Sarna News: Bad 'Mechs - Yeoman

Imp

This article is about the 100-ton BattleMech. For the animal, see Imp (species).
Imp
Imp
Production information
Manufacturer Arc-Royal MechWorks[1]

GM Blackwell of Outreach

Production Year 3050[2]
Model IMP-3E
Class Assault
Cost 22,330,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 100 tons
Chassis Star League IM-03x
Armor Maximillian 300
Engine Vlar 300 XL
Communications System Pauley-Bronson Z
Targeting Tracking System Wasat Aggressor Type 8
Heat Sinks 30 single
Speed 54.0 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,411
BV (2.0) 1,906[3]


History[edit]

The Imp originated from a young Nicholas Kerensky's ideas. He suggested that the exiled SLDF needed a totem around which its soldiers could rally. The new design was initially produced by the Star League-in-Exile when thousands of other 'Mechs were being mothballed. The mech would go on to be the first BattleMech produced by Clan Wolf. It was named after the imp, a ferocious and tenacious predator native to the jungles of Eden. Ironically, the animal was hunted to its extinction by the genetically engineered smoke jaguar species.[4][5]

The Imp was no longer produced by the Clans by the Golden Century. Retired models were assigned to the ranks of Wolf's Dragoons, the first ever seen by the Inner Sphere. Initially the Dragoons only fielded older models, but eventually they began producing them on Outreach.[6]

Description[edit]

The Imp is designed with weapons that can engage an enemy at a multitude of ranges. Indeed, the Imp has what seems to be a weapon for just about any range or situation and can be called a "Swiss Army Knife" of a 'Mech. It has a maximum speed of 54 km/h, which is not fast, but does allow it to keep pace with most 'Mechs of the assault class. The 'Mech is also armored with eighteen tons of armor, which is more than respectable for its weight and provides a great deal of protection.

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Imp carries, as its primary long range weapons, a pair of Magna Firestar ER PPCs for direct fire and a Mitchell Systems LRM-15. For intermediate combat, the 'Mech carries a Thunderbolt-12 Large Pulse Laser and for short range combat the 'Mech carries two Magna 400P Medium Pulse Lasers and two Martell Model 5 medium lasers.

Variants[edit]

  • IMP-1A 
    This early version of the Imp, introduced in 2793, carries a Defiance 1001 ER PPC and Defiance P5M Medium Pulse Laser in the right and left torso. Supporting these weapons is a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers mounted in the center torso and a ExoStar Small Laser in the head. The left arm mounts another Medium Pulse Laser, while the right arm carries an Holly LRM-20 slaved to an Artemis IV fire control system with 2 tons of ammo. For heat dissipation, it carries 19 Double Heat Sinks. The engine is a standard fusion model, and the missile ammunition is protected by CASE. This version was the original Imp design specified by Nicholas Kerensky and was intended for battlefield commanders.[5] BV (2.0) = 2,215[7]
  • IMP-1B 
    Similar to the Imp 1A variant, this model trades the Medium Pulse Lasers for medium lasers. It also trades the head-mounted Small Laser for a Medium Pulse Laser. It keeps the ER PPCs and LRM-20 and Artemis IV system. The biggest change is the addition of a Guardian ECM suite in the 'Mech's right torso. BV (2.0) = 2,349[8]
  • IMP-1C 
    Another early version based on the Imp 1B, this variant mounts a Gauss rifle in the right arm. The Imp 1C uses the head-mounted Small Laser of the Imp 1A in place of the Medium Pulse Laser. The Guardian ECM suite is still in the right torso. One heat sink is removed, giving the Imp 1C a total of seventeen double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 2,480[9]
  • IMP-2E 
    An early variant of the Imp and the first version to be seen by the Inner Sphere, the 2E model uses all non–Star League technology. The 'Mech is armed with a pair of PPCs and an LRM-15 launcher for long range combat. For close combat, the 'Mech carries five medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,619, BV (2.0) = 1,969[10]
  • IMP-4E 
    A massive upgrade of the Imp, the 4E model carries two ER PPCs for long range direct fire, as well as an LRM-20 launcher with an Artemis IV Fire Control System. The 'Mech carries three ER medium lasers for intermediate range combat. The 'Mech also carries two Medium Pulse Lasers and two ER Small Lasers for close combat. Much like the original Clan models, the 21 heat sinks are double-strength and the engine is a standard model. BV (1.0) = 1,820,[11] BV (2.0) = 2,263[12][13]
  • Imp C 
    This upgrade of the Imp is built exclusively for Wolf's Dragoons using only Clan technology. The 'Mech is armed with two ER PPCs and an LRM-20 launcher with an Artemis IV Fire Control System for long range combat. For close ranges, the 'Mech carries five Medium Pulse Lasers. The Imp C is also armored with nineteen tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 2,680,[14] BV (2.0) = 3,070[12]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Imp has the following Design Quirks:[15]

Notable Pilots[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Giftzwerg, a difficult to translate German expression which literally means Poisonous Dwarf if you translate it letter for letter, but is used figuratively for angry small person. The model code was accordingly changed to GFZ-2G.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Objectives: Lyran Alliance, p. 22
  2. MUL online date for the Imp
  3. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrades, p. 111
  4. TechManual p.15
  5. 5.0 5.1 Historical Operation Klondike p.174
  6. Historical Operation Klondike p.175
  7. Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 58
  8. Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 59
  9. Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 60
  10. Wolf's Dragoons, p. 108
  11. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 160
  12. 12.0 12.1 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 112
  13. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades unabridged, Inner Sphere, p. 285
  14. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 159
  15. BattleMech Manual, p. 92 BattleMech Quirk Table - Imp Entry.
  16. Historical Operation Klondike p.175

Bibliography[edit]