THE MASTER'S VOICE Part 1

AN APOLOGY
Before we begin I'd like to apologise for the lack of updates as of late. It's been several months since I last posted some new designs here, the reasons behind this are numerous and somewhat boring for the most part. However I have not been idle during my lack of posting. I've currently got more than a dozen new units ready for unveiling. I've also begun work on a special side project that will gather together record sheets and background information on these units. I'd like to make clear this point, this is not a Technical Readout, but more on that in a later post. Some of the artwork contained in this project is being done by my good friend Chris 'Colourbrand' Sumner, please check out his work on deviatART (there's a link to the left <<<)


I'd also like to point you attention towards another website, the fantastic deviantART. I've been using dA for a while now as a place to show off all sorts of BattleTech related goodness and on there are images of units I've not yet released for sale, but plan to in the future along with a multitude of other things. Please stop by and have a look if you can at My deviantART Pages.


Okay with that over and done with let's get down to the new units.

Since I first started designing models to produce as miniatures in 3DS Max I've done designs for use by most factions in the BattleTech universe with the exception of one, the Word of Blake. Now it's not without good reason, I'm not a fan of the Word of Blake in any form. Some folks think it's because I'm a ComStar player but that's not the case. Now I could explain, at some great length, why I don't like them, but this isn't a blog for me to vent my disproval of the things Fasa/FanPro/Catalyst and thier parent comapines have done, it's about the 'Mechs and other stuff we use in the game we all love.


So.... The Word of Blake, I don't like them but I'm not going to ignore them they've been a big part of the BattleTech universe and I know there are some people out there who do like them and is it fair they should be ignored? Of course not. So here it comes, the Word of Blake Special....


THE MASTER'S VOICE PART 1
One thing that personifies the Word of Blake in the Jihad is their units, be it the Djinn, Shedu  or the others that form the Demon series of Battlesuits, The Spectral OmniFighters of the most iconic of all the Celestial series OmniMechs. I know there are a lot of points of view on the six Celestial 'Mechs, some people like them, while some hate them. I'm split between both camps. on one had I hate them, as I do anything Word of Blake for so many reasons, but on the other hand I do like the look of them. 


And it is this very reason that made what you will see below not only a challenge, but also fun. Some of you may have seen these before on my deviantART pages.


I was asked, nay challenged, by a friend from BattleTech group (Pete) to design two new Celestial OmniMechs for him and the fruits of the labours can be below.  The hardest part without a doubt was identifying not only what makes a Celestial look like a Celestial, but also I had to make it Omni, so that multiple designs could be built by changing just a few parts.


After looking over all the published configurations from the Jihad source books and TRO: 3075 I had my rough ideas. I decided I wanted to make a third Assault weight and another mid weight unit. Of course they'd need names so again fell back on what makes a Celestial a Celestial, in this came the names of deities from Hindu religious texts. I considered the names carefully from what sources I could find and even spoke to a few Muslims I know. I wanted to make sure the names I chose hadn't be used already or were unlikely to cause offence to people so I ultimately decided on Brahma and Savitri.


Both designs were a real challenge and went through a number of changes in their various configurations before both Pete and I were satisfied with them. 

C-BRH-0 BRAHMA
The Brahma is a 50 ton Celestial Omnimech. Like all Celestial Omnis it makes use of cutting edge technology and each version is armed with a range of weapons.


INVICTUS (PRIME)

The Brahma Invictus is armed with 3 ER Medium lasers, 3 ER Small Lasers, a Retractable Blade, a MRM 10 and has jump jets.

Brahma Invictus Product Page 

DOMINUS (Alt. A)
The Brahma Dominus is armed with 2 Light PPCs, 2 ER Small Lasers, a Medium Pulse Laser, a MRM 10, an BAP and has jump jets.  

Brahma Dominus Product Page

INFERNUS (Alt. B)
The Brahma Infernus is armed with 6 ER Medium lasers, 3 ER Small Lasers, a MRM 10, and a BAP.  

Braham Infernus Product Page

COMMINUS (Alt. C)
The Brahma Comminus is armed with 2 MRM 10s, an ER Small Laser, 2 LRM 5s, and a Medium Variable Speed Pulse Laser. 

Brahma Comminus Product Page

These instruction are for the Invictus configuration, 

but all variants are assembled in the same way.

C-SAV-0 SAVITRI

The Savitri is a 95 ton Celestial Omnimech. Like all Celestial Omnis it makes use of cutting edge technology and each version is armed with a range of weapons.


