  (choose where), Component Armor 10 pts reg plastic for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver only (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 57pts Composite (53 Metal/4 Plastic): F(13/0) B(12/0) R(12/0) L(12/0) T(2/2) U(2/2); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6118 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $9,987.00

Design Notes - This was a design concept, to go with my new focus on Sedans, to make a decent Div10. So, it's, uh, decent.

The cons: nearly 0 offensive weapons; any 'kills' would need to come from indirect reactions to the dropped weapons.

The pros: very heavy armor; not sure how many Div10 weapons will penetrate 12 pts of metal.

Name Notes - Random element, but I've always liked the name. From the Wiki:
Molybdenum is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos, meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores.

The counter-picture is of the Mazda 5, from here. I realize I've been just swiping the free pix from that website and on my honor I'll try to give the credits if I can remember whereforoutfrom they are from

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Cesium - Div20 Sedan

Type: Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry Medium Laser (reg) in turret (2D area), 2 HR (incen) 1 front/back (3D+3, fire mod: 4/3), with Blow Through Concealment, LGL to ML, Weighted Accessories: IFE, Unwgt. Acces.: 4 bumper triggers linked to dischargers & rockets, Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front, Component Armor 10 pts reg for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 3 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 55 pts sloped Composite (32 Metal/23 Plastic): F(7/3) B(7/3) R(7/3) L(7/3) T(2/6) U(2/5); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6117 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $19,789.40
  • Div15 Option - Replace ML with RR (10/HEAT, 2D+2, no burst), remove LGL, HR are reg. not incen., remove BTC, add 2 pts Metal & 3 pt Plastic vehicle armor, add 1 pt WH, 6118 lbs, $14,932.80
Design Notes - Another 'Stupid Weapon' design, this time for the Medium Laser. It's $5500 & 350 lbs... the same weight as a Recoilless Rifle, hence my option. Is the Div20 better than the Div15? If so, only because of guided rockets.

Name Notes -  Just a random element name. The element info from the Wiki:
Caesium ... is a chemical element with the symbol Cs and atomic number 55. It is a soft, silvery-golden alkali metal with a melting point of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F), which makes it one of only five elemental metals that are liquid at or near room temperature.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Boron - Div20 Sedan

Type: Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry 2 linked RL (10/incen.) front (2D+2 burst, 3/2 fire mod), Anti-Power Plant rocket (1D-1) on 1 sp. rocket platform, GS (2/smoke) rear, Weighted Accessories: IFE, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC (to RLs), HD-antilock brakes, 4 bumper triggers, Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 19 pts WH front (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), (c) RLs (4 sp) Cargo: 0 sp, 3.2 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 53 pts Composite (32 Metal/21 Plastic): F(8/4) B(7/4) R(7/4) L(7/4) T(1/2) U(2/3); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6116.8 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $19,430.50


  • SAM Option - Rocket platform is now UM, replace APPR with 1 SAM (normal, 6/11 to hit, 4D); remove Anti-lock brakes, Armor is 50 composite (30 Met/20 Plastic): F(7/3) B (6/4) L (7/4) R (7/4) T (1/2) U (2/3); 6119.8 lbs, $19,302.50 (for AP missile add $250



  • WGM Option - Same as SAM, but replace with 1 WGM on platform, add 1 pt metal armor, 1 pt WH, 6118.8 lbs, $20,857.50.



  • Radar Guided Missile Option - Well, it turns out that the good ol' RGM may be obsolete? Or just not in the MADHAT designer? Or is it disguised as one of the WGM? In any case, I'm not going to keep searching for what amounts to a specific use type weapon, at least for ground vehicles. 


  • Design Notes -  This is a series of 'Sedans plus Weird Weapon' cars and this may be the most useless of them all: the Anti-Power-Plant-Rocket. Because, I mean, if it hits an exposed PP, then 1 pt of damage will short it out. But, um, if your opponent has an armor breach that severe, just fire ANYTHING in the hole. Because if you fire the '9 to hit' rocket in a hole, you still need to roll a die as to what you hit. I guess they intend for you to have a Targeting Laser?

