Is it just me, or does the STK-4N come across as something of an ugly duckling, with a slightly uneven hard-point distribution. Still, I like a challenge. Not wanting to simply design a lesser version of my 5M Hellstreak Brawler, I figured I might as well go back to my roots, so to speak. The small number of missile hard-points prevents a 4N from being a dedicated missile support mech, so I had to improvise. This is similar to my original, ill-fated 3H Multi-role Support build, although somewhat simplified. Long range fire-power is provided by three LRM launchers, totalling 20 missiles per volley, backed up by an ERPPC. Four MLas take care of closer range targets. Five tons of LRM ammo is enough for 45 full strength volleys. To make up for the chassis' shortfalls, I have installed as many electronic upgrades as possible, with the exception of a NARC beacon. The combination of a TAG module, a Beagle Active Probe and Artemis boost the performance of the LRMs, which have been restored to something of their former glory by the recent update. I still think that the LRM stats should follow the BattleTech canon, i.e. one point of damage per missile, as most other weapons already do. I guess time will tell. With a view to enhancing survivability, I have installed a newly updated AMS module, replete with 1000 rounds, a Standard 275 engine and 15 tons of armour, a huge amount of protection for a support build. This is mostly to compensate for the relatively weak weapons load-out, as well as the unfortunate need for maintaining direct LOS in order to reap the benefit from most of the installed targeting aids.
