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{{Otheruses|the 95-ton BattleMech|other uses|Banshee}}
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{{Otheruses|the BattleMech|the AeroSpace Fighter|Banshee (Aerospace Fighter class)}}
 
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
 
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
 
|image= 3025_Banshee1.jpg
 
|image= 3025_Banshee1.jpg
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[[Defiance Industries]]<ref name=TRO3039p166>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 166: "BNC-3E Banshee"</ref><ref name=TRSWp176f>''Technical Readout: Succession Wars'', pp. 176–177: "BNC-3S Banshee"</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Update'', p. 104: "BNC-5S Banshee"</ref><ref name=BC390>[http://www.battlecorps.com/BC2/news.html?article=390 Another ''Banshee'' rears its Death's Head] (dead link)</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Steiner'', p. 8: "BNC-11X Banshee"</ref><ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 17'', p. 37: "BNC-11S Banshee"</ref>
 
[[Defiance Industries]]<ref name=TRO3039p166>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 166: "BNC-3E Banshee"</ref><ref name=TRSWp176f>''Technical Readout: Succession Wars'', pp. 176–177: "BNC-3S Banshee"</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Update'', p. 104: "BNC-5S Banshee"</ref><ref name=BC390>[http://www.battlecorps.com/BC2/news.html?article=390 Another ''Banshee'' rears its Death's Head] (dead link)</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Steiner'', p. 8: "BNC-11X Banshee"</ref><ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 17'', p. 37: "BNC-11S Banshee"</ref>
 
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[[Diplass BattleMechs]]<ref name="FR2765:Pp11">''Field Report 2765: Periphery'', p. 11: "Infrastructural Integrity"</ref>
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[[Diplass BattleMechs]]<ref name="FR2765:Pp11">''Field Report 2765: Periphery'', p. 11, "Infrastructural Integrity"</ref>
 
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[[Star League Weapons Research]]
 
[[Star League Weapons Research]]
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==Description==
 
==Description==
The '''''Banshee''''', introduced in [[Introduction Year::2445]] by the [[Terran Hegemony]],<ref>''Era Digest: Age of War'', p. 11: "BattleMech Tech Timeline"</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2'', p. 8</ref> is a 'Mech that was designed specifically for close-assault operations during the early years of [[BattleMech]] warfare. A contemporary of the ''[[Mackie]]'' and ''[[Emperor]]'', the ''Banshee'' is undeniably fast for one of the heaviest 'Mechs ever produced, and with fifteen tons of armor it is better protected than most other assault 'Mechs.  However the use of a massive GM 380 [[fusion engine]] left little room for weaponry, and even at the time of its introduction the ''Banshee'' was considered undergunned compared to its privately-built competition.  As critics noted, what use was impressive armor and mobility if a better-armed enemy could overwhelm and destroy it?  The result was a mediocre 'Mech which even the lowly ''[[Rifleman]]'' could beat as long as it prevented the ''Banshee's'' mass from coming into play.<ref name=TRO3025r>''Technical Readout: 3025 Revised'', p. 116</ref><ref name=TRO3039>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 166</ref>
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The '''''Banshee''''', introduced in [[Introduction Year::2445]] by the [[Terran Hegemony]]<ref>''Era Digest: Age of War'', p. 11, "BattleMech Tech Timeline"</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2'', p. 8</ref>, is a 'Mech that was designed specifically for close-assault operations during the early years of [[BattleMech]] warfare. A contemporary of the ''[[Mackie]]'' and ''[[Emperor]]'', the ''Banshee'' is undeniably fast for one of the heaviest 'Mechs ever produced, and with fifteen tons of armor it is better protected than most other assault 'Mechs.  However the use of a massive GM 380 [[fusion engine]] left little room for weaponry, and even at the time of its introduction the ''Banshee'' was considered undergunned compared to its privately-built competition.  As critics noted, what use was impressive armor and mobility if a better-armed enemy could overwhelm and destroy it?  The result was a mediocre 'Mech which even the lowly ''[[Rifleman]]'' could beat as long as it prevented the ''Banshee's'' mass from coming into play.<ref name=TRO3025r>''Technical Readout: 3025 Revised'', p. 116</ref><ref name=TRO3039>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 166</ref>
  
