Variants:
The Prime variant of the Vampire unabashedly copies from the most popular of
the Manteuffel variant. A Rotary autocannon provides devastating damage at reasonable range, backed by a pair of Extended Range
Medium Lasers. A Guardian ECM Suite and an Anti-Missile System provides additional protection for a machine predicted to move
into medium and close combat range against enemies.
Intended to strike fear into all opponents, the Alpha comes armed with a
Plasma Rifle combined with the flexibility offered by a trio of MML-5s. Crew members are strongly encouraged to load one of
the two ammo bins with Inferno missiles to add to the heat spike and stunning decapitating ability of the Plasma weapon.
Making use of what would be seen as Draconis weapons, the Bravo combines
the close range firepower of a Snub-nosed PPC with the missile strike abilities of triple MRM-10‘s. It was clearly meant as a
close range brawler.
Appealing to the old school in all tank crew, the Charlie variant seeks to
build onto the image of the original Manticore. Armed with an old tech PPC, dual Machine Guns and a Grenade Launcher, paired
Artemis enhanced MML-5‘s replaced the old Manticore‘s mix of missile launchers to give the Charlie Vampire a higher level of
tactical flexibility.
Given that the Schiltron was one of the inspiration for the Vampire, it was
inevitable that an Arrow IV armed version would be produced. An ER Medium Laser serves as the only close range weapon.
The next Echo variant returned to a more traditional loadout. An LB 10-X AC with
two ton ammo bin, backed by a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers provide accurate and intense firepower. A single front mounted Heavy
Flamer offers extra close range pain to any infantry, or any other unit that did not have particular love for a heat spike.
The Foxtrot came about after much debate among the enlisted officers and
university students and engineers. While common practise calls for light and fast vehicles to act as scouts and recon units,
it was eventually agreed that the Vampire and its various configurations might be employed as the sole unit in organization,
and that meant that there would be a need for a more recon equipped version. A TAG and highly advanced Bloodhound Probe
provide such capabilities, while a Snub-nosed PPC and a pair of Apollo FCS enhanced MRM launchers made sure that the vehicle
can fight its way out of tight spots. The Foxtrot is geared towards spotting for the Arrow IV variant, as well as flushing out
hidden enemy units.
The final variant, the Gamma, is the C3 Master unit. A single heavy Artemis
improved LRM launcher sits in the turret to provide long range firepower both direct and indirect. A single Small X-Pulse Laser
provides the anti-infantry capabilities of the standard Small Pulse Laser while gaining reach while maintaining accuracy and
damage, but suffered from a dramatic increase in waste heat - the latter not affecting the Gamma variant as the X-Pulse Laser was the
only energy weapon mounted.
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