Mad Cat Mk II

This article is about the 90-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Mad Cat (disambiguation).
Mad Cat Mk II
Mad Cat Mark II
Production information
Manufacturer Manufacturing Plant DSF-94[1],

Unnamed manufacturing plant on Vinton[2]

Production Year 3066[3][4]
Model (base)[1]
Class Assault
Cost 24,036,900 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 90 tons
Chassis DSAM Endo 4
Armor Forging ZM15 Ferro Fibrous
Engine Type 79 360 XL Fusion
Communications System MegaBand System 21
Targeting Tracking System Dtrac Suite 4
Heat Sinks 14 double
Speed 64 km/h
Jump Jets Grandthrust Mk. 5
Armament
BV (1.0) 2,877[5]
BV (2.0) 3,135[1][6]


Description[edit]

The Mad Cat Mk II was in development for fifteen months by the time production began in 3061[4]. The sole rationale for the Mad Cat Mk II was to increase profits for Clan Diamond Shark after war with the Inner Sphere in the 3050s. Designed to be sold to fellow Clans, this rebuild of the Timber Wolf carries thirteen tons of ferro-fibrous armor while being one of most nimble BattleMechs of its class, yet still packing serious weaponry.

Despite this, Mk II's most notable potential buyers, Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon, did not purchase even a single unit, though they won a number of them in Trials. Significant numbers of Mad Cat Mk IIs were sold to Clan Nova Cat[7]. The Mech also served in Clan Ice Hellion[8], Clan Jade Falcon[9], and Clan Wolf-in-Exile [10] in addition to Diamond Shark itself.[11]

On a limited basis, [12] Clan Diamond Shark sold unmodified Mad Cat Mk IIs to Inner Sphere factions, most notably the Draconis Combine and Federated Commonwealth. The Lyran Alliance[13] also purchased an unknown number of Mad Cat Mark IIs.

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Mad Cat MK II's primary weapons are a pair of EMRG "Galaxy" Series Gauss rifles, each of which can strip off a ton of armor at six hundred and thirty meters. The rifles are supported by two Type X "Short Bow" LRM-10s which give the 'Mech indirect fire capability. For short range combat, four Series 2b ER Medium Lasers can chew up what's left of the opposition. The Mech's primary role is long to medium range combat, with best performance within 450 meters where all of its weapons can reach the opponent.

Variants[edit]

  • Mad Cat Mk. II
    This version of the Mad Cat Mk. II keeps a single Gauss Rifle, found in the right arm, and two ER Medium Lasers of the standard configuration. The torso LRM systems have been replaced by a quartet of Streak SRM-4s. The left arm houses a massive LB 20-X autocannon. Armor and movement profile remain the same, but to make room for the weapons this variant had to drop one heat sink, leaving it with thirteen. BV(2.0)=2,822[14]
  • Mad Cat Mk. II
    This variant removes the Gauss Rifles, jump jets, and one heat sink of the original and replaces them with a HAG/30 in each arm. The side torsos each mount an LRM-10 and a pair of ER Medium Lasers. A Light Active Probe is mounted in the head, and the remaining tonnage is given over to more armor protection. BV(2.0)=3,168[15]
  • Mad Cat Mk. II
    This variant of the Mad Cat carries two ER Large Lasers in each arm and a pair of LRM-15 launchers. A Light Active Probe identifies hidden units. It also boasts an expanded jump range of 120 meters. BV (2.0) = 2,962[16]
  • Mad Cat Mk. II
    This version carries an ER PPC in each arm, backed up by a pair of ER Medium Lasers in each side torso. Each arm, leg, and torso location is equipped with a Harjel III repair system. BV (2.0) = 2,663[18]
  • Mad Cat Mk. II-Enhanced 
    Produced on the Manufacturing Plant DSF-IT1 on Itabaiana. This version uses several Advanced Technology systems to increase its effectiveness on the battlefield. Each arm carries a Starlight C2 ER Large Pulse Laser and a Series 2b ER Medium Laser, while a pair of Type X "Short Bow" LRM-10's provide long range firepower. Four jump jets allow the Mad Cat Mk. II Enhanced to cover 120 meters at a time. The top speed of the 'Mech was reduced to 54 km/h, however, due to the use of twenty-five tons of Hardened Armor. This protection, outweighing some 'Mechs, ensures that the Mad Cat Mk. II-Enhanced can continue to fight long after most of its foes have been destroyed. BV (2.0) = 2,732[19][20]

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.

