![]() ![]() Stacking dual-MLR units in place of a howitzer option can be very effective against enemies on adverse terrain. ![]() The 8-MLR can be a very effective weapon, but unless it is strafe-launched correctly it does not do sufficient damage to a single target to prevent an enemy from closing before more than 2 salvos can be fired. The 550-HW howitzer is a respectable step up from the 370-HW of the Vortex, but its refire rate is lower and it cannot carry as much ammunition. Although it is definitely not the fastest VT in the game, it is the one that is most unaffected by adverse terrain, which makes it an ideal choice for any of the mountainous missions. The Maelstrom does have one thing going for it: it can get moving on any terrain, even managing 4th gear uphill or over water without override on. Compare this to the step up from a Decider to a Prominence M1 (two times the sortie cost) and you can understand the frustration. Although it included all of the second generation upgrades (override and F.S.S.) the sortie cost for one unit was four times as much as its first generation cousin without having four times the performance upgrade. "It's all fun and games until somebody gets MLR'd "Īfter piloting Vortex units for so long, the Maelstrom was, initially, somewhat of a disappointment. 34 prisoners of war were taken and their VTs captured intact when the Decider units were found attempting to avoid artillery fire under assault ramparts and against the canyon walls. Deployed out of reach of the attacking PRF Decider forces, the 7th Artillery Support division was able to keep the attackers suppressed and immobile while Scare Face forces cut off their retreat path. The Maelstrom saw first combat during the battle for Wa Lo Pass in the Er Ting foothills in December 2084. For this reason alone, Hai Shi Dao commanders favored the deployment of Maelstrom units along the entire Er Ting range to hold strategic passes and bases. Advancements in drive-train materials as well as optimal positioning of the power plant give this VT outstanding low range power and adverse terrain capabilities. What Goodman did get right was the torque performance profile. The second drawback of the Maelstrom platform is in its close range primary weapon load out, only differing from the Vortex in the ability to mount a slightly heavier machine gun. This is primarily due to the usage of the Scare Face armor augmentation design (as can be seen in the profile of the leg shields and fuselage ablative mounts). For one, it has one of the lowest durability ratings of the entire second generation VT class, only slightly better than a Vortex model. Unfortunately, Goodman product marketing pushed for the release of the model before sufficient field testing and design integration had been performed, and as a result, this model suffers in a number of key areas. The most significant upgrades that this model received was the ability to mount a version of the Multiple Launch Rocket system as well as a larger howitzer (the 550-HW). and greater countermeasures load outs) where incorporated into its design. All of the second generation VT advancements (override, F.S.S. The Maelstrom support VT was designed to be the replacement of the highly successful Vortex model. ![]() Steel Battalion: Line of Contact in-game description N/A "The well-balanced design of this second-generation VT makes it not only highly mobile, but relatively versatile as well."
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