    Anyway, I also don't use gas-streamers that often, so I tossed one in here as well.

    As for the main, actually decent, weapon, I'm using my favorite high damage, low-weight punch in the face: twin RL with incendiary loads. And, since I don't have the money in div20, a HRSWC is better than a LGL (and we all know the HRSWC is a rule-breaker, but I may make a house-rule that you can only use one if you also employ an APPR)

    Quick Update: After publishing the post, I realized I should just use the same design for the other useless rockets/missiles, so I've added options for those as well.

    Name Notes - Who doesn't like the element name 'boron'? And, to pair with the APPR, I felt anything that sounds like moron would work. The element info from the Wiki:
    Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5. Produced entirely by cosmic ray spallation and supernovae and not by stellar nucleosynthesis, it is a low-abundance element in the Solar system and in the Earth's crust. ... Elemental boron is a metalloid that is found in small amounts in meteoroids but chemically uncombined boron is not otherwise found naturally on Earth. ... The word boron was coined from borax, the mineral from which it was isolated, by analogy with carbon, which boron resembles chemically.
    So maybe Borax would be a better name, except for the 'oron' effect which, quite frankly, I think I need.

    Bismuth - Div20 Sedan

    Type: Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Gunner (no equip), Weaponry VMG (20/explosive) in turret (2D burst), SG (10/reg) back (1D), Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: Targ. Comp. (gunner), SWC (driver to VMG), HD brakes, 4 bumper triggers (to dischargers & weapons), Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), (c) gunner (2 sp.) Cargo: 0 sp, 1.8 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 162 pts Composite (2 Metal/160 Plastic): F(0/40) B(0/35) R(0/35) L(0/35) T(1/9) U(1/6); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6118.2 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $19,882.50

    Design Notes - Another "Sedan plus underused weapon" design (like Beryllium), this one the Spike Gun. Look, I guess I get why we want to fling weapons; the Oilgun is one of my favorites, but mainly because of it's versatility: it can coat a car with a heavy paint load and/or toss a slick across an arena.

    Even the Mineflinger can make sense because cars don't prepare too much for mines. Designs skimp on underbody armor, and even tires if they're armored. But some of my worst losses came from mines, either the direct damage, or losing control when swerving away at 90mph. So a flung mine can catch you enough off guard that you'll need to run over them, and boom

    But spikes?

    As with the other design, I have used one weird flinger plus one devastating offensive weapon, here the explosive VMG.

    Name Notes - Just going alphabetically in the periodic table, choosing Bismuth because of the association with pepto bismol (so the car should be painted pink),

    and then again from the awesome Amazon reboot of the Tick, where Big Bismuth [Spoiler] is an analog for kryptonite.

    As for the element itself, info from the Wiki:
    Bismuth is a chemical element with the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. It is a pentavalent post-transition metal and one of the pnictogens with chemical properties resembling its lighter homologs arsenic and antimony. ... It is a brittle metal with a silvery white color when freshly produced, but surface oxidation can give it a pink tinge.... [It is] used in cosmetics, pigments, and a few pharmaceuticals, notably bismuth subsalicylate, used to treat diarrhea
    Make whatever jokes need to be made.

    Beryllium - Div20 Sedan

    Type: Sedan, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2100, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry ATG (10/APFSDS) front (3D+6), MF with mag (10/reg) back (2D/1D), Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: Targ. Comp., HD brakes, HTM & Overdrive (linked), 4 bumper triggers (to all side weapons) [1 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 173 pts Composite (2 Metal/171 Plastic): F(0/40) B(0/40) R(0/40) L(0/40) T(1/5) U(1/6); HC: 3, Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5),  Top Speed 90 (67.5/110), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6117.6 lbs. Max 6120, Cost: $19,755.50

    Design Notes -  I'm starting a series of design concepts based on 2 things that I want to rectify: there are certain weapons I never use & certain vehicle types I hardly make. So for the next few cars, I'm making Sedans plus a rare weapon. Depending on the weapon cost, I'm angling for Div20 (the most creative price-class). So, this car was expected to be: Sedan PLUS Mine-Flinger

