I guess we are on a close-combat kick after talking about the Victor, now we are going to go over the rather underloved KTO-series Kintaro. Tough, fast enough and packing A LOT of close range weapons, the Kintaro is a knife-fighter which shouldn't be discounted, even though the original model was built for a completely different role. Let's get to it!
First time I saw the Kintaro was in Harebrained Schemes Battletech videogame. As my mech lance was engaging the enemies mechs, an allied Kintaro piloted by Lady Kamea showed up from behind and one-shotted a Centurion in the back with a volley of missiles and I was like :" Hey Lady, can you give me that thing as mission reward?" Left me a pretty good first impression.
If any battlemech could use the MML system it's the Kintaro. Simply replace all the launchers with MML 5 lauchers. You will have both an LRM 20 and SRM 20 with medium laser backup.
I used this build on my last BTA play through... it was a killer... 20 Infernos.... with two mechs toting plasma cannons. shut down mech after mech and watch the ammo explosions.
Narc is basically a compromise between Artemis and TAG. Narc's bonus is the same as and works for both SRMs and LRMs like Artemis, but Narc can also spot for indirect fire for Narc capable LRMs, albeit at the expense of its bonus. While Artemis is required on all viable launchers and is LOS only. While TAG allows spotters to shoot without penalties, and semi-guided LRMs ignore enemy movement, spotter movement, and indirect fire penalties, making them the superior indirect fire LRM option.
But you need a great NARC delivery platform, which is a difficult thing to use effectively, seeing how the darn thing is too heavy to set on a light easily.
Artic Wolf is the Kintaro IIC It's hilarous. 6SRM6, 2SRM4 and the NARC... on a 40 tonner. But only 10dhs so jsut the 6x6 is 6x4 heat meaning you're over by 4 immediately.
I have loved this mech since i first saw it all those years ago with the release of TRO 2750 back in what '89. I used it a lot as a counter cavalry. i usually stripped out the Narc for di fferent things depending on salvage - armor or jj or art or or or... the LRM was often loaded with mine -if it was kept at all. I am starting to teach my daughter BT... she is excited about learning table top...
Since we are getting an official model for it now, I hope we will see a more modern version. It would be really easy to make one with Clan missiles and call it a day, however I hope to see one with some MMLs.
I would keep the Kintaro as close as possible to the original if I could, just modernize it using more recent technology. Clan Streaks for the SRM and Clan ER Medium would be top tier, but you could probably do something with ATMs as well. All and all, the important thing would be to keep the thing DURABLE.
NARC is stupid powerful in Alpha Strike. With the huge medium range bracket and bump to every unit with IF or LRM/SRM, you can really increase your damage output.
I wouldnt know of the Kintaro if not for the 2018 Battlech PC game. There, its an SRM Monster. I already know of another similar mech, the Arctic Wolf. That had 44 missiles tubes and can run about 120kph. Upgrading it is kind of odd. Should you replace the launchers with Streak SRMs? Use Medium Missile Launchers for more range? How about MMLs so they can also fire long range missiles?
The KTO-20, with double heat sinks, is pretty much what I would use as a standard model. Maybe put endo-steel in, but it wouldn't be a huge improvement.
Personally i like the lone LRM5s on primarily close-range mechs, due to the ability to mount some smoke LRMs to create cover for your approach (or retreat) Of course, if you don't play with alternate ammunitions, it's awful.
The problem with the LRM5 is that even if you're firing it every turn, you're almost guaranteed to have ammo sitting in a torso by the time the battle closes to brawling range. And as we all know, that's a liability.
I would understand putting it on something tougher so it can tank shots, but NARCs are the kind of thing you shoot once and that's it. Honestly, Artemis is better 99% of the time.
I guess we are on a close-combat kick after talking about the Victor, now we are going to go over the rather underloved KTO-series Kintaro. Tough, fast enough and packing A LOT of close range weapons, the Kintaro is a knife-fighter which shouldn't be discounted, even though the original model was built for a completely different role.
Let's get to it!
First time I saw the Kintaro was in Harebrained Schemes Battletech videogame.
As my mech lance was engaging the enemies mechs, an allied Kintaro piloted by Lady Kamea showed up from behind and one-shotted a Centurion in the back with a volley of missiles and I was like :" Hey Lady, can you give me that thing as mission reward?"
Left me a pretty good first impression.
I love the Kintaro in most video game version, as the missiles are more effective than in tabletop.
Yeah, the Kintaro did much the same thing in my playthrough. Actually searching for it was what drew me to mods like BEX so I could get one for myself
If any battlemech could use the MML system it's the Kintaro. Simply replace all the launchers with MML 5 lauchers. You will have both an LRM 20 and SRM 20 with medium laser backup.
