Shedu

Shedu.jpg
Shedu
Production information
Manufacturer Gibson Federated BattleMechs
Production Year 3072[1]
Use Line Unit
Weight Class Assault
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Introduced
Technical specifications
Mass 2,000 kg
Top Speed 32.4 km/h
Armament
Armor Type Advanced Armor
BV (2.0) 72[2][3]

Description[edit]

The Shedu is a battle armor design in the Word of Blake's Demon Series that is used exclusively by Manei Domini, one of the last of the Demons to be created by Precentor Vapula. Named for the half-bull, half-human demons of myth, the Shedu is an assault-class, quadrupedal battlesuit, a radical departure from the rest of the Demon line. The major advantage of the quad chassis is its speed, and Vapula used that to give the Shedu an excellent maximum ground speed for an assault-weight suit. Unlike other quad designs like the Fenrir or Rottweiler however Vapula did not skimp on protection and gave it 600kg of advanced armor, enough to withstand a Gauss rifle slug. Thus compared to the Fenrir the Shedu has slightly less space and weight for weaponry, though since like all Demon suits it is designed to work in groups this is less of a problem.[4]

Although equipped with modular weapon mounts three primary configurations appeared with the introduction of the Shedu, followed by a couple more exotic variants. As one of the last Demon suits to enter service the Shedu was relatively rare, though more common than its companion the Nephilim.[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The standard version of the Shedu can handle a variety of roles. It has a Modular Turret Mount that typically carries a Heavy Recoilless Rifle for anti-armor work. This is supplemented by a pair of Heavy Machine Guns that appear like horns on the battlesuit's “head”. In addition to being effective against armored targets up close, they can make short work of infantry.[5] Note this design is actually illegal for tournament use as it is overweight by 25 kg.

Variants[edit]

  • Support 
    One of the original variants of the Shedu the "Support" was designed with limited, short-range firepower in mind. This comes in the form of two One-Shot SRM-3s, which can make short work of light units or heavier units that have already been damaged. The staying power for this configuration comes from two Small Lasers. Combined the two weapons can take out squads of battle armor or endanger almost any light 'Mech. BV (2.0) = 69[2][6]
  • Recon 
    The second of the original two variants, the "Recon" is meant for reconnaissance. Improved Sensors give the Shedu variant the ability to sniff out ambushes and locate things that would otherwise be hidden. It is often undetected in this role thanks to an ECM Suite that block electronics and a Camo System that keeps it hidden from sight. It can contribute to the fight and remain hidden because its only weapon system is a Light Mortar that fires indirectly. BV (2.0) = 64[2][7]
  • PPC 
    The "PPC" is the first of the new variants that utilize the Word's Detachable Weapon Pack (DWP). Though the pack's bulk slows the battlesuit down to 10.8 km/h unless it is dropped, it allows the Shedu to carry a Heavy Machine Gun. This is in addition to the pair of turret-mounted Support PPCs that give the variant its name. BV (2.0) = 72,[2] 61[8]
  • Capture 
    The "Capture" configuration utilizes the DWP for a pair of Battle Armor Tasers, giving each suit the potential to force two BattleMechs to shut down, though at the cost of potential debilitating feedback. A turret-mounted Magshot Gauss Rifle provides withering firepower that enables the Shedu to stay in the fight even if it either uses all of its tasers or jettisons the DWP. BV (2.0) = 81,[2] 67[9]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Shedu
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 41
  3. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 76
  4. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 40
  5. 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 40–41
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 80
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 79
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 78
  9. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 67

Bibliography[edit]