    Name Notes - Another fun element name. And, for those who care, a key element for Galaxy Quest.
    As for the actual element, from the Wiki:
    Beryllium is a chemical element with the symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is a relatively rare element in the universe, usually occurring as a product of the spallation of larger atomic nuclei that have collided with cosmic rays. ... Notable gemstones which contain beryllium include beryl (aquamarine, emerald) and chrysoberyl. As a free element it is a steel-gray, strong, lightweight and brittle alkaline earth metal.
    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 4 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons)

    Argon - Div15 Midsized

    Type: Midsized, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (no mods) (Pwr 2000, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry Blast Cannon (10/reg) front (4D blast), Weighted Accessories: nil, Unwgt. Acces.: nil, Dischargers: nil  Defenses: nil Wheel Armor:  2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front, 17 pts WH rear (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 3.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 62 pts Composite (42 Metal/20 Plastic): F(10/2) B(10/2) R(10/2) L(10/2) T(1/6) U(1/6); HC: 3, Acc. 5,  Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5756.6 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $14,957.50
    • Targeting Option - Add SWC, convert Comp-Armor to 10 pts of reg., remove 3 pts of WG for rear wheels, 5746 lbs (14 to spare), $14,990.

    • Div10 Option - Replace BC with 2 linked FT (10/reg) Back Left & Back Right; convert Comp-Armor to 10 pts of reg., WG the same but now 19pts WH (choose where), Vehicle Armor, 35 Metal & 13 inner plastic: F (8/1) B (8/1) R (8/2) L (8/2) T (1/3) U (2/4); 5750 lbs (10 to spare), $9980.00.

    • Original Concept Option - Replace BC with 4 unlinked HR (choose where), convert Comp-Armor to 10 pts of reg., 2x10 WG rear, 2x10 WH front, 2x7 WH rear, Vehicle Armor: 47 Metal & 20 inner plastic: F (11/2) B (10/2) R (11/3) L (11/3) T (2/5) U (2/5); 5746 lbs (14 lbs to spare), $9990.00
    Design Notes - This started as an attempt to make a Div10 with heavy metal armor & solid tires & full wheel protection. When I discovered I couldn't do that without compromising weaponry (as you can see in the 'original concept'; in Div10, 4 heavy rockets won't do much at all). So I expanded it to Div15, and once I did that I was able to cram in a blast-cannon.  The Targeting option is probably better than the default, because not so many lasers in Div15, but getting a +1 in targeting has a big value


    Name Notes - The element Argon (which sounds like a scifi name, no matter what). From the Wiki:
    Argon is a chemical element with the symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. Argon is the third-most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere.... The name "argon" is derived from the Greek word ἀργόν, neuter singular form of ἀργός meaning "lazy" or "inactive", as a reference to the fact that the element undergoes almost no chemical reactions.

    I chose this name not because it reflects on the design-concept, but because I like its sound.

    Monday, September 9, 2019

    Cleaned up Links

    My, the internet has changed since I first made this site. Many of the links to great CW pages are now defunct (I'm not blaming SJG, because they haven't contacted me about my site and it's somewhat the equivalent). I'll try to search for replacement sites and add new ones.

    Monday, October 31, 2016

    Ophelia 2067 - Div90, Div30 Pickup (Galaxy, Updated)



    Type: Pickup, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Active-Heavy, Engine: 200 cid IC engine (Tubes/Blue/VP/Spr, 12 dp, 4500 pwr), 6 gal. dueling tank (8dp), Tires: 6 FP-Radial-Steelbelted-Solids (14dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry HL (pulse, 4D+4, fire 2/0) front, ramplate Weighted Accessories: laser battery, Active Suspension, IFE, safety seat, HD shocks, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC, HD-antilock brakes, no-paint windshield, [0 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 ice (FBRL) 6 hot smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 35 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 15 pts WH front (choose where), Component Armor none Cargo: 11 sp, 1.1 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 164 pts LRFP Plastic: F 50(ram) B32 R33 L33 T8 U8; HC: 4 (5 over 60), Acc. 20, Top Speed 85, MPG: 34, Range: 204, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 7798.9 lbs. Max 7800, Cost: $89,900.00

