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Dragnse7en
Captain Posts: 1636 DCMS Ghost Regiments: Dealing With the Devil  
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I'm posting next Monday's Sculpt of the Week a little early, because I've got a doctor's appointment then and I'm not sure how much of the day will be chewed up.
This week's Sculpt of the Week shall be the Akuma, a Kurita design. When my brother and I got back into the game, I started using Clan technology, while he liked sticking to the old skool 3025 era Inner Sphere 'Mechs. He still likes IS technology, and after being beaten numerous times by my clanners, I showed him the other TROs I have. Now, he uses the Akuma almost every time we play. He wants to stay as an IS player, who wants to steal Clan tech.
==Overview:==
During the Clan invasion, Theodore Kurita issued a general call to
manufacturers to produce more cost-effective BattleMechs, both in initial
investment and upkeep costs. Independence Weaponry, well known for their heavy
and assault 'Mechs, responded with a low-cost alternative to their own
Atlas-K: the AKU-1X Akuma. With a price tag comparable to the original
Atlas-D, the Akuma shares many components with the older design. By creating a
broader demand for the same set of parts, Independence Weaponry reduced the
overall cost for both units.
==Capabilities:==
The primary cost-cutting measure employed in the Akuma's design was to
make the Akuma smaller and lighter than the Atlas. The reduced weight and
resulting smaller fusion engine represented a significant savings. In spite of
its smaller size, however, the Akuma maintains the same ground speed and
comparable armor protection. In addition, the 'Mech's head is adorned with a
massive mask, giving it the frightening appearance of the mythical demon for
which it is named. The Akuma's fearsome appearance is intended to distract or
startle the enemy long enough for the Combine MechWarrior to get in the first
shot.
The 'Mech's armaments are an array of advanced weapons that work most
effectively at short and medium ranges. Though the 'Mech is slow compared to
others in its class, its intended use for defense or in slow advances against
static or dug-in opponents keeps its low speed from being a design flaw.
Central to the Akuma's arsenal is a Lord's Light 2 extended-range particle
beam weapon and a large rack of medium-range missiles. Two Streak launchers
provide a short-range backup to the MRMs. As the Streaks cannot fire without a
lock-on, not a single shot of their expensive ammunition is wasted. Some
observers consider the Imperator Code Red LB 10-X autocannon an extravagance,
but most experts point out that it provides needed long-range firepower.
Arm-mounted lasers provide reliable backup weapons in case the Akuma runs out
of ammunition.
==Variants:==
The 1XJ has often been derided as 'the same, only more so.' This has some
merit in that long-range firepower is further weakened for incredible
medium-range and point-blank assault capability. The ER PPC was changed out
for a laser and the Streak launchers removed. This allowed upgrades of the
medium range missiles and the autocannon. More surprising, however, are the
retrofitted jump jets which give the Akuma expanded tactical options. It was
this variant that created such chaos among Davion lines in 3064.
==Deployment==
The Ryuken-go have always been the chief proponents of the Akuma,
fielding this design in several assault lances. Other front-line units were
slow to adopt the Akuma until it proved itself during the assault on Clan
Smoke Jaguar, and since then demand has outstripped production. Recently, in
the ill-fated attacks launched against the Combine by Duke Robinson, the Akuma
1XJ made its debut in the counterassaults that eventually took the Davion
worlds of Breed and Kesai IV.
My contribution: a DCMS 15th Benjamin Regulars 'Mech |
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}: )~<
WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS of this planet; we can survive in outer space, we can even fight underwtaer in the ocean, survive in the jungle, and thrive in the hotest deserts. We eat anything we want that Mother Earth has for us, if we want to. Some of us even eat each other. With that said, WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS OF THIS PLANET. Am I so insane to say this? I think not . . .. . .
Christopher
AKA
Dragnse7en
Last Edit by Dragnse7en
12 Apr, 2008, 15:57:26 pm
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Dragnse7en
Captain Posts: 1636 DCMS Ghost Regiments: Dealing With the Devil
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* bump
It's officialy Monday, and I sure hope that I'm not the only one on the planet who has two Akumas  |
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}: )~<
WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS of this planet; we can survive in outer space, we can even fight underwtaer in the ocean, survive in the jungle, and thrive in the hotest deserts. We eat anything we want that Mother Earth has for us, if we want to. Some of us even eat each other. With that said, WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS OF THIS PLANET. Am I so insane to say this? I think not . . .. . .
