Difference between revisions of "Assassin"

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*ASN-30 Assassin ''Alice'' - A customized ''Assassin'' created by [[House Steiner|Lyran]] MechWarrior Alice Humpterderby of the [[24th Lyran Guards]]. The ''Assassin'' was rebuilt with Davion salvage during the [[FedCom Civil War]]. The Mech is equipped with 7.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous Armor.  It has four Extended Range Medium lasers: two mounted in the torsos and a pair in the right arm. The lasers have been connected to a salvaged [[Targeting Computer]]. The 'Mech has been fitted with a [[C3 Slave Unit|C3 Slave Computer]], a [[Beagle Active Probe]], and ten [[Double Heat Sinks]]. BV (1.0) = 1,301 (C3 + 108)<ref>''Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs'' p. 2 - Assassin ''Alice'' - Custom Variant published by [[BattleCorps]] website.</ref>
 
*ASN-30 Assassin ''Alice'' - A customized ''Assassin'' created by [[House Steiner|Lyran]] MechWarrior Alice Humpterderby of the [[24th Lyran Guards]]. The ''Assassin'' was rebuilt with Davion salvage during the [[FedCom Civil War]]. The Mech is equipped with 7.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous Armor.  It has four Extended Range Medium lasers: two mounted in the torsos and a pair in the right arm. The lasers have been connected to a salvaged [[Targeting Computer]]. The 'Mech has been fitted with a [[C3 Slave Unit|C3 Slave Computer]], a [[Beagle Active Probe]], and ten [[Double Heat Sinks]]. BV (1.0) = 1,301 (C3 + 108)<ref>''Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs'' p. 2 - Assassin ''Alice'' - Custom Variant published by [[BattleCorps]] website.</ref>
  
*Assassin ''Servitor'' - BV (2.0) = 1,019<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', p.75</ref>
+
*Assassin ''Servitor'' - A custom variant of the ASN-99 ''Assassin''.  First, the stealth armor and its [[Guardian ECM]] are removed.  The head-mounted [[TAG]] is swapped for a [[small laser]].  The [[SRM-2]]s of the ASN-99 are retained.  Each arm has new weapons, the left has a small vibroblade and right has a medium X-pulse laser.  Finally, each leg contains a small X-pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 1,019<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', p.75</ref>
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==

Revision as of 18:48, 27 August 2013

Assassin
Assassin
Production information
Manufacturer Maltex Corporation, Hellespont 'Mech Works
Production Year 2676[1]
Model ASN-21
Class Medium
Cost 3,765,813 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 40 tons
Chassis Maltex 40
Armor 100AFVTA
Engine VOX 280
Speed 118.8 km/h
Jump Jets Lox lift Series 1
Armament
BV (1.0) 596[2]
BV (2.0) 749[3]


Description

The Assassin is a BattleMech that began life because of corporate ambitions and successful lobbyists. Though there was no need for a new medium 'Mech in its arsenal, the Maltex Corporation lobbied the Star League to purchase the Assassin as a replacement for the lighter Wasp and Stinger. They were successful largely through over-hyped performance statistics, fuzzy budget approximations and some greased palms, and even then only several hundred were constructed before production slowed to a crawl after two Assassin factories came under investigation for quality control violations. Still, the Assassin proved to be popular with garrison forces of the SLDF and Marik Militia; with an impressive top speed and jumping distance of 210 meters, combined with excellent coverage for its four and a half tons of armor and solid firepower, the Assassin was considered a superb reconnaissance and light 'Mech hunter in its own right.[4][5][6]

The Assassin was not flawless however, especially when Maltex cut corners during its initial production, and it has the dubious distinction of one of the most cramped cockpit of any Inner Sphere 'Mech. Dozens of attempts by Maltex over hundreds of years to overhaul the cockpit cooling system to create more elbow-room ended in failure, not only limiting Assassin pilots' time in-cockpit to half of that of other 'Mechs, but causing many to develop a lifetime of back problems. The Assassin would first see combat in 2980, long after the fall of the Star League, when the Free Worlds League successfully fought off the Federated Suns for control of Rochelle during the Third Succession War. The Assassin fared better than other 'Mechs during the bloody battle and House Marik became an enthusiastic user of the design late into the war. Eventually the use of Assassins by all sides lessened due to a shortage of spare parts, with the Capellan Confederation simply running out of these 'Mechs by 3025, though its modular design and access systems allowed it to survive.[5][6]