    • Div30 Option 1 - Pickup, Xhvy Ch., Hvy Sus, Super PP, 6 PR-Radial tires, driver, HL front, ramplate, IFE, roll-cage, safety seat, spoilers & airdam, HTM & Overdrive (linked), bumper trigger front, 10 dischargers (4 oil, 2 smoke, 4 foam); 38 pts WG/WH, 71 pts component armor (25 MET/46 Plastic): F(10/12, ram) B(4/8) R(4/8) L(4/8) T(1/5) U(2/5); HC 4 (5 over 60), Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5), Top 90 (67.5/110), 7799 lbs, $29,988
    Design Notes - Updated from this 2037 design:
    Pickup, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Super PP, 6 Radial-PR Tires, Driver; HL front, ramplate, TC, 250 pts Plastic Armor: F 60 (ram) B 50 R 40 L 40 T 30 U 30; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 7790 lbs. (max 7800), $29,705.00.
    So the problem of updating this truck is that I have a lot of 'Pickups with Heavy Laser front':
    To make this a proper update, I decided to focus on the ramcar aspects. The option is to try to keep it to div30.

    Name Notes - See the original.

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Hot Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to ice & also linked to that side's weapons)

    Friday, October 28, 2016

    Metis 2067 - Div5 Compact (Galaxy)



    Type: Compact, Chassis: Standard, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Medium Electric (no mods) (Pwr 1400, 8dp), Tires: 4 Heavy Duty (6 dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) Weaponry SS (10/reg) & SD (10/reg) linked back, Weighted Accessories: nil Unwgt. Acces.: nil, [1 total links], Dischargers: none; Wheel Armor: 20 total = 2x9 pt WG rear, 2x1 pt WH front, Component Armor 10 pts for (a) PP (FP, 4 sp), (b) Driver (reg, 2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 41 pts Composite (33 Metal/8 Plastic): F(8/0) B(7/0) R(8/0) L(8/0) T(1/4) U(1/4); HC: 3, Acc. 5 Top Speed 97.5, DM: 2/3, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 3698 lbs. Max 3700, Cost: $4,976.00

    • Option 1 - replace SS & SD with FOJ (15 shots), add 3 pts MET armor, $4999.00
    Design Notes I'm trying to make more Div5 cars. This was to make a pure dropped weapon car with decent armor and that meant a compact. Once I had that size, I hoped I could put in component armor. The option may actually be better than the original: a flaming oil jet in a Div5 fight?!

    Name Notes - From the Wiki: "Metis, also known as Jupiter XVI, is the innermost moon of Jupiter. It was discovered in 1979 in images taken by Voyager 1, and was named in 1983 after the first wife of Zeus, Metis."

    Thursday, October 20, 2016

    Dan's Pride 2066 - Div20 Luxury (Update)



    Type: Luxury, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC) (Pwr 2200, 10dp), Tires: 4 FP-Radial-Steelbelted-Solids(14dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Gunner (no equip), Weaponry VMG (20/reg) in turret (2D area), HDFT (10/reg) back (2D, fire mod: 5/3) with BTC, HR front (3D), Unwgt. Acces.: HD-brakes, [0 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front, Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 1.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 140 pts sloped Composite (1 Metal/139 Plastic): F(0/30) B(0/30) R(0/30) L(0/30) T(0/14) U(1/5); HC: 3, Acc. 5, Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6598.6 lbs. Max 6600, Cost: $19,950.50

    • Option 1 - change HDFT to FT, add 9 pts LRFP comp. armor to it, remove HR, add IFE, add spoiler & airdam, add 1 pt. vehicle armor, 6598.2 lbs, $19,997.50
    • Option 2, Sedan version Sedan, Xhvy Ch., Hvy Sus., Large PP (PC), 4 Solid Tires, driver, VMG in turret, HDFT rear, 2 linked HR front, HD brakes, HTM & Overdrive, Targ. Comp., 40 pts WG/WH, Styx Defensive System*, 140 pts Sloped Plastic Armor (FBRL 30 TU 10), HC 3, Top 90, Acc. 5, 6120 lbs, $19,872.00
    Design Notes - Updated from this 2037 design:
    Luxury, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Super PP, 4 Solid Tires, Driver; VMG in turret, HDFT back, 4 linked HRs front, TC, 175 pts Plastic Armor: F 40 B 35 R 30 L 30 T 20 U 20; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 6900 lbs. (max 6600), $19,100.00
    Even with the math error in the original, there's a lot of empty spaces in the car (hence the Sedan version), but I used the space for the CA & sloping in the original update.

