Chimera
| Chimera | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Class: | Medium Mech | |
| Faction: | Inner Sphere | |
| Ticket cost: | 4 upon destruction | |
| Tier: | 5 | |
| Tonnage: | 40 tons | |
| Speed: | 97 km/h (136 km/h with MASC) | |
| Torso yaw: | 260° | |
| Torso pitch: | -35° to +45° while standing -35° to +55° while crouching | |
| Variant Armament | ||
| Variant | Weapons | Equipment |
| Prime: Price: 46 100 CBills Total armor: 36 114 Engine Size: GM 240 XL |
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| A: Price: 48 000 CBills Total armor: 36 114 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| B: Price: 53 700 CBills Total armor: 36 114 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| C: Price: 46 000 CBills Total armor: 36 114 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| D: Price: 47 500 CBills Total armor: 32 939 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| E: Price: 46 600 CBills Total armor: 34 528 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| F: Price: 43 800 CBills Total armor: 36 114 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| G: Price: 50 600 CBills Total armor: 36 114 Engine Size: 385 GM 240 XL |
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| Armor Points Distribution | ||
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All stats current as of release 0.15.3 </div>
The Chimera is a 'Mech introduced with the Final Beta 0.7.0 release. There had been rumors about it floating around in the forum for a long time, but it was never confirmed until the release of alpha footage of it during the MWLL Media Release: Alpha Tester Shenanigans Video
Care should be taken when using this asset, as its flimsy armor means that it operates more like an oversized light mech rather than a workhorse medium, a fact mirrored in its cheap cbill and ticket cost.
Contents
Roles and Gameplay Hints
Prime
The Chimera Prime is a medium range skirmisher. It's biggest gun is its torso mounted MRM20, accompanied by a single ERLBL reaching out to 800m and a pair of ERMBL that come into play at 600m, roughly the edge of its missile launcher's sweet spot. Jump Jets allow the Prime to pop out of cover and unleash an alpha strike, preferably against larger, slower targets that are more likely to take the MRM launcher's full salvo, but its single DHS means that a cooling period must follow each strike, as all of the variant's weapons generate a good deal of heat. A single Machine Gun provides some extra defence against Battle Armor. Being unable to afford any extra tons for MRM ammo, pilots should keep an eye on their reserves, as running dry means that its firepower will be significantly gimped.
Variant A
The Chimera A is a pretty straightforward long range fire support unit. Its main firepower comes in the form of an indirect LRM15 launcher fed by a single free ton and a direct fire ERPPC capable of deactivating enemy NARC beacons, but liable to accidentally doing the same to friendly ones, condemning the variant to working at half capacity against NARCed targets. Backing those up against enemies that close with 500m is a pair of MBL. Not being able to afford the extended range models means that the sweet spot between all guns firing and its missile launcher's minimum range is even smaller, and pilots are better off outright avoiding close range engagements, using their backup lasers' range as a cue to break off and increase the distance. Its sole DHS struggles to manage the heat generated by continuous fire.
Variant B
The Chimera B is best used as bait that bites back. Opponents should respect this mech's ability to cause plenty of screenshake with its complement of a SSRM6 and two LPPCs - best set to chain fire. The quad Machine Guns help fend off Battle Armor and even finish off individual components. Its Improved Jump Jets allow it some flexibility in deciding when to jump into the close range required to make full use of its weapons, or put some distance and preferably allies between itself and the enemy, due to its long window of engagement and the Chimera's inherently flimsy armor and unfavourable silhouette. A single DHS barely affords it the heat dissipation necessary for prolonged engagements.
Variant C
A mid range skirmisher similar to the Prime, the Chimera C sacrifices its jumpjets for increased damage potential. Upgrading its MRM launcher to a 30 and swapping its hitscan Large Laser for a splash capable PPC, the C packs a meaner alpha at medium range, but increases the pilot's need to lead their aim and gives them a harder time against small targets. 4 SBL and the MRM launcher's short minimum range mean that despite not usually being the one to enter close combat, it's more likely to be the one to leave it, but at the same time it has a hard time bringing out its full firepower without being cornered. A single DHS necessitates avoiding prolonged engagements and no free tons for its missile launcher will leave it dry after just over a minute of continuous fire.
