Cyclops

This article is about the 90-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Cyclops (disambiguation).
Cyclops
Cyclops
Production information
Manufacturer Grumium Creations

Stormvanger Assemblies, Unlimited[1]

Production Year 2710[2][3]
Model CP-10-Z[1]
Class Assault
Cost 9,217,660 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 90 tons
Chassis Stormvanger HV-7
Armor Starshield Special
Engine Hermes 360
Communications System Olmstead 840
Targeting Tracking System Tacticon Tracer 280
Heat Sinks 12 single
Speed 64 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 965
BV (2.0) 1,308[1][3]


Description[edit]

The Cyclops began production in 2710 as an assault BattleMech and headquarters unit for Star League Defense Force field commanders. A decent mix of weapons provided the Cyclops with both long- and short-range firepower and a sizable engine to keep up with mobile operations. The most important feature of the 'Mech though was its advanced electronics, especially the Tacticon B-2000 Battle Computer, which allows the pilot to effectively command up to brigade-sized units. Other aspects of the 'Mech are less than stellar however. The diverse array of weapons means the 'Mech does suffer somewhat from ammunition issues while meager armoring provides less protection than that found on similar machines, though it is enough to stave off attackers until reinforcements arrive. In particular the armoring on the head section, while as heavily protected as allowed by the internal structure, leaves the pilot and the sophisticated command and control equipment more vulnerable than usual. When operating as the command vehicle at regimental and higher echelons with an ample support apparatus and guarded by a headquarters lance, these deficiencies are far less noticeable and the Cyclops could be kept in reserve until employed to turn the tide of battle or exploit a weakness.[2][3]

Unfortunately the Cyclops did not fare so well with the onset of the Amaris Civil War when the Rim Worlds Republic Military destroyed its primary factory on Caph in 2774. Spare parts for the machine quickly began to dry up, until by the end of the Succession Wars less than ten percent still had a working B-2000 computer. Lacking the critical part of being a command vehicle many Cyclopses were pressed into an assault role. Acting as the bodyguard or decoy for the real commanding officer, they proved to be swift if mediocre combat machines. As most enemies know about the vulnerable head and automatically target it in combat, many Cyclops pilots also began adding false head protectors to defend against impacts. A study by the NAIS after the Fourth Succession War would eventually find that these caused more harm than good by restricting vision and increasing shrapnel, ending the practice altogether.[2][3]

The rediscovery of the Helm Memory Core kick-started a number of attempts to replicate the B-2000 computer, however there were no successful attempts prior to the Clan Invasion. Also, the invention of the C3 computer with its emphasis on small-scale networking, and a switch in doctrine to using DropShips as command posts, saw the Cyclops' command role decline. However Grumium Creations was eventually able to restart production of new variants of the 'Mech, and where it has participated a Cyclops with a working B-2000 has had noticeable effects. For this reason Cyclops 'Mechs with a working battle computer were reserved for high-ranking officers.[3][4]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Cyclops carries an arsenal built to handle almost any situation. For long-range combat and indirect fire, the 'Mech carries a Delta Dart LRM-10 missile launcher in the left torso along with one ton of reloads. For closer ranges the 'Mech has a variety of weapons. A Zeus-36, Mark III Autocannon/20 mounted in the right torso keeps all but the heaviest 'Mechs at a respectable distance and is fed by four tons of ammo split between the side torsos. The autocannon is backed up by two Diverse Optics Type 20 medium lasers, one in either arm, and a Hovertec Quad SRM-4 with one ton of reloads in the center torso.[5][2][3]

The centerpiece of the Cyclops is its sophisticated holographic battle computer, the Tacticon B-2000. When combined with the Olmstead 840 tight beam comm suite with SatNav module, the Cyclops can effectively command a brigade across the surface of an entire world. Unfortunately the Cyclops is poorly protected relative to other assault 'Mechs with only ten tons of armor, and while its normal load of twelve heat sinks allows it to stay cool in most cases, they can prove to be inadequate in especially heavy situations.[5][2][3]

Variants[edit]