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons)

    Wednesday, October 19, 2016

    Hamhock 2066 - Div25 Luxury (Updated)



    Type: Luxury, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (SC) (Pwr 2200, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Gunner (no equip), Weaponry VMG (15/incen) in turret (2D area, 2/1 burn), GL (5 paint, 5 flaming oil, rotary mag) front (FO 1d-2, 3/2 burn), MF (5/reg) back, Weighted Accessories: IFE, spoiler & airdam, rotary mag, Unwgt. Acces.: Targ Comp (gunner), SWC (driver to GL), HD brakes, HTM [0 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 foam (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 37 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x8 pts WH front, Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 142 pts Composite (2 Metal/140 Plastic): F(0/30) B(0/30) R(0/30) L(0/30) T(0/14) U(2/5); HC: 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5 (HTM 10),  Top Speed 90 (67.5), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6597.6 lbs. Max 6600, Cost: $24,885.00

    Design Notes - Updated from this 2037 design:
    Luxury, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Super PP, 4 PR Tires, Driver & Gunner; VMG (20/incen) in turret, MF (5/reg) back, FOJ (25/reg), GL (10/paint) front, 193 pts Plastic Armor: F 36 B 30 R 36 L 36 T 30 U 25; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 6600 lbs. (max 6600), $19,885.00.
    All in all, not so bad an idea except that it's still hard to fit all the fun stuff into one frame, and with the modern upgrades I couldn't get it under 20.

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Foam Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons)

    Friday, October 14, 2016

    Orfice 2066 - Div25 Luxury (Updated)



    Type: Luxury, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (SC) (Pwr 2200, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver, Weaponry RR (10/reg) in turret (2D burst), RR (10/reg) front, smartlinked, OJ (25/reg) back, PS (25/reg) under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array, Weighted Accessories: IFE, safety seat, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: TC, smartlink, HD-brakes, no-paint windshield, [0 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 39 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 19 pts WH front (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (5 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 0.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 160 pts sloped Composite (2 Metal/158 Plastic): F(0/34) B(0/33) R(0/35) L(0/35) T(0/16) U(2/5); HC: 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5 Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6599.6 lbs. Max 6600, Cost: $24,863.50

    Design Notes - Updated from this 2037 design:
    Luxury, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Super PP, 4 Solid Tires, Driver; RL with mag in turret, 2 linked RR front, OJ back, PS right, PS left, HRTC, 181 pts Plastic Armor: F 40 B 30 R 30 L 30 T 26 U 25; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 6600 lbs. (max 6600), $24,220.00
    Once I have a luxury, it seems a crime to not slope the armor & add component armor. To do that, I needed to drop 1 PS & 1 weapon. In addition, I feel when you have a front & turrent weapon they should be the same type if possible to exploit the smartlink.

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons) Defenses: Styx Defensive System*;

    Nicrob 2066 - Div20 Midsized (Updated)



    Type: Midsized, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (Pwr 2000, 10dp) Tires: 4 PR-Radials (8dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) Weaponry GL (10/rotary: 6 Flaming Oil, 4 Thermite) in turret, 2 linked RL (5/Incen then 5/AP) back Weighted Accessories: rotary mag, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC (to RLs), [1 total link], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 foam (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 40 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 pt WH front (choose where), Cargo: 0 sp, 2 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 166 pts sloped Composite (10 Metal/156 Plastic): F(2/35) B(1/35) R(2/35) L(2/35) T(1/11) U(2/5); HC: 4, Acc. 5 Top Speed 90, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5758 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $19,971.00

    Design Notes - Updated from this 2037 design:
    Midsized, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Large PP, 4 PR Radial Tires, Driver; GL (10/concussion) in turret, 2 linked RL front, HRTC, 40 pts Wheelguards, 221 pts Plastic Armor: F 40 B 40 R 35 L 35 T 36 U 35; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 5758 lbs. (max 5760), $19,586.00
    This is an update of the update, i.e. I added a basic 2037 upgrade in the original and then just added my modern touches. * Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons)

    Tuesday, October 11, 2016

    Outlaw 2066 - Div20/RPG Station Wagon (Update)

    This is an update of this 2037 design.