INVICTUS (PRIME)
The Savitri Invictus is armed with 2 Ultra AC/5s, 4 LRM/5s, 2 ER Medium Lasers an iC3 and has jump jets.

Savitri Invictus product page

DOMINUS (Alt. A)
The Savitri Dominus is armed with 2 Heavy PPCs, 5 Medium Pulse Lasers, 2 ER Small Lasers and an iC3.

Savitri Dominus product page

INFERNUS (Alt. B)
The Savitri Infernus is armed with a Heavy PPC, 4 MML5s 2 Medium Pulse Lasers, an ER Large Laser and an iC3.

Savitri Infernus product page

COMMINUS (Alt. C)
The Savitri Comminus is armed with a 6 MML5s, 2 LRM5s 2 ER Medium Lasers and an iC3.

Savitri Comminus product page

LUMINOS (Alt. D)
The Savitri Luminos is armed with an ER PPC, Retractable Blade, 2 MML5s,  2 er Medium Lasers, a Large  Pulse Laser, iC3 and Jumpjets.

Savitri Luminos product page

EMINUS (Alt. E)
The Savitri Eminus is armed with 2 Retractable Blades, 2 MML5s,  2 ER Medium Lasers, a Large Pulse Laser, a Bloodhound Active Probe and an iC3.

Savitri Eminus product page

Also available are three sets of legs to replace the ones included with the Savitiri. These legs are ideal for using to create dynamic looking miniatures 

Savitri Legs #1 - Walking

Savitri Legs #2 - Running/Jumping #1

Savitri Legs #3 - Running/Jumping #2

These instruction are for the Invictus configuration, 

but all variants are assembled in the same way.

And not content with two brand new Celestial BattleMechs for the Toaster Huggers (or traitors as we ComStar players call them) the goodies keep coming. Two brand new ground vehicles. A tracked support unit (or weapon if you're feeling nasty and if you're a Robe then of course you are) and a new Hovercraft unit.

FIREWALKER RLHV

The Firewalker is a 50 ton Hovercraft that uses a repulsion lift system rather than a conventional airskirt. Primarily used as a high speed sniper platform for a Gauss Rifle, it can also serve as an artillery spotter thanks to its TAG laser and is capable of speeds in excess of 200kph.  Additional weapons consist of a pair of forward mounted ER Medium Lasers.

FireWalker product page

The pack contains parts to make 2 FireWalkers

Ground Mobile HPG
My final offering for the moment is something I showed a while back. The Ground Mobile HPG, this is exactly what it says it is, a mobile HPG transmitter. Lightly armed and not very fast it does allow the Word of Blake to make use of their HPG Cannon weapon. Plus of course it makes a great objective for scenarios. This is a 35 ton unit armed with a pair of ER Small Lasers and a pair of AMS for close range protection

Ground Mobile HPG product page

You may have spotted I titled this post part 1, well with good reason There are more Word of Blake units to come, including a couple from Steve Satak's TRO 3063. So coming soon (I promise), more Word of Blake stuff. But here's a small sample of what there will be in that update.

Also expect a massive ComStar update soon too, as I've got a fair few new toys for the boys in white to pit against their traitorous brothers.

   

COSMETIC SUGERY - MECH STYLE

To continue from my last post of new versions of some golden oldies. I’ve managed to clear two more redesigned units through the long list of models sat on both my 3DS Max BattleTech directory and Shapeways.

The first of these was shown in the last post. The CPLT-7H, and its sister unit the CPLT-8H. These’s are of course designs from Steve’s Technical Readout 3063 project and after the AGS-3H was probably the biggest challenge to my skills to date.  

However if the Large Laser on the right arm isn't your cup of tea, You may like the 8H version. This puppy would be my choice for use if not for a special version, see below for that one. Like the original design it's a true missile boat with no less than 8 LRM5s and enough medium lasers to ruin anyone's day real quick.

The CPLT-7H is a 17 part kit, while the CPLT-8H adds three more parts and replaces 2 giving it 20 in total. The model has possibly the most posable legs I've yet done. Not only can you have it standing, walking or flat out running you can pose this model jumping, though that would be foolish as the design does not feature Jump Jets (despite a long discussion between Steve and myself regarding this very fact). However, Steve was kind enough to design a special version of 8H, the 8H2 just for me after all my complaints of it lacking the "pounce" of the original unit.

