Monday, December 2, 2024

MechDB Misadventures, Part 13: Zombie Bull Sharks

 MechDB Misadventures, Part 13: Zombie Bull Sharks

The Bull Shark, one of a few original BattleMech designs in MechWarrior Online, is another chassis that can be configured as a zombie 'Mech. However, among the various Inner Sphere and Clan variants, the BSK-2 is the only one that lacks provision for anything other than energy weapons. As such, it is the most obvious choice for a zombie build. One such setup is as follows:


Above: The Bull Shark BSK-2 in a zombie sniper configuration, with six ER Large Lasers (three in each side torso) and one Medium Laser each in the center torso and head, cooled down with 17 Double Heat Sinks, while five Jump Jets allow it to leap over obstacles. Without any arm-mounted weapons, its profile is effectively narrowed, and its convergence improved.

Another idea would be to employ the BSK-2 as a brawler, with the following configuration:


Above: This BSK-2 build focuses more on DPS with 3 Large X-Pulse Lasers, 4 Medium X-Pulse Lasers, and 5 Small X-Pulse Lasers - it may have a wider profile due to using all four arm-mounted hardpoints, but it's a necessary evil to accommodate the extra lasers. Even with one less Jump Jet, it will run quite hot, so don't fire too many of your weapons at once!

Or, if you want something that runs colder, you could try this instead:


Above: With six each of Small and Medium X-Pulse Lasers, plus 31 standard Heat Sinks, this build is similar to the previous one, but trades range and firepower for vastly superior heat management, and regains the fifth jump jet found on the sniper build.

Although other variants have at least one head- or center torso-mounted energy hardpoint each, the BSK-2 is the best choice for a zombie build due to its universal -10% heat quirk and greater number of side torso-mounted hardpoints. In short, if you want survivability mixed with agility and a total lack of ammunition dependency (except for normal AMS, if fitted), the Bull Shark with a standard engine and a mostly torso-mounted all-energy loadout is your go-to choice for an assault 'Mech.

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