Christopher
AKA
Dragnse7en
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JadeHellbringer
Looney Tune ModeratorPosts: 24551 ...and hug him and pet him and call him George...
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* bump It's officialy Monday, and I sure hope that I'm not the only one on the planet who has two Akumas
I'll have to get a photo of mine in a while, not that it holds even a slight candle to what most of you guys paint around here... its just black with dark red highlights.  |
Now its over, I'm dead and I haven't done anything that I want, or I'm still alive, and there's nothing I want to do Self-appointed Warden of the Washington D.C. Turkish Prison Crew
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ogre
CamoSpecsPosts: 994 If you think you're too close, get in closer.
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| If I had one, I'd be happy to share, but the truth is this is one of my very least favorite sculpts...in fact, I hate it. Dunno why, but it just looks silly to me. |
When in doubt, take it out. Two plus two is four. When it equals five? Let me know. You've got red on you.
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Dragnse7en
Captain Posts: 1636 DCMS Ghost Regiments: Dealing With the Devil
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Well, true true Mike. IMHO it looks like Spiderman's Goblin on a BK Whopper diet, but at the time I'm just going with the list 97jedi has helped with. 
Anyone else?  Please - I am begging you - there will be lame sculpts to cover and that's why we share.
At least this one's not as bad as the Whammy or Marauder . . . .  |
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}: )~<
WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS of this planet; we can survive in outer space, we can even fight underwtaer in the ocean, survive in the jungle, and thrive in the hotest deserts. We eat anything we want that Mother Earth has for us, if we want to. Some of us even eat each other. With that said, WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS OF THIS PLANET. Am I so insane to say this? I think not . . .. . .
Christopher
AKA
Dragnse7en
Last Edit by Dragnse7en
14 Apr, 2008, 14:31:32 pm
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darkdrakon
Warrant Officer Posts: 434
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wish I could help ... I don't even own a Akuma  |
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Slade (The Grey Fox)
Catalyst Demo TeamPosts: 20403 I am the Master's Will...
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| I did mine up in the Sword of Light scheme. Yes, solid red sounds simple but when you forget to get the second bottle as a FLAT it makes for some interesting re-do work. |
Proprietor of the Thread 'Jacking Boomerang™ FanPro Commando #263 Battlecorp Member: WDG-0A69 My Fanfic page My BlogYou should probably tie a bell around real life's neck so it can't sneak up on you. - xtrahmxwohld Tried it. It was like wrestling a greased cat that had explosive diarhea. I regret it. - Paul
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Shin Yodama
Lieutenant Posts: 1077 Jaxon's Jackals ---- Pack Tactics
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How did I miss this? Here's one of mine!
Nowhere near as intricately detailed as Dragnse7en's excellent work, but I like it.
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Dragnse7en
Captain Posts: 1636 DCMS Ghost Regiments: Dealing With the Devil
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 Thank u friend - I should paint u a mini just for that!
If yer a clown, then laugh clown - luagh hahahaaa!!!!
What are some joker lines - and don't say that dancing with the devil in the pale moon light - that was purely Jack Nic and not DC Comics . . . . |
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}: )~<
WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS of this planet; we can survive in outer space, we can even fight underwtaer in the ocean, survive in the jungle, and thrive in the hotest deserts. We eat anything we want that Mother Earth has for us, if we want to. Some of us even eat each other. With that said, WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS OF THIS PLANET. Am I so insane to say this? I think not . . .. . .
Christopher
AKA
Dragnse7en
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Jal Phoenix
CamoSpecsPosts: 4190 Screw you, Thomas!
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| Yeah, I got this. It's, like, really old. I also hate that I can say 2001 is a long time ago... |
Input welcome. No Liao-related propaganda!  SHATNER (Downsized due to new sig rules. Cry for Shat.)
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Hyena
CamoSpecsPosts: 305 Midnight Sakura
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No love for Akumas? I love Akumas!! That and the Nodachi are my favorite Japanese-themed CBT 'Mechs. I know D7 and Shin Yodama would have some Akuma love too!
