Cauldron-Born
| Cauldron-Born | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Class: | Heavy Mech | |
| Faction: | Clan | |
| Ticket cost: | 10 upon destruction | |
| Tier: | 12 | |
| Tonnage: | 65 tons | |
| Speed: | 86 km/h (120 km/h with MASC) | |
| Torso yaw: | 200° | |
| Torso pitch: | -30° to +35° while standing -30° to +45° while crouching | |
| Variant Armament | ||
| Variant | Weapons | Equipment |
| Prime: Price: 87 800 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| A: Price: 88 900 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| B: Price: 97 100 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| C: Price: 89 100 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| D: Price: 94 900 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| E: Price: 90 700 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| F: Price: 98 900 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| G: Price: 94 600 CBills Total armor: 60 835 Engine Size: 325 XL Fusion |
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| Armor Points Distribution | ||
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All stats current as of release 0.15.3
By Operation BULLDOG the Cauldron-Born (Clan designation Ebon Jaguar) made up a large proportion of the heavy 'Mechs of the rebuilding Smoke Jaguars, and following their Annihilation the design proliferated the remaining Clans, save the Jade Falcons Wolves and Coyotes who continued to favour the Hellbringer. Following the Wars of Reaving the Ebon Jaguar had finally supplanted the Hellbringer in most Homeworld Clans save the Coyotes who remained loyal to redeeming the honor of their design
Contents
Roles and Gameplay Hints
Prime
From the far reaching cLRM10, dependable cGauss, the trusty Lubalin auto cannon, over the ERML duo down to the (only) 350 meter far reaching cSRM4 missile launcher, this unit's firing solution has ever more weapons at disposal as the enemy draws near. Of all that arsenal only the cLRM mandates the use of active radar on the longer range, this might designate this unit stealth capable to a high degree. The main problem might be to most efficiently group the various weapons on the usual three weapon groups.
Its main selling point is the versatile arsenal, not heavily taxing the heat sinks while offering quite some punch from long to close range.
Its main drawback is the riddle of grouping its versatile weapons arsenal to least possible weapon groups. Combining the identically ranged LBX5 with the CGauss on the 1st group, while the twin cERML falls on the 2nd, the cLRM10 on the 3rd while the cSRM4 occupies the last group will help maximize the Prime's potential. B-Pod helps with Battle Armor ambushes.
Variant A
It depends on the view. Viewing this unit as yet another schizo mech does it no good. The twin cERLL can tempt some pilots to play this at range, but this variant truly is a brawler by heart. Every other weapon is devoted to short ranged steamrolling firepower. cUAC20, cSRM6, a pair cSPL all delivery incredible damage around ~350m. Make no mistake, the two large lasers are no less of a threat within 350m range of the other weapons, but they should be chainfired at that range considering the 6 DHS can only barely handle the UAC20, missile and laser array.
The units main selling point is being a brawler with no remorse for an fleeing or distant foe, and that can even keep harassing aerospace in check to boot.
Variant B
The asset worthy of an true lance commander - two CERLL that punish up to 900m afar - with pinpoint and hit-scan accuracy. Even further the two CLRM15 Locks On out to 1000m and travel 1470 meters, combined with CNARC up to 700 meters, provides for control for who's NARC-ed and who's not. However, the TAG with a reach of 1300 meters facilitates prolonged target designation even in events of NARC disruption. EOptics and BHP ensure hunting will be a pleasure while the LAMS safe guard you from incoming missiles, though will also give away your position. The one Free Ton best used for additional CNARCs.
While clearly advocating fun, the selling point of this unit might not be on You, but the answer to the question - have you a team of second liners able to back you up?
Variant C
Focusing on precision medium range skirmishing, the C variant packs a HAG30 for long range deterrence or shorter range component removal. Two ATM6 bring splash damage and cockpit shake inside 750 meters. Once shorter distances have been achieved, a duo of CMPL rapidly exploit the holes punched by the HAG and ATMS. This variant shines at the 400-600 meter range, preferably using cover to approach to bring all three weapon types to bear. The single spare ton of ammo rack space should always be dedicated to the HAG as it is deadly at any distance.
