Griffin

This article is about the BattleMech design. For derivative designs and other uses, see Griffin (disambiguation).
Griffin
Griffin
Production information
Manufacturer Brigadier Corporation

Defiance Industries[1][2]


Earthwerks Incorporated[1]


Kallon Industries[1][2]


Vandenberg Mechanized Industries


Victory Industries[2]

Production Year 2492[3]
Model GRF-1N[1]
Class Medium
Cost 4,957,107 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 55 tons
Chassis Earthwerks GRF
Armor Starshield A
Engine CoreTek 275
Communications System Neil 6000
Targeting Tracking System Octagon Tartrac, System C
Heat Sinks 12 single
Speed 86 km/h
Jump Jets Rawlings 55
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,021
BV (2.0) 1,272[1][4][5]


Description[edit]

Built in 2492, the Griffin was originally classified as a heavy BattleMech, filling in the weight gap between mammoth machines like the Mackie and smaller recon 'Mechs like the Wasp, and intended for close assaults. Combining tremendous speed and firepower in one frame, the Griffin briefly dominated in this role before being superseded by larger and better-equipped 'Mechs. However the Griffin was very popular among commanders and pilots alike and so Earthwerks Incorporated kept it in production, this time reclassified as a medium 'Mech and tasked with long-range fire support for medium lances. In this capacity the Griffin has excelled, combining good striking power, endurance, and speed, with its only major weakness being a lack of close-range defensive weapons.[6][4]

During the Succession Wars the Griffin could be found in almost every unit of all the Great Houses and mercenary forces, thanks in part to its diverse number of manufacturers. Besides being constructed from Earthwerks' factory on Keystone the Griffin was later acquired and built by Defiance Industries (Hesperus II), Kallon Industries (Talon), Brigadier Corporation (Oliver), and Norse BattleMech Works (later Victory Industries, Marduk). It was even manufactured in the Periphery by Vandenberg Mechanized Industries on Illiushin.[7] Only the Capellan Confederation lacked a means of building the 'Mech, although they made up for it by purchasing a limited number from the Taurian Concordat.[4] During the Fourth Succession War some of these manufacturers exchanged hands, with the Draconis Combine capturing Marduk from the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth taking Oliver from the Free Worlds League. This exchange also happened to coincide with several new variants being designed to exploit recently recovered lostech. As such variants meant specifically for either Houses Kurita, Marik or the Federated Commonwealth found their way into the arsenals of all of them. During the Clan Invasion these manufacturers produced the new variants to meet the Clan threat while Vandenberg Industries continued to build original GRF-1N Griffins.[7]

When Vicore Industries began shopping around its "Project Phoenix" initiative, Defiance and Kallon Industries signed on to begin producing the completely redesigned GRF-6S Griffin. Victory Industries later signed up as well after the legal battle between Wolf's Dragoons and the Lyran Alliance saw the famous mercenary group selling its light fusion engine technology to both the Draconis Combine and Free Worlds League. The League designed a native update to the Griffin while ComStar had their own built as well which, ominously, soon began appearing in the ranks of the Word of Blake Militia.[8] The Griffin would continue to remain a staple of the battlefields of the Inner Sphere during the maelstrom of the Jihad, the era of the Republic of the Sphere and the rise of the ilClan, with models still in production within the Free Worlds League and the Wolf Empire.[9]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The primary weapon on the Griffin is a Fusigon PPC in the right arm, backed up by a Delta Dart LRM-10 launcher mounted in a drum over the right shoulder. The PPC allows Griffin to work in a long-range fire support role, while the LRM launcher also gives the Griffin some indirect fire support capabilities. The Achilles' heel of the design is its lack of short-range weapons, for when an enemy is capable of closing ranges and engaging in close quarters combat, and the fact that all of its weapons are located on the right side. The 'Mech is however equipped with two powerful battlefists for hand-to-hand combat.[6][4]