    Type: Station Wagon, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Super PP (Pwr 2600, 12dp), Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Passenger (no equip, in cargo space), Weaponry RR (10/HEAT) front (2D+2), RL (10/reg) back (2D, burst), PS (25/reg) under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array, Weighted Accessories: IFE, 2 safety seats, Unwgt. Acces.: Targ. Comp., no-paint windshield, 3 space sleeping space in cargo Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 foam (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 60 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 4x10 pt WH on all tires, Component Armor nil, Cargo: 6 sp, 385 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 142 pts sloped Composite (2 Metal/140 Plastic): F(0/30) B(0/30) R(0/32) L(0/32) T(0/11) U(2/5); HC: 3, Acc. 5; Top Speed 100, DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6215 lbs. Max 6600, Cost: $19,875.00

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Foam Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons)

    • Dueling Option Station Wagon, Xhvy Ch., Hvy Sus., Large PP (SC), 4 Solid tires, driver & passenger (100 lbs avail. for cargo), RR (10/HEAT) front, MML (10/incen) back, PS (25/reg) under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array, sunroof, IFE, spoiler & airdam, Targ. comp., no-paint windshield, 60 pts. WH/WG, 6 Foam Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons, 48 pts composite sloped armor (38 MET/10 Plastic): F(8/0) B(7/0) L(10/0) R(10/0) T(1/5) U(2/5), HC 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5, Top 90, -1 hit mod, 6500 lbs, $19,035

    Design Notes - Updated from this obsolete 2037 design:
    Station Wagon, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Super PP, 4 PR Tires, Driver & 1 passenger (in cargo); RR with mag front, RL back, HDPS back, 3 space sleeping compartment (in cargo), 3 spaces for cargo: 900 lbs capacity; 150 pts Plastic Armor: F 35 B 30 R 30 L 30 T 10 U 15; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 5965 lbs. (max 6600), $14,400.00
    This is an RPG design (passenger, major level cargo space/weight) but the combat option is to recognize that a passenger can be useful in certain duels that allow the occupants to use hand weapons.

    Monday, October 10, 2016

    Bismark 2066 - Div25 Midsized (Updated)

    Update of this 2037 design.

    Type: Midsized, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Super Electric (PC & SC) (Pwr 2990, 12dp), Tires: 4 FP-Radial-PR (8dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry RL (10/incen) front (2D+2 fire mod: 3/2), FCE (10/reg) back (1D-1, fire mod: 3/1), Weighted Accessories: ramplate, IFE, safety seat, HD shocks, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: SWC, HD-antilock brakes, bumper trigger front, HDHTM & Overdrive (linked), [1 total link], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Wheel Armor: 39 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 19 pt WH front (choose where), Cargo: 0 sp, 1 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 180 pts Composite (3 Metal/177 Plastic): F(0/48 ramplate) B(0/37) R(0/40) L(0/40) T(1/7) U(2/5); HC: 4 (5 over 60), Acc. 10 (HTM 10/Overdrive 5),  Top Speed 122.5 (80/142.5), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5759 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $24,944.00

    • Option 1 - replace RL with MML, add roll-cage, remove 12 pts vehicular armor (anywhere but front), add 1 pt. WH armor, 5757 lbs, $25,162.