  • CP-10-HQ 
    The most notable of all Cyclops variants, introduced in 2753 [6] , fits the 'Mech with a Collapsible Command Module strapped to its rear torso, allowing a fully operational headquarters bunker to be set up in fifteen minutes. In order to make room for the module the Autocannon/20 and its ammunition was removed from this variant. Irreparable damage suffered during the Succession Wars means less than half of those Cyclopses with a working B-2000 have an operable command module.[1][3] BV (1.0) = 900; BV (2.0) = 1,113[7]
  • CP-10-Q 
    The Q variant of the Cyclops was introduced in 2801 in an attempt to keep enemies at range. It removed the Autocannon/20 and replaced it with an additional LRM-10, three more tons of missile reloads, two additional heat sinks, a third medium laser in the right torso and seven more tons of armor, making it very well protected.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,213; BV (2.0) = 1,584[7]
  • CP-11-A 
    A common modification of the Cyclops that uses some rediscovered Star League technology, the 11-A was introduced in 3045 and replaces the massive Autocannon/20 for a Zeus Slingshot Gauss rifle with two tons of ammo. Although doing slightly less damage it has a much larger effective range. BV (1.0) = 1,251; BV (2.0) = 1,547[4]
  • CP-11-A-DC 
    First modified by the Capellan Confederation during the technological renaissance of the late Succession Wars, one ton each of gauss and LRM ammunition and one heat sink are removed from an 11-A to enable installation of a Command Console. BV 2.0 = 1507[8][9]
  • CP-11-B 
    Introduced in 3071 this version of the Cyclops carries a second Gauss Rifle, thirteen and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor and CASE. To make room for this equipment, engineers replaced the engine with a 270 rated model. Though this slows the Cyclops by 25%, the increased weaponry and armor protection compensates for the reduced speed.[10] BV (2.0) = 2,145[11]
  • CP-11-C 
    The 11-C is similar to the 11-A in that they carry an almost identical weapons payload. Built in 3050 the only difference is that the 11-C has removed the LRM-10 launcher and replaced it with a C3 master computer, which allows it to share targeting data and coordinate C3 lances. An additional two tons of armor have been added to the design as well. This makes the 11-C a highly effective sniper and command 'Mech. BV (1.0) = 1,364: BV (2.0) = 1,553[7]
  • CP-11-C2 
    Based on the 11-C variant and first fielded in 3073, this Cyclops is a company-command-level machine that carries a pair of C3 master computers. To make room for these massive computers, the Gauss Rifle, its ammunition, and some armor were replaced by a single ER PPC. This leaves the Cyclops slightly undergunned for an assault 'Mech, but it shouldn't be engaging the enemy closely anyway. BV (2.0) = 1,534[12]
  • CP-11-G 
    A full redesign of the Cyclops, the 11-G was built by Grumium Creations for the Second Star League Defense Force, Com Guards and Free Rasalhague Republic. Debuting in 3058 it redesigns the chassis to use Endo Steel construction and also replaces the standard armor with fifteen tons of ferro-fibrous armor. For long range combat it retains the Gauss Rifle and LRM-10 missile launcher minus one ton of missile reloads, while the arm-mounted medium lasers and center-torso SRM launcher were also upgraded to ER Medium Lasers and a Streak SRM-4 launcher. All ammunition for the weapons was also shifted to the right torso and uses CASE to protect itself from complete destruction in the event of an ammunition explosion. BV (1.0) = 1,761:[14] BV (2.0) = 1,984[7]
  • CP-11-H 
    An upgrade of the Cyclops that has come out of the Periphery, the 11-H was first sighted in 3064 among the ranks of Lady Death's pirates. The H is built on the standard 10-Z chassis but now carries eleven and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor and its weapons payload is heavily modified, carrying the standard Autocannon/20 and two medium lasers but replacing the rest for six Rocket Launcher 20s. This gives the 11-H the firepower to decimate anything that dares to close with it to attempt to make a kill. BV (1.0) = 1,333: BV (2.0) = 1,521[7]
  • CP-12-K 
    The 12-K variant of the Cyclops takes the 'Mech to the logical conclusion based on equipment available to the DCMS. Also built by Grumium and introduced in 3059, the 'Mech is armed with an Ultra Autocannon/10 for close to intermediate range combat. In place of the LRM launcher it carries an MRM-20 launcher, which complements the autocannon's range profile, while retaining two ER medium lasers and a Streak SRM-4 for close ranges. The 'Mech is also armored with fourteen and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,511:[15] BV (2.0) = 1,699[16]
  • Dual Cockpit refits
    The Cyclops is one of the Capellan Confederation's preferred 'Mechs to install Dual Cockpits. Standard refits usually install the Dual Cockpit on a CP-10-Z or CP-11-A, removing one ton of autocannon or gauss rifle ammunition, respectively.
  • Cyclops
    A recent Ghost Bear design for use in garrison Clusters, the Cyclops C is also available for purchase on the open market. Sheathed in hardened armor, the C features protection unrivaled in any other Cyclops variant. This protection comes at the expense of speed, though, with this variant restricted to a top speed of just 54 km/h. Clan-grade weapons mimic the traditional weapon layout of the Cyclops. A Gauss rifle resides in the right torso, while a Streak LRM-10 and Streak SRM-4 are mounted in the left and center, respectively. Two arm-mounted Clan ER medium lasers round out the weapons array. All the ammo and the Gauss Rifle are contained in a CASE II–protected housing. The hardened armor, CASE II, and a standard engine work together to make this Cyclops and its pilot highly likely to live through a fight. BV (2.0) = 2,252[17]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • In K. Kitsman's dossier from MechWarrior: Dark Age's Falcon's Prey accessory, Kitsman's Cyclops (Serial Number: LA5012-91F) is armed with a custom weapon configuration, consisting of a 360 rated Light Fusion Engine, Ultra AC/20, Delta Dart LRM-10 Launcher, ER PPC, and two Zippo Flamers. However, as it is a dossier-only 'Mech, there are specifics missing and no record sheet of this particular 'Mech has been made as of this writing.[18]