The massive and efficient Core Tek 275 fusion engine of the Griffin gives it a cruising speed of 57.1 km/h, and combined with five jump jets occupying the rear torso areas for a total jumping distance of 150 meters, is what distinguishes it from other medium 'Mechs and has kept the Griffin in the game over the centuries. Unfortunately, like most other early 'Mechs, the Griffin suffers from insufficient heat capacity, with only 12 single heat sinks installed. The result is that Griffin pilots, lacking the ability to do both, must choose at the outset of a fight whether to engage or withdraw.[6][4]

Nine and a half tons of standard armor plating compares quite favorably to many other medium 'Mechs, although as is often the case the Griffin will find itself in combat with larger 'Mechs. For this reason, two pairs of false armor baffles were added to the 'Mech, one on its shoulders providing limited protection to the LRM launcher and cockpit, and a smaller pair on the legs protecting the knees joints.[6]

Variants[edit]

  • GRF-1RG 
    A Succession War era skirmisher built to protect the Archon's throne room, the 1RG drops the PPC and LRM rack for a large and medium laser in its right arm, supported by a medium and small laser and machine gun in each side torso, each with its own half ton of ammo. Additionally the armor on the center torso and arms has been reinforced by half a ton. This loadout is made possible by the removal of the signature jump jets. BV (2.0) = 1,167 [14]
  • GRF-1S 
    The 1S Griffin was, for many years, the only production variant of the Griffin, built for House Steiner by Defiance Industries on Hesperus II starting in 2857. It attempted to rectify the 1N's lack of close range weapons by removing the PPC and in its place mounting a Defiance B3L large laser and two Defiance B3M medium lasers. The LRM-10 was also replaced with a Coventry Five-Tube LRM-5 and one ton of reloads in the right torso. To further help manage the heat load, the 'Mech also added four additional single heat sinks to the design. This new arrangement essentially transformed the long-range support 'Mech into a medium-range brawler.[1][6][4][15] BV (1.0) = 1,061; BV (2.0) = 1,253[16][15]
  • GRF-2N2 
    The original 2N, it carries a standard PPC instead of an ER version.[20]
  • GRF-3RG 
    A Clan Invasion era version of the GRF-1RG, the 3RG retains the right-arm medium laser and torso machine guns but swaps the remaining lasers for their pulse laser equivalents. This swap is made possible in part by dropping one ton of machine gun ammo and removing three heat sinks though a swap to double strength models compensates somewhat for the reduction. BV (2.0) = 1,213 [24]
  • GRF-5L 
    This variant, introduced in 3070, uses an XL engine to max out armor protection with 11.5 tons of stealth armor. As with all stealth armor-equipped designs, the 5L used a Guardian ECM suite to power it. It was armed with a plasma rifle and an MML-5, which could threaten enemies at all ranges, and three medium lasers provided added short-range firepower. 14 double heat sinks kept the 'Mech relatively cool, even when the stealth armor was active. BV (2.0) = 1,781[29]
  • GRF-6CS 
    A variant of the 6S developed in 3067 for the Com Guards, only to also fall into hands of the Word of Blake, the 6CS used an endo steel frame and was powered by an extralight engine. The 'Mech's primary weapons were an ER PPC and an LRM-15 launcher linked to an Artemis IV fire control system. The 6CS also carries two ER medium lasers for short range engagements, and has an advanced electronics warfare suite, consisting of a Guardian ECM suite and a C3i computer to allow it to share targeting telemetry with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,469; BV (2.0) = 1,695[31]
  • GRF-6R 
    An advanced if ammo-dependent sniper, the 6R mounts a Rotary AC/2 in its right arm supported by a Thunderbolt 10 in the right torso. Carrying two tons of RAC rounds and three of Thunderbolt missiles, a left-torso ER small laser and Guardian ECM suite round out this XL-engine powered 'Mech. BV (2.0) = 1,515[32]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • GRF-1DS Almstedt 
    The personal 'Mech of Free Rasalhague Republic MechWarrior Helga Almstedt. To cater to the aggressive warrior's preference for brutal melee combat, the 1DS's normal LRM-20 is downgraded to a lighter LRM-15 rack along with removing a ton of reloads to free up the weight to mount a custom hatchet in the left arm.[36]
  • GRF-1E Sparky 
    The personal ’Mech of Elle Bennett of the Fifth Donegal Guards, prior to the War of 3039 she had replaced the LRM-10 launcher of her Griffin with five medium lasers, one mounted in each torso, one beside the PPC and two in Sparky's left arm. The additional weight saved goes towards an extra single heat sink and an additional ton of armor.[4] BV (2.0) = 1,449[37]
  • GRF-6S Francine 
    A vintage Griffin refitted to the 6S standard and beyond with captured Word of Blake technology, when Francine rescued the Black Widow Company at the Royal Pass of the Ridges in 3070, her 'Mech carried half a ton less armor and swapped the 6S's ER PPC for an advanced snub-nose PPC as well as adding an extra ER medium laser to the left arm and a rear-facing small laser. BV (2.0) = 1,820[39]

