Striker (BattleMech)

This article is about the 80-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Striker.
Striker (BattleMech)
Striker
Production information
Manufacturer Stormvanger Assemblies Unlimited
Production Year 2571[1][2]
Model STC-2C
Class Assault
Cost 7,709,700 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 80 tons
Chassis Ford CVX 21
Armor Leviathan Plus
Engine Pitban 320
Communications System Basix 200
Targeting Tracking System Rander Crosshairs
Heat Sinks 15 single
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,154[1][3]
BV (2.0) 1,488[4]


Description[edit]

The Striker was originally commissioned by the Star League Defense Force high command in 2571 for non-Royal SLDF units (those units originally donated by Great Houses to the SLDF). Along with the Stalker,[5] the Striker became one of the most common 'Mechs in service. The Striker was built with the intent of being both rugged and reliable, but more importantly, it's production allowed House Lords to reserve their precious and limited numbers of assault BattleMechs for their own personal armies. In this way, the Striker may have been the show of good faith the House Lords needed to make the Star League work.

In spite of the 'Mech's dependability, the Striker was marginal compared with later assault BattleMechs. It was eventually relegated to serving in militia units, with the highest concentration ending up on the rimward edge of the Terran Hegemony. After the destruction of the Stormvanger lines in 2867, fewer than 300 Strikers were known to exist as of 3058.[1][6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Striker is built using rugged, off-the-shelf technologies that allow it to stand up to a great deal of punishment and enable easy repair. The Striker has a top speed of 64.8 km/h, provided by Pitban's 320-rated Fusion engine. For protection, the Striker carries thirteen and a half tons of armor, solidly average for a 'Mech of the Striker's size. The Striker dissipates the heat from its arsenal with fifteen standard heat sinks.

The Striker has an arsenal that is capable of engaging an enemy at a variety of ranges. At maximum range, the Striker brings its HellStar PPC and a Class-5 Pontiac Autocannon to bear. As the enemy closes, it can also make use of its Defiance B3L Large Laser, though the unit's pilot will need to monitor their heat generation carefully. Finally, for close range defense, the Striker has three Hellion-b II medium lasers.

Variants[edit]

  • STC-2D 
    The 2D variant of the Striker is a very basic upgrade of the design used by the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces. The PPC has been upgraded to an ER PPC, the three medium lasers have been replaced with a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers, and the 'Mech has had three heat sinks removed. The remaining heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks. The remaining available space has been used to add two tons of armor to the 'Mech. BV (1.0) = 1,329,[7][8] BV (2.0) = 1,644[9]
  • STC-2S 
    In order to make the Striker more heat-efficient, the House Steiner variant removed the Large Laser and autocannon to incorporate an Autocannon/10 with a two-ton magazine. The result is a 'Mech that has less damage potential, but easier heat management. BV (1.0) = 1,158,[10] BV (2.0) = 1,466[11]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Striker has the following Design Quirk:[13]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Sturmwind, which translates to Heavy Gale. The model code was accordingly changed to STW-2C.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 222–223
  2. Technical Readout: 3058, p. 138: "First built in 2550 as one of the SLDF's earliest assault BattleMechs..." must be a typo, because the Star League was founded in 2571
  3. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 309
  4. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 257
  5. Technical Readout: 3025, p. 116: "the Stalker is the most famous and most common heavy assault BattleMech"
  6. Technical Readout: 3058, p. 138
  7. Combat Operations, p. 123
  8. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 310
  9. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 258
  10. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 311
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 259
  12. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 224
  13. BattleMech Manual, p. 95: BattleMech Quirk Table - Striker Entry

Bibliography[edit]