CSO has a little more love for Akumas:
http://www.camospecs.com/MiniList.asp?Action=Detail&ID=144
Trivia: This Akuma, which appears in Total Warfare, is named "Gouki" (on the waist), the Japanese name of the Street Fighter character known as Akuma in the US.  And yes, the character for "heaven" is on it's back!
-Mark |
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Dragnse7en
Captain Posts: 1636 DCMS Ghost Regiments: Dealing With the Devil
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Awesome!!! I am crying I luv it so much for it!
The only gripe I got is that's there's not supposed to be any gold gylphs on the Otomo scheme - plain and simple. When we found that artist's concept, he never looked at the FM. even when it was published for over a year before he did it. I won't waste energy or time on it - but me and my Rayzor bro still like this Inner Sphere DCMS 'Mech!!! Nice work! |
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WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS of this planet; we can survive in outer space, we can even fight underwtaer in the ocean, survive in the jungle, and thrive in the hotest deserts. We eat anything we want that Mother Earth has for us, if we want to. Some of us even eat each other. With that said, WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS OF THIS PLANET. Am I so insane to say this? I think not . . .. . .
Christopher
AKA
Dragnse7en
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Hyena
CamoSpecsPosts: 305 Midnight Sakura
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Actually, in defense of the artist, he did do research and look at the FMs, and more carefully than you realize... And by "he" I mean "me". 
The description in the FM:DC states that the Otomo should be flat black. However, the description of the Izanagi warriors states they use "gold with black accents, the opposite of the Otomo". Therefore the Otomo should use black with gold accents. It was debated and finally agreed upon by CSO and TPTB that this was an oversight (and not the first of its kind). The corrected description is now displayed on CSO.
The inspiration for the scheme came from TRO:3055U. The picture of the Naginata in that book is the inspiration for the pattern. The Notable Pilot for the Naginata is Chu-sa Laine Shimazu, member of the Otomo. So combining the two you get who is depicted in the Total Warfare pictures (also viewable on CSO).
My very unofficial story is this:
The Otomo regularly use black with gold highlights, but not necessarily the swirly pattern you see. Otomo members who are former members of the yakuza, who saved the Coordinator from Kokuryukai assassins, are allowed to paint the highlights in the pattern of rolling thunder clouds (similar to Ghost regiments) in acknowledgement of their former associations.
So A) you don't have to do swirls if you don't want to, and B) you can do swirls (and thunderbolts) if you do want to. Also C) the description doesn't specify what form the gold highlights are, so you can do them up however you want to really. Yes this was my intention, otherwise I would have been more specific.
So with that, I humbly submit to you my research and thought process in the matter.
-Mark |
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mughi3
Warrant Officer Posts: 706 metal guru
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while i do love the look of the akuma, and i used to use one in my second deiron regulars. i have since replaced it with a maelstrom.
it does have great punch at short to medium range, but it's slow speed poor heat disapation and lack of case made it a liability to the lance. |
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i put my faith in artillery
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Jal Phoenix
CamoSpecsPosts: 4190 Screw you, Thomas!
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Actually, in defense of the artist, he did do research and look at the FMs, and more carefully than you realize... And by "he" I mean "me". The description in the FM:DC states that the Otomo should be flat black. However, the description of the Izanagi warriors states they use "gold with black accents, the opposite of the Otomo".
Actually, I think this part was me, way back when I did the Izanagi. I can't take credit for the patterns, though. Yet. |
Input welcome. No Liao-related propaganda! SHATNER (Downsized due to new sig rules. Cry for Shat.)
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Dragnse7en
Captain Posts: 1636 DCMS Ghost Regiments: Dealing With the Devil
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| I was always assuming that the description of the Izanagi Warriors was refering to the Otomo's gold shield unit symbol - that's what my take on it was anyway. I like what Mark did on his, but I've kept my own collection all black though. Oh well, to each their own |
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WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS of this planet; we can survive in outer space, we can even fight underwtaer in the ocean, survive in the jungle, and thrive in the hotest deserts. We eat anything we want that Mother Earth has for us, if we want to. Some of us even eat each other. With that said, WE ARE THE APEX PREDATORS OF THIS PLANET. Am I so insane to say this? I think not . . .. . .
Christopher
AKA
Dragnse7en
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