MFZ Archetype Archive

I've added a new page to my blog.  The MFZ Archetype Archive is a compilation of all the Mecha Design & Tactical Doctrine posts.

New Soren Creations

Looks like Soren just got a big shipment of Friends parts.

This is the Moon Fang Tribe by Soren Roberts.  Ijad, I presume?

The I-ST-o4E Super Strider by Soren Roberts.  This looks to be the main ranged combat unit of the squad.

The I-ST-04EH Super Strider Artillery by Soren Roberts.  The artillery unit of the squad.

I-ST-05B Slammer Solidblade by Soren Roberts.  This looks to be the melee specialist of the squad.

I'd love to see the Mobile Frame Zero stats of these babies.

I have no idea who these are for but, they look great.

The Chub, Revisited

Since my post about building the Chub seems to be the most popular one on my blog -- it has 900+ views, 200 more than the nearest other topic -- I figured I'd take a look at more of the ways people have been customizing this frame.

Wilson Industries Chub Company by Carbonbass.  He's actually added knees to the design!

"Purity" Ijad Chub by True Mortality.  This one has a great use of color.

ST-07 SLC "Fat Snake" by MittenNinja.  A change of the feet and a slight reskin really changes the look of this Chub mod.

ST-07 Xyston Custom by XGundam05.  I really like that shield.

ST07 Chub, X Variant by Ced23Ric.  Look at those rocket launchers!

ST-19 "Reaver" by LowestFormOfWit.  A great use of color really sets this pair apart.

Aqua Chub by gatlinggouf927.  Look at those Trans-Green pieces!

ST-XO "Pizazz" by LowestFormOfWit.  A great use of Friends parts to make this Chub.

31st Orion Militia Salvaged Chubs by MittenNinja.  Another good looking set of Chubs by MittenNinja.

"Ares" by KyanosMoros.  A lot of Gundam influence here.

The Black Comet by me.  Hey, you can't expect me to pass up an opportunity to toot my own horn!

TMOH

In this post I'm going to "Toot My Own Horn".  Hence the acronym in the title.  There was some discussion in the Kickstarter comments section about how much mechs cost and what the price would be to assemble a team.  Well, after spending most of a morning surfing the Lego Pick-A-Brick interface, I can say that you can assemble a unit of eight of my Crab Mechs for $36 USD -- not including shipping.

That's right, eight of thesefor only $36.

Here's a link to my Brickshelf gallery of Crab Mecha.

While they're not as impressive as some of the mech designs that are out there, they're still pretty slick and look good as a team.

Not bad, eh?  They also have plenty of options for pallette swapping and alternate parts.  They can also be modified from the original design.  Like so.

Here's the part lists for Bricklink and Pick-A-Brick.

Bricklink Parts List:
(Body)

4x4 Plate (x1)

2x4 Plate (x1)

1x1 Plate (x2)

3x1 Slope (x2)

1x1x2/3 Slope (x6)

(Legs)
3x1 Slope, Curved, No Studs (x4)
1x1 Plate, Modified w/Clip Light-Thick Ring (x4)
1x2 Plate, Modified w/Arm Up (Horizontal Arm 5mm Long) (x4)
(Head)
1x2x1&1/3 Brick, Modified (x2)
(Weapon)
2x2 Tile, Round w/Lifting Ring (x1)
2x2 Plate, Round w/Axle Hole (x2)
1/2 Technic Pin w/2L Bar Extension (x1)
Technic Axle Connector (Smooth) (x1)
1x1 Brick, Round w/Open Stud (x1)
Cone 1x1 w/Top Groove (x1)

