Balius

Balius
Balius
Production information
Manufacturer Clan Hell's Horses
Production Year 3075[1]
Model Prime
Class Heavy
Cost 19,834,032 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 65 tons
Chassis Type BMHQ-5 Endo Steel
Armor Forged Type HH35 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine 390 XL
Communications System Unknown
Targeting Tracking System Unknown
Heat Sinks 14 Double Heat Sinks
Speed 97 km/h
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (2.0) 2,157[2][3]


Description[edit]

The Balius is a quadrupedal, front-line OmniMech produced by Clan Hell's Horses. As of 3075, few details were available about the 'Mech. It is a totem 'Mech, resembling a horse, that is meant to improve morale as much as to be an effective combat unit. There is apparently no factory producing this design. Instead, it is hand-crafted by a crew of technicians specifically selected for the task by the Khan. This has led to few Balius' being produced, so the 'Mech is only in the hands of select Bloodnamed warriors.[2]

Truly a frontline Omni, the Balius makes use of weight-saving technologies in the form of an Endo Steel chassis, eleven tons of ferro-fibrous armor, and an XL engine. However, on a quad, this leaves little room for other components. It does allow for great speed, though, and the Balius maxes out at 97 km/h, quite fast for a 'Mech its size.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Balius has a Creosote Special-H Flamer hard-mounted in its head that is useful both against infantry and as a psychological weapon. The primary configuration mounts two ER Large Lasers. These are supplemented by a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers for close range work. Every configuration of the Balius mounts rear-facing weapons to counter the inability of a quad to torso-twist. The prime carries another pair of Medium Pulse Lasers for this job. Four extra double heat sinks keep heat levels in check.[2]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A
    Mounting the Horses' newest weapon, the Balius A has a HAG 20. It also carries an ER Large Laser to supplement that weapon at range. An ER Medium Laser provides additional firepower up close, while another pair of the same protect its back. BV (2.0) = 2,201[4][5]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    Bearing some resemblance to the primary configuration, the Balius B also carries twin ER Larges. Those are supplemented, however, by eight Heavy Small Lasers. A Large Pulse Laser threatens any who would seek to exploit its rear armor. Two additional heat sinks provide some added dissipation. BV (2.0) = 2,029[4][6]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    A missile-heavy variant, the "C" mounts two ATM 9s with four tons of ammunition. A pair of ER Mediums supplement them, while two Medium Pulse Lasers are mounted in the rear. BV (2.0) = 2,103[4][7]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    The final variant is a sniper. It has six jump jets, enabling the Balius D to vault up to 180 meters at a time. An ER PPC can fell foes at range, while four ER Medium Lasers can down them up close. Two Medium Pulses are again rear-firing. BV (2.0) = 2,417[4][8]
  • Alternate Configuration U 
    Equipped with five UMUs and two SRT-6s, this configuration is intended for underwater combat. Though the standard Flamer is useless underwater, the ECM Suite, ER Large Laser, and improved underwater mobility more than make up for it. BV (2.0) = 2,014[10]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Balius has the following Design Quirk:[11]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Balius
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 142
  3. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 267
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 143
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 268
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 269
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 270
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 271
  9. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 142
  10. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 142
  11. BattleMech Manual, p. 90 BattleMech Quirk Table - Balius Entry.

Bibliography[edit]