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:

  • GRF-1P 
    Introduced in 3024, this variant of the Griffin replaces the right arm–mounted PPC with twin medium lasers to free up the weight to upgrade the LRM-10 launcher in the right torso to an LRM-15 and fit a medium claw in the left arm.[41]

From MechWarrior Online:

  • GRF-AR Ares 
    PGI's Hero 'Mech version of Peter Armstrong's Ares retains the major features of the classic GRF-1N model, the only difference being the removal of the center torso mounted jump jet to free up the weight to mount a small laser in the left arm.[42]

From Mecha-Press magazine

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Griffin is subject to the following Design Quirks:[44]

The GRF-1S Griffin variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[45]

The GRF-1A Griffin variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[10]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Griffin Pilots

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • GRF-2N Super Griffin - Although it carries the designation GRF-2N, this is actually a new 60-ton 'Mech design based on the regular Griffin, in a similar fashion to IIC evolution of existing designs, albeit not with Clan-level technology.
  • Griffin IIC - The Griffin was one of the 'Mechs taken on the Exodus by the SLDF, following the collapse of the Star League. Eventually, the model was redesigned to use exclusive Clan technology and the Griffin IIC was created. BV (1.0) = 1,492; BV (2.0) = 1,608

Notes[edit]

  • The original Griffin variants and artwork from 3025 were part of the Unseen 'Mech designs. The Griffin was Reseen in 3067 with new variants using revised artwork.[8]
  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Greif. The model code was left unchanged.
  • In French products, the unit's proper name was translated as Griffon.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 98–99: "GRF-1N Griffin"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 108–109: "GRF-6S Griffin"
  3. MUL online date for the Griffin
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 287
  5. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 456
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Technical Readout: 3025, pp. 64–65
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Technical Readout: 3050
  8. 8.0 8.1 Technical Readout: Project Phoenix
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, pp. 4–5: "Griffin"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 4, p. 6: "GRF-1A Griffin"
  11. Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 4, p. 23
  12. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 60
  13. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 16: "Griffin GRF-1DS"
  14. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 17: "Griffin GRF-1RG"
  15. 15.0 15.1 Second Succession War, p. 114: "GRF-1S Griffin"
  16. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 461
  17. Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 36
  18. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 159
  19. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 18: "Griffin GRF-2N"
  20. MUL entry for Griffin GRN-2N2
  21. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 61
  22. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 19: "Griffin GRF-3M"
  23. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 20: "Griffin GRF-3N"
  24. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 21: "Griffin GRF-3RG"
  25. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 238
  26. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 62
  27. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 239
  28. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 64
  29. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 65
  30. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 66
  31. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 67
  32. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 12: "Griffin GRF-6R"
  33. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 68
  34. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 126
  35. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p. 23: "Griffin C"
  36. Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 69: "Freemen - Major Helga Almstedt"
  37. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 459
  38. Jihad Turning Points: New Avalon, p. 11
  39. Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, p. 116
  40. Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, pp. 22, 102
  41. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Call to Arms
  42. MechWarrior Online Solaris-7 Sale Page
  43. Mecha-Press Magazine 16
  44. BattleMech Manual, p. 90: Design Quirk Table - Griffin Entry
  45. Second Succession War, p. 115: Technical Readout: - Griffin Entry
  46. Blood of Heroes, ch. 4

Bibliography[edit]