Care must be taken that opponents do not get inside the ATM-6's 125 meter arming range, though careful pilots can use the HAG to devastating effect at short distances.
Variant D
One could mistake this variant for an average all around ranger. And be gravely wrong by doing so. Each of its two cLRM10 launchers is more than capable of medium to borderline close range combat. Let alone the cERPPC or the close-range synergized LBX20 and 4 ERSL. Firing an alpha attack to targets within 450m range is ultimately devastating both to your victim and your coolant reserves. Utmost caution is to be taken to not de-NARC any designated target by the mighty ERPPC, to avoid the wrath of fellow target designator.
Variant E
The E fields a wide array of short to medium range weaponry. Two ERMLs don't make the E able to poke with much effectiveness, nor does the UAC10 support this strategy at 650m. But once the E is within 600m, the combination of these two weapons with a CHLL make it a vicious medium-range mech. Due to the lead time on the UAC10, the E becomes easier and easier to aim as targets come in closer. To improve the accuracy of the UAC10 at medium-range, fire it after the HLL is finished firing, then fire the HLL again while the UAC10 is cooling down. The ERMLs can be fired whenever there is enough heat capacity to do so.
Opponents that come in too close will face four CSRM2s. And at that range the E can better focus its UAC10 on individual components making it much more formidable at close ranges. The four SRM2s can be group fired to help with damage spreading between volleys or can be chain fired for maximum cockpit shake.
Variant F - "Saito"
Nicknamed "Saito", a sibling to the Vulture E, this 'Mech is also an SSRM-boat. It trades the two DSSRM6 racks of the Vulture for a trio of DSSRM4s, giving slightly more shots before requiring a reload, while trading the MPLs for a HAG20. The two ERSLs are retained on this 'Mech and are useful for delivering the last couple points of damage to score a kill. Generally, this Cauldron Born will perform slightly better in a brawl due to the additional screenshake and burst capability of the HAG. It pays for that in having inferior mobility in comparison, slightly less ammo and being more expensive.
Overall, the F will give you slightly more durability and greater punch for a similar heat profile to the Vulture E, provided you can afford it.
Variant G - "ChiliDog"
"ChiliDog" is relatively unique among heavy 'Mechs -- it carries both MASC and GECM, giving it incredible submerged mobility and is one of the best 'striker' 'Mechs available. Combined with its short-ranged loadout featuring two MPLs, two HMLs, a pair of SRM4s and a shoulder-mounted ATM9 with HE rounds, the G can rapidly flank opponents, run down fleeing targets or charge into a battle from an unexpected angle. With eight DHSes, a pilot can maintain MASC for extended periods of time or lean on their weapons almost continuously -- skilled pilots can run this variant right on the brink of overheating, wringing as much performance as possible with judicious use of coolant when needed.
Unfortunately, the G will fare poorly when placed against a dedicated brawler in its price bracket and like most Cauldron Borns, the poor turning radius can be very problematic in a circle-strafe situation. It is also not well-suited to fighting from behind cover in a more static combat scenario. Use your speed with MASC to fall back if you stumble into more resistance than you expected.
Canon
Introduced in 3049 to address flaws in the venerable Hellbringer, by Operation REVIVAL the Ebon Jaguar had only just started to spread through the Jaguar's touman with the Inner Sphere first encountering the design during the Battle of Luthien. Facing it for the first time when engaging the First Jaguar Guards Cluster in the Kado-Guchi Valley, the 'Mech's ability to take damage and remain operational led the Inner Sphere warriors who fought it to call it the Cauldron-Born after the unstoppable zombies of Irish myth. Paradoxically many of the other Clans also used the Inner Sphere Cauldron-Born reporting name, having first learned detailed information of the design from Inner Sphere sources.
Date Introduced 3049 during the Era known as "Clan Invasion" (3050 - 3061) - Unit Role: Skirmisher
