Rokurokubi

Rokurokubi
Rokurokubi
Production information
Manufacturer Luthien Armor Works
Production Year 3135[1]
Model RK-4T
Class Light
Cost 5,846,535 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Luthien Class 41 endo steel
Armor New Samarkand Teppeki Hardened
Engine Magna 245 XL
Communications System Sipher CommSys 4
Targeting Tracking System Neko Megane 7
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 108 km/h
Armament
BV (2.0) 998[2][3]


Description[edit]

First produced in 3135, the Rokurokubi is a light BattleMech built for the armed forces of the Draconis Combine and was styled after ancient Japanese armor. Designed to be a light strike 'Mech, the Rokurokubi uses its speed and robust armor to close with an enemy unit while employing its singular ranged weapon until it can bring its sword to bear. The 'Mech was popular among the young samurai of House Kurita, who used it for honor duels between warriors in addition to regular combat. Shortly after the invasion of the Republic of the Sphere, it would be used as a leading unit in the invasion of the Federated Suns in the 3140s.[4]

To allow the Rokurokubi to survive enemy fire while closing in to enable its MechWarrior to use the melee weapon, the 'Mech is armored with 13.5 tons of New Samarkand Teppeki hardened armor. Despite the weight of the armor slowing the 'Mech by about 10 km/h, its 245-rated XL engine is able to give the Rokurokubi a respectable top speed of 108 km/h. However, the pilot must be mindful that his armor protection is not foolproof and a hit to the central torso could end up damaging the 'Mech's fragile XL gyro.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Designed with minimal weaponry, the Rokurokubi's only ranged weapon is its SarLon MiniCannon LAC/5, mounted in the 'Mech's left arm and fed from two ammunition bins, allowing a pilot the flexibility of loading different special ammunition types into the weapon. Once the 'Mech reaches melee range it can use its deadly katana-like sword in its right hand.

Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Rokurokubi has the following Design Quirks:

Notes[edit]

  • The Rokurokubi is named after the mythological Japanese yokai of the same name, who are known to mimic human beings and prey on them when they least expect it.
  • The Rokurokubi was originally produced by WizKids as part of their Firepower expansion of the game. Writers for WizKids gave some BattleTech stats for the 'Mech, but it did not get a record sheet until the release of Technical Readout 3145 and its Record Sheet book.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. online date for the Rokurokubi
  2. 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, pp. 32, 85: Rokurokubi
  3. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 138
  4. Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 32: Rokurokubi - background info
  5. Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, pp. 32, 84: Rokurokubi - Variant info on RK-4K
  6. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 137
  7. Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, pp. 32, 86: Rokurokubi - Variant info on RK-4X
  8. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 139

Bibliography[edit]