These variants were introduced in MechWarrior Online, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

  • MCII-A Mad Cat Mk. II A
    This variant is based off the Timber Wolf Prime's configuration. Mounting the same ER Large Lasers, ER Medium Lasers in each arm, an LRM-20 in each torso, and retaining the single Medium Pulse Laser in the left torso. The standard Machine guns from the Timber Wolf Prime are replaced with a pair of Heavy Machine Guns. This variant also replaces its base armor package with standard armor while maintaining the base variants jump jets. [21]
  • MCII-B Mad Cat Mk. II B
    This variant mounts a devastating UAC-20 in each arm, an ER Large Laser in each torso, and a single Streak SRM-4 is mounted in the center torso. This variant maintains the armor and jump jets of the base variant. Making this variant most effective at close ranges, while having sufficient long range firepower to deal with any target outside of the UAC-20's range.[21]
  • MCII-DS Mad Cat Mk. II Deathstrike
    Named for the Diamond Shark's elite Alpha Galaxy, the so-called Deathstrike variant carries an Ultra AC/10 and ER Medium Laser in each arm supported by twin Medium Pulse Lasers in each side torso. Built for the most part on the base frame of the Mad Cat Mk II, the Deathstrike is fitting with nineteen double heat sinks and carries four tons of Ultra Autocannon reloads. [21]
  • MCII-MWK(LGD) Moonwalker 
    The Mad Cat Mk II Legendary 'Mech is built for long range, mounting a pair of Ultra AC/2 in each arm, supported by a further Ultra AC/2 in both the right and center torsos alongside an ER PPC in the left torso. Built around a 300-rated XL engine with three jump jets for increased manageability, endo steel frame and ferro-fibrous armor, the Moonwalker carries eight tons of UAC ammo and is fitted with six extra heat sinks.[1]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Dark Age Variants[edit]

A post-Jihad upgrade of the Mad Cat Mk II replaces both Gauss Rifles, ER Medium Lasers and LRM-10s with four Witherer Heavy Large Lasers and two Type X "Short Bow" LRM-15s, offering greater firepower and far better battle endurance.[citation needed]

Other known, but personal, field-variants still replace the Gauss Rifles and LRM-10s with :

Finally, a Clan Sea Fox refit replaces all of the armament with one EMRG "Galaxy" Series Gauss Rifle, one [Series 4D-2 Heavy Large Laser, and one Series 6A Heavy Medium Laser and improved jump jets - Improved Blasters Model X-1 - improving the jump capacity by 50%.

Design Quirks[edit]

The Mad Cat Mk II has the following Design Quirks:[22]

The Mad Cat Mk. II-Enhanced variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[19]

Related Designs[edit]

  • Timber Wolf (Mad Cat) - Clan Diamond Shark would create this non-Omni, Assault Mech based on Clan Wolf’s Timber Wolf design as a way to boost sales in the Inner Sphere market.
  • Mad Cat III - Following the success of the Timber Wolf family, the Mad Cat III would be created to act as a companion to its elder designs.
  • Mad Cat Mk IV (Savage Wolf) - The third Clan Sea Fox BattleMech evoking the weapons loadout and visage of the Timber Wolf, the 75-ton Savage Wolf is very similar to the original, emulating the "D" configuration.

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Mad Cat Mk II Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • Like its predecessor, the original Mad Cat, the Mad Cat Mk II has been made the icon 'Mech for the franchise with the attempted reimagining of BattleTech with WizKids Games' Dark Age miniatures game and storyline. However, the Mk II never actually appeared in Dark Age. There were a total of eight "Mad Cat II" models, but all of them were, rather than Mk II models, visually identical to the original Mad Cat. The Mad Cat II miniatures were explained to be direct upgrades to the original Mad Cat chassis. The model was even used as the original Timber Wolf figure for the MechAssault set.
  • In German products, the unit's proper Clan name (like for the original Mad Cat) was altered to Katamaran II, which means Catamaran II.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 36–37: "Mad Cat Mk II"
  2. The Wars of Reaving, p. 130
  3. Field Manual: Updates, p. 58
  4. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 149
  5. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 230
  6. Technical Readout: 3067, p. 132
  7. Combat Operations, p. 115
  8. Combat Operations, p. 116
  9. Combat Operations, p. 119
  10. Combat Operations, p. 112
  11. Technical Readout: 3067, p. 132
  12. Combat Operations, p. 132
  13. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 231
  14. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 232
  15. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 175
  16. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 176
  17. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 177
  18. 19.0 19.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 153
  19. Record Sheets: Prototypes, p. 76
  20. 21.0 21.1 21.2 MechWarrior Online - Civil War mech pack Sale Page
  21. BattleMech Manual, p. 93 BattleMech Quirk Table - Mad Cat Mk II Entry.

Bibliography[edit]