 
The Hegemony soldiered on though, producing five thousand ''Banshees'' in a decade before its poor combat performance finally forced them to stop production in [[2485]] and the 'Mech was relegated to training and militia units for the next few centuries.  Even during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] the 'Mech's poor reputation meant many commanders saw it as a liability rather than an asset; unless they were fighting on a backwater [[Periphery]] world or as part of a poorly-equipped outfit, most ''Banshee''s were placed in second-line reserves to provide fire support or fulfill the role of brawlers so that better-armed 'Mechs need not engage in hand-to-hand combat.  In this way fully a third of the original ''Banshee'' production run remained operational by the dawn of the [[thirty-first century]] and could be found throughout the [[Inner Sphere]] and Periphery, with the lion's share residing within the [[Lyran Commonwealth]].<ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/><ref name=TRO3050u>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 104</ref><ref name=TRSWp176f />
 
The Hegemony soldiered on though, producing five thousand ''Banshees'' in a decade before its poor combat performance finally forced them to stop production in [[2485]] and the 'Mech was relegated to training and militia units for the next few centuries.  Even during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] the 'Mech's poor reputation meant many commanders saw it as a liability rather than an asset; unless they were fighting on a backwater [[Periphery]] world or as part of a poorly-equipped outfit, most ''Banshee''s were placed in second-line reserves to provide fire support or fulfill the role of brawlers so that better-armed 'Mechs need not engage in hand-to-hand combat.  In this way fully a third of the original ''Banshee'' production run remained operational by the dawn of the [[thirty-first century]] and could be found throughout the [[Inner Sphere]] and Periphery, with the lion's share residing within the [[Lyran Commonwealth]].<ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/><ref name=TRO3050u>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 104</ref><ref name=TRSWp176f />
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*; BNC-1E : The original design first produced in [[2445]], this ''Banshee'' variant carries the PPC, Autocannon/5, and Small Laser of the later 3E, as well as a pair of [[medium laser]]s. As one of the largest 'Mechs produced with [[Primitive Technology|primitive technology]], the engine was restricted to a top speed of 54 km/h. More than twenty-two tons of [[Primitive Armor]] provided protection to the MechWarrior. The poor top speed of the ''Banshee''-1E was the core design obstacle later engineers would try to overcome in the 3E series. They succeeded, but at the cost of firepower.<ref name=XTRO:PV3p8>''Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2'', p. 8</ref>
 
*; BNC-1E : The original design first produced in [[2445]], this ''Banshee'' variant carries the PPC, Autocannon/5, and Small Laser of the later 3E, as well as a pair of [[medium laser]]s. As one of the largest 'Mechs produced with [[Primitive Technology|primitive technology]], the engine was restricted to a top speed of 54 km/h. More than twenty-two tons of [[Primitive Armor]] provided protection to the MechWarrior. The poor top speed of the ''Banshee''-1E was the core design obstacle later engineers would try to overcome in the 3E series. They succeeded, but at the cost of firepower.<ref name=XTRO:PV3p8>''Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2'', p. 8</ref>
  
*; BNC-3EA : Exclusive to [[Noisiel]] and serving as one of the "Queens" in the [[Noisiel Summer Games]]' famed "BattleChess" matches, the low technology BNC-3EA trades the standard BNC-3E's PPC for a [[Large Laser]], saving weight to add a single rear-facing Small Laser to each side torso and forward facing [[medium laser]] in the center torso.<ref name=TTSN-15>''Touring the Sphere: Noisiel'', p. 15: "Noisiel Game Rules - Noisiel BattleChess - Noisiel BattleChess Pieces"</ref>
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*; BNC-3EA : Exclusive to [[Noisiel]] and serving as one of the "Queens" in the [[Noisiel Summer Games]]' famed "BattleChess" matches, the low technology BNC-3EA trades the standard BNC-3E's PPC for a [[Large Laser]], saving weight to add a single rear-facing Small Laser to each side torso and forward facing [[medium laser]] in the center torso.<ref name=TTSN-15>''Touring the Sphere: Noisiel'', p. 15, "Noisiel Game Rules - Noisiel BattleChess - Noisiel BattleChess Pieces"</ref>
  