By 3058, most Assassins had been phased out of service, with the remaining 'Mechs mostly family heirlooms passed down through MechWarrior families and with many modifications. Defiance Industries licensed Maltex to produce a variant, the ASN-30, for the Lyrans during the FedCom Civil War, but it was largely seen as a failure. The Assassin would see a resurgence in 3067 when Hellespont 'Mech Works acquired the design from Maltex, thanks in part to minor distractions facing Maltex such as charges of tax evasion and collusion with the Word of Blake, and began producing the ASN-23 for the Capellans, the Taurian Concordat and the Magistracy of Canopus.[7]

Armament

The Assassin is popular for its long-range capabilities thanks to a Holly-5 LRM launcher in the right side of its torso. Its primary short-range weapon is a Holly-2 SRM launcher in the torso's left side, supported by a Martell Medium Laser in the right arm. With just two tons of LRM and one ton of SRM ammunition though, the 'Mech has limited endurance without resupply and is vulnerable when left with only the laser to fight back. Assassins built before 2815 also suffered from a serious design flaw in the short-range missile rack's reloading mechanism, which experienced chronic jamming during high-heat situations and could only be repaired by disassembling the unit. Under severe corporate pressure Maltex finally fixed the problem in newer models and offered several years' funding for recall repairs, though some privately-owned Assassins might still mount the defective system.[5][6]

Variants

  • ASN-101 - The -101 Assassin was an unofficial variant produced in limited numbers by the Federated Suns during the Succession Wars. Removing some of the 'Mech's seven jump jets and shaving off a half ton of armor, they were able to fit three Maxell 50 Small Lasers, one in each leg and the third in the head. The design was seen as a failure, especially since it sacrifices sixty meters of the 'Mech's immense jumping distance. Only three were purported to have been built and stationed with the Capellan March Militia, though some cite circumstantial evidence of more constructed in secret.[5][6] BV (1.0) = 586, BV (2.0) = 757[8]
  • ASN-23 - The -23 variant of the Assassin is an upgrade of the original model produced by Hellespont using recovered lostech. The SRM-2 has been removed to upgrade the Medium Laser to a Medium Pulse Laser and an Artemis IV fire control system has been added for the LRM-5 launcher. Within the CCAF, TDF and MAF it is largely used as a cheap way to rebuild shattered forces and sees service mostly in green and reserve formations. The Capellans in particular use the -23 as a fire-support unit for pursuit and strike lances, though shortages of Artemis munitions means many are forced to use mine-delivery missiles.[7] BV (1.0) = 609[2], BV (2.0) = 740[9]
  • ASN-30 - The -30 variant of the Assassin produced under license by Defiance Industries was a radical departure from the classic formula for the 'Mech. The chassis was redesigned to utilize Endo Steel construction and the engine upgraded to a Light Fusion Engine. The saved weight was used to upgrade the Medium Laser to an extended range version and the LRM and SRM are removed in favor of an LB-X Autocannon/5. Additionally, the armor had been increased by two full tons and the heat sinks upgraded to double strength versions. Used by the Lyran side of the FedCom Civil War, this design is considered a failure and few of them were ever produced.[7] BV (1.0) = 846[10], BV (2.0) = 925[11]
  • ASN-99 - When Hellespont 'Mech Works first acquired the Assassin from the Maltex Corporation, the ASN-99 was the original test-bed design. Incorporating more armor than any previous variant, thanks in large part to the inclusion of an XL Engine, its long-range punch is provided by a Light PPC, while it can rely upon two Artemis-guided SRM 2s at close range. Target Acquisition Gear enables it to call down supporting fire should the Assassin find itself embroiled in a fight, this variant mounts Stealth Armor and a Sword. BV (1.0) = ?? ,BV (2.0) = 928[12]

Custom Variants

  • Assassin Servitor - A custom variant of the ASN-99 Assassin. First, the stealth armor and its Guardian ECM are removed. The head-mounted TAG is swapped for a small laser. The SRM-2s of the ASN-99 are retained. Each arm has new weapons, the left has a small vibroblade and right has a medium X-pulse laser. Finally, each leg contains a small X-pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 1,019[14]

Gallery

References

  1. MUL online entry for Assassin
  2. 2.0 2.1 Combat Operations, p. 121
  3. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 94
  4. Introductory Record Sheets, pp 6
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 34-35, "Assassin Profile"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 116-117, "Assassin Profile"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Technical Manual: 3050 Upgrade, p.34-35, "Assassin Profile"
  8. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 93
  9. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere), p. ??
  10. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 58
  11. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere), p. ??
  12. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere
  13. Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs p. 2 - Assassin Alice - Custom Variant published by BattleCorps website.
  14. Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p.75

Bibliography