    • Option 2 - Midsized, Xhvy Ch., Hvy Sus., Large PP, 4 PR-Radial tires, driver, RL (10/incen) front, FCE (10/reg) rear, ramplate, roll-cage, safety seat, IFE, spoiler & airdam, HTM & Overdrive (linked), SWC, 10 smoke/oil dischargers, 39 pts WG/WH, 62 pts composite veh. armor (30 MET/32 Plastic): F (10/13 ram), B(5/4) L(6/4) R(6/4) T(1/3) U(2/4), HC 4(5), Acc. 5 (10/2.5), Top 90 (67.5/110), 5759 lbs, $15,864
    Design Notes - Updated from this 2037 design:
    Midsized, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Large PP, 4 PR Tires, Driver; RL (10/incen) in turret, FCE (10/back), FE, ramplate, 40 pts total for Wheelguards/Wheelhubs; 233 pts Plastic Armor: F 55 (ram) B 40 R 40 L 40 T 30 U 28; HC: 3, Acc. 5, 5704 lbs. (max 5760), $14,948.00
    Well, in order to preserve the design, specifically the ramplate, I made this a ram car: bigger engine, engine mods, etc.

    Sunday, October 9, 2016

    Terra 2066 - Div20 Midsized (Galaxy) (Update)

    Update of this 2037 design.

    Type: Midsized, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (Pwr 2000, 10dp) Tires: 4 Solids(12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) Weaponry RR (10/HEAT) in turret (2D+2 area), HDFOJ (10/reg) back (1D-2, fire mod: 3/2), weapons linked Weighted Accessories: safety seat, spoiler & airdam, Unwgt. Acces.: HRSWC, HD-brakes, HTM [1 total link], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 60 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 4x10 pt WH all wheels Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for PP (5 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 59 pts Composite armor (36 Metal/23 Plastic): F(6/3) B(6/3) R(9/3) L(9/3) T(4/6) U(2/5); HC: 3 (4 over 60), Acc. 5 (HTM 10),  Top Speed 90 (67.5), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 5758 lbs. Max 5760, Cost: $19,995.50

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons) Design Notes - Updated from this obsolete 2037 design:
    Midsized, Xhvy Ch., Hvy. Sus., Large PP, 4 Solid Tires, Driver; RR with mag in turret, HDFOJ back, HRTC, 4x10 pts WG on all wheels, 236 pts Plastic Armor: F 60 B 40 R 50 L 50 T 21 U 15; HC: 2, Acc. 5, 5753 lbs. (max 5760), $19,976.00
    I felt this needed to be updated for 'modern' times just to be thorough. I felt limited by the core weapon system (RR & HDFOJ), the body size, and price class. I took the RR extra mag out to get some component armor. If I could, I'd reduce the HDFOJ to an OJ and add an IFE, but then it'd be the fabled Hyperion.

    Summary
    Summary: Midsized, X-Hvy Ch, Hvy Sus, Large PP, 4 Solid Tires, Driver, RR (10/HEAT) in turret, HDFOJ (10/reg) back, safety seat, spoiler & airdam, HRSWC, HD-brakes, HTM, 4 OD (FBRL) 6 SkD (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), 5 laser webs, 4 bump trig, 60 pts WG/WH, 9 pts LRFP Cmp Ar. for PP; Armor (36 Metal/23 Plastic): F(6/3) B(6/3) R(9/3) L(9/3) T(4/6) U(2/5), HC 3 (4), Acc. 5 (10), Top 90 (67.5), 5758 lbs. $19,995.50

    Friday, October 7, 2016

    Antiped B2 2066 - RPG Van (Updated)

    Update of this obsolete RPG (anti-pedestrian) design.

    Type: Van, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Sport (Pwr 3000, 12dp), Tires: 6 FP-Solids(14dp), Crew: Driver (no equip) & Gunner (no equip), Weaponry 3 FG (20/reg) in UM turret (1D+1, area), GL (10/TG) front, HDSS (10/TG) back, PS under as part of the Styx Laser Paint Array, Weighted Accessories: IFE, Unwgt. Acces.: 2 Targ. Comp., HD-antilock brakes, HTM & Overdrive (linked), no-paint windshield, [6 total links], Dischargers: 10 flachette: (2T, 2U, 2R, 2L, F, B), Defenses: 4 bumper triggers, Styx Laser Paint Array; Wheel Armor: 2x10 pt WG rear, 2x10 WG front, 38 pts WH (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for (a) PP (6 sp), (b) Driver (2 sp), & (c) Gunner (2 sp) Cargo: 6 sp, 3 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 98 pts FP Plastic: F(20) B(20) R(22) L(22) T(9) U(5); HC: 1, Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5),  Top Speed 105 (77.5/125), DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 7193 lbs. Max 7200, Cost: $41,003.00