Apocryphal Variants[edit]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From MechWarrior 5: Call to Arms Expansion Pack:

  • CP-10-P
    Introduced in 3024, the CP-10-P reduces the AC/20 to an AC/10 and drops the left arm–mounted medium laser to carry a massive assault claymore.[19]

From MechWarrior 5: Heroes of the Inner Sphere Expansion Pack:

  • CP-11-P
    Introduced in 3045, this version of the Cyclops was built on an Endo Steel frame. This means the CP-11-P can mount an SRM-4 in the center torso, an LRM-5 along with Guardian ECM in the left torso, two AC/5s in the right torso, and two medium lasers in each arm.[20]

From MechWarrior Online:

  • CP-S Sleipnir 
    Named for the eight-legged horse ridden by the Norse god Odin, the Sleipnir is MWO's Hero 'Mech version of the Cyclops piloted by Ariana Winston of the Eridani Light Horse. Built around a 360 XL engine and Endo Steel frame, Sleipnir is armed with Gauss Rifle in each side torso, SRM-4 in the center torso and a medium laser in each arm and the head. Carrying four tons of Gauss rounds and a single ton of SRM missiles, Sleipnir mounts fifteen Double Heat Sinks with the remaining weight used on armor.[21][22]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Cyclops has the following Design Quirks:[23]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category: Notable Cyclops Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Zyklop. The model code was accordingly changed to ZP 10-C.
  • In French products, the unit's proper name was translated as Cyclope.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 168–169: "CP-10-Z Cyclops"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 118
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 164–165
  4. 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 100
  5. 5.0 5.1 Classic BattleTech Introductory Record Sheets, p. 23
  6. MUL online entry for the CP-10-HQ variant
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 84
  8. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 252
  9. MUL online entry for the CP-11A-DC variant
  10. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 191
  11. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 115
  12. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 116
  13. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 117
  14. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 143
  15. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 144
  16. CBT Forums: "Cyclops 12-K errata wrong?" (dead link)
  17. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 21, p. 13
  18. K. Kitsman dossier, MWDA Falcon's Prey: Kitsman 'Mech is unique but information remains incomplete
  19. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Call to Arms
  20. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Heroes of the Inner Sphere
  21. Cyclops Lore and Blueprint
  22. MechWarrior Online Cyclops Sale Page
  23. BattleMech Manual, p. 91: Design Quirk Table - Cyclops Entry

Bibliography[edit]