 
*; BNC-3M : The 3M was the first attempt to truly alter the original ''Banshee'' and increase its raw firepower.  Produced in [[2579]] by the [[Free Worlds League]] the 3M replaced the Autocannon/5 with a second PPC and installed two medium lasers.  While this does increase the firepower of the 'Mech, it puts an incredible heat burden on the machine as well.<ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/> BV (1.0) = 1,267, BV (2.0) = 1,595<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 189</ref>
 
*; BNC-3M : The 3M was the first attempt to truly alter the original ''Banshee'' and increase its raw firepower.  Produced in [[2579]] by the [[Free Worlds League]] the 3M replaced the Autocannon/5 with a second PPC and installed two medium lasers.  While this does increase the firepower of the 'Mech, it puts an incredible heat burden on the machine as well.<ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/> BV (1.0) = 1,267, BV (2.0) = 1,595<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 189</ref>
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*; BNC-3Q : A [[2915]] Marik variant produced due to a lack of PPCs, the 3Q removes both Autocannon/5 and PPC and replaces them with a massive [[Imperator-Zeta]] [[Autocannon/20]]. While this increases the sheer firepower that the ''Banshee'' brings to the fight, it also lacks any real secondary weapons and the fact that it has no long range firepower makes it even more vulnerable to bombardment from lighter, better armed 'Mechs.<ref name=TRSWp176f /><ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/> BV (1.0) = 1,151, BV (2.0) = 1,394<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 190</ref>
 
*; BNC-3Q : A [[2915]] Marik variant produced due to a lack of PPCs, the 3Q removes both Autocannon/5 and PPC and replaces them with a massive [[Imperator-Zeta]] [[Autocannon/20]]. While this increases the sheer firepower that the ''Banshee'' brings to the fight, it also lacks any real secondary weapons and the fact that it has no long range firepower makes it even more vulnerable to bombardment from lighter, better armed 'Mechs.<ref name=TRSWp176f /><ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/> BV (1.0) = 1,151, BV (2.0) = 1,394<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 190</ref>
  
*; BNC-3S : The [[3026]] 3S was Defiance Industries' attempt to turn the ''Banshee'' into a typical assault 'Mech, replacing the bulky GM engine with a lighter [[Pitban 285]].  While this reduces its maximum speed to 54 km/h, it also frees up a great deal of room for weapons.  The 'Mech is armed with a mismatched pair of [[PPC]]s, the original torso-mounted Magna and a [[Donal]] version in the arm, for long range fire supported by an [[Imperator-B]] [[Autocannon/10]] to engage an enemy at intermediate ranges, four [[Magna Mk II]] [[medium laser]]s and a [[Harpoon-6]] [[SRM-6]] launcher for short-range combat, and finally a second [[Small Laser]] to round out the weapons payload.  Five more heat sinks were added, though overheating remains a problem, and its armoring remains the same.<ref name=TRSWp176f /><ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/><ref name=TRSWp176f /> BV (1.0) = 1,323,<ref name=CO>''Combat Operations'', p. 131</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,751<ref>''Record Sheets: 3030'', p. 191</ref>
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*; BNC-3S : The [[3026]] 3S was Defiance Industries' attempt to turn the ''Banshee'' into a typical assault 'Mech, replacing the bulky GM engine with a lighter [[Pitban 285]].  While this reduces its maximum speed to 54 km/h, it also frees up a great deal of room for weapons.  The 'Mech is armed with a mismatched pair of [[PPC]]s, the original torso-mounted Magna and a [[Donal]] version in the arm, for long range fire supported by an [[Imperator-B]] [[Autocannon/10]] to engage an enemy at intermediate ranges, four [[Magna Mk II]] [[medium laser]]s and a [[Harpoon-6]] [[SRM-6]] launcher for short-range combat, and finally a second [[Small Laser]] to round out the weapons payload.  Five more heat sinks were added, though overheating remains a problem, and its armoring remains the same.<ref name=TRSWp176f /><ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3039/><ref name=TRSWp176f /> BV (1.0) = 1,323<ref name=CO>''Combat Operations'', p. 131</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,751<ref>''Record Sheets: 3030'', p. 191</ref>
  