    Design Notes - Updated from this obsolete RPG (anti-pedestrian) 2037 design:
    Van, Xtra-Heavy Chassis, Heavy Suspension, Super PP, 4 PR-Radials tires back, 2 PR tires front, Driver, 3 FG with mag (40 each) in 3sp turret, 2 linked GL (10/tear gas) front, GL (10/tear gas) right, left, back; 7 total links, 10 pt WG individually on 6 wheels, 10 pt WH individually on all 6 wheels, 70 pts Plastic Armor: F 20 B 16 R 12 L 12 T 10 U 0; HC: 2, Acc. 5, 7195 lbs,.$25,000.00
    Even outside of the errors in the math, and the major farce of the whole anti-pedestrian theme, and even beyond the farce of Car Wars vans, this was a horrible design. To improve it, I used the tricks for all my vans: sloped armor, gunner, Component Armor for all crew (everything should be CA, to be honest, but I needed to keep the original nonsense, at least nominally). I threw out the original $25K tag because RPG doesn't really require it, and updated from Super to Sport for the weight saving; upgraded the armor and tires to FP (because fire attacks are the most effective from peds to cars), added IFE for same reason.

    Thursday, November 5, 2015

    Fenrir 2065 - Div50 Luxury (Galaxy)

    Type: Luxury, Chassis: Xtra-Heavy, Suspension: Heavy, Engine: Large Electric (PC & SC) (Pwr 2300, 10dp), Tires: 4 Solids (12dp), Crew: Driver (no equip), Weaponry TL & RL (20/incen) in UM turret (2D+2 burst, 3/2 burn), LGL to 10 rockets, VFRP (30/AP) front & back, ITL front & back, TL all smartlinked, Weighted Accessories: IFE, Unwgt. Acces.: HRTC, HD-antilock brakes, HTM & Overdrive (linked), no-paint windshield, [6 total links], Dischargers: 10 total: 4 oil (FBRL) 6 smoke (2T, 2U, 1R 1L), Defenses: Styx Defensive System*; Wheel Armor: 37 total = 2x10 pt WG rear, 17 pt WH front (choose where), Component Armor 9 pts LRFP for Driver (2 sp), Cargo: 0 sp, 2.4 lbs.; Vehicle Armor: 142 pts sloped Composite (2 LR Metal/140 Plastic): F(0/30) B(0/30) R(0/30) L(0/30) T(0/15) U(2/5); HC: 3, Acc. 5 (HTM 10/Overdrive 2.5),  Top Speed 92.5 (67.5/112.5), DM: 1, Hit Mod: -1, Weight: 6597.6 lbs. Max 6600, Cost: $49,846.00

    * Styx Defensive System = 6 Smoke Dischargers linked to 5 laser reactive webs (F, B, R, L, T; covering tires of those sides as well) & 4 bumper triggers (to oil & also linked to that side's weapons)
    • Gunner, Option 1 - Add gunner (who gets the HRTC), add SWC for driver, for armor is unsloped, remove 15 pts vehicle armor: $49,755.00 

    • Div35, Option 2 -  as first option 1, but remove all TL & LGL, remove 1 pt WG, remove laser reactive webs, remove PC from engine, remove UM from turret, replace SWC with HRTC, add 15 pts vehicle armor: Top Speed 90 (67.5/110.0), DM: 1, Hit Mod: 0, Weight: 6593.6 lbs. Max 6600, Cost: $34,995.00
      Design Notes - Sparked by my remake of Thundernaught, and its mutli RL design.  I wanted to replace the RLs with VFRPs to see if it would work.  I think it's too many weapons and not enough crew.

      Name Notes - Fenrir is a moon of Saturn and "Fenrir was named after Fenrisulfr, a giant wolf from Norse mythology, father of Hati and Skoll, son of Loki, destined to break its bonds for Ragnarök."