Mongrel (Grendel)

This article is about the 45-ton OmniMech. For the 50-ton BattleMech or other uses, see Mongrel (BattleMech) and Grendel (disambiguation).
Mongrel (Grendel)
Mongrel (Grendel)
Production information
Manufacturer Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T15[1]

Manufacturing Plant SFF-AL2


Unnamed manufacturing plant on Vinton[2]

Production Year 3053
Model Prime[1]
Class Medium
Cost 12,445,713 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 45 tons
Chassis Process 12 Endo Steel
Armor Arcadia Compound Delta VII Ferro-Fibrous
Engine 315 Consolidated XL
Communications System KP-3 "Screamer"
Targeting Tracking System Version Gamma-V TTS
Heat Sinks 12 double
Speed 118 km/h
Jump Jets Clan Standard 14X Series
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 2,124[3][4]
BV (2.0) 2,290[1][5]


Description[edit]

The Mongrel received its baptism of fire during the Battle of Tukayyid, where it was commonly seen leading light Stars, especially on deep reconnaissance and raiding missions. Its ammo-efficient weapons allowed it to range far afield and helped simplify resupply, while its speed allowed it to dictate its range of engagement and outmaneuver all but the fastest of opponents. The 'Mech entered full production after a slight physical remodel the following year and was rechristened the Grendel after the code name given to it by Com Guard troops who faced it.[3][6][7][8]

One of the few successes of Clan Diamond Shark's defeat on Tukayyid, the other Invading Clans almost immediately staged Trials of Possession for the renamed 'Mech. Rather than waste Warrior Caste resources in fighting the numerous Trials, the Diamond Sharks instead chose to sell production runs or license the design to the other Clans, speeding their recovery and ensuring the Grendel was a common sight among many front-line Clusters.[3][7][8]

Though the Grendel remains in use among the other Inner Sphere Clans following the Wars of Reaving, most notably Clan Hell's Horses, the majority of production during the Dark Age era resides in the Khanates of Clan Sea Fox.[8]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Grendel features a powerful Consolidated 315 XL extralight engine, enabling it to move at a fleet 118.8 km/h, and enough jump jets fixed on the chassis to propel it up to 210 meters at a leap. The Sharks spared no expense in weight-saving materials, making use of an the XL engine, endo steel structure, and seven and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor. The incredible speed of the Grendel is not terribly helpful in most zellbrigen duels, but it is effective in large-scale actions especially against Inner Sphere foes of similar weight hard pressed to counter its speed or firepower.[3][7] The Grendel is also popular with technicians, because while many OmniMechs are often "hangar queens," the Grendel can go long periods without maintenance and still remain combat effective.[8]

The Primary configuration uses an ER large laser at long range, but really excels at closer ranges. Up close, the Grendel makes use of three ER medium lasers that can be devastating to light 'Mechs and a Streak SRM-6 that exploits any holes the lasers make. An ER small laser that is effective at point-blank range seems an afterthought. This design is best using its large laser to soften up an opponent, then dash closer in a flurry of lasers and missiles. Two extra double heat sinks help to keep the design mostly cool.[3][7]

Variants[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration E 
    The E configuration takes the missile launchers of the A and replaces them with a pair of ATM-6s; the medium pulse laser and ER small laser are retained.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,788,[3][17][18] BV (2.0) = 1,806[1][19]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    The F configuration carries an ATM-6 launcher in the right torso, and two plasma cannons in the right arm, carrying two tons of reloads for each weapon type. BV (2.0)= 1,997[8][20][8][21]
  • Alternate Configuration G 
    The G is a scout version intended to strike fast at point-blank range, carrying twin medium pulse lasers and micro pulse lasers in its right arm supported by a single medium pulse and micro pulse laser in each side torso, rounded out by a final micro pulse laser in the head. A supercharger allows the Grendel G to rapidly close with its foes while a Watchdog CEWS both protects and enhances its reconnaissance abilities. BV (2.0) = 2,209[8][22]
  • Alternate Configuration I 
    Carrying a mixture of both Inner Sphere and Clan OmniPods, the Grendel I mounts a ProtoMech AC/4 along with ton of reloads in its right arm in support of a right torso-mounted plasma rifle with a single ton ammo bay, supported by a single ER medium laser in the left torso. BV (2.0) = 1,675[8][26]
  • Alternate Configuration J 
    The J configuration is a Streak boat, mounting a Streak SRM-6 in its right arm and each side torso, drawing from a combined two tons of missiles. For support weaponry the Grendel J mounts a small pulse laser in its head and pair of improved heavy small lasers in its left arm. BV (2.0) = 1,811[8][27]
  • Alternate Configuration M 
    The Grendel M is a sniper configuration, carrying a RAC/2 supplied with a single ton of reloads in a CASE II-protected ammo bin, supported by a left torso-mounted ER large laser. BV (2.0) = 1,744[8][28]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Grendel is subject to the following Design Quirks:[30]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Mongrel (Grendel) Pilots

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 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 32–33: "Grendel"
  2. The Wars of Reaving, p. 130
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 168–169: "Grendel Profile"
  4. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 194
  5. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 126
  6. The Black Thorns, pp. 54–55
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Technical Readout: 3058, pp. 164–165: "Grendel"
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 12: "Grendel"
  9. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 195
  10. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 127
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 196
  12. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 128
  13. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 197
  14. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 129
  15. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 198
  16. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 130
  17. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 199
  18. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 73
  19. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 131
  20. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 132
  21. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 18: "Grendel F"
  22. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 19: "Grendel G"
  23. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 200
  24. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 74
  25. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 133
  26. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 20: "Grendel I"
  27. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 21: "Grendel J"
  28. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 22: "Grendel M"
  29. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p. 23: "Grendel M"
  30. BattleMech Manual, p. 92: BattleMech Quirk Table - Grendel Entry.

Bibliography[edit]