Fire Moth (Dasher)

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This article is about the ultrafast Clan OmniMech. For other uses of "Dasher", see Dasher (disambiguation).
Fire Moth (Dasher)
Fire Moth
Production information
Manufacturer Dominion Facility Kappa-4 and -5[1]
Production Year 2874[2]
Model Prime[1]
Class Light
Cost 4,208,800 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 20 tons
Chassis Dominator Light-Alpha 20
Armor IceSheet Ferro Fibrous
Engine Firebox 200 XL
Communications System Untermarkt IV-a
Targeting Tracking System Hakkøn MicroSystems
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 162 km/h (216 km/h with MASC)
Armament

Primary configuration

BV (1.0) 982[3]
BV (2.0) 1,251[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Fire Moth is a light Clan OmniMech intended for scouting and infantry support and transport, often deployed by Clan Ghost Bear. With a running speed of 162.0 km/h, accelerating up to 216.0 km/h with the MASC system installed on the 'Mech's chassis, the Fire Moth is easily one of the fastest designs ever created, the reason the Inner Sphere gave it the codename of Dasher.[5][6][7]

The Fire Moth was originally designed by Clan Cloud Cobra scientists as an infantry support OmniMech. The high-placed arms were positioned in order for a pair of infantry "pods" underslung on the arms of the prototype Fire Moth. Designed to ease transporting Elementals into battle, the "pods" were discarded after the first field test, but the arms were never adjusted when the OmniMech debuted in 2874.[5][6][7][2]

Clan Ghost Bear came into possession of the Fire Moth when Clan Cloud Cobra traded the design for five years of trade considerations. Both the Ghost Bears and Clan Hell's Horses make extensive use of the Fire Moth for reconnaissance, dueling, and infantry support. Because the Fire Moth is poorly armed and armored, and infantry support is a lack-luster assignment, the Fire Moth is frequently assigned to warriors who are older and lack bloodnames before they reach solahma units. These warriors tend to be extremely aggressive.[5][6][7]

Most of the Fire Moth factories were moved to the Inner Sphere after Operation Revival. Though the 'Mech is rare in Clan Space, it is commonly passed over in favor of the Phantom OmniMech by the remaining Home Clans, as it fulfills the same roles of the Fire Moth but with heavier armor.[8]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Typical of many light 'Mechs in its liberal use of lightweight materials, the Fire Moth's superior speed comes from its 200-rated extralight fusion engine. An endo steel chassis saves additional space, along with two tons of ferro-fibrous armor; this token amount of armor acts as the only barrier between an enemy and the 'Mech's fragile internals, and as such the Fire Moth relies much more on its speed than its durability for survival. The standard 10 double heat sinks have little trouble dissipating the 'Mech's heat.[5][6][7]

For such a light design, the Fire Moth has an excellent array of short-range weapons in its Primary configuration, one of the reasons for its superb performance in raids and guerrilla warfare. Each arm mounts an ER medium laser as primary weapons, supported by SRM-6 and SRM-4 racks to provide the Fire Moth with additional striking capability and allow it to exploit breaches in enemy armor. However, the heavy weapons load means that the Fire Moth lacks advanced electronics of any sort.[5][6][7]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    Taking advantage of the 'Mech's ridiculous speed, this configuration acts as an artillery spotter and a typical scout, mounting an active probe for detecting hidden units and a TAG system for designating artillery fire. The weapons payload was greatly reduced to fit in the electronics, however, and as such the Fire Moth A mounts only a single Streak SRM-4 for self-defense. BV (1.0) = 550,[3] BV (2.0) = 589[5], 639[1][9]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    A close combat configuration, the Fire Moth B replaces the ER medium lasers with medium pulse lasers. Dual machine guns easily dispose of any infantry the 'Mech may encounter, and an A-Pod secures the 'Mech's legs against any that manage to close in. BV (1.0) = 840,[3] BV (2.0) = 922[5], 639[1][10]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    An attempt to use the design for indirect fire support, the Fire Moth C mounted dual LRM-5 missile racks, as well as an anti-missile system, to prevent any retribution by its target. BV (1.0) = 636,[3] BV (2.0) = 679,[5] 741[1] or 759[11]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    A simple harasser and guerrilla warfare specialist, the Fire Moth D simply utilizes five ER medium lasers for excellent short-range firepower, made all the more deadly by an advanced targeting computer. This configuration also mounts a flamer for anti-infantry and incendiary use. BV (1.0) = 1,446,[3] BV (2.0) = 1,916,[5] 2,307[1][12]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    Another simple but effective configuration, the Fire Moth E mounts an ATM-6 missile rack, allowing for a surprising amount of flexibility. The ATM system utilizes many different types of ammunition, ranging from high-explosive short-range missiles to long-range missiles packed with fuel. BV (1.0) = 633,[3][13] BV (2.0) = 674[5], 822[1][14]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    The F configuration of the Fire Moth is an excellent jungle or urban scout. The 'Mech has an active probe to allow it to detect enemy ambushes. For anti-infantry use, the 'Mech has three AP Gauss rifles, and three ER medium lasers help combat armored targets. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,232,[5] 1,461[1][15]
  • Alternate Configuration H 
    Mounting the new heavy laser systems, the Fire Moth H sports a huge array of nine heavy small lasers, which provide devastating levels of short-range firepower. An additional double heat sink is also present, to help compensate for the accordingly huge heat burden. BV (1.0) = 485,[3] BV (2.0) = 779[1][17]
  • Alternate Configuration M
    Four ER small lasers are placed in the left arm, and an LRM-15 with a ton of ammo in the right arm. BV (2.0) = 1,200[18]
  • Alternate Configuration P 
    Equipped with an engine supercharger allows the P configuration to sprint to 216 km/h. Each arm carries six micro pulse lasers. BV (2.0) = 841[18]

Custom Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Dasher has the following Design Quirks:[21]

Related Designs[edit]

Dasher II - The Fire Moth would inspire a heavier non-OmniMech known as the Dasher II during the Dark Age Era.

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Fire Moth (Dasher) Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was altered to Feuervogel, which literally means Fire Bird. The unit's proper Inner Sphere name was translated to Sprinter.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 6–7: "Dasher"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 21: RUD
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Combat Operations, p. 108
  4. Master Unit List http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/846/dasher-fire-moth-prime
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 Technical Readout 3050: Update
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Technical Readout: 3050, pp. 12–13: "Dasher OmniMech Profile"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, pp. 10–11: "Dasher OmniMech Profile"
  8. The Wars of Reaving Supplemental, p. 17: Discarded Tools of War - Hellbringer listed as among the 'Mechs phased out due to its association with Inner Sphere based Clans with the exception of Clan Coyote.
  9. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 7
  10. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 8
  11. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 9
  12. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 10
  13. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 33
  14. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 11
  15. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 12
  16. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 72
  17. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 13
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 8, p. 12
  19. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 14
  20. Jihad Turning Points: Dieron, p. 18: Fire Moth Aletha record sheet
  21. BattleMech Manual, p. 91: BattleMech Quirk Table - Dasher Entry

Bibliography[edit]