The CPLT-7H is required to build the CPLT-8H or the CPLT-8H2 and both the model and the upgrade pack can be found on Shapeways now. 

CPLT-7H Product Page 

 CPLT-8H Upgrade Product Page

My second new redesign for today came about from a friend who has never been a fan of the original's box on legs look.  I took it further and created a new version of the design So for your approval, I give you the FLE-35.

This is a radical upgrade of a classic Dragoon unit, not just in looks but in design. All its key systems have been improved, the standard fusion engine is upgrade to the XL version making it nearly twice as fast as the original, the addition of Ferro-Fibrous armour increases it’s survivability and its Medium and Small lasers are upgraded to Extended Range version.

I don’t take any credit for the actual visual design of this model, many of you should recognise it. 

FLE-35 Product Page

The FLE-35 is pretty small, just 3cm tall. What did you expect it's a 20 ton unit? But as I'm the kind of person who likes to make his units look dynamic I've designed it in such a way to allow people to decide how to pose this little scout 'Mech. It comes with two pre-built feet and an unbuilt multi-part foot allowing you to have the design standing on both feet or in mid step.

Building a better battleground
Within my group we prefer to use miniature rules rather than hexmaps or hex boards, not only does it look better it gives us a chance to create really cool stuff to use on the table. I've got a several structures sitting around in my 3DS Max folder based on structures for the MechWarrior/MechCommander games as they look really good. This first of these I'm making available is the Calliope Turret from MechWarrior IV.

The Calliope, as anyone who has played MechWarrior IV will know is a major pain in the rear, due to its insane weapon load-out and armour. So why not pass the pain you endured in the computer game to your enemies on the table top? Go on, you know you want to.

Calliope Turret Product Page

The final bit

As you will have no doubt seen I’ve started using a new style for the images here, this came about after a few comments from friends asking to see the models from different angles, specifically the rear. I hope you like the new look.

More to come soon, Thanks for reading.  

NEW IS THE NEW OLD

or.. New versions of old toys

Okay three more new models for you to make use of in your games. One is from Steve Satak's TRO 3063 and two of mine, with a credit to the sterling work done by the MechTek team.

All three of these are redesigns of existing units, while they take the visual cues of the original each is a completely new version with new load outs and capabilities. See how many of them you can identify. 

First up is the TRO 3063 one. This is the AGS-3H, a lovely AFFS 60 ton unit with a pair of LRM 15s with Artemis FCS and a smattering of lasers.

AGS-3H Product Page

My second offering is the MechTek inspired piece. The BZK-8X. This is a 45 ton unit. Like its original counterpart, which is actually a redesign in itself, it is built around a Gauss Rifle, but packs more punch than either version thanks to its 4 Extended Range Medium Lasers and a ER Small Laser, and if that wasn't enough, thanks to its Light Fusion Engine, it's better armoured but just as fast as its 45 ton predecessor. What more do you need in a walking gun turret?

BZK-8X Product Page

 

More to come soon

My third offering for today is a piece a certain lady asked me to do. She knows who she is. The HBK-7X. Again a major redesign of an existing unit which has made it a brutal mid range combatant.

This design has a Rotary AC/5 two Medium Pulse Lasers, 2 ER Small Lasers and a Streak SRM 4, (or in our AU, the (i)DEMP 4 system). It's as nimble as the original and jump capable. 

 

HBK-7X Product Page

But the redesign madness does not stop there. I'm currently working on a new piece for Steve, and here it is the CPLT-C7. We're nearly done with it, I'm waiting for his final cuts on the design and it should be ready for deployment by the time I get round to the next update.

Now in my last post I showed a work in progress shot of a Ground Mobile HPG unit. Well it is now finished. This is one big machine. In fact this is bigger than a Demolisher II. Since i first showed this off i've made a few changes as a result of further reserch into the subject, it now weights a respecatble 50 tons. I'm still waiting for the actual model to arrive so I can make sure it's all come together correctly before making it publicly available. But until then, here it is. This has been rendered, at the request of a friend, in the colours of the Word of Blake 41st Shadow Division. 

Coming soon another ComStar special and surprisingly, a Word of Blake special too. Why is someone who makes no qualms about his hatred for The Master and all his Toaster Huggers dedicating an entire blog post to them? Well, that's a surprise. But let's just say, there will be four (or maybe even more) new units in it and if that’s piqued your interest here is a sample of just one of those units that will be in the Word of Blake special. The Firewalker.

 

More to come soon.