Variant D
A straightforward ultra-long range fire support unit. Equipped with a Light Gauss Rifle and ELRM15 launcher, the Chimera D works best perched on a hill outside the range of most return fire and harassing enemies kept at bay by its allies. Two free tons give each of the weapons an extension to their operating time and a pair of Machine Guns offer some protection against BA and extra ultra-long range harassment. The nature of its weapons allows it to attack the air as competently as the ground, but having another ton stripped off the Chimera's already weak armor means distance is its defence, and it's unlikely to survive any kind of retaliation, attack runs included. Like most ultra-long range assets its damage isn't overly impressive, while its missile launcher necessitates running active, making spotting it a trifle for flanking enemies. Despite lacking any heatsinks outside of its reactor whatsoever, it doesn't generate significant heat either.
Variant E
A middle Armored and priced Chimera, it is the long ranged sniper variant. Reaching out to your enemy with 2x LBX5 and 1x TBolt5 aided by EOptics. JumpJets give it some much needed sniper mobility. Two Extended Range Medium Beam Lasers protect it against Battle Armor or finishing off wounded opponents. When piloting this Mech stay With but Behind your unit to provide them with cover fire.
Variant F
The cheapest of its variants, Chimera F is a close range skirmisher and brawler, combining mid and close range weapons. Within 600m the F opens up with an explosive round firing AC10 and a pair of always reliable ERMBL, giving it the ability to harass opponents while looking for an opportune moment to enter into close combat. At close range a pair of ERSBL strengthens its pinpoint strike, quickly followed by a SRM6 launcher, providing a one-two punch of explosive weapons with screen shake and splash damage, followed by a pinpoint energy strike. One free ton for ammo is usually reserved for the more ammo-hungry missile launcher, while a complete lack of extra heatsinks limits the unit's effectiveness to hit and fade tactics and short engagements.
Variant G
The Chimera G is a bit of an awkward NARC carrier. Equipped with a standard iNARC launcher, it has to get within 500m of its targets, well into medium range, in order to successfully plant a NARC beacon. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any of the supporting equipment these units usually come with, so it's more suited to mingling with skirmishers or approaching brawlers rather than being relied upon to designate targets in long range stand-offs. Its secondary defense is a ERMBL duo usable for up to 600m away, allowing for a quite tight band gap of 350m up to 460m where all of its weapons are effective to the maximal amount. Although the LRM20 will fuse the missiles from 100m out, the lobe of the launcher would rarely allow a reliable hit closer than 350m straight on. alternatively, the pilot might plant an NARC beacon from closer up (even passive) and engage the target while running away - by enabling the radar first and firing the mighty LRM20 without a lock on - they will home on the unfortunate bearer of the planted NARC beacon. One has to be aware tho, that the single ton allotted for ammunition doesn't make the choice NARC or LRM any easier. Be it used for 6 extra NARC shots or 9 LRM20 salvos, either will generate revenue only if used smartly.
The units main selling point is it's heavy punch of the far reaching LRM20 launcher, or maybe the ability to plant NARC beacons at the price of the 3rd most expensive Chimera variant.
Gallery
A Chimera Prime sporting desert camo (ca. 0.7.1)
Canon
Similar to the earlier Gunslinger, the Chimera was designed in the spirit of cooperation between the Combine and the Davion Federated Commonwealth in the lead-up to Operations Bulldog and Serpent. The Chimera is built on a Chameleon Light Endo 2 Endo Steel chassis that carries a GM 240 XL engine which provides the 'Mech with a top speed of 97.2 km/h. The Chimera's mobility is enhanced by six Rawling 40 jump jets that allow the 'Mech to jump up to one hundred and eighty meters. The Chimera is protected by seven tons of StarGuard CCM armor.