Some people live the MML, but I am always reticent to use them. They feel off most of the time, but on the KTO, they would work.
I used this build on my last BTA play through... it was a killer... 20 Infernos.... with two mechs toting plasma cannons. shut down mech after mech and watch the ammo explosions.
Narc is basically a compromise between Artemis and TAG. Narc's bonus is the same as and works for both SRMs and LRMs like Artemis, but Narc can also spot for indirect fire for Narc capable LRMs, albeit at the expense of its bonus. While Artemis is required on all viable launchers and is LOS only. While TAG allows spotters to shoot without penalties, and semi-guided LRMs ignore enemy movement, spotter movement, and indirect fire penalties, making them the superior indirect fire LRM option.
But you need a great NARC delivery platform, which is a difficult thing to use effectively, seeing how the darn thing is too heavy to set on a light easily.
Artic Wolf is the Kintaro IIC It's hilarous. 6SRM6, 2SRM4 and the NARC... on a 40 tonner. But only 10dhs so jsut the 6x6 is 6x4 heat meaning you're over by 4 immediately.
Even with a lower Alpha damage, I would have loaded the Arctic Wolf with streak SRM instead.
I built a Kintaro IIC. It’s a majestic majestic creature
Kintaro is a wrecking ball. Hits hard. Hits hard again.
Ammo is always a problem, but you generally have enough in a Kintaro to solve MOST problems.
I have loved this mech since i first saw it all those years ago with the release of TRO 2750 back in what '89. I used it a lot as a counter cavalry. i usually stripped out the Narc for di fferent things depending on salvage - armor or jj or art or or or... the LRM was often loaded with mine -if it was kept at all.
I am starting to teach my daughter BT... she is excited about learning table top...
When we were stuck in the 4th Succession war, we pulled the NARC and ammo because no ammo. Pulled the LRM-5 and add jump jets and armor.
Not a bad setup, makes it more of a traditional 275 Mafiosi.
Pair with SRM Carriers in an urban settling for much hilarity
Since we are getting an official model for it now, I hope we will see a more modern version. It would be really easy to make one with Clan missiles and call it a day, however I hope to see one with some MMLs.
I would keep the Kintaro as close as possible to the original if I could, just modernize it using more recent technology. Clan Streaks for the SRM and Clan ER Medium would be top tier, but you could probably do something with ATMs as well. All and all, the important thing would be to keep the thing DURABLE.
shame there isn't a MML Kintaro. That would be one scary mech.
NARC is stupid powerful in Alpha Strike. With the huge medium range bracket and bump to every unit with IF or LRM/SRM, you can really increase your damage output.
I only ever played 2-3 games of Alpha Strike, it never really caught on with me.
I wouldnt know of the Kintaro if not for the 2018 Battlech PC game. There, its an SRM Monster.
I already know of another similar mech, the Arctic Wolf. That had 44 missiles tubes and can run about 120kph.
Upgrading it is kind of odd. Should you replace the launchers with Streak SRMs? Use Medium Missile Launchers for more range? How about MMLs so they can also fire long range missiles?
The KTO-20, with double heat sinks, is pretty much what I would use as a standard model. Maybe put endo-steel in, but it wouldn't be a huge improvement.
Personally i like the lone LRM5s on primarily close-range mechs, due to the ability to mount some smoke LRMs to create cover for your approach (or retreat)
Of course, if you don't play with alternate ammunitions, it's awful.
I would trade it for more heat sinks in a second, or even a supercharger or MASC.
The problem with the LRM5 is that even if you're firing it every turn, you're almost guaranteed to have ammo sitting in a torso by the time the battle closes to brawling range. And as we all know, that's a liability.
I tend to refit this with SRMs and M lasers and bring it in city tech.
I can't fault the KTO-20 for having a Large Laser. It's a great weapon with a lot of flexibility.
Yea that is a much better build for a unknown mission or a general mech in the hangar. @@ProfessorHeyTeeEn
ah yes, my baby.
The more I look into that one, the more I like it. It's that 275 CoreTek I tell you!
@@ProfessorHeyTeeEnfor me, it’s the fact I killed an Orion using a KTO-18, and a blackjack DB early on in my career.
Given how early the Naja was that it has Improved SRMs rather than Streak-6s, are those true clanspec LRMs or IS Spec?
Really an off duck of a 'mech, those are standard SRM, not streak, but Clan specs, same with the LRM.
Putting Nerf on a 55to 5/8 makes no sense. The thing goes on a very fast 8/12 or so plattform or even a VTOL or drohne.
I would understand putting it on something tougher so it can tank shots, but NARCs are the kind of thing you shoot once and that's it.
Honestly, Artemis is better 99% of the time.