*; BNC-5S : An upgrade of the 3S variant using [[Star League]] technology, the 5S replaces the engine with an [[XL engine]] and uses [[double heat sink]]s to save weight, restoring its top speed to 64.8 km/h. The 'Mech is armed for long range combat with a [[Poland Main Model A]] [[Gauss rifle]] and two [[Defiance 1001]] [[ER PPC]]s. For close ranges, the 'Mech has a [[TharHes Maxi]] SRM-6, four [[Defiance B3M]] medium lasers, and two [[Defiance B3S]] Small Lasers, and is also equipped with an [[Angst Clear Channel 3]] comsys.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 201</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,613,<ref name=CO /> BV (2.0) = 2,065<ref name=MUL67/>
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*; BNC-5S : An upgrade of the 3S variant using [[Star League]] technology, the 5S replaces the engine with an [[XL engine]] and uses [[double heat sink]]s to save weight, restoring its top speed to 64.8 km/h. The 'Mech is armed for long range combat with a [[Poland Main Model A]] [[Gauss rifle]] and two [[Defiance 1001]] [[ER PPC]]s. For close ranges, the 'Mech has a [[TharHes Maxi]] SRM-6, four [[Defiance B3M]] medium lasers, and two [[Defiance B3S]] Small Lasers, and is also equipped with an [[Angst Clear Channel 3]] comsys.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 201</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,613<ref name=CO />, BV (2.0) = 2,065<ref name=MUL67/>
  
*; BNC-6S : The 6S variant of the ''Banshee'' is powered by a [[Light Fusion Engine]] and built on an [[Endo Steel]] chassis. It is armed with an [[LB-X Autocannon/10]] for long-range combat while a [[Heavy Gauss Rifle]] is used at medium to close ranges. The 'Mech retains the Small Laser of the 3E model but is protected with fourteen and a half tons of armor.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 202</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,713<ref name=CO/> (1,641),<ref>''Record Sheets: Upgrades'', p. 151</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,899<ref name=MUL67/>
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*; BNC-6S : The 6S variant of the ''Banshee'' is powered by a [[Light Fusion Engine]] and built on an [[Endo Steel]] chassis. It is armed with an [[LB-X Autocannon/10]] for long-range combat while a [[Heavy Gauss Rifle]] is used at medium to close ranges. The 'Mech retains the Small Laser of the 3E model but is protected with fourteen and a half tons of armor.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 202</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,713<ref name=CO /> (1,641)<ref>''Record Sheets: Upgrades'', p. 151</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,899<ref name=MUL67/>
  
*; BNC-7S : The 7S is an upgrade of the 5S model and is also powered by a [[Light Fusion Engine]]. The 'Mech is built on an [[Endo Steel]] chassis and carries fifteen and a half tons of armor. The 7S is armed with a [[Gauss rifle]] and an [[ER PPC]] for long-range firepower. For close range support, it has an SRM-6 and four ER medium lasers.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 203</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,687,<ref name=CO/> BV (2.0) = 2,126<ref name=MUL67/>
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*; BNC-7S : The 7S is an upgrade of the 5S model and is also powered by a [[Light Fusion Engine]]. The 'Mech is built on an [[Endo Steel]] chassis and carries fifteen and a half tons of armor. The 7S is armed with a [[Gauss rifle]] and an [[ER PPC]] for long-range firepower. For close range support, it has an SRM-6 and four ER medium lasers.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 203</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,687<ref name=CO />, BV (2.0) = 2,126<ref name=MUL67/>
  
 
*; BNC-8S : The variant of the ''Banshee'' was created by the [[Word of Blake]] after they took over [[Hesperus II]] in [[3070]]. It turns the 'Mech into a brawler with the inclusion of [[Triple Strength Myomer]] and a [[Hatchet]]. It returns to the XL engine of the 5S and keeps the ubiquitous Small Laser. The LB-X Autocannon/10 is retained from the 6S, though it moves to the other side. An [[ER Large Laser]] is added for use at long range and a [[Snub-Nose PPC]] is effective at medium range, though it is more damaging up close. An [[XL Gyro]] frees up tonnage for four medium lasers, two standard and two extended range models, as well an [[ER Small Laser]]. The inclusion of only thirteen double heat sinks ensures that the myomer activates easily. A [[C3 slave unit]] allows the 8S to share targeting telemetry, though the fact that it is not one of the Word's improved versions suggests that this 'Mech is not intended for use by [[Word of Blake Militia]], but rather their mercenaries or even important planetary garrisons. Finally, eighteen tons of armor and a [[Guardian ECM Suite]] radically improve the defenses of the venerable ''Banshee''.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 204</ref> BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 2,369<ref name=MUL67/>
 