Pick-A-Brick Parts List
(Body)
Plate 4x4 (Design ID: 3031) (x1)
Plate 2x4 (Design ID: 3020) (x1)
Plate 1x1 (Design ID: 3024) (x2)
Roof Tile 1x3/25° (Design ID: 4286) (x2)
Roof Tile 1x1x2/3, Abs (Design ID: 54200) (x6)
(Legs)
Brick w/Bow 1/3 (Design ID: 50950) (x4)
Lamp Holder (Design ID: 4081) (x4)
Plate 1x2 W. Vertical Schaft (Design ID: 88072) (x4)
(Head)
Brick W. Arch 1x1x1 1/3 (Design ID: 6091) (x2)
(Weapon)
Round Plate 2x2 w/Eye (Design ID: 2376) (x2)
Plate 2x2 Round (Design ID: 4032) (x1)
3 M.Arch w/Knob And Shaft Ø3.2 (Design ID: 61184) (x1)
Cross Axle, Extension, 2M (Design ID: 59443) (x1)
Round Brick 1x1 (Design ID: 3062) (x1)
Nose Cone Small 1x1 (Design ID: 59900) (x1)

NOTE: I haven't provided any Element IDs so you can choose your own colors for your mechs.

Here's how to assemble them.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Whaddya think?

The Classics

Before the new edition was announced, along with all the new mechs, the core mech was the Classic.  Designed by Vincent, it was a very adaptable frame.  I liked it so much I built several teams using the Classic frame.

This is the first team of Classics I built with a unified theme and color scheme.  The theme was an emphasis on melee weapons and the color scheme was Tan with Light Grey/Bley.

This was the second team.  It may have come number two on the program but its still number one in my heart.

If you want to get picky, these guys were my first team of Classics.  I bought them at my first Gencon.  They were kitted out differently for a while, until I had the idea to re-create all the designs in the original rulebook using this kit.

These guys were hanging around in my "to be finished" bin for a while.  It took me a long time to gather the parts I needed.  I'm still not sure I'm done muckin' about with 'em.

Like I said, very adaptable.



Mecha Design & Tactical Doctrine 6

The Watchtower: This is a multipurpose design.  It features two Defensive attachments, two Spotting attachments, and a free d8 Movement attachments for having no ranged weapons.  It can be cover and spotter for artillery. It can also be fast moving cover so HtH specialists can move up in areas with sparse cover. When the two defense dice get blown it can still run around spotting. Or, if you need cover more than spot, it can lose several systems and still be good cover.  It was created by Majincob

The Guardian: By varying the loadout on the Artillerist slightly you can make a mech with a different purpose.  This design has two Artillery attachments, a split Direct Fire/Hand-to-Hand attachment, and one Defensive attachment.  It's meant to sit and defend a station while shelling the rest of the board with the Artillery attachment.  This was created by Soren Roberts.

The Moving Wall: This design has two Defensive attachments, two Movement attachments, and a free d8 Movement attachments for having no ranged weapons.  It provides cover for other fast mechs with no defense.  In case of emergencies it can also sprint into HtH range to engage another mech with its White dice.

The Shoot & Scoot: Designed to hit and run.  Shoot fast, shoot hard, and run from cover to cover; it carries the weapons the Moving Wall cannot.  It has two Direct Fire attachments, and two Movement attachments.


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Assault: This design has one Direct Fire attachment, one Defensive attachment, and one Movement attachment.  (2Rd/1B/1G/2W)  A front-line, standard combat mech.  It can take 25% less damage than the Soldier as it has one less attachment.

Fast Assault: This design has one Direct Fire attachment, one Defensive attachment, and two Movement attachments. (2Rd/1B/2G/2W)  A quick moving version of the Assault archetype. It should be used in a manner similar to the Swarmer.

Armored Assault: This design has one Direct Fire attachment, two Defensive attachments, and one Movement attachment. (2Rd/2B/1G/2W)  A sturdier version of the Assault archetype.

Heavy Assault: This design has two Direct Fire attachments, one Defensive attachment, and one Movement attachment.  (2Rd+d8/1B/1G/2W)  Designed to follow the Closer into battle. Carrying Double Direct to improve its chances of hitting, while using Movement and Defense to improve survivability.

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