*; BNC-8S : The variant of the ''Banshee'' was created by the [[Word of Blake]] after they took over [[Hesperus II]] in [[3070]]. It turns the 'Mech into a brawler with the inclusion of [[Triple Strength Myomer]] and a [[Hatchet]]. It returns to the XL engine of the 5S and keeps the ubiquitous Small Laser. The LB-X Autocannon/10 is retained from the 6S, though it moves to the other side. An [[ER Large Laser]] is added for use at long range and a [[Snub-Nose PPC]] is effective at medium range, though it is more damaging up close. An [[XL Gyro]] frees up tonnage for four medium lasers, two standard and two extended range models, as well an [[ER Small Laser]]. The inclusion of only thirteen double heat sinks ensures that the myomer activates easily. A [[C3 slave unit]] allows the 8S to share targeting telemetry, though the fact that it is not one of the Word's improved versions suggests that this 'Mech is not intended for use by [[Word of Blake Militia]], but rather their mercenaries or even important planetary garrisons. Finally, eighteen tons of armor and a [[Guardian ECM Suite]] radically improve the defenses of the venerable ''Banshee''.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere)'', p. 204</ref> BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 2,369<ref name=MUL67/>
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===Custom Variants===
 
===Custom Variants===
*; BNC-3S Reinesblatt : A customized BNC-3S geared toward close combat.  The [[PPC]]s are removed in favor of a left arm [[Hatchet]] and a right arm Large Laser.  Also, the [[SRM-6]] is swapped for an [[LRM-10]]. BV (2.0) = 1678<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 268</ref>
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*; BNC-3S Reinesblatt : A customized BNC-3S geared toward close combat.  The [[PPC]]s are removed in favor of a left arm [[Hatchet]] and a right arm Large Laser.  Also, the [[SRM-6]] is swapped for an [[LRM-10]]. BV (2.0) = 1678<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged p.268</ref>
  
 
*; BNC-5S Sawyer : A customized BNC-5S that sacrifices weaponry for mobility.  An [[ER PPC]] and [[heat sink]] are removed to add four jump jets.  BV (2.0) = 2,094<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere) Unabridged'', p. 267</ref>
 
*; BNC-5S Sawyer : A customized BNC-5S that sacrifices weaponry for mobility.  An [[ER PPC]] and [[heat sink]] are removed to add four jump jets.  BV (2.0) = 2,094<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 (Inner Sphere) Unabridged'', p. 267</ref>
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==Design Quirks==
 
==Design Quirks==
The ''Banshee'' has the following [[Design Quirk]]s:<ref>''BattleMech Manual'', p. 90: Battlemech Quirk Table</ref>
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The ''Banshee'' has the following [[Design Quirk]]s:<ref>''BattleMech Manual'', p. 90 - Battlemech Quirk Table</ref>
 
* [[Bad Reputation]] (prior to [[Clan Invasion Era]])
 
* [[Bad Reputation]] (prior to [[Clan Invasion Era]])
 
*[[Rugged|Rugged(1)]]
 
*[[Rugged|Rugged(1)]]
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
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<div class="desktop-3-col">
 
* ''[[BattleCorps]]''  
 
* ''[[BattleCorps]]''  
 
* ''[[BattleMech Manual]]''
 
* ''[[BattleMech Manual]]''
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* ''[[Touring the Stars: Noisiel]]''
 
* ''[[Touring the Stars: Noisiel]]''
 
* ''[[Warrior: Coupé]]'' (novel)
 
* ''[[Warrior: Coupé]]'' (novel)
{{div col end}}
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</div>
  
 
[[Category:'Mechs]]
 
[[Category:'Mechs]]

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